Tag: NASS

Speakership: Abbas pledges a united 10th HoR, gets Wike’s backing

The leading Speakership candidate for the incoming 10th House of Representatives,Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has pledged to ensure that there is unity and cohesion among members of the House should he gets elected as the number 1 presiding officer come June 13, 2023.

Recall that Hon. Abbas, was announced as preferred choice for the position of Speaker alongside his colleague and House Spokesman, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu who was also endorsed for the Deputy Speakership position by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Monday, May 8, 2023.

Addressing the outgoing Governor of Rivers State, Barrister Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt on Friday during a courtesy/consultative visit, Abbas who was accompanied by members of the Joint Task – 10th Assembly, a coalition of the 8 political parties that won seats in the incoming, thanked the Governor for supporting the APC in the Presidential election of February 25, 2023.

He therefore assured that he would do all within his power to bring about unity in the House under his leadership in conjunction with his deputy if they are successful on June 13.

He commended governor Wike for “doing the right thing during the last election, just as he noted that the members-elect from Rivers State were on board with him.

He said the next administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu needs a stable Parliament to perform.

He solicited for Wike’s support to be able to clinch the speakership position come June 13.

Responding, the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom declared total support for Hon. Abbas and Hon. Benjamin Kalu as Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the incoming 10th House of Representatives.

Wike said he would work assiduously to make sure that the duo emerge victorious, adding that all the 13 members-elect from Rivers State with the exception of one, are with Abbas and Kalu 100 percent.

Wike also said that the 2015 scenario where members that went against their party emerged as leaders of the National Assembly would not repeat itself.

“I want to say here that I am with you fully. You know I do my things in the open. When Chinda told me that you’re coming here, I said there was no need because I am with you fully. All our members are with you, except one, who is doing something else.

“2015 won’t repeat itself. Let me tell you, I’ll leave office on Monday, and once I leave, we’ll start the campaign fully.

“I urge all of you to support Abbas. Don’t support him in the day and do something else in the night. You should support him fully.”

Wike added that the fact that a president or governor indicates interest on whom to work with as the head of the Legislature does not in any way mean total control over the Parliament.

He said even in advanced democracies, presidents indicate interest in whom to work with in the Legislature for smooth running of government.

Also, the chairman of the Joint Task – 10th Assembly, Rt. Hon. Usman Bello Kumo, while speaking earlier noted that Abbas is the most decorated lawmaker in Nigeria’s history as far as bills sponsorship is concerned.

He stressed that out of the 74 Bills Rt. Hon. Abbas sponsored in the last four years, 2q were signed into law. He said the Zaria representative had the right character, composure, integrity and tenacity to become the next Speaker.

May 26, 2023
72hrs to go: Buhari assents to NDIC Bill, four others

President Muhammadu Buhari has assented to the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC Bill, the Arbitration and Mediation Bill and three other Bills, passed by the National Assembly, in furtherance of the provisions of Section 58 of the Constitution and pursuant to the Acts Authentication Act Cap. A2, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

This was contained in a statement issued and signed by Senator Babajide Omoworare SSA-P/NASS/Senate on Friday.

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation Act repeals the hitherto extant NDIC Act No. 16 of 2006, provides that NDIC is the insurer of all insurable deposit liabilities of insured institutions. The Arbitration and Conciliation Act also repeals the hitherto extant Cap. A18 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria provides a unified legal framework for the fair and efficient settlement of commercial disputes by arbitration and mediation.

The President also assented to the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (Amendment) Act for the provision of the Federal.College of Agriculture, Ogoinbiri, Bayelsa State; the Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria (Establishment) Act; and the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria (Establishment) Act.

May 26, 2023
(UPDATED) Speakership Race: Wike backs Abbas, Kalu

…promises to join campaign after Monday

…as Ideato Rep-Elect, Ikenga Says endorsement climax of Abass/Ben Kalu consensus walk to victory

The Speaker and Deputy Speakership campaign of Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu on Friday received major boost as Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared total support for their candidacies as presiding officers of the incoming 10th House of Representatives.

Wike, who declared the support for the APC’s preferred candidates in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, said he would work assiduously to make sure that the duo emerge victorious.

Speaking when the Abbas/Kalu Campaign Team visited him under the leadership of the Joint Task – 10th Assembly, Wike said all the 13 members-elect from Rivers State with the exception of one, are with Abbas and Kalu 100 percent.

Wike also said that the 2015 scenario where members that went against their party emerged as leaders of the National Assembly would not repeat itself.

“I want to say here that I am with you fully. You know I do my things in the open. When Chinda told me that you’re coming here, I said there was no need because I am with you fully. All our members are with you, except one, who is doing something else.

