Tag: senator

Senators, Reps to get N30bn as severance package [SEE breakdown]

The National Assembly management has started clearance of members of the Senate and the House of Representatives for payment and collection of severance packages, as the 9th Assembly comes to an end.

The Clerk of the House, Yahaya Danzaria, made this known in a notice to members at the plenary on Wednesday.

The 9th Assembly, which was inaugurated on June 11, 2019, is expected to wind down by the first week of June, while the 10th Assembly is billed for inauguration on June 13, 2023.

The Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, read out the Clerk’s notice to members on the floor.

Danzaria informed “all honourable members to collect their clearance forms for the payment of severance gratuity from the Office of the Clerk to the House and submit same after completion in Annex Room 2.154 or 2.031, Finance and Accounts Directorate on or before Friday, June 9, 2023.”

For the outgoing 9th Assembly, over N30bn has been budgeted for severance and welcome package for outgoing and incoming members and aides in the 2023 Appropriation Act.

Under statutory transfers, the National Assembly and its affiliate bodies will spend a total of N194,839,144,401 this financial year.
The sum of N169bn was proposed for the federal bi-cameral legislature in the original bill.

Details of the National Assembly budget are as follows: Severance/inauguration of outgoing and incoming 9th and 10th Assembly (legislators and legislative aides) – N30,173,520,592;

National Assembly Office = N30,492,518,529;

Senate = N33,267,001,807;

House of Representatives = N51,994,511,954;

National Assembly Service Commission = N10,555,809,322;

Legislatives Aides = N16,520,653,763;

PAC_Senate = N118,970,215; and

PAC_House of Representatives = N142,764,258.

June 1, 2023
Just In: Former Ebonyi Senator, Anyim Ude is dead

A onetime senator representing Ebonyi South Senatorial District, Anyim Ude, dies at the age of 82.

The announcement of the death of the politician is contained in a statement signed by Mr Nnanna Ude, the eldest son of the deceased on Thursday in Abakaliki.

According to the statement, the elder statesman died peacefully on May 15, two weeks before the celebration of his 82nd birthday.

“It is with heavy hearts but total gratitude to the Almighty God that our family announces the passing of our father, Sen. (Elder) Anyim Chukwu Ude, MON.

“He departed this world and joined the saints on Monday, May 15, 2023; just two weeks to his 82nd birthday.

“Details of the funeral arrangements will be announced by the family as we seek your prayers for the repose of his soul to eternal life in the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ,” the statement read.

Ude was elected to represent the Ebonyi South Senatorial District in 2007 where he attracted a lot of developmental constituency projects to the Ebonyi South zone.

The late Senator and Octogenarian was born on June 1, 1941, in Akaeze, in the present-day Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that before going to the Senate, the late Ude had a thriving career in the Nigerian Public Service spanning 42 years.

“He was a veteran journalist, broadcaster and administrator with vast experience in public service, especially in media matters.

“He entered the public service of former Eastern Nigeria as a clerk in 1960 and later joined the Eastern Nigeria Information Service, Printers and Publishers of ‘Nigerian Outlook’ in May 1965 as a reporter.

“He served as the Director-General of Imo Broadcasting Corporation (IBC); pioneer DG, Abia Broadcasting Corporation.”

He was the pioneer commissioner of the Ebonyi Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the defunct Ebonyi Broadcasting Service (ESBS) now Ebonyi Broadcasting Corporation (EBBC) and in several other portfolios as a commissioner.

May 18, 2023
Senate Presidency: Orji Kalu writes APC NWC, Senators-elect

The Senate Chief Whip, Sen. Orji Kalu, has written members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of All Progressives Congress (APC) and 108 Senators-elect of his interest to become the Senate President.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Media Office of the Chief Whip of the Senate on Monday in Abuja.

Kalu, however, refuted the report that South East Senators-elect endorsed him.

According to him, the Senators-elect of the South East only met to make a demand from the President-elect and the party and yet to endorse anyone.

Kalu, in the letters which he personally signed and addressed to each of the NWC members and Senators-elect, said he is offering himself for the position with sincerity of heart, humility, and candour.

He explained that his seemingly inactive in the contest of the senate presidency was because of the one month mourning of his late wife, Mrs Ifeoma Kalu.

Attached to the letters of intent is Kalu’s Legislative Agenda, which has six priorities.

They are Economic Growth and Reform; Constitutional and Electoral Reform; National Security; Improved Social Conditions and Welfare; Efficient and Effective National Assembly and Global Influence.

