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Tag: Speaker

  • Ninth House: Top speakership candidate, Bago, loses mother

    Ninth House: Top speakership candidate, Bago, loses mother

    Hajia Aisha Mohammed, mother of House of Representatives’ Speakership aspirant and Member representing Chanchagi Federal Constituency of Niger State, Rt. Hon. Umar Mohammed Bago, is dead.

    According to a statement signed by Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, Spokesman, Hon. Mohammed Bago Campaign Organisation, Hajia Mohammed died on Saturday, June 1, 2019 after a very brief illness.

    “We wish to announce, with gratitude to Almighty Allah, the death of Hajia Aisha Mohammed, mother of 9th Assembly Speakership hopeful and member representing Chanchagi Federal Constituency of Niger State, Hon. Mohammed Bago”, the statement reads in part.

    Hajia Mohammed will be buried on Sunday, June 2, 2019 after Janaizah prayers in Minna, Niger state, in line with Islamic traditional.

    The statement further prayed Allah to “forgive her shortcomings and grant her Aljannatul Firduas”.

  • Ninth House: I am better qualified for speakership position than Gbajabiamila, Onyejeocha tells APC

    Ninth House: I am better qualified for speakership position than Gbajabiamila, Onyejeocha tells APC

    By Gabriel Okoro, Abuja
    A female lawmaker representing Isukwuato/Umuneochi federal constituency in Abia State, Nkeiruka Onyejeoch has urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) preferred candidate, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila (APC-Lagos) to sacrifice his ambition for the sake of federal character.
    Onyejeocha, an aspirant of the Speakership position in 9th Assembly gave the advice at a press briefing on Tuesday in Abuja where she made official her intention to vie for the position.
    She said there was the need for equity in the sharing of political offices in the country.
    The lawmaker said with her years of experience in the lower chamber, she was competent and qualified to lead the House.
    ”In my over 11 years of being a member of the House of Representatives, I have served my constituents and Nigeria diligently and with distinction.
    ”I have sponsored several motions and bills, conducted oversight over multiple activities and initiatives of government, ministries, departments and agencies and helped deliver meaningful constituency projects to the people of Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia that I represent.
    ”I have chaired very important committees of the House, including the Committees of Aviation and Women in Parliament.
    ”As the Chairperson of the Aviation Committee of the House for two sessions now, I oversighted the successful building of the new International Airport Terminal in Abuja, as well as the remodeling and renovation of several other airports and runways across the country.
    ”I believe that I am very well equipped with knowledge, experience and the integrity needed to manage bigger responsibilities.
    ”It is in the light of this, that I offer myself for consideration by my colleagues for a higher responsibility as a presiding officer and speaker of the House of Representatives of the 9th National Assembly,” she said.
    According to her, as a member of APC, who struggled against all odds to win a re-election under very difficult circumstances in Abia, I believe that my party has a lot to do to help consolidate on the significant victory that the party recorded in winning this seat in Abia.
    The Abia State representative noted that there had been various cries of marginalisation in the sharing of top political offices in the last four years.
    She said that south south and the south east were largely marginalised in the sharing of top political offices in the country and that it was time for healing.
    ”Gbajabiamila was a minority leader and then he became majority leader and so he is a leader in all ramifications.
    ”A time comes when leaders make sacrifices and the time is now,” she said.
    She, however, called on him to make the sacrifice and step down for national interest as the nation needed healing.
    Onyejeocha said that President Muhammadu Buhari is good man, recalling that when he was military Head of State, his deputy was from the South East.
    She also recalled that during Buhari’s re-election campaign, the president promised a more inclusive government and to carry women along in his second term in office.
    The aspirant said that there was no way Buhari would support an arrangement that would negate his campaign promises.
    Onyejeocha said she was a loyal party member who believes in party supremacy, stressing that it was not too late for the party to withdraw its endorsement of Gbajabiamila.
    The legislator, who was elected for the fourth term in the 2019 general election under the APC platform, said if elected speaker, she would ensure technology is applied to the daily activities of the parliament.
    She said she would ensure support for the executive while maintaining the independence of the parliament.
    The lawmaker said she would ensure respect and equal treatment of all members, including those elected for the first time.
    She pledged to promote and enhance communication between the parliament, the general public and among lawmakers.

  • Drama as Ekiti Assembly suspends PDP lawmaker for ‘interrupting’ speaker

    The Ekiti State House of Assembly on Tuesday banned former Deputy Speaker and Peoples Democratic Party member, Segun Adewumi (Ekiti West Constituency 1) for six weeks for alleged undue interruption of the Speaker, Adeniran Alagbada.