“2015 won’t repeat itself. Let me tell you, I’ll leave office on Monday, and once I leave, we’ll start the campaign fully.

“I urge all of you to support Abbas. Don’t support him in the day and do something else in the night. You should support him fully,” Wike said.

On his part, a House of Representatives member-elect and CUPP Spokesman and Communication adviser to the Tajudeen Ben Kalu group (TBK) who was also part of the delegation Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere expressing excitement over Wike’s endorsement said the endorsement is a climax to the duo’s victory come June 13.

Ikenga who also recently with the support of over 30 others declared their endorsement of the duo, said the visit is a victory consolidation, adding that Abass and Kalu are seconds away of emerging victorious.

May 26, 2023
Speakership Race: CUPPS Spokesman, Member-Elect hails Wike’s endorsement of Abass, Kalu

…declares Abbas, Kalu inches away from victory

The Spokesperson of the Conference of United Political Parties (CUPP), and member-elect representing Ideato North South Federal Constituency in the 10th House of Representatives, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere has expressed delight over the endorsement of leading Speakership, Deputy Speakership hopefuls and All Progressive Congress consensus candidates, Hon. Abass Tajudeen and Hon. Benjamin Kalu by River state Governor, Nyesom Wike.

Ugochinyere who’s the communication adviser for Tajudeen Abass, Ben Kalu (TBK) group, was among the many members-elect who accompanied the duo to visit the Governor on Friday, in Rivers state.

In a statement he personally signed, Ikenga who also recently with the support of 62 others declared their endorsement of the duo, described the visit as “a victory consolidation.”

According to him, the other aspirants are wasting their time campaigning, because Abass and Kalu are “seconds away of emerging victorious.”

Citing his earlier statement where he backed the duo’s ambition, he again appealed to the aggrieved aspirants to stepdown for Abass and Kalu.

He said: “I and my other colleagues supporting APC’s anointed candidates, are again urging members-elect of the ruling and opposition parties to join hands and support Tajudeen Abbas and Benjamin Kalu. Just like I disclosed few days ago, this visit to Governor Wike, and more which will follow in the coming days, is a testament that we are ready for Nigerians to know that the TBK Group is fully in support of Abass and Kalu for Speaker, Deputy Speaker of the incoming tenth National Assembly.

“We thank Governor Wike for supporting this great duo. I took time to analyze the background of Hon Abbas and Hon. Kalu, and they both have similarities, their track record shows men with focus, believe in hard work, competent and humble,” the member-elect said.

May 26, 2023
Just In: Wike throws weight behind Abbas, Kalu

…vows 2015 won’t rear its ugly head again

The Speaker and Deputy Speakership campaign of Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and Hon. Benjamin Kalu on Friday received a major boost as Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike declared total support for their candidacies as presiding officers of the incoming 10th House of Representatives.

Wike, who declared the support for the APC’s preferred candidates in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, said he would work assiduously to make sure that the duo emerge victorious.

Speaking when the Abbas/Kalu Campaign Team visited him under the leadership of the Joint Task – 10th Assembly, Wike said all the 13 members-elect from Rivers State with the exception of one, are with Abbas and Kalu 100 percent.

Wike also said that the 2015 scenario where members that went against their party emerged as leaders of the National Assembly would not repeat itself.

“I want to say here that I am with you fully. You know I do my things in the open. When Chinda told me that you’re coming here, I said there was no need because I am with you fully. All our members are with you, except one, who is doing something else.

“2015 won’t repeat itself. Let me tell you, I’ll leave office on Monday, and once I leave, we’ll start the campaign fully.

“I urge all of you to support Abbas. Don’t support him in the day and do something else in the night. You should support him fully,” Wike said.

Details later….

May 26, 2023
Why I didn’t interfere in NASS affairs – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari says he decided not to meddle in the affairs of the National Assembly since he became the president in 2015 because of his belief in the independence of the legislature.

Buhari said this at the inauguration of the permanent site of National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) in Abuja on Thursday.

He said his administration ensured an harmonious relationship between the Executive and the Legislature and and promoted a culture of mutual respect and collaboration between the two arms.

The president said he was optimism that the magnificent complex would boost the capacity of the legislature in Nigeria and Africa at large.

He described the legislature as the cornerstone of any democracy, adding that it was vital to ensuring that the wish and aspirations of all Nigerians were considered during the lawmaking process.

He said the lawmakers also perform critical functions of overseeing the executive and ensuring that government’s spending aligned with legislative intent.

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, said the result of executive and legislative collaboration had helped in facilitating hundreds of roads, bridges as well as rehabilitation and reconstruction of rail lines across the country.

“We have also passed several legislations to provide an overarching framework for sustainable economic growth and development.

”Significantly also, the investment in infrastructure development extends to all six zones of the country,” he said.

