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Tag: minority leader

  • APC lauds judgment restraining Zamfara assembly from dismissing minority leader

    APC lauds judgment restraining Zamfara assembly from dismissing minority leader

    The Zamfara chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended the judgment of the Federal High Court, Gusau restraining the State House of Assembly from dismissing its Minority Leader, Aliyu Ango-Kagara.

    This is contained in a statement issued in Gusau on Monday by the State APC Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Idris.

    NAN recalls that the state house of assembly had recently dismissed the minority leader of the house, Aliyu Ango-Kagara, for alleged absenteeism.

    Idris described the court’s judgment as a welcome development.

    Idris said, “The State APC leadership welcomes the judgment by the Federal High Court Gusau for halting Zamfara Assembly from dismissing the suspended lawmakers of the house across the party lines.”

    He lamented that the suspension of nine lawmakers by the assembly rendered the membership to have less than the two third majority.

    “This situation will affect the activities of the house especially in passing the bills,” Idris added.

    The spokesperson further described the judgment as a defence to the democracy for halting the purported allegations against the APC lawmaker and minority leader representing Talata Mafara South Constituency.

    “Justice Olasupo also ordered that the status quo be maintained pending the hearing of the Motion on Notice and the substantive suit before the court.

    “The court granted an interim injunction restraining the third defendant, INEC, from conducting a bye election for the Talata Mafara South State Constituency, which is currently being occupied by Hon. Aliyu Ango-Kagara.

    “Justice Olasupo also ordered that the status quo be maintained pending the hearing of the Motion on Notice and the substantive suit before the court,” Idris added.

  • PDP still viable opposition, says Reps Minority Leader

    PDP still viable opposition, says Reps Minority Leader

    The Minority Leader in the House of Representatives, Rep. Kingsley Chinda, has said that in spite the recent defection of two of PDP lawmakers to the ruling APC, the party still remains a viable opposition in the country.

    Chinda told newsmen in Abuja on Thursday that the party was just in a ‘phase of interest pursuit’ rather than undergoing a protracted crisis.

    “PDP is still a viable opposition; we are not in any protracted crisis; rather, what we are passing through is just caused by pursuit of interest.

    “PDP is not the only political party with internal challenges; every other party faces the same situation at one time or the other,” he said.
    The minority leader, who reaffirmed the unity in PDP, urged defecting members to follow the proper procedure.

    He explained that the party had pending cases in court seeking interpretation to the consequences of defection without proper procedures.

    The lawmaker called for reorientation and education of party ideology in order to prevent reckless defections.

    “Defections, in developed climes, are not common because every political party has its ideology,’’ he said.

    According to him, membership of every political party in developed democracy is predicated on the ideology of the party.

    “In Nigeria, most parties don’t have ideologies. In other climes, people cling to parties according to their ideologies,” he said.
    Chinda, however, said that plans were on by the minority caucus in the house of representatives to devise means of reducing defections without due process.

    NAN reports that two of the PDP members in the house had, between Tuesday and Wednesday, defected to the ruling.

    They were Reps Amos Magaji (Zango Kataf/Jaba Federal Constituency of Kaduna) and Salisu Koko (Koko-Besse/Maiyama Constituency of Kebbi State).

  • Zamfara assembly declares minority leader’s seat vacant

    Zamfara assembly declares minority leader’s seat vacant

    The Zamfara House of Assembly has declared the minority leader’s seat, held by Aliyu Ango-Kagara, vacant due to alleged absenteeism.

    The decision was made at the plenary on Tuesday in Gusau.

    Ango-Kagara (APC-Talata-Marafa South) has been allegedly absent from the house for 159 days.

    This prompted the majority leader, Bello Mazawaje, to move a motion urging members to declare the lawmaker’s seat vacant.

    Mazawaje said, “Kagara only attended 21 of the 180 sittings of the house since our inauguration, which violated the 1999 Nigerian constitution as amended and standing rules of the house.”

    The Deputy Speaker, Adamu Aliyu, also weighed in, stating that “it is of paramount importance to uphold the House rules and constitutional provisions.”

    However, not all members were in agreement, with Halliru Kuturu suggesting that the house should explore alternative disciplinary measures against the lawmaker.

    Ultimately, the Speaker, Alh. Bilyaminu Moriki, decided that the house had no choice but to implement sections 101 and 109(2) of the Nigerian constitution.

