TheNewsGuru

Tag: National Assembly

  • Insecurity: Falana attacks National Assembly for going on vacation

    Insecurity: Falana attacks National Assembly for going on vacation

    Senior advocate of Nigeria and Human rights activist, Femi Falana, has frowned at the National Assembly for going on holiday while the country is facing its biggest security challenge.

    Falana expressed shock at the federal lawmakers were not taking the security problem seriously as they should, saying it’s very unfortunate.

    The lawyer made his position known while granting interview questions on a political program on Channels Television.

    Recall that the National Assembly on Wednesday decided to go on vacation from July 28th till September 20, 2022.

    This is coming three days after personnel of the Presidential Guards Brigade were attacked in Bwari, Abuja with six of them reportedly killed by bandits.

    Last week, terrorists in a video that went viral online, threatened to abduct President Muhammadu Buhari, and the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

    Speaking on the security situation, Falana said: ” They [lawmakers] are going on vacation for six [eight] weeks. You can’t talk of a vacation when your house is on fire.”

    He said the six-week ultimatum given to the president to end the insecurity in the land was not realistic, saying, “they should have given the president a 7-day ultimatum.”

    “This is because, within six weeks, there may not be a National Assembly for them to return to. Schools have been closed down. Yesterday, we had a call to the bar ceremony, the venue has to change and parents were asked not to turn up because of the seriousness of the situation.

    “I had expected the National Assembly members to take this matter very seriously,” he added.
    Members of the minority caucus in the Senate walked out of the plenary on Wednesday after calling for the impeachment of President Buhari for not being able to handle the security challenges in the country.

    “You only say that in a war situation. And if care is not taken, if we continue with the lackadaisical attitude of the political class, we are going to be in trouble.

    “You can’t talk of elections next year if the situation is not arrested and urgently too.”

    The human rights activist said the situation calls for an emergency session of the National Assembly to deliberate on it and find a solution.

  • Buhari appoints 19 INEC RECs, requests NASS confirmation

    Buhari appoints 19 INEC RECs, requests NASS confirmation

    President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed 19 new Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    He has therefore has written the Senate to confirm the appointments of the 19 nominees.

    The confirmation request to the upper chamber was contained in a letter dated July 25, 2022.

    The letter was read at plenary by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, on Tuesday.

    Related Story:

    President Buhari, in the letter, said that the request for the confirmation of the nominees was in accordance with the Provisions of Section 154 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

    He explained that the nomination of five (5) Resident Electoral Commissioners are for renewal, while the other fourteen (14) are fresh appointments.

    The nominees include: Ibrahim Abdullahi (Adamawa – Renewal); Obo O. Effanga (Cross River – Renewal); Alh. Umar Ibrahim (Taraba – Renewal); Dr. Agboke Mutiu Olaleke (Ogun – Renewal); and Prof. Samuel E. Egwu (Kogi – Renewal).

    Others are: Onyeka Pauline Ugochi (Imo); Prof. Muhammad Lawal Bashir (Sokoto); Prof. Ayobami Salami (Oyo); Amb. Zango Abdussamadu Abdu (Katsina); Mrs. Queen Elizabeth Agwu (Ebonyi); and Dr. Agundu Oliver Tersoo (Benue).

    Also to be confirmed are; Yomere Gabriel Oritsemlebi (Delta); Prof. Yahaya Makarfi Ibrahim (Kaduna); Dr. Nura Ali (Kano); Agu Sylvia Uchenna (Enugu); Ahmed Yushau Garki (FCT); Barr. Hudu Yunusa (Bauchi); Prof. Uzochukwu Ikemefuna Chijioke (Anambra); and Mohammed B. Nura (Yobe).

  • National Assembly will amend Electoral Act – Lawan

    Senate President Ahmad Lawan has stated that the red chamber will try to amend the electoral act in order to work on the weaknesses in it.

    Lawan made this known  during plenary on Tuesday afternoon , following a matter of National importance brought by Sen. Yahaya Abdullahi (PDP-Kebbi)

    The Yobe born politician  described the judgment by the Supreme Court on Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act as a landmark judgment that vindicates the National Assembly.

    He said further amendment of the Act would strengthen it ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    “Let me say that this is one major landmark judgment by the Supreme Court, that the National Assembly had done their job and the court upheld it.

    “The idea of what method of primaries should be adopted at the moment is entirely left for the political parties to decide.

    “But as we implement the electoral act 2022, we are supposed to be very observant of the strengths and weaknesses of the law.

    “This law is supposed to improve on the electoral processes and procedures in our country.

