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Tag: Speaker

  • Just in: 26 days to inauguration, 18 Abia lawmakers impeach speaker Orji

    Just in: 26 days to inauguration, 18 Abia lawmakers impeach speaker Orji

    Barely 27 days to inauguration members of the Abia State House of Assembly have voted to impeach its Speaker, Hon. Chinedum Orji.

    The impeachment was carried out by 18 out of 27 members of the Assembly who sat at an undisclosed location.

    Channels Television gathered that the motion for the impeachment was moved by Chukwudi Apugo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who represents Umuahia-East and was seconded by Okey Igwe of the PDP, who is representing Umunneochi Constituency.

    The lawmakers are accusing the Speaker of gross misconduct and high handedness.

    But a source close to the state government described the impeachment as “Legislative Nollywood” which cannot stand.

    According to the source, the House of Assembly complex had been under lock and key, so 18 lawmakers taking such action outside the assembly complex is the height of impunity.

    The Clerk of the House was not there to swear in the new speaker.

  • Speakership Race: Coalition makes case for S/east, Reps’ spokesman

    Speakership Race: Coalition makes case for S/east, Reps’ spokesman

    A coalition of civil society organisations, has urged the ruling all Progressives Congress (APC), to consider zoning speakership of the 10th House of Representatives to the south eastern geopolitical zone of the country for fairness and equity.

    Briefing journalists in Abuja on Friday, National Convener, and leader of the group under the aegis of Civil Society for Good Governance, Chief Dominic Ogakwu also cited some qualities of the current spokesman of the House, Benjamin Kalu, which stood him out as the best aspirant, should the zoning demand be heeded.

    “At present, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is on the cusp of history to demonstrate that equity, inclusivity and justice are the principles on which the party is built as it reaches a decision on zoning of key officers for the 10th National Assembly, especially for the House of Representatives.
    As members of civil society, we hold the view without equivocation that equity and fairness demand that the South East should produce the next Speaker of the House of Representatives”, he stated.

    The group said it was call ping on the APC as the majority party in the National Assembly to zone the Office of Speaker of the House of Reps to the South East not just to reflect federal character and support a balanced power sharing formula in the country, but because the South East Zone has the potential and capacity for the Office.

    “There is a sense of alienation and marginalization amongst the people of the Zone by the APC, which though we do not share, but agree as legitimate concern. As a country that just emerged from an electoral process that is benighted by divisive tendencies, history beckons on the ruling party to demonstrate that is inclusive, equitable and responsive to all parts of the country, particularly the South East.

    “As a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious country, it is urgent and imperative that the APC promotes the tenets of Federal Character by zoning the Speakership to the South East and strengthen the cords of unity and peaceful co-existence amongst our peoples.

    “Records indicate that since the return of democratic rule in 1999, the Southeast geopolitical zone is the only zone yet to have the opportunity to produce a speaker of the House of Representatives. The nearest the zone has come is Deputy Speaker between 2011 and 2015.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, from 1999 to 2007, the position of Speaker was zoned to the North West with Rt. Hons. Salisu Buhari, Ghali Umar Na’Abba and Aminu Bello Masari as Speakers. Also, from 2007 to 2011, the South West produced Rt. Hon. Patricia Etteh and Dimeji Bankole presiding; and the North West taking another chance between 2011 and 2015, with Aminu Waziri Tambuwal as Speaker and Emeka Ihedioha as Deputy. In 2015, the North East produced Yakubu Dogara as Speaker. By 2019, it returned to the South West again with the current speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila.

    “As we stated earlier, our clamour for the Speakership from the South East is not premised on equity and inclusion alone, but because there is capacity, ability and widespread consensus that Hon. Benjamin Kalu, is suited for the job”, the group posited.

  • BREAKING: Security operatives seal Plateau House of Assembly complex

    BREAKING: Security operatives seal Plateau House of Assembly complex

    Security operatives have sealed off the entrance of the Plateau House of Assembly as the tussle for the assembly speakership deepens.

    According to reports, no fewer than 15 security vehicles were seen stationed in strategic locations around the complex.

    It was observed that stern-looking Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other security personnel manned the gates and surroundings.

    The road linking the Terminus Market from the Plateau Specialist Hospital through the assembly complex was blocked from traffic.

    The Plateau Police Spokesperson, DSP Alfred Alabo, said that the move was to forestall any breakdown of law of order around the assembly.

    ”We learnt that supporters of some politicians will be coming around the assembly to protest.

    “If the politicians’ supporters come around, it is going to affect traffic and it may lead to breakdown of law and order.

    “In order to save lives and property, we took this action so that we can control security arrangements within the Plateau house of assembly area.

