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  • I didn’t vote against electronic transmission of election results – Omo-Agege

    I didn’t vote against electronic transmission of election results – Omo-Agege

    The Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, has debunked claims that he voted against the electronic transmission of results.

    The senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District in the Senate said unequivocally he did not vote against the electronic transmission of election results.

    According to him, his decision was guided by the reality on ground given the fact that according to data from the Nigerian Communication Commission, E-Transmission of results is only possible in less than 50% of all electoral domains in the country.

    “Our people should therefore discountenance any mischievous commentary or speculation to the contrary. Those grandstanding with mischief as their only weapons of offence are only labouring in vain. Their defeat was perfectly executed by a majority of the Nigerian Senate. Not being democrats, they believe they may still achieve their sinister agenda through misinformation and outright falsehoods. That will not stand,” he said.

    He made this known in a statement signed by Prince Efe Duku, Special Adviser to the Deputy President of the Senate on Legislative & Plenary Matters. According to Omo-Agege, while he supports Electronic Voting (E-Voting) as contained in Clause 52(2) of the Electoral Reform Bill, which has been duly passed by the Senate, he only voted for an amendment to Clause 52(3) of the Bill (on E-Transmission) to guarantee secure E-Transmission of all election results and uniform application of E-Transmission everywhere in the country, not just some parts of it.

    “In simple terms, The Obarisi of Urhobo land voted to support an amendment that ensures, for example, that INEC does not transmit only election results in Urhobo electronically while other areas may have their results transmitted otherwise and safely. For him, all election results must be treated equally under a uniformly applied standard.

    “Indeed, Senator Omo-Agege as an erudite lawyer knows that it is unconstitutional for the National Assembly to enact an Electoral Act that is inherently discriminatory in its design and intended application. For him, to pass the test of constitutional validity, the law must apply uniformly to all electoral domains in the country, otherwise such a law could be easily struck down by a court if taken for judicial reviews by those who may be negatively impacted

    Omo-Agege further said in arriving at his “thoughtful decision, he was guided by unimpeached data from the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) that E-Transmission of results is only possible in less than 50% of all electoral domains in the country.

    “For him, the message from this data is that if INEC is allowed unfettered E-Transmission power, then there will be unequal treatment of election results and that would be a fundamental law making flaw. So he stood firm to prevent such a move that would have led to a needless waste of legislative resources and time,”

    “In view of the foregoing, we hereby confidently assure our people that all is well as far as the ongoing Electoral Reform is concerned. Senator Omo-Agege as a leading champion of the reform since he first stepped into the Red Chamber in the 8th Senate is protecting the best, strategic interest of our people and the nation,” the statement read.

    The statement also said “Omo-Agege knows that Urhobo as Nigeria’s 5th largest ethnic nationality does not countenance false premises in decision-making, especially by those who are privileged to be chosen as leaders. He is therefore accordingly properly guided in all his actions and inactions as a lawmaker because he knows that laws once enacted often have far-reaching ramifications, sometimes beyond the lifetime of the legislators who make them.”

  • Nigeria needs prayers to overcome challenges – Omo-Agege

    Nigeria needs prayers to overcome challenges – Omo-Agege

    The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has said Nigeria needs prayers to overcome her current challenges.

    Speaking on Sunday at the First Session of the Fifth Synod of the Diocese of Sapele (Anglican Communion), Okpe Archdeaconry, Senator Omo-Agege called on Nigerians not to despair over the challenges confronting the nation.

    The event which held at St. John’s Anglican Church, Orerokpe, Delta state, was graced by the governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa; the lawmaker representing Ughelli North/Ughelli South/Udu Federal Constituency, Rev. Francis Waive; former Commissioner for Housing, Chief Paulinus Akpeki; Chief of Staff to the Deputy President of the Senate, Dr. Otive Igbuzor among others.

    Speaking on the theme, “The Lord is my Strength and Stronghold”, the Deputy President of the Senate urged the church to continue to pray for the country.

    “We need the intervention of the church, we need prayers for this country. We are nothing without God. No matter what we do, if we don’t have the blessings and anointing of God, it is to no avail.

    “I want to urge the church to continue to pray for Nigeria. There is a lot more that we need to do to protect our citizens,” he said.

    In his homily, the Anglican Bishop, Diocese of Lagos, Rt. Rev. Humphrey Olumakaiye, enjoined Nigerians not to lose hope but to have faith in God for solutions to their problems.

    Quoting from the Bible’s Books of Psalm 46:1-7; 27:1; 21:6; 16:11; Isaiah 26:3 and John 16:33, the guest preacher assured that Jesus Christ has not changed from caring and loving his followers.