    The Speaker, subsequently, declared Kagara’s seat vacant “due to his persistent absenteeism.”

    In response, Ango-Kagara described the house’s action as unconstitutional.

    “I think, the house was established by law and order not a jungle justice,” he said.

    He said the house’s action was connected to his stance on the illegal suspension of eight members of the assembly.

    “Eight out 24 members were suspended by the house last year for raising security matter affecting their constituencies at the plenary.

    “I told the leadership of the house to stop the illegal suspension of lawmakers, it is against the house standing rules and constitution,” he said.

  • BREAKING Finally, Senators dump Tambuwal, name missing from list of confirmed minority leaders

    BREAKING Finally, Senators dump Tambuwal, name missing from list of confirmed minority leaders

    Former Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal anointed candidate of the PDP dumped as his name is visibly missing from the list of confirmed minority leaders of the tenth Senate.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports that despite swerve moves made by the former 7th House of Representatives speaker, his name was not on the list Senate President, Godswill Akpabio announced on Tuesday during plenary session.

    See list below:

    Minority Leadership Of 10th Senate Announced

    Simon Mwadkon
    Senate Minority Leader

    Oyewumi Olalere
    Senate Deputy Minority Leader

    Darlington Nwokocha
    Senate Minority Whip

    Rufai Hanga
    Senate Deputy Minority Whip

    Details shortly…

  • Minority Leadership: PDP NWC meets party caucus in senate

    Minority Leadership: PDP NWC meets party caucus in senate

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) on Monday met with the party caucus in the Senate to present a common ground for the minority leadership positions of the 10th Senate.

    The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said this in a statement he issued after the meeting at the party’s national secretarial, in Abuja.

    Ologunagba said that the PDP nominations into the minority leadership positions in the senate had not been concluded, adding that the party’s decision would be communicated to the President of the Senate,  Sen. Godswill Akpabio.

    He said at the meeting, the importance of a virile and stable opposition in the senate and indeed the National Assembly was emphasised and that the caucus assured that it would play the important role in the defence of democracy, the interest and wellbeing of Nigerians.

    Ologunagba said that the meeting condemned the alleged moves by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to meddle in the affairs of the minority with regards to the emergence of the minority leadership, which he said is an exclusive reserve of the minority caucus as stipulated by constitutional provisions and Standing Rules of the Senate.

    “The PDP and the senators continue with consultations on the emergence of the minority leadership in the Senate and are resolved to collectively present a unified leadership after due and conclusive considerations.

    “Accordingly, the PDP will continue to provide the necessary leadership in this regard.

    “Consequently, the meeting resolved that the PDP NWC communicates to the Senate President, Sen. Akpabio, on the on-going consultation in the minority caucus to the effect that the nominations into the Minority leadership positions in the Senate has not been concluded.

    “That upon conclusion, the nominated list will be formally conveyed to him appropriately for necessary action,” he said.

    Ologunagba said the NWC commended members of the PDP Caucus in the senate for their unity, steadfastness, loyalty to the party and commitment towards the sustenance and deepening of democracy in the country.

  • Senate minority leadership: Group warns against causing disaffection between Wike, Sen. Jarigbe

    Senate minority leadership: Group warns against causing disaffection between Wike, Sen. Jarigbe

    A socio-political group, Pathfinder 4 Unity, has appealed to those interested in the Senate minority position not to use their ambition to cause disaffection between the former Governor of Rivers, Chief Nyesom Wike and Sen. Jarigbe Agom-Jarigbe.

    The group made the appeal against the background of a statement credited to Agom-Jarigbe to the effect that he (Jarigbe) declined to join Wike in the fight against Sen. Aminu Tambuwal.

    In a statement by the convener of the group, Mr Athur Etta and made available to newsmen in Calabar on Saturday, the group advised those interested in the position to be circumspect in what they dished out to the public.

    It noted that the former Governor of Rivers and the senator representing Cross River North shared a special relationship.

    The group warned that those attempting to cause disaffection between the two because of political position would only end up being disappointed.

    The Pathfinder 4 Unity, however, posited that Agom-Jarigbe who is qualified for the position, made his intention known that he was not interested in spite of several attempts to lure him.

    It further noted that the relationship shared by the two have always been to ensure the promotion of good governance in South South and the country as a whole.