    “So, it is for us to ensure that where there are weaknesses, we try to come up with measures, amendments to deal with the issues of weaknesses in the law.

    “And, I’m sure it will come full circle when the 2023 elections are held.

    “I have no doubt in my mind that all of us in the National Assembly, not only in the Senate, but in the House as well, feel that we must do everything and everything possible to make this electoral act serve the purpose for which it was passed and assented to.

    “Therefore, I believe that we should work tirelessly to take note of those areas that we feel are not strong enough – that are weak points in the law – with a view to strengthening them before we finally take our exit in 2023,” he said.

    Rising under Order 42 of the Senate Standing Orders, Abdullahi in his presentation lauded the Ninth Assembly for resisting the pressure from the executive to amend section 84(12) of Electoral Act 2022.

    He applauded the Supreme Court for the clarity, decisiveness and unanimity of its verdict in upholding the separation of powers principle enshrined in our 1999 constitution.

    He said the Supreme Court verdict was a major victory towards true democratic governance anchored on the rule of law.

    “In my view, the Supreme Court verdict should be celebrated for the following reasons.

    “It restored and anchors the power of making laws to the National Assembly, and establishes a principle that once the President accents to a Bill he/she can’t approbate and reprobate, i.e. he/she cannot go to the courts to amend/reject the Bill in part or in whole”, he said.

    Abdullahi, however, emphasised the need to amend the electoral act to revert to the Direct mode of primaries.

    “One issue still remains outstanding, and that is amending the Act (after the 2023 elections) to revert to our earlier stance on Direct primaries.

    “Our recent nasty experience of the misuse of consensus and delegate system has vindicated our earlier position on the merit of direct primaries provided that a verifiable membership register of political parties kept simultaneously at the Ward level and with INEC with all the necessary safeguards against corruption and data manipulation, is put in place.

    “As the political process towards 2023 unfolds, the National Assembly needs to be observant of the loopholes and weaknesses of the 2022 Electoral Act.

    “So that a comprehensive assessment is undertaken to provide adequate grounds for making amendments to the Act before the end of the term of office of the ninth Assembly in May 2023”, he said.

  • Just In: Reps consider NASS service yrs extension Bill shelving public hearing

    The House of Representatives has listed for consideration, a Bill seeking to extend the retirement age of staff of legislative houses shelving public hearing, a major instrument in legislative business.

    The conscientious document which was quietly reintroduced in the 9th House had become invalid following the compulsory retirement of the former Clerk to the National Assembly, Mohammed Sani Omolori, who successfully had the extension of service approved by the 8th Assembly under Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara as presiding officers.

    However, the current exercise on the Bill which is allegedly being pushed by the current Clerk, Arc. Amos Olatunde Ojo, has not gone through public hearing which is an essential stage of lawmaking in the Parliament.

    Details shortly…

  • House of Reps to investigate 12-year remittances, withdrawals from Ecological funds

    Nigeria’s House of Representatives has resolved that it would investigate withdrawals and remittances to and from the Ecological Funds between 2010 and 2022.

    This followed allegations of mismanagement of the funds by the beneficiaries.

    The House has therefore mandated its Committee on Ecological Fund to probe unto the total consolidated mandatory accruals into the Ecological Fund from 2010 to March 2022.

    The House also said the committee should evaluate the disbursement of the Ecological Fund in line with the provision of the 1999 Constitution from 2010 to March 2022.

    Related Story: 

    In addition, the committee is to also investigate the utilisation of the Ecological Fund by benefiting government’s departments and agencies (MDAs) from 2010 to March 2022 and establish infractions (if any).

    The House further asked the committee to conduct public hearings with all the major stakeholders on the effective and efficient utilisation of the Ecological Fund and report back within six weeks for further legislative action.

    These resolutions folowed a motion moved by a member, Femi Bamisile.

    His motion is titled; ‘Need to Investigate the Total Consolidation Accrual and Utilisation of Ecological Fund.’

    Presenting the motion, Bamisile stressed the existence of the Ecological Fund as an intervention fund set up by the Federal Government to address multifarious ecological challenges across the country.

    He noted that the Federal Government, the 36 states of the federation, the 774 Local Government Areas and the Federal Capital Territory receive funds through the Federal Allocation Committee as shares from the Ecological Fund.

    According to the lawmaker, apart from the annual statutory appropriations, four agencies of the Federal Government draw funds from the 1 per cent share of the Federal Government allocated to Ecology and Derivation Fund, according to their respective enabling laws.