    The suspension followed verbal exchange between the Speaker and the former deputy Speaker at the plenary, prompting the Speaker to exercise his powers with which he banned him in accordance with Section 17 of the House Standing Order.

    Following the suspension, the Speaker said Adewumi would be prevented from participating in any plenary session, but
    could only be involved in off-plenary activities of the House.

    Alagbada said: “I am still the presiding officer of this House and it constitutes an infraction for any member to interrupt me when I preside, except you have an observation to make.

    “But with what transpired today, it seems Hon. Adewumi did not make any observation, but only wanted to stall this proceeding and he is hereby banned for six weeks.”

    Other lawmakers, in their submissions, agreed with the action, saying the Speaker did not circumvent the Constitution and standing order in arriving at the punitive measure against Adewumi.

    The Assembly, however, passed a bill to repeal Ekiti State Official Logo Amendment Law No. 28 of 2014; while the bill to re-enact Ekiti State Government Official Logo Law 2011 was passed by the Assembly.

    The lawmakers also considered Ekiti State Development and Investment Promotion Agency Bill 2019 and fixed another legislative day for further legislative processes.

    However, the screening and confirmation of some political appointees earlier fixed for Tuesday was shifted on the request of the Executive.

  • 9th Assembly: North Central, South East may clinch speakership race

    9th Assembly: North Central, South East may clinch speakership race

    …as Bago, Dyegh, Onyejeocha vow to cross the finishing line
    The battle of who emerges speaker of the ninth House is gradually taking shape as political alignments across party lines mounts centre stage.
    Gradually the boys are caving way for the real men to face the battle- just last week one of the strongest contenders from the North East, Hon Tahir Monguno, APC, Borno threw in the towel by declaring support for the leader of the House, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila.
    Also, last week Tuesday, Hon. John Dyegh, APC, Benue declared an intention to run the race after resigning as Director General of Idris Wase’s Campaign Organization.
    Dyegh a very strong voice in the North Central region dumped Wase “because he jettisoned the North Central agenda to produce the next speaker.
    Sources close to the North Central movement towards actualising their dream of producing the next speaker told TNG there’s no going back until North Central produces the next speaker.
    Dyegh in a chat with TNG said”the party as far as we are concerned has not zoned Speakership to any particular part of Nigeria.
    “So as it’s any zone can run for the position of speaker and people from my region are saying after taking the Senate presidency from us, at least give us the position of speaker.
    “As for me I must get to the finishing line which is on the floor of the House.
    Hon Mohammed Umar Bago, APC, Niger is the rave of the moment as he presently enjoys the position of the most accessible contestant.
    Among the 14 contestants, the most visible is Bago who runs the most active campaign Secretariat with the longest list of former and newly elected members working towards his Speakership ambition.
    Bago in a chat recently said that “the APC Chairman is not more Buhari than myself because I have been part of Buhari since our CPC days.
    He explained that” my quarrel with the issue of zoning it to the South West which is not official is that why must it be South West.
    “They already occupy number two position why must South West also produce number four.
    “If they had zoned it to South East I would have stepped down but for now I must cross the finishing line.
    Bago a third timer, is the current Chairman House Committee on Maritime.
    He looks good and from all indications, he is definitely not going to be a passenger in this nineth House Speakership race.
    Idris Wase must have shot his foot by accepting to run as deputy to one of the strongest contenders.
    It’s alleged that the Plateau lawmaker had visited Aso Villa where he agreed to step down and run as deputy.
    When the allegation filtered out his North Central colleagues vowed to rubbish his ambition as he allegedly betrayed their trust.
    This development made his campaign DG, Hon John Dyegh to declare his intention to run.
    For sometime now, the Wase’s camp seems to be in a deep slumber.
    The Gbajabiamila camp is very active they have toured almost the entire country soliciting support for his candidature.
    Hon Nkeiruka Onyejeocha,APC, Abia is also active. She is the only female contestant and the only visible contender from the South East region.
    A fourth timer with plenty of legislative experience. She is a two time Chairman of the Aviation committee which she professionally managed for two terms.
    She looks good to grab it if finally, the party decides to zone it to South East.
    The PDP and Dogara factor:
    By June 9, whoever the opposition supports with their 150 bulk votes may clinch the coveted position.
    For now, the PDP is unusually silent as if an oath was taken to keep sealed lips.
    This is a dangerous signal that may further crack the wall of APC leading to a situation that could catapult an opposition lawmaker mounting the saddle of the nineth House.
    Yakubu Dogara, Aminu Tambuwal and Emeka Ihedioha all have a role to play.
    These former arrow heads of the House last week met at the burial of a fallen colleague, Hon Bethel Amadi’s burial where the next speaker must have been selected.
    June 9 may just be a mere formality as another meeting to crown the new speaker too will be held during the lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia to put finishing touches to who to crown.
    Many of the other contestants by first week of May will start withdrawing from the race.
  • Gov Bello collaborating with Kogi Speaker to sack Chief Judge – Judiciary alleges