Kalu promised to promote and defend the constitution as well as foster a congenial and cordial relationship between the executive and the judiciary.

“It is with a deep sense of joy and humility that I bring you warm greetings and that of Abia North Senatorial zone.

“My emergence as the Senator to represent Abia North in this critical time in the history of our dear nation comes with huge responsibilities, top of which is to make quality laws for the good governance of our people.

“To be able to achieve these enviable goals, we require good leaders who will pilot the affairs of the 10th Senate.

“Leadership of a sophisticated Senate at the 10th Session will need men and women with abundance of shared vision, consensus building, charisma, credibility and pragmatism in the saddle.

“This is why I most humbly write to officially inform you of my interest to be elected the next Senate President,” he stated.

“I make this offer to serve you and the Nigerian people with sincerity of heart, humility, and candour.

“The biggest asset I bring to the table is wisdom and experience garnered over the years in the management of human and material resources.

“I promise to work for you, promote and defend the constitution and the party, and foster a congenial and cordial relationship between the party, the executive, and judiciary.

“One thing is indubitably certain: working together in unity and mutual love and respect, we can take Nigeria to real next level of peace, progress, and development,” the letter read in part.

May 9, 2023
PDP senator says party deservedly lost 2023 general elections

Sen. Obinna Ogba (PDP–Ebonyi Central) said on Sunday that the party deservedly lost the 2023 general elections because of mismanagement of affairs by its National Working Committee (NWC).

Ogba told a news conference at his Nkalagu hometown in Ishielu Local Government Area that the NWC shot itself in the foot by giving the governorship ticket to a “wrong candidate’’.

The senator, who lost the party’s governorship ticket after a protracted legal tussle decided by the Supreme Court, cautioned that the NWC should not suspend any member.

“The fact remains that it is the NWC members who deserve to be suspended starting from the national chairman.

“The national chairman lost his polling booth, ward. Local government area and state and the same thing applied to all the conspirators who offered tickets to whoever understood their language,’’ he charged.

Ogba added, however, that there was still hope for the PDP because it is loved by the people.

“What we need is the right leaders to manage the party’s affairs because no party is stronger than the PDP.

“The Labour Party made strides during the elections, especially during the presidential election because it had mainly our former members who felt annoyed at the state of things in the PDP,’’ he said.

He noted that PDP leaders supported the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for equity and fairness in the state’s power rotation formula.

“Political parties are only avenues to get to various political destinations.

“Leaders of the PDP in Ebonyi made us to believe that the northern district should produce the next governor and I am happy that those I supported won their elections,’’ Ogba said.

April 10, 2023
APC suspends Gombe Senator, Amos Bulus

The Gombe chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended Sen. Amos Bulus (APC-Gombe ) over alleged anti-party activities.

This is contained in a statement signed on Saturday in Gombe by Mr Moses Kyari, the state APC Publicity Secretary.

Kyari said that the party had also suspended Rep. Yunusa Abubakar, who represents Yamaltu-Deba Federal Constituency at the National Assembly for alleged anti-party activities.

He said that the lawmakers were suspended by their ward executives after they were found to have been engaged in anti-party activities during the 2023 general election in the state.

Kyari said that the Senator was suspended by the Ward Executives of Bambam in Balanga Local Government Area of the state.

“He (Bulus) was suspended for anti-party activities at the just concluded general elections.

“This came about as result of a petition written from his ward which caused a five-man committee from the ward to investigate and get to the root of the matter, about two weeks ago,” he said.

Kyari said that a committee was set up to investigate the matter adding that the committee invited the Senator but he could not defend himself from the allegations hence the committee recommended his suspension from the party.

He said Abubakar’s suspension was based on the recommendations of a disciplinary committee which found him guilty of anti-party activities.

Kyari said the suspension of the lawmakers had been ratified by the state APC Executive Council.

April 8, 2023
“How I was made to refund N200m to FG under duress” – Obanikoro informs court

A former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, has told the Federal High Court in Lagos that he was made to refund between N100m and N200m to the Federal Government under duress.

Obanikoro stated this on Tuesday while testifying before the court as the 12th prosecution witness in the trial of a former governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose.

Fayose and his company, Spotless Investment Limited, are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for alleged N2.2bn fraud.

The EFCC accused Fayose of taking N1.2bn from a former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, to prosecute his governorship election.

The defendants were also alleged to have on June 17, 2014, without going through financial institutions, received $5m from Obanikoro.