    According to him, the Church has become the last hope of the hopeless. He enjoined the church to preach hope to their followers to bring them back to the society.

    God’s presence, according to the cleric, brings joy, spiritual growth, healing, divine protection and it helps to fulfill our destiny.

    On his part, the chief host and Bishop of Sapele Diocese (Anglican Communion), Rt. Rev. Blessing Erifeta, noted that as long as there are challenges and problems facing the people, churches would continue to proliferate in order to give hope to the people.

  • Amendment: Why lawmakers can’t alter all parts of current constitution – Omo-Agege

    Amendment: Why lawmakers can’t alter all parts of current constitution – Omo-Agege

    Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege has said contrary to popular opinion and expectations, lawmakers don’t have powers to alter all parts of the current constitution.

    The Delta lawmaker however urged all those agitating for a new constitution to mount pressure on their representatives at the National Assembly.

    Constitution amendment and review has been an issue of debate in Nigeria for quite a while with many calling for the total repealing of the present charter.

    The proponents of the repeal process argue that the 1999 Constitution upon which the nation currently operates is not a ‘peoples constitution’. According to these advocates, the present canon is flawed and was forced upon Nigerians by the military.

    For those who seek to repeal the Constitution, an amendment will not suffice, however, Senator Omo-Agege in during a monitored Channels Television programme on Thursday said the legislators “do not have the power to write a new Constitution,” adding that the only power invested in the legislature is the ability to alter.

    According to him, the extant legal order only provides for alterations, not a total overhaul. He stressed that Section 9 which some often quote, envisages that any provision of the constitution can be altered, but not all at once.

    Omo-Agege further disclosed that for a rewrite of the constitution to be done, then Section 9 would have to be amended, however, for this section to be revised, then four-fifth vote in the Senate which is about 88 Senators out of 109 and about 288 members of the House of Reps.

    The Deputy Senate President said a bill needs to be put forward to effect an amendment of Section 9, however, noted that it is very difficult to muster the vote needed for a revision of the section that could give the power needed to have the present constitution repealed.

    The lawmaker assured Nigerians that President Muhammadu Buhari is interested in the constitutional review process and will assent to any bill that emanates from it.

    He also promised that the Senate will work towards an inclusive amendment of the constitution free from the manipulations of political actors.

  • Omo-Agege reveals Ahmed Gulak’s mission in Owerri, Imo State when he was murdered

    Omo-Agege reveals Ahmed Gulak’s mission in Owerri, Imo State when he was murdered

    Senate Deputy President Ovie Omo-Agege on Tuesday said former Political Adviser to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, was in Owerri, the Imo State capital, on a national assignment when he was killed by gunmen on Sunday, May 30, 2021.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the former presidential aide was on his way to the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in the town to connect a flight to Abuja, when he was killed.

    Omo-Agege spoke at plenary after citing Order 43 to notify the Upper Chamber of Gulak’s death.

    The Deputy Senate President said the former presidential aide was on a national assignment on behalf of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review when he was killed.

    “He was a lawyer – a very brilliant lawyer at that. Apparently, it was in that capacity that his relationship with me, as the Chairman of the Committee on Constitution Review, that I recommended and engaged him as one of the few brilliant men that we hired to help the committee in carrying out its assignment.

    “We members of the committee are shattered by his demise. We believe that this is one death too many. For sure, it is most unfair for this very brilliant life to have been cut down in his prime,” he said.

    The Senate observed one-minute silence in honour of the departed Adamawa State lawyer and politician.

    It mandated its Ad Hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution to pay a condolence visit to the family of the deceased.

    Senate President Ahmad Lawan described the late politician as very committed, dedicated citizen of this country” who made tremendous contributions at his state, Adamawa, and the national level.

    “The murder of this Nigerian is something that our security agencies must unravel the murderer and the people behind the murder itself. This is necessary in all the murders and assassinations that take place in our country on almost a daily basis,” he said.

    Many other eminent Nigerians also called for a thorough investigation into the killing of the former presidential aide.

    The South East Governors’ Forum, which condemned the killing in a statement by its Chairman and Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi, said: “We, on behalf of the people of Southeast, condemn the act highly and we charge security agencies to immediately deploy their officers and men to arrest the perpetrators and make them face justice. We, however, pray to God to grant the deceased rest in eternity.

    “We assure our fellow northern governors of our commitment to unravel all masterminds of the act.

  • No funds for Constitution Review in 2021 budget – Omo-Agege

    No funds for Constitution Review in 2021 budget – Omo-Agege

    Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege has said there was no funds allocated for Constitution Review in the 2021 Budget.