    Gov Bello collaborating with Kogi Speaker to sack Chief Judge – Judiciary alleges

    The judicial arm of the Kogi State government has alleged plans by Governor Yahaya Bello to sack Justice Nasir Ajanah from office.

    The judicial service in a statement issued on Tuesday, which was signed by Saqeeb Saeed, Senior Information Officer, Kogi State Judiciary, alleged that the plot being hatched by the governor to remove Ajanah as the state’s chief judge, is to use the speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly to illegally remove the chief law officer in the state.

    The statement read: “Events in the last few days have made it necessary for the Kogi State Judiciary to issue this press statement. The Kogi State Judiciary is aware of clandestine moves by His Excellency, the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello to use the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly to illegally remove the Chief Judge of the State, Hon. Justice Nasiru Ajanah, from office over some trumped up allegations.

    “This dangerous and ill-advised move is coming from the executive inspite of the fact that the matter is now before the National Judicial Council (NJC), and there is a subsisting court order restraining the governor from doing so.

    “The governor is advised not to do anything that will plunge the state into an unnecessary constitutional crisis. Rather, he should obey the rule of law and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which he swore to uphold.

    “Meanwhile workers of the judiciary should remain calm, as the rule of law shall prevail at the end.”

    As at the time of filing the report, activities at the state assembly indicate there are moves in the offing to ease Ajanah out from office as the Kogi CJ.

    It would be recalled that judicial staff members in the state had on Monday marched through some major streets of the capital, Lokoja, protesting the alleged plan to sack Ajanah as CJ.

    The speaker, Prince Mathew Kolawole, had however denied knowledge of such plan.

    Kolawole who was at the government house on Monday, responded to reporters’ enquiry on the issue in the negative, saying he was unaware of the name(s) of such person(s) making the allegations.

  • 9th N/Assembly: House Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila declares for Speakership

    From Jonas Ike, Abuja

    The Majority Leader, House of Representatives Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has declared for the office of the Speaker of the House in the yet to be inaugurated 9th National Assembly.
    The 9th National Assembly is expected to come on stream after the proclamation of the Assembly in early June 2019 by the Clerk to the National Assembly Alhaji Mohammed Ataba Sanni Omolori.
    Gbajabiamila who recently won re-election in the House for a fifth term said he has been into the business of legislation in the past sixteen years having won election into the House to represent Surulere 1 Federal Constituency of Lagos State in 2003.
    He further said that he studied and understood the intricate workings of the legislature. He said there is need including and the imperative of striking a delicate balance in the relationship between the executive and the legislative arms of government without compromising the latter’s independence.
    The lawmaker who tagged his campaign ‘Nation Building, A joint Task’ said that that this onerous task can only be completed if we all come together I line with the legacies of our forbears and ensure that the labours of our heroes past is not in vain.
    He added that he seeks the office of Speaker to bring tendencies together and unite the country. He noted that there is much work to be done by way of legislation in many areas of our life including but not limited to education, health, power, infrastructure and poverty alleviation.
    He assured the lawmakers that the as Speaker he is going to be the a speaker elected to do their business and champion their cause and in doing so fulfilling their hopes and aspirations.
    At the event lawmakers such as Hon.Tahir Monguno (Borno, APC), Hon. Kadijah Ibrahim (Yobe, APC), Hon Alhassan Doguwa (Kano, APC), Hon. Ifeanyi Momah (Anambra, APGA) Hon. Iduma Igariway (Ebonyi, PDP), Hon. Peter Akpatason (Edo, APC) among others called on the lawmaker to ensure that he works to strengthen the relationship between the three arms of government in Nigeria if elected speaker of the upcoming 9th Assembly.
    Also speaking at the event, Director-General of Gbajabiamila Campaign Organization Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin (APC, Kano) said that that the candidacy of Gbajabiamila is not about himself rather is about sanitizing our democracy.
    He added it is about bringing into effect international best practices into the nation’s democratic experience as is the the practice in other advanced nations of the world notably United States of America, Britain and other nations.
  • Speakership contest: Wase tipped as likely successor to Dogara

    Speakership contest: Wase tipped as likely successor to Dogara

    Indications emerged on Thursday that Hon Ahmed Idris Wase may emerge the elected speaker of the incoming 9th House of Representatives.

