TheNewsGuru

Tag: NASS

  • Enter NASS, Africa’s Shrine of Hypocrisy

    By Anthony Obekpa

    Nigeria is an unfortunate country on many flanks. There is nowhere this misfortune is expressed more pungently than in the National Assembly (NASS). The two chambers of national parliament have the penchant to engage in actions which are inconsistent with popular cause or mocks the national interest they are supposed to jealously protect.

    Some members of NASS have spent upward of three or more tenures in NASS. But to say, they have acquainted themselves with the basic rudiments of legislation is expecting too much from members of this important arm of government.

    The belief of the heavily populated NASS is that the legislature exists primarily to antagonize the executive arm of government to extract personal gains. They don’t think strategically for national interest. Every issue before the parliament is approached from the perspective of personal benefits, even at the detriment of the country. Once their personal desires are met, the country can go to blazes.

    Therefore, NASS has consistently failed in legislation or oversight functions. Most times when NASS deliberates and passes national Appropriation Acts, tales of budget padding in billions reawaken national discourses. It reminds Nigerians of how badly the country has fared. Almost always, constituency projects funds end up in the drain. But NASS members loathe any investigation into it by anti-graft agencies. Attempt it, and they unanimously chorus political witch-hunt.

    These Parliamentarians’ are more excited with driving posh cars as official vehicles and daily bargain for sumptuous allowances. And these cars must be imported at huge cost of FOREX to the country and so, they rejected vehicles from Innoson Motors as too inferior for them.

    The NASS members feign the portrait of patriotism. But deep down their hearts, the opportunity of being in the NASS is for personal service and personal enrichment, instead of national interest. Each time they want to earn more objectionable allowances, lawmakers arm-twist and blackmail the President and his appointees.

    The only notable emblem of members of NASS is that some are “distinguished” and others are “honourable” in the exact opposite of the prefixes attached to their names. But aside it, every other thing about them drapes with either incompetence or lack capacity to serve Nigeria.

    So, Nigerians have entered the new church of saints and angels, who are more satanic in thoughts and actions than lucifer himself. That’s why in his days as President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo had consistent brawls with them, to the point of fisticuffs.

    Once anyone who is President refuses to play ball with them, the legislators create crisis and threaten the soul of Nigeria. Yet, these are parliamentarians some of who sleeps throughout most plenary sessions. They only saunter from their trance to concord with motions which service their appetite for illicit money. They flaunt power like conquering emperors and dare anyone to challenge their impertinence to the same people they claim to serve.

    National parliamentarians approach every issue upside down. It is doubtful whether some of them know their left from the right. When one listens to their debates during plenaries on national issues, the dullness disarms. Even secondary school debating competitions of those days were more energetic and stimulating.

    Nigeria operates constitutional democracy, which is powered by the rule of law. And the powers to checkmate and sack an erring President is exclusively that of the NASS. But here, Parliamentarians told Nigerians President Muhammadu Buhari has failed the nation on insecurity. They claimed Mr. President is incompetent.

    But what was their reaction? They rather told the President to resign. Who elected them to play advisory roles to Mr. President on decisions that are personal to him? One can only imagine! It means they were not sure of themselves and as usual, were out to blackmail Mr. President.

    And thereafter, they delved into matters they are neither empowered by law nor within their operational jurisdiction. It mocks commonsense that parliamentarians will ask Mr. President to sack his Service Chiefs. It is laughable and only smacks of their confounding confusion.

    One believes that NASS members don’t know that the power or decision to sack Service Chiefs is the exclusive prerogative of the President and Commander-In-Chief. So, the hilarious cacophonies like “sack the Service Chiefs or no, the President should resign” meaninglessly resonated in both chambers. Oh! They are really confused and in need of urgent salvation.

    These Parliamentarians bury any bill that threatens their personal interests, especially in business and promote silly ones. Any appointee nominated by the President for NASS confirmation whose records demonstrates a flair of being a pain in the neck of NASS members is soundly rejected. No cogent reason is adduced for the rejection. They only crave the indulgence of Nigerians to believe in the supremacy of their decision whether good or bad.