    Omo-Agege who doubles as Chairman, Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution disclosed at a briefing in Abuja, on Monday.

    Omo-Agege the situation notwithstanding, the committee has sufficient funds to carry out the exercise, saying it was still operating its 2020 budget.

    He expressed optimism that funds would be voted for the exercise in the supplementary budget expected to be transmitted to the National Assembly in no distant time.

    The Committee has scheduled zonal public hearing in 12 states across the six geopolitical zones to commence on Wednesday this week.

    He insisted that the Bills to be collated from the public hearings will be voted on and passed by the Senate in July 2021 before the lawmakers embark on their annual vacation.

    On whether paucity of funds has been responsible for the slow pace of work by the Committee and how the situation may likely affect the target of the panel to deliver on its mandate before the July recess for members of the National Assembly, Omo-Agege said the committee does not lack funds.

    “In 2021 budget, we have not received an appropriation yet due to some oversight so we are still working on the 2020 budget and we are hoping that during the supplementary exercise we will be accommodated

    “I can tell you categorically that we have no challenge with paucity of funds. I was actually answering a question as to how much was appropriated (for the review exercise) in 2021. The answer again is that there was no appropriation for 2021.

    “We are still awaiting the supplementary budget. So we are operating the 2020 budget but we have enough for our work.

    “We have not been hampered in any way and we believe we have enough resources to carry out this exercise.

    “Whether or not we are taking a vote this July, as I believe, we will. It is not a function of how much money we have,” Omo-Agege said.

    He added: “You must understand, this is not the only committee in Senate but it is the largest committee.

    “I think the membership spans about 68 members. Taking that into account we have to accommodate the other committees and their assignments as well so as not to pull everybody away.”

    On whether comments recently credited to Senate President Ahmad Lawan on calls for restructuring will not influence the views of the Committee in the aspect of restructuring, Omo-Agege said: “Constitution review is a major plank of the 9th Senate’s Legislative Agenda and I can assure you that Senator Ahmad Lawan is not against anything, he is not against restructuring.

    “Restructuring is just one aspect of several aspects of this Constitution review and it also depends on what you mean by restructuring and who is speaking to that.

    “I can assure you that the Senate President has not taken any position, he is entitled to his views like any of us.

    “He is in support of what I am doing and you can take this to the bank that we will have an exercise that the Nigerian people will be glad.”

    On whether the current review exercise will not end up like past ‘jamborees’, Omo-Agege expressed optimism that President Buhari will assent to the Bills when they are transmitted.

    “The exercise is not a jamboree, it will be incremental. By the time we succeed in this exercise, God willing, it will be the 5th alteration.

    “We borrowed our system from the United states, even the US continues to amend their constitution and I think the last time I checked it was about 27 amendments.

    “What that tells you is that from the outset the framers of our constitution knew they were not giving a perfect document.

    “Nobody ever has a perfect document, that is why they still do incremental amendment and that at some points, they will be near perfection.

    “Section 9 of our Constitution also anticipated that a time will come where there will be several agitations questioning some issues in the constitution and how we should address that.

    “We believe that we have assembled the best brains to do this job and have provided the only mode for the alterations of the Constitution. All they provided for is incremental alterations.”

  • FG determined to end estimated billing – Omo-Agege

    FG determined to end estimated billing – Omo-Agege

    The Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has reechoed the determination of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to ensure Nigerians only pay for electricity consumed by bringing an end to estimated billing by distribution companies (DISCOs).

    Omo-Agege spoke at the ground breaking ceremony of the establishment of a power substation at his hometown in Orogun community, Ughelli North council area of Delta State, by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Saturday.

    He assured of the President’s commitment to ensure electricity availability for all Nigerian homes. Noting that the establishment of the power substation will bring the “near-end of the energy crisis and energy poverty” witnessed in the area, the Senator Omo-Agege x-rayed the importance of energy to quality living and economic development.

    DSP Omo-Agege further reminded the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) of “their obligation to their customers and the government, regarding the mass metering initiative (not bulk metering), by the Federal Government aimed at ending the estimated billing syndrome”. He added that Orogun community is not the only place where power substations are being built. “We are pushing to have as many as possible to be built across the country. The president is determined to provide electricity to as many people, and as many communities as possible.

    “Concessions have been made by the federal government to assist the generating and distributing companies to ensure that most homes are privately and individually metered. They are already assisting in providing some of the meters for these communities. People should be able to pay for only the electricity used and it is nothing new. That is how it is all over the world, especially in advanced countries. The only obligation that government has is to make the enabling environment for it to be made available.