But Fayose denied the allegations.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Obanikoro, in his earlier testimony, told the court how he transported the cash in an aircraft and delivered to Fayose in Ekiti State.

He told Justice Chukwujeku Aneke that N1.2bn was deposited into the account of a company, Sylva McNamara, which was used to fund clandestine security operations aimed at preventing terrorists’ activities in Lagos State in two batches.

At the resumed trial on Tuesday, Obanikoro, while being cross-examined by the counsel for the second defendant, Mr Olalekan Ojo, (SAN), told the court that during the investigation of the case, he was invited by the EFCC, grilled and forced to refund N100m or N200m under duress.

Obanikoro, who told the court that after various investigations, the EFCC exonerated him of any wrongdoing, added,”I was made to refund between N100m and N200m to the Federal Government under duress.

“I have instructed his lawyers, to write the EFCC for the return of the money he allegedly refunded under duress,” he said.

March 22, 2023
“I have never lost a battle” – Umahi reacts to senatorial victory

Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has said that he has never lost a “battle” in life as God always sees him through challenges and adversities.

Umahi made the assertion on Tuesday in Abakaliki while officially reacting to his victory in the Ebonyi south senatorial district election held on Feb. 25.

The governor said it could had been an albatross for people of the district if he was not elected because Nigerians could have asked questions.

“The southern district should count itself lucky that I emerged because certain things are beyond politics.

“What excuse could they have given for not sending me to the senate to further fight for them and the entire state.

“Everyone in Nigeria has acknowledged the miracles in Ebonyi so why should the people not reciprocate with gratitude?” he queried.

He, however, remarked that such upliftments were not by his power but God’s special grace upon him.

“Whoever God has lifted cannot be brought down as he still taught me a lesson by allowing voting manipulations against me.

“God showed that what I did in Ebonyi could not guarantee me victory but his special grace.

“He allowed scheming to play out but still gave me victory at the end.

“He taught me to depend wholly on Him and though I always do so, it seemed I haven’t done so enough,” he said.

Umahi said in addition to the victory, the interest of Ebonyi is uppermost in his agenda.

“I worked immediately after the election, currently prepared for work as I speak and will work till the last day in office.

“It is what one has done for the people that will matter at the end and not the noise made,” he said.

February 28, 2023
SAD! Former Senator, Spiff is dead

A former senator who represented Bayelsa East in the National Assembly, is dead.

This development was contained in a statement by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The powerful politician who hailed from Twon-Brass in Brass local government of Bayelsa state died on Saturday, December 24, in an Abuja hospital after a brief illness.

The PDP spokesman in Bayelsa state, Ebiye Egoli, announced the death of the former Secretary to State Government SSG) in the Old Rivers state on Monday, December 26.

“It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that we received the wrenching news of the sudden passing of our leader, father, friend, brother, and one of the solid pillars of the PDP in Bayelsa State, Distinguished Senator Inatimi Rufus Spiff who took ill and was rushed to the hospital in Abuja.

But unfortunately according to family sources, he could not pull through but passed on to eternal glory,” the statement read.

The PDP in Bayelsa state said Senator Spiff’s death has thrown the party into utter grief and mourning. It added that the deceased had thrown his full weight behind the presidential aspiration of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

“Our heart goes out to the immediate families of the deceased and we pray that God almighty would give them the strength and fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss caused by his sudden demise,” the party stated.

December 27, 2022
2023: Omo-Agege vows to resolve Aladja/Ogbe/Ijaw age long conflict+photos

…promises to dredge Escravos bar

Deputy Senate President and governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress , APC, in Delta State, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has assured that an APC led federal government will work with the incoming APC State government to dredge the Escravos bar, and grant ships unencumbered access to Warri, Koko and Burutu ports.

He gave the assurance in Koko, Warri North Local Government Area, Monday, December 18, while addressing members and supporters of the APC during the party’s ongoing ward to ward campaign.

He asked the Itsekiri people to vote their son in-law, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as President, and himself as governor of Delta State, “so that with concerted efforts between Tinubu and I, we would bring the much needed development to this land, starting by making Koko, Burutu and Warri ports work again.”

The APC guber candidate made a strong case for Joel Onowakpo Thomas, the party’s senatorial candidate for Delta South, as well as other candidates of the APC, whom he described as adherents that would give APC the needed support at various levels of government.

Senator Omo-Agege at the event demanded that former Delta governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, apologises to the Itsekiri nation over his near criminal neglect of his native Warri North local government area both as Secretary to the State Government for four years and Governor for a further eight years.