    This is owing to the level of overwhelming support base the fourth time reps member enjoys amongst his colleagues

    According to findings by TNG both returning and newly-elected members for the 9th House are queuing behind Wase, who represents Wase Federal Constituency of Plateau State.

    Wase, who is returning to the House for the fourth time, is among the top contenders for the speaker’s seat.

    Some lawmakers who spoke in confidence said they were more at home with Wase over other contenders for the office.

    They said Wase’s leadership qualities, humility and grasp for legislative work stand him out among the other contenders.

    ‘I think Wase’s qualifications stands him out amongst the crowd. Where do you put over 12 years of legislative experience? Can you buy that in the market? Others should wait to acquire the experience, patience and competence needed to lead a dynamic House as this. He will represent us well and carry the entire House along. He can pass for the best amongst the rest”, an honourable colleague said .

    Another returning lawmaker said: “Among all the contenders, Wase appears to be more matured, and he knows how to handle people. He is a very calm and gentle man that can fit the position of Speaker very well.

    “I can assure you that most members are comfortable with Wase because he never had issues with anybody. Besides, he has listening ears.

    “He ensured fairness and correction of imbalances when he served as chairman federal character committee. He operates an open door policy. He always listens to members each time they come to him with an issue.

    “He is someone that doesn’t raise his shoulders despite the fact that he’s one of the ranking members of the House. So, many members are really ready to see that he becomes speaker.”

  • 9th House Speakership Contest: Who wears the crown?

    By Okite Agbodo
    Barely 68days ahead, a new speaker must emerge to pilot the affairs of the nineth House of Representatives as six contenders prepare for the coveted position.
    The issue at stake is who wears the crown as the six lawmakers eyeing Hon Yakubu Dogara’s job are no pushovers.
    The ranking lawmakers include: The current leader of the House Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, Hon Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Hon Abdulrazaq Namdas, Babangida Aliyu, Idris Wase and Mohammed Umar Bago.
    None of these men are pushovers as they are well grounded in legislative business.
    In 2015, against all odds, Dogara emerged the speaker which rubbished the zoning arrangement of the All Progressives Congress, APC that wanted a candidate from the South West to run the affairs of the Green Chamber.
    The question on the lips of Nigerians is will the APC suffer the same fate in 2019?
    Both Chambers produced candidates that were not annointed by the APC.
    Dr Bukola Saraki clinched that of Senate while Dogara on the 9th of June 2015 grabbed both positions.
    Both men eventually defected to the Peoples Democrat Party, PDP.
    This is a clear signal that the APC leadership may not rest on its oars until both Houses are properly put in order or a similar fate may befall the APC in this new dispensation.
    The APC had zoned it to the South West hoping that its annointed candidate Gbajabiamila will clinch it but he lost it narrowly with just eight votes to Dogara.
    Dogara applied all legislative tactics and remained in office till date piloting the legislative affairs of the most vibrant Green Chamber in Africa.
    The APC leadership may want to properly manage its electoral victory better this time around but must look for a credible and widely accepted candidate from any zone it decides to give the number four citizen’s position.
    So far, the six emerged candidates are just waiting for the APC leadership to blow its whistle by announcing which zone should produce the next speaker.
    The likely six legislative gladiators in the race:
    Femi Gbajabiamila, a lawyer and fifth timer and a leading candidate of APC represents Surulere Federal Constituency of Lagos State.
    Gbaja as he is fondly called by close associates has the ears and eyes of the APC national leader, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu a political bulldozer whi has all it takes to change the stakes to favour his long time loyalist.
    Gbajabiamila has the legislative experience to pilot the House but needs to break away from the shadow of the past to survive.
    He equally needs the PDP votes if he must conquer in this his second attempt.
    Hon Mohammed Tahir Monguno, a lawyer is from the Northeast and a fourth timer with a vast legislative experience.
    He is from Borno State, is another top contender for the speaker’s seat. Monguno is a fourth term member under this Fourth Republic as he has been in the House since 2007, representing Marte/Monguno/Nganzai Federal Constituency. However, he was previously elected to the House of Representatives in 1992 and served briefly before the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election that saw members of the National Assembly elected that time end their tenure abruptly. Between 2007 and 2011, Monguno served as chairman of different committees in the House, including agriculture, which he headed during the 7th Assembly. He is currently the chairman of the House Committee on Agricultural Production and Services. Currently the chairman of the Northeast Caucus in the House, Monguno is unrivalled in terms of commitment to legislative activities as he is always at plenary during sittinngs, a development that once earned him accolades from both Speaker Yakubu Dogara and Deputy Speaker Yussuf Suleiman Lasun.
    During the House leadership tussle in 2015, Monguno, a former Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice in Borno State, almost became Deputy Speaker as he ran together with Femi Gbajabiamila for the position. He was defeated by Lasun due to the fact that Dogara, who is also from the Northeast, had already emerged as speaker. Therefore, there was no way both the speaker and the deputy speaker could come from the same region.
    But this time around, it was learnt that Monguno is battle-ready to go for the speaker’s seat once more, but he is said to be waiting patiently for the decision of the APC on zoning of the leadership positions in the National Assembly.
    Hon Abdulrazaq Namdas is from Adamawa and the current Chairman House Committee on Media and Publicity.
    A front line journalist turned politician is a second timer a vibrant lawmaker and a good contributor to debates on the floor of the House.
    A one time Chief Press Secretary to former governor of Adamawa, Boni Haruna.
    Hon Ahmed Idris Wase is the current Deputy majority leader of the House.
    He represents Wase Federal Constituency of Plateau state.
    Hon Umar Bago Mohammed, represents Chachanga Federal Constituency of Niger state.
    He is the current Chairman House Committee on Maritime.
    Hon Babangida Ibrahim is from Katsina and he is a third timer and the Chairman Reps Committee on Finance in the fast eclipsing 9th House.
    68 days from now the eventual winner must emerge to pilot the 9th Green Chamber in Nigeria.