    “But people should not be penalized by being forced to pay for electricity used by other people,” he emphasized. The managing director of NDPHC, Mr. Chiedu Ugbo, stated that the project is aimed at improving the standard of living of the people of Orogun community, adding that it will create jobs for the people. According to the General Manager of NDPHC, Engr. Gazama Mela, the company will be constructing a “7.5KVA, 33 sub 11KV injection sub-station.”

  • Omo-Agege felicitates Ede Dafinone at 59

    Omo-Agege felicitates Ede Dafinone at 59

    Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege has congratulated Ede Dafinone on his 59th birthday.

    In a message signed by his spokesman Yomi Odunuga on Saturday, Senator Omo-Agege emphasized that children and followers who sustain inherited legacies contribute significantly to building a family name, great nation, and humanity.

    “Today as he celebrates his 59th birthday, I want to join his countless well-wishers in wishing Olorogun Ede Dafinone many more fulfilling years ahead.

    “Proving himself to be an excellent son of a great father is no mean feat. His great father, Senator David Dafinone was an accomplished accountant, politician, with many positive sides that still mean a lot to many of us.

    “Senator Dafinone is one of those whose accomplishments and exemplary life positively touched the lives of many people in the society and I must say that only a few of such persons have inspired the pro-development and pro-people cause that the APC-led Federal Government is championing today.

    “The Dafinone family is in the Guinness Book of Records for having the highest number of a nuclear family as members of the world’s leading professional body of chartered accountants as Ede’s father, himself and his four siblings have all been members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).
    “Olorogun Ede Dafinone, now a Fellow of ICAEW, inherited the very big shoes of a world-acclaimed chartered accountant but in his various formal and voluntary undertakings, he has kept a great name alive.

    “I wish Olorogun Ede Dafinone more success and many more fulfilling years ahead,” the Delta Central lawmaker stated.

  • Omo-Agege, Ibori mourn ex-Delta acting governor, Sam Obi

    Omo-Agege, Ibori mourn ex-Delta acting governor, Sam Obi

    The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori have reacted to the passing of a former acting governor, Prince Sam Obi.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly died on Saturday morning.

    In a condolence message personally signed by him, Senator Omo-Agege said: “I am profoundly shocked by the sudden death of Prince Sam Obi, former Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly and former Acting Governor of Delta State, a man who possessed one of the highest qualities of professional integrity throughout the course of his legislative career”.

    According to the Deputy President of the Senate, “Prince Sam Obi was a very dedicated, hardworking and committed friend and legislator for whom I have the deepest respect and admiration.”

    The Delta Central Senator said that “the passion with which Prince Sam Obi did his job accounted for his political success in life, making it possible for him to attain the pinnacle of excellence in his political career as Speaker of the State’s Assembly and later as Acting Governor of Delta State”.

    He described the late former Speaker and former Acting Governor as ”a man of very solid character, extra-ordinary administrator and a politician par excellence, who stood firmly for what he believed in.”

    In a similar reaction, ex-governor of Delta State Chief James Ibori described the passing of Prince Sam Obi as a big loss to Delta State.

    He said that the late Prince Obi gave remarkable services to the state state when events thrust the governance of the state on his shoulders. That was when Prince Sam Obi, as the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, became the Acting-Governor in 2010 when the Appeal Court, Benin, nullified the election of former Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, and ordered a re-run.
    In those intervening months, Obi proved himself worthy of the office by keeping the state stable before and during the the prescribed election.
    Within that time too, he showed himself a worthy leader of the Peoples Democratic Party family in Delta state as the PDP swept the polls convincingly.
    Ibori said that Prince Obi, who passed away in his sleep, Saturday morning in Asaba, distinguished himself in any task that he faced, in and out of politics.
    Ibori said that Obi, from Ute-Okpu, who represented Ika North-East constituency at the House two consecutive times, till 2015 when he did not seek re-election, was a man of many parts.
    Thus, he became a noteworthy founder and Pastor of the Oracle of God Ministries, church.
    Ibori consoled the family Prince Obi has left behind, his Ute-Okpu home town, the Governor of Delta state, His Excellency, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, and the good people of Delta state. He prayed that God may grant them the fortitude to bear this great loss and give eternal rest to Prince Obi’s soul.
  • APC will take over six South South states in 2023 – Omo-Agege boasts

    APC will take over six South South states in 2023 – Omo-Agege boasts

    The Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, is confident that the All Progressive Congress (APC) will take over the six states of the South-south region in 2023.

    Omo-Agege made the remarks while fielding questions from newsmen at the end of APC South-south zone ‘Town Hall Meeting’ on Constitution Review in Asaba, Delta State on Saturday.