    “If nothing happens, the security will be relaxed and everything will return to normal,” he explained

    Abok Ayuba who was impeached on Oct. 28, 2021 was reinstated by the Plateau High Court on Monday.

    He resumed duties on Tuesday and presided over plenary.

    But Ayuba’s successor, Yakubu Sanda and 12 others filed an appeal and stay of execution on Tuesday.

    Both Sanda and Ayuba are laying claim to speakership of the assembly.

    While Ayuba is relying on his reinstatement, Sanda is holding unto the stay of execution.

    NAN

  • Kwara Reps member joins race for Speaker

    Kwara Reps member joins race for Speaker

    Rep. Abdulraheem Olawuyi (APC-Kwara) has joined the race for the Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 10th National Assembly.

    Olawuyi, who represents Ekiti, Isin, Irepodun, and Oke-ero Federal Constituency of Kwara, confirmed that he would officially declare his intention on April 4, in Abuja.

    Olawuyi, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, said this in a statement he personally issued to newsmen in Abuja on Saturday.

    The lawmaker said he has consulted widely on his intention to contest the position and expressed delight at the feedback.

    Olawuyi, a third termer and ranking member in the House of Reps, said he believed he possed the needed experience to make the office of the speaker better, if elected by his colleagues.

    He said other lawmakers, serving and newly elected members of the House of Reps would be in attendance at his official declaration.

    “I assure you that, if elected, I will strive to promote policies that will benefit all Nigerians from various backgrounds and will work with all parties to unite the country.

    “I am genuinely looking forward to meet fellow lawmakers, share my vision with them, and listen to their ideas on how to improve the lots of the people, if elected as the speaker,” Olawuyi stated.

  • Currency swap: Reps to reconvene if CBN fails to address hardship – Speaker

    Currency swap: Reps to reconvene if CBN fails to address hardship – Speaker

    The House of Representatives say it will reconvene before the Feb. 25 elections, if the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) fails to address the hardships Nigerians are facing following the currency swap policy.

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, said this in a statement issued in Abuja by Mr Lanre Lasisi, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity.

    He said the house would continue to monitor the CBN’s implementation of the policy closely following the Green Chamber’s meeting with the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, on the issue.

    Gbajabiamila said he was on the verge of signing an arrest warrant against Emefiele, following his initial failure to appear before an ad hoc panel of the House.

    “The House of Representatives intervened on several occasions. We summoned the CBN governor the first time and again, but he refused to answer, because we had many hard questions for him.

    “It was until I issued the threat of warrant of arrest before he came, and I would have signed that warrant,” he said.
    He said it would have been the first time in the history of the National Assembly that a CBN governor would be arrested, adding that he will have done it.

    He said many have argued on the independence of CBN, the autonomy of CBN, adding that it did not make CBN above the law.

    He said the constitution gave the House the power to issue an arrest warrant against anyone.

    “We can summon anybody and that was exactly what the House was going to do until the CBN governor came.

    “So, we are watching, and we are monitoring very closely. If need be, we will reconvene the House, even though we have been away for our elections. I will call the House back, if need be,” he said.

    Gbajabiamila said amidst the ongoing hardship, the Presidential candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has identified with Nigerians and faulted the implementation of the policy.

    According to him, it has necessitated the extension of the deadline for the collection of the old currency.

  • Alleged N40m Adeleke’s Christmas gift: No plan to impeach Osun Speaker – Aide

    Alleged N40m Adeleke’s Christmas gift: No plan to impeach Osun Speaker – Aide

    Mr. Kunle Alabi, the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Osun House of Assembly, Mr. Timothy Owoeye, says there is no impeachment plot against his principal over alleged misappropriation of fund.

    Alabi spoke against the backdrop of the report in a section of the media about an intense plot by some aggrieved lawmakers to remove Owoeye over an alleged N40 million Christmas gift to them by Gov. Ademola Adeleke.

    Speaking in an interview with NAN on Friday in Osogbo, he described the allegation as baseless and a mere fabrication.

    According to him, there is no rift between the speaker and his colleagues as being falsely reported.

    “The relationship between the speaker and other lawmakers remains cordial contrary to unfounded reports in some quarters that the assembly is in crisis.

    “All the allegations raised against Owoeye were mere speculations.

    “The speaker has been transparent and fair on every affair relating to the welfare and activities of the house.

    “As far as Osun Assembly is concerned, we are one, irrespective of the change in government.

    “Money matter cannot create any division among the lawmakers.

    “Whatever the assembly got were its legitimate earnings,” Alabi said.

    Some of the lawmakers accused Owoeye of misappropriating the governor’s largesse.

    They reportedly alleged that the speaker gave each of the 26 lawmakers N250,000 and a bag of rice only, hence the alleged plot to remove him.