    This is the NASS which wanted the Acting EFCC chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu sacked because he was bold to investigate their Chairman over allegations of corrupt acts. Look at the speed they moved to amend the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) Act simply because the NASS chairman was facing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

    Nigeria’s parliamentarians are very unique dramatists. Their altercation with Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), the Comptroller General of Nigeria’s Customs Service (NCS) was like a stage theatre. They summoned and harangued the customs boss, insisting that he must wear uniform before he appears before them or be sacked.

    And his only offence was that he impounded an imported vehicle which the NASS chairman smuggled into the country and evaded payment of lawful tax levies. The NASS was livid with anger against Hameed Ali for refusing to share cash and impounded cars to them. But they met a brick wall, as the ex-soldier cum administrator stood defiantly against them.

    What is unknown to them is that Nigerians are not fooled. Nigerians can’t be fooled by their antics anymore. They have overplayed this game and it has become too familiar. Each time they bark at Mr. President, it is not for national interest, but subtle blackmail for personal favours which he is adamant to approve for them.

    The legislators want cars worth billions of naira to run assignments for Nigerians in the guise of oversight functions in a country majority of the citizens are living in penury. How did they arrive at the figure of N37 billion for the renovation of National Assembly Complex?

    Even an entirely new NASS complex will not cost as much as N37 billion. Could it have been another subtle blackmail of the Presidency to pass the 2020 budget? Nigerians later heard that the parliamentarians endorsed the 2020 Appropriation Act without any inquest into it. What had a semblance that the national budget passed through NASS was its padding by over N163 billion.

    But they pray Nigerians not think about how much they have inserted into the budget for renovation. The money is more than the total cumulative budget for health, defence and education sectors. However, it must be given it to them or there must be war. That’s the NASS Nigeria operates.

    So, President Buhari, an upright and straightforward leader has always been in trouble with NASS members. If the ICPC is investigating some NASS members over allegations of corruption and President Buhari refuses to intervene, he runs into trouble with them. They cry like little babies that anti-graft agencies are “fighting” them, but the President is quiet.

    And in vengeance they go for the President neck. If they can’t get him, they trouble and intimidate his appointees. After all, an Africa adage says, “once you grab the ears, the head will come.” Gbam… Yes, that’s the key. So, the battle has to go the President in another way. NASS members, how funny are thee in the new African shrine of hypocrisy?

    Obekpa, a University don wrote this article from Bauchi.

  • Coronavirus: NCDC cautions lawmakers, speaks on shutting down National Assembly

    The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control has said the decision of the House of Representatives to suspend plenary for two weeks is needless.

    The Director-General of the NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, said this while responding to a question on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme.

    Ihekweazu said shutting down the lower chamber of the National Assembly could cause panic and send the wrong signal to Nigerians.

    The NCDC boss said, “I have all the respect for the honourable members. They represent Nigerians, they express the anxieties of Nigerians across the country but I think the time has not come (to suspend plenary).

    “If they respond by suspending sessions, everyone else will begin to think ‘should I close my business?’, ‘should I close my office?’, ‘should I close my school? It is disproportionate at this time. I think what the honourable members should do is supporting the work we are doing; the technical work that the experts are doing. Give us your support; give us a sustainable budget so that we can develop the expertise.

    “Ask us for advice so that we can advise you on what to do. If I were asked, I would tell them that it is too early to carry out a measure like that. They need to express by their actions and words, confidence in the government institutions that they have set up and which is their mandate to fund.”

    Ihekweazu, who has been in self-isolation for the last one week since returning from China, asked Nigerians to curb the spread of fake news by only sharing information from the official channels.

    He said gone are the days when cures to diseases could be found in some random village.

    “Cures are found through collective scientific effort and not from my mother’s pot in the village,” the NCDC boss said.

    The NCDC boss said the presence of thermal scanners at the airports was not enough to prevent the outbreak of coronavirus, adding that it takes conscious effort of all stakeholders and Nigerians at large.

  • Coronavirus: Lawmakers demand closure of NASS for two weeks, gives reasons

    The House of Representatives on Tuesday resolved that the National Assembly should suspend plenary for two weeks to enable the management install facilities to screen and detect coronavirus.

    This was sequel to the unanimous adoption of an amendment moved by the Minority Leader Ndudi Elumelu.

    Elumelu moved the amendment while members were debating a motion of Urgent Matters of Public Importance on tackling coronavirus by Rep. Josiah Idem (PDP-Akwa-Ibom).

    Amending the motion, Elumelu said that there were no facilities to check people entering the National Assembly Complex to detect coronavirus.