    On the Senate Minority Leader, the group said there had been no discussions whatsoever between Wike and the Senator .

    According to the group, a publication has misrepresented facts contained in an interview granted by Sen. Agom Jarigbe on the minority leadership position of the 10th Senate.

    “He (Jarigbe) has made his position known on the matter that he is not interested, and that no one has consulted him on the position.

    “Our advice remains that anyone interested in that position to make known their attention and stop the blackmailing.

    “We want to also admonish them to open consultation with the relevant people and not those who will not add value to their ambition and to also stop further campaign of calumny against the person of Sen. Jarigbe Agom-Jarigbe.

    “Let us be reminded that the Senate is not a kindergarten. It is for men, not sycophants.

  • Senate Minority Leader: PDP group rejects Tambuwal’s bid

    Senate Minority Leader: PDP group rejects Tambuwal’s bid

    A Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) revolutionary political group, Concerned PDP League (CPDPL), says it will oppose any bid by the party to present Sen. Aminu Tambuwal, as a minority candidate for the senate.

    Chairman of CPDPL, Mr Daboikiabo Warmate, said in a statement on Wednesday that the group was not in support of Tambuwal, based on a trust deficit he earned for himself when he was the Speaker of House of Representatives.

    Warmate said that instead of Tambuwal, the position should rather be zoned to a state in the North-Central, precisely Plateau.

    “That his ambition is dead in its imagination, how much more arrival; nevertheless, the past has caught up with him,” he said.

    Warmate stated that Tambuwal had during his leadership as Speaker of the 8th House of Representatives given to him by the PDP, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), and by so doing, sowed a seed of trust deficit.

    He expressed dissatisfaction over such an attitude, saying that the ambition of the former Sokoto governor would be a recipe and incentive for further disunity and crisis in the PDP.

    “It is with great disappointment and shock to have read on the papers that Tambuwal, the former Governor of Sokoto State and PDP Governors Forum Chairman, wants to be the minority leader of the 10th Senate.

    “Somebody that in 2014 took the House of Representatives Speakership we gave to him and defected to another party. This same person eventually came back to the party.

    “Now, he wants to be the minority leader of the 10th Senate; we will not give support to you.

    “Look, for many years, he was the PDP Governors Forum chairman, but could not speak against the suppression and sufferings of Nigerians,” Warmate said.

    According to him, Tambuwal cannot be trusted the second time and does not have the needed courage to be the minority leader of the 10th Senate, judging from his antecedents.

    He called for a mid-term convention to be followed by the dissolution of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to give room for fresh ideas.

    The group also urged the Acting National Chairman of the party, Amb. Umar Damagum, not to sign any letter introducing Tambuwal as the minority leader of the 10th Senate.

    “The former PDP Governors Forum Chairman, performed woefully as a leader of the opposition party.

    “No, enough is enough; PDP members cannot be used and dumped.

    “It is Peoples Democratic party (PDP), not Elite Democratic Party or Stakeholders Democratic Party, and that is what we want them to know.

    “We will not allow members, leaders or any leader to use the party and dump it at will, no! That is unacceptable. We need to tell them the truth.”

    Warmate commended the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, for providing the needed opposition voice in the eight years of the APC Buhari-led Federal Government.

  • Senate appoints new Minority Leader, Whip

    Senate appoints new Minority Leader, Whip

    The Senate has announced Sen. Philip Aduda (PDP-FCT), as Senate Minority Leader.

    It also announced Sen. Chukwuka Utazi (PDP-Enugu) as Minority Whip of the Senate.

    The announcement is contained in a letter by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, to the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, and read at Tuesday’s plenary.

    Aduda’s appointment followed the official resignation of Sen. Eyinnaya Abaribe (APGA-Abia), as member of the PDP and former minority leader.

    The letter is titled, “Confirmation of the Senate Caucus Nomination of Sen. Philip Aduda as Senate Minority Leader.’’

    The letter reads: “Leadership of the PDP is pleased to confirm to you the nomination of Sen. Aduda, as the new Senate Minority Leader.

    “The nomination of Aduda is for the replacement of the vacant seat of the minority leader created by the defection of Abaribe to APGA.

    “Pleaes kindly accord Aduda all the necessary cooperation due to the office.’’