  • Thugs invade A’Ibom Assembly as Speaker declares five APC lawmakers seat vacant

    There was pandemonium on Monday at the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly as armed thugs invaded the premises of the assembly complex to stop the sitting of the House.

    The hoodlums numbering over a hundred arrived the assembly complex situated at Udo Udoma road, Uyo in the early hours of yesterday and blocked the main entrance to the complex.

    The thugs, it was gathered, were mobilized by the five lawmakers who had recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    It was also learnt that the invasion of the Assembly Monday by the hoodlums was aimed at preventing the House from sitting to declare the seats of the five APC lawmakers vacant.

    The thugs blocked the main entrance of assembly complex and also disrupted vehicular and human traffic in and out of the complex. They made bonfires and shot sporadically into the air.

    But for the intervention of the security operatives, the thugs would have gained entrance to the Hallowed Chamber of the House. However, the hoodlums succeeded in smashing some doors and windows of the assembly complex.

    Amid the tension, the assembly, however, went ahead to hold its plenary during which it declared the seats of the five APC lawmakers vacant.

    The affected legislators include Idongesit Ituen (Itu), Gabriel Tobby (Etim Ekpo/Ika), Victor Udofia (Ikono), Otobong Ndem (Mkpat Enin), and Nse Ntuen (Essien Udim).

    The Speaker of the state house of assembly, Mr. Onofiok Luke said the House took the decision in line with section 109 sub. 1G of the 1999 constitution as amended.

    The House also passed a motion urging Governor Udom Emmanuel to name either the Akwa Ibom state University or the Ibom International Airport after a former Governor of the state, Obong Victor Attah in commemoration of his 80th birthday today.

     

  • Katsina bye-election: Speaker barred from voting because of PVC

    The Speaker of Katsina State House of Assembly, Abubakar Kusada, could not vote during Saturday bye-election for the Ingawa/Kusada/Kankia Federal House of Representatives due to his lack of a Permanent Voters Card.

    Kusada, who was the All Progressives Congress candidate in the election, nonetheless, won the election in his polling unit.

    The Speaker had arrived his Unguwar Kaya primary school polling unit at 12.47pm, armed with a temporary voter card.

    After his name was checked and seen on the voters’ list, the Speaker could, however, not vote since he did not possess a Permanent Voter Card, which was required to exercise his franchise.

    His name on the voters’ list carried the number:90FXBO1B8A2957D1208.

    He subsequently left the polling unit.

    The Speaker later explained to journalists that the development was caused by the recent transfer of his polling unit.

    He was hopeful that the issue would be resolved before the 2019 general elections.

    He said, “I transferred my polling unit and this could have been responsible for the challenge, I experienced at the polling unit.

    “But INEC said the issue would be resolved before the next general elections and I will vote then.”

    The Speaker nonetheless won the bye-election in his polling unit.