    Bamisile stated that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), by virtue of Section 13(2) (b) of its Act, draws 20 per cent; National Agency for the Great Green Wall, by virtue of Section 12 (2) (b) of its Act, draws 15 per cent; the North East Development Commission, by virtue of Section 14(12) (b) of its Act, draws 10 per cent; and the National Agricultural Land Development Authority, by virtue of Section 18 (2) (a) of its Act, draws 10 per cent.

    He said, “The House is worried that efforts at making beneficiaries of the Ecological Fund accountable for their accrued shared funds in the last few years have been ignored. Sections 88 and 89 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) empowers the National Assembly to conduct investigation and power as to matters of evidence.”

  • 4 tips to become a cross dresser by Bobrisky

    4 tips to become a cross dresser by Bobrisky

    Things seem to have gone haywire in the blossoming cross dressing ‘sector’ as the papa of them all, or should we say mama, Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju popularly known as Bobrisky has started handing out motivational talks and advice to cross-dressers wannabes in Nigeria.

    Recently, the socialite mourned that a lot of cross dressers, these days, were not living upto expectations, lamenting that they have refused to do the right things to enable them to look alluring to the eyes and beyond.

    He said: “All these so-called cross dressers I see around still look like men and the funniest part is that when they open their mouths, damn…!”

    Bobrisky then explained what could be crowned, “4 tips to become a good cross dresser.” Here, they are:

    1. You need to kill all the male muscles and veins on your body by undergoing hormone therapy
    2. You need to work on your voices to sound more feminine. So meet a good doctor for the purpose.
    3. Get a laser done to stop hair growth from your beards, armpits, chest etc.
    4. Go for your surgeries and liposuction to enhance your body

    Bobrisky is a Nigerian transgender woman and LGBT personality. He is also known for his presence on the social media apps Snapchat and Instagram.

    TNG recalls that in the wake of the pressure from the House of Representatives issuing out a bill to prohibit cross-dressing in Nigeria, Bobrisky stepped forward to argue that he was not panicked since he has the evidence that he was now a female.

    He added that he has full medical/doctor’s report to back up his claims and there was no need to be afraid of the proposed law against crossdressers.

    He boasted that even the court will agree with him that he is a girl and has all the attributes to be a member of the female gender.

    “I’m not a cross-dresser, I’m a woman. I have done many surgeries that can’t be reversed such as lipo, boobs etc.”

    “When the time comes, even the court self go confirm am say I’m now a girl,” he wrote on Instagram in reaction to the bill.

    He concluded: “I still have many upcoming surgeries to be done. Na who be crossdresser go they fear. I have all my doctor’s report on all my surgeries.”

     

  • Federal lawmakers call on Buhari to end Nigeria’s insecurity

    Federal lawmakers call on Buhari to end Nigeria’s insecurity

    Members of Nigeria’s Federal House of Representatives have again called on President Muhammadu Buhari to end the current security challenges across the country.

    This was part of the development at plenary on Wednesday when a member of the House from Sokoto State, Abdullahi Salame, moved a motion of urgent public importance.
    Salame prayed the House to urge President Buhari to set up a National Task Force on National Security to address prevalent cases of Kidnapping, banditry and insurgency.
    The motion was titled; ‘Need to set up National Task Force to address prevalent insecurity in Nigeria.’
    They charged President Buhari to act like the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and protect lives and property.

    ALSO READ: Women protest at National Assembly over failed gender, equality bills
    Salame had noted that the motion was a compilation of previous resolutions of the House as there was “no implementation by the Executive.”
    This is just as the Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Wase, said replacing the former service chiefs yielded no results and as such, proactiveness was needed if the situation could be effectively nipped in the bud.
    Wase noted that while the sponsor of the motion was indirectly asking for the service chiefs’ sacking, he recalled that the National Assembly had made the call and the president implemented the resolution.
    Wase said, “The service chiefs were sacked. Did we get the desired results? Precisely, I will say no. During the appointment of the last Chief of Defence Staff (Gen. Leo Irabor) or Chief of Army Staff (Lt.-Gen. Yusuf Yahaya), I remember (that) about 30 officers were retired – those (whose ranks were) ahead of the person. And these were fine officers. Is that what we are seeking on the floor (of the House) again? I don’t think that is the direction that we should go.”

    ALSO READ: NASS will soon start another round of constitutional amendments
    The Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, corroborated Wase by noting that the Constitution does not empower the House to legislate on military operations, especially the proposed creation of a security task force.
    Wase also noted that the Armed Forces already had various special operations and task forces across the country’s geopolitical zones, stating that the parliament could only advise the President on security matters.
    Though Gbajabiamila faulted Okechukwu’s prayer calling on Buhari to “take every measure to save Nigerians from the present precarious security situation,” saying it is vague, the House eventually granted it via voice.