    He said that anybody infected could walk into the premises, shake hands with people and spread the virus.

    “I urge the leadership of the National Assembly to suspend plenary for two weeks to allow management to sanitise and put facilities in place to detect the virus.

    “Let the Committee on Health and other relevant committees ensure compliance,” he said.

    Moving the motion earlier, Idem said that there was need for the leadership of the assembly to constitute a committee to interface with government to eliminate the virus.

    He called for the release of more emergency funds to support the Federal Minister of Health to eliminate the novel virus.

    The lawmaker stressed the need to intensify surveillance at all national borders and called for the immediate activation of centres designated for the treatment.

    Idem said that risk communication should be intensified and laboratory services be expanded recommending that two isolation centers should be cited in each geo political zones.

    Rep. Inombeck-Awaji Abiante (PDP-Rivers) said that a motion to bring back Nigerians stranded in China was thrown out by the House for fear of importing the virus.

    He said that though the ministry of health assured the public that the country was ready to contain the virus, it had found its way into the country.

    The lawmaker said that it showed that government was not really prepared for the virus as Nigerians were made to believe.

    Rep. Nasir Alliyu (APC-Kano) said that there were only three isolation facilities so far in the country.

    According to him, they are located in Abuja, Lagos and Edo and that the one in Abuja, which has a capacity of less than 30 persons, has not been completed.

    The lawmaker said that with a population of about 200 million, the facilities were grossly inadequate to contain the virus

    “God forbid if we have to quarantine 10,000 persons, what do we do? there is need to get really prepared,” he said.

    Rep. Ibrahim Isiaka (APC-Ogun) said that the place where the infected Italian visited in Ogun was in his constituency after traveling for several kilometres from Lagos.

    He said that what was most disappointing was the fact that he was not detected at entry port.

    The house, therefore, recommended that government should convene an emergency national health conference for all health workers to come together to address the spread of the virus.

    Deputy Speaker Ahmed Wase (APC-Plateau) then mandated all relevant committees of the House to ensure compliance.

  • NASS: Always self, never people’s interests – Ehichioya Ezomon

    NASS: Always self, never people’s interests – Ehichioya Ezomon

    By Ehichioya Ezomon

    The coming of the 9th National Assembly (NASS) – from the ashes of the 8th NASS that’s more an opposition to than a co-partner of the government of the day – evoked the kind of scepticism that attended the time Jesus was recruiting.

    Because “Jesus is from a back-water town like Nazareth,” with a population of about 500, Nathanael, who’s with Philip, was doubtful if anything good, like a miracle-performing Jesus, could be ascribed to Nazareth.