Speaker of House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, appealed to the president to assent to the Federal Audit Bill and National Assembly Budget and Research Office Bill passed by the Assembly.

He said the bills sought to enhance the oversight function of committees as critical legislative priorities as well as to improve transparency and accountability in government processes.

May 25, 2023
Speakership: Northern youths advise G-7 aspirants to support Abbas/Kalu ticket

The Northern Youth Forum for Good Governance (NYFGG), has called on aggrieved aspirants for the position of Speaker of the 10th Assembly, also known as G-7 to drop their individual ambition and support the candidacy of Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and Hon. Benjamin Kalu.

The Forum made the call on Thursday at a Media briefing in conjunction with other Civil society groups from the region.

Tagged: “An Appeal to G7 Consensus Speakership Group and members-elect on the need to support Hon Tajudeen Abass for the Speakership of the 10th National Assembly,” the Forum said the call became necessary given the discontent that greeted the nomination of Hon. Abbas and Ben Kalu by the leadership of the ruling All Progress Congress (APC) on May 8, 2023.

The statement reads: “As stakeholders in the Nigerian project for democracy and good governance, we are constrained to lend our voice to the debate on the Speakership of the Federal House of Representatives.

“We are aware of the discontent that has greeted the nomination of Hon Tajudeen Abbass by the APC as the candidate for the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as well as the strong opposition put forward by the eminent G7 group in the House of Representatives.

“While it is within their rights to express displeasure over the choice of Hon Tajudeen Abass, they must understand that it’s only a united house that can stand; hence the need for all parties should support the candidature of Hon Tajudeen Abbas.”

The Forum contended that “As stakeholders of the party, it is incumbent that the G7 members act on the decision of the party in a bid to ensure that members of the opposition party do not undermine the APC.”

“The Northern Forum for Good Governance is also using this medium to reach out to members elect to support Hon Tajudeen Abass in his ambition. Undoubtedly, he is one of the most experienced hands in the House of Representatives.

“His contributions on the floor have been noteworthy, and his leadership of various committees under his purview has also been top-notch. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas is a bridge-builder who understands the strategic importance of the House of Representatives in the country’s socioeconomic development.

“Given that Hon Tajudeen Abass has the endorsement of the President-Elect, we wish to use this medium to appeal to the G7 and other members-elect to see the reason behind the choice of Hon Tajudeen Abass.

“The APC must stay united at the risk of allowing some dramatic outcomes during the elections of principal officers in the House of Representatives. The decision to endorse Hon Tajudeen Abbass is in the party’s best interest and not the fact that he is the most suitable candidate for the Speaker of the House of Representatives position,” the group added.

The Forum argued further that “Hon. Tajudeen Abbas is a loyal party man whose penchant for teamwork is tremendous. He has been known for carrying everyone along, and we believe this much he will do if supported to emerge as Speaker of the House of Representatives.”

“We also wish to use this medium to encourage Hon Tajudeen Abass to reach out to the G7 and other members-elect to pacify them to work in the party’s interest. They must admit that the task ahead of the incoming administration requires all hands to be on deck.

“The country’s challenges are enormous, and the incoming administration’s mantra is renewed hope. This can only happen if the party stays united and pursues a common goal.

“The G7 are respected members of the APC whose contribution to the growth and development of the party cannot be overemphasized. But again, the position of Speaker is meant for one person, and the party has a say in those elected as principal officers in the National Assembly.

“The Northern Forum for Good Governance urges the G7 and other members-elect to focus on the strength and capacity of Hon Tajudeen Abass rather than the fact that the party nominated him. In so doing, the G7 and other members would come to appreciate the party’s decision.

“There is the risk of giving the incoming administration a tough time settling down for the business at hand at this critical point of our existence. We are convinced that the G7 and other members elect are interested in the progress of the party and, as such, the need to sheath their swords and embrace peace.

“The G7, as stakeholders of the party in the House of Representatives, are encouraged to act as comrades in the spirit of unity and see to the emergence of Hon. Tajudeen Abass as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

“The Northern Youth Forum for Good Governance appreciates and commends the G7 and other members-elect. We trust they will act in good faith and see Hon Tajudeen Abass as one of them.”

May 25, 2023
Illegal sale of 48m barrels of crude: Reps send 2nd invite to AGF, Finance Minister

The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee probing the Alleged Illegal Sale of 48 million Barrels of Crude oil to Foreign Destinations has re-invited the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice AGF Mr Abubakar Malami SAN and the Minister of Finance Dr Mrs. Zainab Ahmed to appear on Thursday May 25,2023 at 10:00 am unfailingly.

The Chairman of the House Ad-hoc Committee, Hon. Mark Gbiillah re-issued the invitation at the ongoing 3-day investigative hearing of the committee, in Abuja.