  • Rivers Federal lawmakers advises Buhari not to pressure judicial process over electoral act

    Rivers Federal lawmakers advises Buhari not to pressure judicial process over electoral act

    A member of the National Assembly, Dumnamene Dekor, has called on the President Muhammad Buhari not pressure the judiciary over the interpretation of the Electoral Act.
    His advised is on the heels of what is contained in section 84 and subsection 12 as well as 13.
    The lawmaker said such an attempt would be tantamount to a breach of the role of the Judiciary as an arm of government.
    Dekor, who represents the Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, made the call while answering questions from journalists in Port-Harcourt on Tuesday.

    Also Read: President Buhari sued over Nigerians hardship during fuel scarcity
    The legislator stated that it was wrong for government appointees to remain in office while declaring their intent to contest various elective positions in the 2023 general election.
    He explained that although the National Assembly had already appealed the ruling of the March 18 Federal High Court in Umuahia to the effect that the Electoral Act was contrary to the 1999 constitution, section 84 of the Electoral Act was a well-thought constituent

    Also Read:Electoral Act: Only Appeal Court can upturn judgment on Section 84(12) – Malami
    In his own words; “Those in public offices will take undue advantage of those who are also in the race. For instance, if you are an aide to a governor or president, or any elected official, you should not remain in office until you resign.
    “If I am a commissioner or minister, for instance, and I am running for the House of Assembly, then it means that I will use the influence or advantage of my office to edge out whoever is contesting against me.
    “The National Assembly took a lot of things into consideration. We are still on it. The National Assembly is already in the court to appeal the matter,” he stated.
    Recently, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), and the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), had argued that section 84 of the Act “prejudices and impedes the constitutional rights of most Nigerians to participate in the electoral processes or primaries of their political parties.
    But Dekor objected, saying the President has no power whatsoever to interpret the law.
    According to him, “President Buhari has no such powers. He cannot arrogate judicial powers to himself. Mr. President has no such powers, with all sense of respect.
    “Laws are made to be interpreted by the judiciary. He has no such role in interpreting the laws because he is the head of the executive and head of government.
    “He cannot interpret a law that has already been passed and which he had assented only to turn around to say that the electoral act is a breach of the constitution.
    “Those who advise him should look at the Act deeply before giving him such advice. The President was ill-advised,” he concluded.

  • BREAKING: Popular Akwa Ibom National Assembly member is dead

    BREAKING: Popular Akwa Ibom National Assembly member is dead

    Rt. Hon. Nse Ekpenyong, the Member Representing Oron Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State. in the House of Representatives is dead.

    He was also the state deputy chairman of the PDP.

    It was gathered that Ekpenyong died on Saturday.

    Details of how he died still sketchy as at the time of filing this report.

  • Plateau Attack: Rep wants laws to legalise arms bearing

    Plateau Attack: Rep wants laws to legalise arms bearing

    Rep. Yusuf Gagdi (APC-Plateau) has called on the National Assembly to enact laws that will permit Nigerians to bear arms in order to defend themselves.
    Gagdi, representing Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam Federal Constituency of the state, made the call in an interview with journalists in Kanam.
    The lawmaker said he had earlier visited some communities in Kanam and Wase local government areas recently attacked by gunmen.
    Newsmen reports that gunmen suspected to be bandits last Sunday stormed some communities in Kanam and Wase, where 106 persons died and many houses burnt.
    According to Gagdi, legalising the bearing of arms bearing would go a long way toward addressing the spate of attacks and killings in communities.
    He, however, said stiffer measures must be put in place to regulate the use of the arms by the citizens
    ”If we want curtail the spate of attacks in communities, we should make laws that will permit citizens to carry arms.
    ”If for instance, those who attacked my people know that the locals also have arms, they won’t come, and even they do, the casualty will not be this high.
    “But there must be regulation on the use of the arms; anyone who misuses it should be imprisoned or even sentenced to death by hanging.
    ”But I tell you, if citizens are allowed to carry these arms to protect themselves, all these attacks and killings will end,” he said.
    Gagdi called on security agencies to always work on intelligence reports at their disposals to avert incidences that could lead to a security breach.
    He said that the attacks in his constituency could have been avoided if the security agencies acted on the intelligence report at their disposal
    He, however, lauded the military for the prompt response and deployment of personnel to the affected communities.