    The Bible, in John 1:46, records the conversation between Nathanael and Philip, thus: “And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.”
    As bibleref.com explained, “Nathanael’s question is more than a little sarcastic. He assumes that Nazareth couldn’t produce much of worth, let alone the Promised One. Philip’s response is not to argue, but simply to invite. He knows already that talking about Jesus is nothing like meeting Him in person.”
    Though not in the same context, most Nigerians had greeted the inauguration of the current NASS with “nothing good” would come from the chambers. They had past experiences as a guide!
    Since the return of democracy to Nigeria in 1999, it’s been the national lawmakers’ endless tales of “let’s serve ourselves instead of the people that elected us into office.”
    They advanced this self-interest with unexplained humongous allowances for each legislator; endless renovations of the NASS; purchase of exotic vehicles for their comfort; and passing of bills and resolutions that favoured their positions and pockets.
    And what did the lawmakers on both sides of the aisle – the ruling party and the opposition – spare for the people, while they swam in affluence? Untold hardship in all ramifications: unemployment, high cost of living and general insecurity in the land!
    So, it would have been a great surprise to Nigerians if members of the 9th NASS – many of whom were in previous sessions – were to toe a different path from their predecessors since 1999.
    Let’s take the lawmakers’ craze for new, exotic vehicles in the midst of foreign cash crunch, and availability of Made-in-Nigeria vehicles to serve as replacements.
    In late December 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari, in his first televised Media chat, criticised the plans by members of the 8th NASS to buy 400 new vehicles at over N4.7 billion.
    Prior, Buhari had rejected moves for him to deploy N400 million for new vehicles for his fleet because, in his words, “the vehicles I am using are good enough for the next 10 years.”
    “If I can turn down N400 million for the presidency – that I do not need any new car because of the economy – I can’t see the National Assembly spending more than N4.7 billion to buy cars, on top of transport allowance they collect,” the President said.
    Buhari promised to “look conscientiously” at the budget for transport allowance for the lawmakers that had “gone up to N100 billion,” and revisit the car issue, “and see how we can live within our means.”
    Well, Buhari wasn’t able to stop the 8th NASS, led by Senate President Bukola Saraki and House Speaker Yakubu Dogara – who emerged as Presiding Officers in spite of the opposition by the presidency and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
    But if the 8th NASS acted as an unnecessary counterweight to the policies of the Buhari administration, should the 9th NASS carbon-copy, and even strive to surpass the 8th NASS’ nuances?
    Recall that Senate President Ahmad Lawan and House Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila were the lawmakers the presidency and APC rooted for in June 2015, for the positions they now occupy.
    Thus, why would the Gbajabiamila-headed House want to buy 400 exotic vehicles – 2020 models – some costing over N34,000,000 a piece? And to think that the lawmakers rejected the products of Innoson Motors manufactured in Nnewi, Anambra State!
    It boils down to self-interest that binds political officeholders. In four years, those vehicles would revert to them at give-away prices. Considering that some lawmakers have been in the NASS since 2003, they would have collected six cars each by 2023!
    Nigerian legislators – via bills or resolutions – have never really worked for the people they purport to represent. If otherwise, why is the 9th NASS pursuing immunity for its Presiding Officers?
    This pursuit flows from the “Legislative Immunity” that the 8th NASS enacted, to give lawmakers unfettered freedom to say anything – no matter how damaging to individuals, groups or institutions – on the floor of the two chambers.
    The 8th NASS also mooted or commenced the amendment of the amended 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, to grant immunity to the Presiding Officers – Senate President, Senate Deputy President, the House Speaker and Deputy House Speaker.
    Section 308(1)(a-c) and (2) of the constitution grants immunity to “a person holding the office of President or Vice-President, Governor or Deputy-Governor.”
    The essentials of Section 308 are that during the period of holding such office, (a) no civil or criminal proceedings shall be instituted or continued against the person; (b) the person shall not be arrested or imprisoned and (c) no process shall be applied for or issued by any court requiring or compelling the appearance of a person to whom the section applies.
    Perhaps, sensing obstacles in the passage of the bill by State Houses of Assembly, the NASS has extended the “immunity” to the Principal Officers – Speakers and Deputy Speakers – of the 36 States of the Federation.
    If the Bill passed, Nigeria will now have 150 public officeholders that enjoy immunity from arrest, forced appearance and prosecution in court – either for civil or criminal proceedings – while in office.
    The worry is, if the trend isn’t checked, the NASS, in the pursuit of the principle of Separation of Power, and “Co-equal” of the three arms of government, will extend the privilege to the Judiciary.
    This will benefit the Chief Justice of Nigeria, President of the Court of Appeal, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Chief Judges of the State High Courts and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), President of the Customary Court of Appeal, and Grand Khadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal.
    And what stops the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the 744 Local Government Areas and Area Councils from agitating to be granted the constitutional immunity?
    It’s a vicious circle that would further the alleged impunity in the executive branch of government, which has necessitated the calls for abolishing of immunity in the constitution.
    Instead of tackling this request – and faced with a yawning gap in legislation to better the conditions of Nigerians – the 9th NASS members have engaged in the preservation of class interests. And nothing good has yet to come from the chambers!

    * Mr. Ezomon, Journalist and Media Consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria.

  • Minority Leadership Crisis: Despite court order preserving status quo, leadership allegedly gives a nod to Committee to breach Order

    Minority Leadership Crisis: Despite court order preserving status quo, leadership allegedly gives a nod to Committee to breach Order

    …as leadership is set to suspend Chinda, others

    The minority leadership crisis rocking the House of Representatives continues as some members of leadership pressurises committee chairman to lay report.

    This is despite a court order maintaining the status quo before the proceedings of the House on Wednesday 16th Nov 2019 and restraining the House from taking any further step, the Committee is likely to conclude and lay its report.

    Report has it that the said report is being written by an Edo born All Progressives Congress (APC) lawyer and Ex Member of the National Assembly (NASS).