According to Hon. Gbillah both ministers are to explain the whistleblower policy of the federal government and provide the committee with all requested documents on the issue under probe by the House.

TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports the lawmakers had earlier grilled the Director of Development of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission Mr.E. Amadusun over the N21 billion paid as loyalty by oil companies to the coffers of the agencies.

Some of the oil companies invited to the hearing, were to bring their pre-shipment inspection certificates, detail of vessels used for the export of crude, financial accounting of the lifing and the details of their banking as well as the statements to unravel the truth.

The Operational Manager of of Millenium Oil and Gas, Mr Kingsley Etuk Akpan responding to questions before the panel, informed the lawmakers that 20 Square KM oil field was acquired by the firm.

Recall that Malami who was earlier summoned to the investigative hearing last month, dismissed the issue of export of 48 millions of crude to foreign nations without necessary documents as fake news and baseless allegation.

May 25, 2023
Speakership: Form a united team to conquer imposition – Group tells G-7

…says or another rubber stamp parliament is loading

A group under the platform of Renewed Hope Professionals RHP has advised the G-7 Reps-elect to form a united coalition to counter imposition of candidates on the tenth House of Representatives.

This was contained in a statement issued and signed by the coordinator of body of professionals, Kinu Kabirwa on Wednesday saying that:

“The G-7 has what it takes to give our democracy and parliament that will operate fully the doctrine of separation of powers with overlapping functions as it’s done in civilised climes.

“The earlier the G-7 embraces this and put on their thinking caps to forge an indivisible team the better for Nigeria and Nigerians.

“We cannot afford to have another rubber stamp parliament that has thrown every good thing coming to Nigerians overboard, the tenth Assembly should be an exception in 2023.

“Those who imposed candidates they know very well will go beyond the ordinary using all manners of coersive force to ensure there’s a crack which the G-7 must start checkmating now before the inauguration.

“If need be they will use force as they have already admitted that proper consultation was not carried out before the imposition.

“They did not consult and created a big gap as some zones were not considered while a zone has two slots in the National Assembly body of principals.

“It will be wise for the G-7 to remain resolute to combat this daylight robbery being perpetuated by leaders of a party that’s a product of adequate consultation as depicted in President Muhammadu Buhari’s first term in office.

May 24, 2023
Group asks FG to halt appointment of new Auditor General

…wants process left for incoming admin

…says process enmeshed with corruption, illegalities

President Muhammadu Buhari has been advised to stop the process for the appointment of a new Auditor General for the Federation (AuGF) and instead allow the incoming government of Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu to conclude the process.

National convener of a non-governmental organisation, Defenders of Constitutional Democracy (DCD), Alhaji Aliyu Abdullahi and the Director of Contact and Mobilisation, Dr. Chukwuma Okoro gave the advice in a statement made available to news men in Abuja on Wednesday.

The group alleged that there was a desperate move by some elements in the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation and the Civil Service Commission, FCSC, to sideline senior directors and appoint a junior officer as the Auditor General of the Federation.

According to the statement, “We are calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to order for the suspension of the process for the appointment of a new Auditor General of the Federation and allow the government of his successor to do due diligence in the exercise. The present process is riddled with corruption and illegalities and must not be allowed to stand.

“Recall that the process began in August 2022 with seven directors shortlisted and the screening done but along the line, the order of seniority was altered in the Office of the Head of Service. Surprisingly, the process was abandoned for unknown reasons and a fresh one was initiated in March 2023, where the most senior directors were excluded.

” And we have it on good authority that there are plans to appoint an officer who is not among the most senior Directors before the expiration of this administration.

“We call on the Head of Service Mrs Folasade Esan to as a matter of urgency reinstate the original seniority list and discard the ongoing arrangement in order to avoid attracting a lawsuit. failure to abide by this subtle call, we will have no option than to seek redress in court”.

Alhaji Abdullahi contended that the DCD is “Concerned because there seems to be a grand plan to scheme out some people, especially the two women who were part of the initial seven that were shortlisted and screened for the job. Mr. President, you have an obsession with due process and the rule of law and therefore urge you to without delay intervene to save this important office from unnecessary controversies.

“We wish to notify you that instead of an acting or substantive Auditor General, the Head of Service introduced an alien practice of appointing an Overseeing Director. This is an aberration to the Civil Service Rules. Surprisingly, the so-called Overseeing Director has been in that position for over 10 months now.

“And because the position is not known to the constitution, the Overseeing Director cannot sign AuGF Annual Reports hence as we speak, there is a backlog of the Reports for two years. The Office of the Auditor General of the Federation is too important to be toyed with by some unpatriotic and corrupt public servants. This process must not continue”, the group warned.

END

May 24, 2023