    Similarly, “the leadership of the PDP is pleased to confirm to you the nomination of Sen. Utazi as the new Senate Minority Whip.

    “The nomination of Utazi for the replacement of the vacancy to the minority whip followed the elevation of Aduda to the Senate Minority Leader.’’

    Lawan congratulated both lawmakers on their nomination.

  • Abaribe resigns as Senate Minority Leader, dumps PDP

    Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe has resigned as the Minority Leader in the upper chamber of the National Assembly.

    This was sequel to his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under which he was elected to the Senate in 2019.

    Abaribe announced his resignation in two separate letters – one addressed to his Ward Chairman and the other to the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, dated 24th and 26th May 2022 respectively.

    In a letter to his former ward chairman in the PDP, Abaribe said: “This development is consequent upon the shameful display of illegality, impunity and undemocratic decision of the party and after due consultations with my constituents.”

    Abaribe who represents Abia South in the Senate recently withdrew from contesting the governorship ticket of the PDP in the State.

  • Battle for who becomes Minority Leader of 9th House

    Battle for who becomes Minority Leader of 9th House

    . as Elumelu is rated most ranked Rep from S/S

    ..Chinda, Ossai, Nkem-Abonta, Yusuf, Onyeama others eye position

    The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has a daunting task to perform in the selection of who emerges the next minority leader of the ninth House of Representatives.

    TNG findings revealed that selecting the body of principal officers in the Senate was an easy task as within 48hours the Senate minority leader and his deputy emerged, I the party had perfectly fixed it.

    Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe was picked without much consultation as the former Abia Deputy Governor was one of the most ranked in the Senate from the South East zone.

    But in the House of Representatives, it’s a different kettle of fish as there are many Reps angling for the position and posses the required cognate experience.

    In order of ranking of those presently in the race, the mantle falls on Hon Ndudi Elumelu, PDP, Delta who came to the House in 2007.

    The oldest in the present House is Hon Nicholas Mutu, PDP, Delta who is said not to be interested but has been in the House since 1999.

    Others from South South are: Hons Leo Okuweh Ogor 2003, Essien Ayi 2003, Ndudi Elumelu 2007, Kingsley Ogundu Chinda 2011, Ossai Nicholas Ossai, 2011 and by virtue of this Elumelu is the 4th most ranked member from the zone and the first three are said not to be interested automatically making him the most ranked.

    According to lawmakers from both the South-South and South East zones the issue at stake is not necessarily who should get it but who is capable of leading the opposition in the Green Chamber.

    A lawmaker from the South East who spoke under the condition of anonymity told TNG that,”what we need is to strengthen the opposition bench and PDP has all it takes to do this.

    ‘But if they choose to apply sentiments and pick a weak bench, APC will run us over and make a mockery of us.

    Another lawmaker from the South-South also spoke in the same vein noting that”if we get it wrong now we’ll all regret our action later.

    “If PDP decides to do it in order of ranking well and good but if it is based on legislative experience all the men presently gunning for the position are very capable hands.

    The standings of Reps gunning to lead PDP Reps:

    *Ndudi ElumeluDelta, is the most ranked among South South lawmakers placing it close to his footsteps. He is a third timer with vast legislative experience. He had chaired sensitive committees in the past including that of Health in the seventh Assembly.

    *Kingsley Ogundu Chinda, Rivers a third timer with enough legislative arsenal to run an opposition capable of giving APC goose pimples. He was Chairman House committee on Public Accounts in the immediate past eighth Assembly.

    Uzoma Nkem-Abonta, Abia is a third timer. He contributed the highest number of bills and motions in both the seventh and eighth assemblies. He is a very versatile lawmaker.

    *Tajudeen Yusuf, Kogi, former students union leader and an Economist has what it takes to lead the opposition. He is a third timer.

    *Chukwuma Oyeama, Anambra is the immediate past Deputy leader of the eighth House. Soft-spoken and displays brilliance rarely in his debates.

    *Pat Asadu, Enugu, a medical doctor is also in the race.

    In the last Assembly, the position was zoned to the South South and from all indications it maybe still be domiciled there.

    There are still other positions such as deputy leader, Chief Whip and deputy whip.

    The APC is still keeping everything under wrap but for now only two lawmakers from Kano Hons Alhassan Ado Doguwa and Aminu Suleiman the comrade Rep are eyeing the position.