    Recall that, the media was agog within the week that the House leadership had concluded plans to suspend Kingsley Chinda, Chukwuma Onyema, Ajibola Muraino and Yakubu Barde over alleged impersonation of Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) leadership in the House.

    It was reliably gathered on Friday that some members of House leadership have repeatedly mounted pressures on the House Committee Chairman on Ethics and Privileges to receive the report already written by a consultant and lay same despite a court order preserving the status quo which restrains the House from taking any further step.

    A source privy to this development, a member of the Committee and new member of the House expressed surprise that there is so much deceit and selfishness amongst members.

    He revealed that the pressure from some members of House leadership was so strong that the chairman had to cave in.

    According to him, these members are harmless and have not done anything that affects the entire House, it’s their PDP matter and besides, if their party has suspended their leaders in the House and appointed interim leadership pending when they sort their issues, why is the House so vexed.

    “We don’t have to fight the cause of a group of members against another group.

    “If this pressure continues and the report is layed and the four lawmakers suspended then it’s goodbye to democracy in Nigeria.

    “As a new member, I fully supported the Speaker and still support him fanatically but suspending these Members from Parliament for this reason is bye bye to democracy,” he said.

    He further stated, “it will be a sad commentary in all spheres as the coffin of Representative democracy and voice of opposition must have been sent to the morgue and this is not good for a vibrant House”.

    Another source added that since the chairman and members of the Ethics and Privileges were personally sued as 4th to 20th Defendants respectively in the suit and a positive order of Court was made that they maintain the status quo as at 6th Nov 2019, and having been duly served with the order;attending clandestine meetings without reflecting same on the order paper, illegally signing the report (or the chairman using signatures for past attendances of meetings not meant for the report) and eventually laying the purported report will just expose them to contempt of court and possible future imprisonment.

    See injuction below restraining House:

    Sensing the danger ahead, Chinda had earlier issued a statement stating the obvious last week.

    In the statement, the Obio/Akpor Rep of Rivers State said “I am shocked to hear that this issue is resonating.

    “I don’t think the Speaker will concede to suspending us from the House for… speaking on behalf of the PDP Caucus of the House.

    “Anyway from hindsight and the level of horse-trading in politics and the House in particular, I advise my other three colleagues to brace up for the worst.

    “If we are suspended via a majority vote in the House, then I pity the Parliament and Parliamentarians, because it means no member will have an independent opinion anymore. A bad precedent would have been set.

    “Yes, I hear some people say when it’s done, we can go to court and they will frustrate the litigation for the next 3 years and we will remain outside the Parliament but I am not worried about all that”.

    A few members of the Committee confirmed that they have received a copy of the process and the Clerk of NASS has been served with the process.

    At the Federal High Court, the trial was adjourned to Friday 21st Feb 2020.

  • TNG Analysis: NASS struggling to reject toga of rubber stamp

    TNG Analysis: NASS struggling to reject toga of rubber stamp

    …vow to wear cap of a watchdog

    …made bold moves to correct impression

    Since the ninth Assembly resumed legislative business last werk Tuesday, the signals and actions that signposted the National Assembly clearly indicate that there is need to correct the rubber stamp image impression created in the last six months of its existence.

    Twenty four hours before resumption, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan vehemently rejected the title in a press conference stating clearly that it can’t be business as usual.

    Lawan did not mince words he told whoever cared to listen that the ninth Assembly is focused and ready to transform the lives of Nigerians positively.

    The speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila however had a different thing to say declaring that he was not elected to fight the executive arm.

    In a nutshell telling Nigerians he cared less if the Assembly adorns the toga of a rubber stamp.

    Erasing an eligible impression created by the ninth legislature maybe a little bit difficult as the first six months of NASS had exhibited all the traces of a rubber stamp body.

    Virtually all executive bills scaled through without much stress and the enveloped 2020 budget too enjoyed such a treatment.

    But the new swan song of the upper legislature last week clearly depicts a new picture of the upper legislative body.

    Hon Benjamin Kalu, the spokesperson of the House had also told journalists last week that the House was not a rubber stamp.

    He said “we’ll bark and bite if need be and put on the cap of the watchdog of the society as enshrined in the 1999 constitution as amended.

    Last week and this week showcased a little of the watchdog role Kalu mentioned in his weekly briefing.

    The House making a bold move resolved that President Buhari should sack all his service chiefs and thereafter summoned them to show their beautiful faces before reps.