    He expressed the belief that the party would take over the governance of the region after the 2023 general election.

    “The South-south region is growing to become a formidable base of our great party.

    “By the end of the 2023 general elections, it is our aspiration to have in our column, control of all the six states in the region.

    “This is possible and we intend to make it happen,’’ Omo-Agege said.

    He noted that APC was determined and has what it takes to make it happen.

    The Senate Deputy President pointed out that the party had won the governorship elections in some states in the region but was robbed due to one reason or the other.

    “We won in Bayelsa and Bayelsa was clearly ours but we were deprived, using the instrument of the court at the last minute.

    “We won in Edo but for obvious reasons, we were also deprived.

    “So, when people say the South-south has a PDP DNA, it is not true because as we speak right now, people are decamping from PDP into APC in droves.

    “As we proceed with the registration, initially we started with a 12 million membership target; we have gone ahead to 36 million members across the country.

    “So, if only our members alone vote for us, we will win elections here and the PDP here in Delta State knows that we are ready for them. It’s not going to be easy but we are ready and we are just going to put our house in order,’’ he said.

  • 2023: Omo-Agege meets Emerhor, says Delta ripe for harvest by APC

    2023: Omo-Agege meets Emerhor, says Delta ripe for harvest by APC

    The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has declared Delta State ripe for harvest by the All Progressives Congress (APC), come 2023 general elections.

    Omo-Agege made the declaration during a visit to the founding leader of the APC in Delta State, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor at his residence Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.

    “I believe that unity is our only winning formula against the PDP in the next election, divided we fall, united, we stand. – Emerhor

    To take over the state for APC come 2023, Omo-Agege called for an end to the tendencies in the party, urging leaders of the party to close ranks and work for the unity of the party to win future elections.

    “Delta State is ripe for the taking. We have also said that can only happen if all of us are on the same page. Come to think of it, what are we fighting for?

    “At the end of the day, we are brothers first before we became members of APC. Party will come and go but the Urhobo people will remain Urhobo. Delta State will remain Delta State.

    “Action Group and the rest of them have come and gone but our people remain the same. It’s time to emphasis more on what unites us than what divides us. That’s the only way we can win elections. We have decided that we put all our differences aside.

    “We already have that understanding but it’s important that those who follow us, those who sympathise with us and those who share in our aspirations, it’s good they also see that. That’s the reason we at this event.

    “As from today, we should all know that we are one. The party is not just about Olorogun Emerhor and myself, we still have other leaders. In politics, we drag who gets what, but while doing that, we must do it with civility.

    “We must do it with humanity. We must not play it in a way that it becomes almost impossible to reconcile yourselves at the end of the exercise,” Omo-Agege pleaded while commending Olorogun Emerhor for committing to the peace process in the state,

    In his remark, Emerhor, who was the 2015 governorship candidate of the party, described the visit by Omo-Agege as historic, saying it was time for leaders and members of the party from across the state to embrace peace and unite in the interest of the party.

    While affirming Omo-Agege as the undisputed leader of APC who must take the responsibility to unite the party in the state, Emerhor identified disunity, division and leadership deficits as some of the factors mitigating against the success of the party in the state.

    “I believe that unity is our only winning formula against the PDP in the next election, divided we fall, united, we stand.

    “That is why I have continued to preach it and I am happy that that is what Senator Omo-Agege has come to demonstrate here today, by putting aside any differences we may have.

    “The second aspect of winning Delta State is the issue of leadership. There must be a leader of the party. We have many leaders but somebody must be the head who organises the others to work together so that the ‘Oshobey’ can work. There cannot be many captains in a ship. Too many cooks spoil the broth.

    “Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, God has made you a king in Delta State APC, that cannot be disputed. Nonetheless, you are here today to respect your senior brother.

    “If we are to win, we must have a leader, and that role, it is you, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege that can play it now. It is very clear, all of us who are leaders in the state today, if we lead a delegation to Abuja who will they acknowledged first, it is him, will anyone be contesting that at such a meeting?” he queried rhetorically.

    Emerhor, therefore, urged Omo-Agege to take responsibility by reaching out to other APC leaders such as Chief Great Ogboru, Festus Keyamo, SAN and others and bring them together for the success of the party.

    Other APC leaders at the visit included Rev. Francis Waive, who represents Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu at the House of Representatives, Chief Paulinus Akpeki, Elder Omeni Sobotie, Chief Francis Atanomeyovwi and Dr Mrs Veronica Ogbuagu, among others.

    Delta is ripe for harvest, Omo-Agege declares