He accused Dr. Uduaghan of conniving with other Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, leaders such as it’s Senatorial candidate, Michael Diden, aka “Ejele”, to hoodwink them into supporting Okowa and his stooge, PDP gubernatorial candidate, Sheriff Oborevwori, in spite of the obvious sufferings of the Itsekiri people

“This is Delta State, in 2015 and 2019, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa came to this place asking for your votes and promising to bring prosperity to all Deltans. He failed woefully.

“In connivance with Speaker Oborevwori, Okowa has collected over 3.5 trillion naira as FAAC and 13 percent derivation revenues; and another 270 billion naira as 13 percent refunds. He has borrowed an additional 400 billion naira, yet, there is no development project worth 200 million naira in Koko”.

According to him, almost all projects on ground in the town were influenced by Dr Alex Ideh, a foremost APC leader, when he served as Commissioner under former Governor James Onanefe Ibori.

“This is Uduaghan’s local government area. He was SSG for four years, and had power to influence development projects. He was governor for eight years, but see his local government. He disappointed his own people, and now he wants to join forces with Okowa to further punish them.

“My late grandfather, the Nana of Koko, was, in the words of the curator of the Nana Museum which I influenced to Koko, the governor of Benin River. By God’s grace, I am going to be governor of Delta State and I am going to be a good governor. I promise that the Koko/Ugbenu Road that was abandoned by Uduaghan and Okowa will be fixed. The Koko stadium project which started in 2008 and was abandoned by Okowa and Uduaghan your son will be completed by me, also your son, as governor.

“I commit that I will put a hospital in Warri North that will take care of the health needs of the people. Given the level of contribution to the State economy, I commit to site a State owned tetiary institutions each in Ijaw and Itsekiri lands. It is your right. You were denied by Uduaghan and Okowa, but I will restore them to you.”

He admonished the people not to fear “Ejele” on election day. “I, Ovie Omo-Agege, the Deputy President of the Senate, will ensure adequate security to protect you as you come out to cast your votes,” he said.

Earlier on, Dr Ideh lamented the level of infrastructure decay of Koko and called for total support of APC candidates during the elections.

In his remarks, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, founding leader of the APC in Delta State, charged the Itsekiri people to mobilize Deltans to vote Tinubu and Omo-Agege being their in-law and kinsman respectively.

According to him, the Itsekiri nation has never had it so good, with the APC presidential candidate, an accomplished politician, as their in-law, and the APC governorship candidate as a grandson of the Nana of Koko.

Meanwhile, Senator Omo-Agege has ascribed the festering Aladja/ Ogbe-Ijaw conflict in Delta state to official wickedness of the Okowa/PDP government. Speaking when the campaign touched down in Ogbe-Ijaw, he said the Urhobos and Ijaws of the Niger Delta are one and the same people, and that the state government was, by divide and rule, benefiting from an unnecessary conflict.

He pledged to move with dispatch to resolve the issues that sustain what he described as a quarrel among brothers, while pleading with all parties to cease further hostilities.

Senator Omo-Agege’s running mate, the youthful Rt. Hon Friday Osanebi, told the Ijaw and Itsekiri people at the rallies that the ruling PDP has obviously become the opposition party in the state, given the massive acceptance the people have shown APC.

In a statement titled “We Will Not Abandon You Like They Did,” he said: “You have openly showed us that your hearts, minds and most importantly your votes are with all candidates of the APC and this we appreciate.”

December 20, 2022
2023: Omo-Agege is extremely irresponsible, can’t govern us -Ogboru alleges

Gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the forthcoming election in Delta State, Chief Great Ogboru, a former political acolyte of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has allegedly described him as too irresponsible to govern Delta State.

Omo-Agege is the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 election in the state.

The crux of the matter is that Omo-Agege was reported to have claimed that Ogboru had agreed to step down for him ahead the 2023 governorship election in the state.

In his response, Ogboru was quoted in social media circles to have said that: “I better step down for Sheriff who has the political experience to manage Delta than stepping down for Omo Agege who is too irresponsible to be governor.”

Ogboru, the APGA flagbearer was quoted to had further said: “Omo-Agege cannot win even 20% of the total votes that will be cast in the Delta governorship election even if he has the support of the current political structure in the nation and state behind him.

“He is irresponsible and unfit to be a governor to have authorized that statement.

“The man who just goes to the public to say I have endorsed him. He is a liar. I will not endorse anyone.

“NEVER! Omo Agege is extremely irresponsible,” Ogboru added.

December 7, 2022