    This was graciously respected by the service chiefs who had closed door sessions with the Lawmakers.

    Positive development as this for once gave an impression that a national legislature exists in Nigeria.

    The Senate on the other hand declared a full day session to discuss matters strictly on insecurity in Nigeria and had a closed door chat with the Inspector General of Police, Abubakar Adamu.

    The situation if well placed and priortised by the Lawmakers, the rubber stamp toga may gradually water down but the first six months really painted the ninth Assembly as a mere extension of the executive arm of government.

  • Ihedioha, Amotekun, Lassa fever, Coronavirus may top Senate, House agenda

    Ihedioha, Amotekun, Lassa fever, Coronavirus may top Senate, House agenda

    …as NASS reconvenes today

    By Emman Ovuakporie

    After an unusual long six weeks break, the National Assembly has a plethora of national issues to contend with as lawmakers resume today.

    On the front burner are issues such as ‘Amotekun,’ Lassa fever, coronavirus, Imo state Supreme Court verdict, insecurity across the country, Hate Speech and the Social media Bills.

    These issues will go a long way in proving to Nigerians whether the ninth Assembly has truly adorned the toga of a rubber stamp legislature.

    The manner the Nigerian lawmakers choose to address and tackle them will largely shape the federal legislature and by extension the body polity of project Nigeria.

    Supreme Court verdict that nullified former governor of Imo state Hon Emeka Ihedioha is one of such sensitive issues.

    The apex court had on January 14 sacked Ihedioha who came first in the last March Imo guber polls and crowned his fellow combatant Senator Hope Uzodinma, who came a distant fourth, governor.
    The verdict was received with protests in different parts of Nigeria.
    This is one acid test that the assembly must handle with iron cast gloves to give Nigerians a little ray of hope that the judiciary is still alive to deliver its duties to interprete laws of of our land.

    ‘Atomekun’ the south west security outfit is also another turbulent issue that must not be handled with kid gloves.

    The Federal Government has taken a position and with a weak minority leadership in the House the matter maybe swept under the carpet.

    In the Senate, if it is ever mentioned, Senator Eyninnaya Abaribe and his men may make a good case for the south west security outfit as opposition in the Red Chamber is still alive to its duties.

    The Lassa fever scourge is fast taking a larger than life shape in Nigeria and there’s an urgent need for the lawmakers to properly look into it.

    Conovirus another threat to human life is fast moving from China to various parts of the world and it’s not friendly to nobody so there’s a need to activate the various health bodies in Nigeria to be proactive.

    Hate Speech and anti-media Bills too are expected to be tabled in NASS because of the wide condemnations that greeted their introduction.

    Insecurity is also one major issue that demands the attention of the lawmakers as kidnappings, banditry across the six geo-political zones are on the increase.

    Plying the roads and even rail transportation that Nigerians adjudged to be relatively safe is no longer safe.

    As Nigerians welcome back our lawmakers, it’s good to remind them that the legislature is the beacon of democracy and there’s need to protect it.

  • TNG Review: Factors that’ll shape NASS in 2020

     

    …full fledge rubber stamp legislature loading

    …as N37bn renovation money may wear NASS toga of a rubber stamp legislature

    …Bills against Nigerians such as anti-social media, anti-Hate speech may sail through

    By Emman Ovuakoorie

    As Nigerians count hours into the incoming 2020, one major factor among so many other factors is the issue of the N37billion renovation money for National Assembly complex.

    It’s a major contributory factor as anything from the executive will be treated with the speed of light be it good, bad or ugly.

    Before now, NASS management as an annual ritual spends several millions on renovation annually on the complex from its purse.

    Giving NASS such a huge sum in the name of renovation smirks a lot of suspicion which definitely will transform the Nigerian legislature into a department of the executive arm of government.

    Once this is accomplished, Nigerians need not to expect the usual legislative business but a complete rubber stamp legislature.

    The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan had made it abundantly clear even before the renovation money came to limelight that President Muhammadu Buhari cannot send anything harmful to NASS because he has Nigerians at heart.

    So in the year 2020 Nigerians must swallow anything Buhari sends hook, line and sinker since the president has the interest of Nigerians at heart.
    This is one ugly factor that will properly help to either shape or unshape the National Assembly in 2020.

    Bills:
    The anti-social media Bill despite its massive condemnation may just be the first acid test for Nigerian federal lawmakers before the end of the first quarter.

    If it’s finally passed then the voice of opposition and the media will kiss the dust.

    The first quarter of next year too has a lot of role to play in the life of the anti-Hate speech Bill. If both chambers touch it with a long spoon then bye bye to the voice off opposition in Nigeria.

    These two Bills have an overriding role to play in the national legislature if not properly managed it may turn Nigeria into a one party state.

    In the outgoing year the Senate in all sincerity tried to maintain the speed of the immediate past assembly led by Dr Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara who demonstrated that things can still work in NASS.

    Several Bills were treated and passed by the Senate but all may not be too well as till date the constitution review committee expected to be chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege is still hanging in the balance.

    The House of Representatives had gone beyond that as the committee has been constituted and the deputy speaker properly seated.

    Since the inception of the ninth Assembly, Omo-Agege has never presided even for a second, this is not a good sign.

    Femi Gbajabiamila the omo Eko lawmaker is still massively reconstructing his House filled with many inexperienced committee chairmen where fifth term lawmakers remain largely floor members.

    His reconstruction campaign may just continue snowballing till 2023 another election year.

    He is also lucky to have a ttothless opposition bench led by Hon Ndudi Elumelu from Delta state.

    Opposition in the House is far quieter than the graveyard and to say the least this is not good for democracy.

    Gbajabiamila’s House may continue this trend as 2020 approaches.

    While the opposition in the senate is still a little bit vibrant because Eynnaya Abaribe has refused to be cowed, he says it as it is without mincing words.

    Now that a full fledged rubber stamp legislature is loading, Nigerians should expect that the $27bn loan request and other many loans will seamlessly scale through.

    The Ota oracle has warned that Nigeria is heading towards bankruptcy and with the signals of a rubber stamp NASS loading Nigerians should not expect miracles from the praise and worship federal legislature.

  • NASS support for Buhari for development, not mere politics – Omo-Agege

    The National Assembly’s support for the Buhari administration is all about Nigeria’s long-term development and not mere politics, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has said.
    Senator Omo-Agege who was conferred with various awards of recognition by five groups drawn from the Northern and Southern parts of Nigeria at his office on Tuesday in Abuja, stated that the 9th Senate Legislative Agenda draws heavily from Buhari’s Next Level Agenda so as to ensure a populist, development-focused unity of purpose.

    Senator Omo-Agege who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Otive Igbuzor received an award for ‘Excellent Performance and Nationalistic Support’ from the All Progressives Congress (APC) North West Forum led by Honourable Aliu Hussain while Niger Delta National Leaders and Development Stakeholders Forum, an umbrella association of 70 associations also gave him award of ‘Icon of the Niger Delta’.

    Similarly, while the National Association of Northern State Students’ Union (NANSSU) awarded him ‘Icon of Integrity and Exemplary Leadership’, the Isoko National Youth assembly led by Prince Solomon Akpotu presented an award in recognition of effective representation for the Niger Delta and projection of its development issues, even as the Northern Youth Assembly of Nigeria presented him with another award for ‘Exemplary Leadership’.

    According to Aliu Hussain who led the APC North West Forum, many youth in the North deeply appreciate the passionate patriotism and nationalistic disposition of Senator Omo-Agege and other committed APC leaders who have ensured timely passage of the national budget, regard for due process and populist leadership.

    “Senator Omo-Agege, we are supporting you 100 percent. Come rain, come shine, we shall continue to appreciate your genuine efforts and we now regard you as Sardaunan North West,” Hussain stated.

    Responding on behalf of Senator Omo-Agege, Dr. Otive Igbuzor thanked all the groups, stressing that the commitment to Nigeria’s growth and development requires being embraced by all citizens.

    “Thank you for acknowledging the role of the Deputy Senate President in the 8th Senate and the role he has been playing now; as you all know, he is a core Buharist and prepared to support programmes of the Buhari administration towards taking Nigerians to the Next Level.

    “Senator Omo-Agege is a very detribalized Nigerian and with your support, he will play his role with more vigour. We assure you that as far as the office of the Deputy Senate President is concerned, it is Nigeria first, Nigeria last.

    “We are committed to making Nigeria great again, we are committed to fighting corruption, taking Nigeria to the Next Level and we are committed to President Muhammadu Buhari’s plan to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty and we are committed to the new security strategy.

    “We are hopeful that with diligent implementation, there will be improvement in security, there will be more inclusiveness in the economy,’ he stated.

  • Restructuring: Take your agitation to NASS, Presidency tells Nigerians

    The Presidency has asked Nigerians agitating for the restructuring of the country to take advantage of the constitutional amendment being proposed by the National Assembly to put forward their case for restructuring.

    Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu who spoke at a media parley with House of Representatives Correspondents said only the National Assembly has the constitutional power to restructure the country.

    Shehu however said that President Muhammadu Buhari was committed to restructuring the country as contained in the APC manifesto, but will never side track the National Assembly.

    The Presidency is however not on the same page with many Nigerians and some members of the House of Representatives on the necessity of the bill currently before the Senate aimed at regulating the social media which reportedly proscribed death penalty for hate speech.

    He said any restructuring done outside the parliament will be against the spirit and letters of the constitution, adding that only the parliament can successfully carry out such an exercise.

    He said: “we in the APC are committed to restructuring. Read the manifesto of the APC. It is stated there and so, we are not running away from it. President Buhari is ready to restructure the country.

    “The problem we have with a lot of the proponents of restructuring is that they are looking for the fastest way to that restructuring. They don’t want to use the parliament. They want to use extra constitutional bodies and that is untidy. If you are a democrat, you abide by the processes.

    “The parliament is the institution of government working with the executive and the judiciary. For you to say no, you want to do a congress at Yaba market square and debate, do you want to cause a fight.

    “We must be organised and follow due process. If you have a case on restructuring, come to the parliament. In any case, the Senate President has announced that this 9th parliament will start constitutional amendment in January. So, bring your issue. These are intelligent people voted for by the people.

    “Those who shout restructuring saying they want a parallel body to-do that, we have said to them that they are wrong. The sovereignty of the people resides with the parliament and so, if you want to restructure the country, come to the parliament.
    “If you dont have confidence in the parliamentarians you have voted for, wait for four years and vote them out and choose another set of people. But you cannot circumvent the role of the parliament in a democracy and it is key to what ever restructuring you want.”

    Speaking on the social media bill, the Presidential spokesman blamed the media for what he called unnecessary controversy surrounding the intention behind the bill, adding that death penalty is not the only thing contained in the bill.

    He said there was the need for Nigerians to have a law that will regulate social media and impose punishment for violators, adding that a situation where people post fake news that leads to the death of fellow Nigerians should not be accepted.

    He said: “It is your responsibility as the media to help the Nigerian government on the issue of hate speech before the parliament. The Minister of Information who speaks for the Nigerian government has spoken of the necessity of a law to govern social media.

    “I am being careful on what he wants to do because I think there are parallel processes going on. I also blame the media for creating unnecessary controversy. If you look at the law being discussed, the media has focused more on the death penalty for fake news.

    “You have a responsibility of studying that bill. Only a few days ago, the American Ambassador met the sponsor of that bill and at the end, he said Nigerians should have a rethink. It is your duty to reap it open and tell Nigerians what it contained. The bill is not all about death penalty or free speech.

    “For example, is there a content in that bill that prevent a social media harm? See what the British media is doing for example and the social media is being held accountable for what is called social media addiction among children.

    “Can we have a law in this country that can protect children? Can we have a law that will protect women, ethnic minorities and the likes? Can we have a law that call to accountability the activities of the major technology companies providing these services?

    “In Nigeria, with a single handset, you can do a broadcast and you need a license under our laws to set up a broadcast. But under social media, you dont need a license.
    “The whole world has realised that the social media has evolved quickly and has left behind jurisprudence and everybody is making laws to catch up with the fast growing communication system. The people that says there are enough laws in our books to check defamation and libel are not being sincere.

    “The social media came well after some of these legislations have been put in place. Last year, somebody posted fake news on facebook and arising from the spread of that fake news in Kasuwa Magani, Kaduna state, about 50 innocent Nigerians were killed and the guy just walked away.

    “I think we have a problem that Nigerians have to address. Nobody is saying that President Buhari or the parliament should impose a law against the press. I am happy that they will hold public hearing on this and if you have any objection to some of the elements, come forward and tell parliament that you have objection. This country needs a law that will regulate social media and attack fake news.”