  • U.S. House in turmoil as no Speaker elected on 2nd day of voting

    U.S. House in turmoil as no Speaker elected on 2nd day of voting

    The United States of America’s House of Representatives remained in turmoil with no speaker elected on the second day of voting.

    House members voted on Wednesday night to adjourn until noon Thursday, prolonging a historical political stalemate that has paralysed the lower chamber.

    U.S. Congressman, Kevin McCarthy, a Republican from California, failed to secure enough votes three times earlier in the day due to intra-party division.

    House members voted three times on Tuesday the opening day of the divided 118th Congress, but McCarthy fell short of the necessary votes to be the next speaker.

    It was the first time a House speaker who maintained order, managed its proceedings, and governed the administration of its business on the lower chamber’s floor hadn’t been elected on the first ballot in 100 years.

    The 435-seat House will have to vote until a speaker is elected with a majority of votes.

    Before that, members cannot be sworn in and committees cannot be formed with the rest of the business stalled.

    U.S. Congresswoman, Elissa Slotkin, a Michigan Democrat, tweeted that the infighting “isn’t just a shame for Republicans, it’s bad for the entire country.”

    U.S. President, Joe Biden, a Democrat, reacted to the political drama surrounding the House speakership vote on Wednesday morning.

    According to him, it’s embarrassing the way it’s taking so long.

    “How do you think this looks to the rest of the world?

    “It’s not a good look. It’s not a good thing,” Biden told reporters at the White House before leaving for Hebron, Kentucky.

    McCarthy has the support of most House Republicans and former U.S. President, Donald Trump.

    But a handful of hardliners have opposed his bid to lead the conference by arguing that he is insufficiently conservative while refusing to decentralise the speaker’s power.

    The House has elected a speaker 127 times since 1789.

    There have been 14 instances of speaker elections requiring multiple ballots.

    Thirteen of 14 multiple-ballot elections occurred before the Civil War, when party divisions were more nebulous, according to Congressional historians.

    The last time a speaker election required two or more votes on the floor happened in 1923.

    Harvard legal scholar, Laurence Tribe, tweeted on Wednesday that the House of Representatives, unlike the Senate, was not a continuing body.

    “It must reassemble itself without full constitutional authority every two years, like someone rebuilding a ship on the open seas.

    “But when the voyage is this rough, that’s a sign of dysfunction,” Tribe said.

    All House Democrats have voted for Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat, to be the speaker.

    Though it’s unlikely for Jeffries to attain the position, he is set to become the first African American lawmaker to lead a party in either chamber of the U.S. Congress.

    Republicans flipped the House in the 2022 midterm elections while Democrats held onto their majority in the Senate.

    The new Congress convened for the first time on Tuesday, with U.S. Vice President, Kamala Harris, presiding over the opening of the 100-people upper chamber in which Democrats control 51 seats versus 49 for Republicans.

    Chuck Schumer from New York and Mitch McConnell from Kentucky remain the Senate majority leader and minority leader, respectively.

  • Ex-govs, deputies can go with official vehicles – Osun Speaker replies Adeleke

    Ex-govs, deputies can go with official vehicles – Osun Speaker replies Adeleke

    Speaker of Osun House of Assembly, Mr. Timothy Owoeye, on Wednesday said the state law empowers governors, their deputies, and some top public officials to go with their official vehicles when they retire from office.

    Owoeye made this known during plenary while reacting to the call made by Gov. Ademola Adeleke, asking the former governor Gboyega Oyetola, his deputy, cabinet members, and some public office holders who served under the previous administration, to return the official vehicles in their custody.

    The speaker said, according to the State Public Office Holders (payment of pension and severance packages) Bill 2018, signed into law in 2019, the former governor is empowered to go away with his official vehicles.

    He, however, invited the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Teslim Igbalaye, and the state Chief of Staff, Mr. Kasim Akinleye, to come for a holistic discussion on the matter.

    “I want to call on the SSG and Chief of Staff to let us discuss this matter holistically.

    “Apart from the fact that we have a Public Office Holders (payment of pension and severance packages) Law, that was passed in 2019,  I will not say anything further until I see the SSG and Chief of Staff.

    “Both of them are not summoned to appear before the Assembly, but to let us come together for discussion.

    “There are so many things we can settle without denting the image of anybody,” the speaker said.

    Similarly, the speaker said the issue of the total debt profile of the state was being investigated by a 10-man committee of the Assembly, empowered by Sections 128 and 129 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999).

    He said the sections of the constitution allow the Assembly to investigate further, the real debt profile of the state, which the Assembly initiated on Dec. 21, 2022.

  • Oborevwori condoles Uduaghan over passage of his father-in-law

    Oborevwori condoles Uduaghan over passage of his father-in-law

    Delta State Speaker and PDP Gubernatorial Candidate, Hon Sheriff Oborevwori has condoled former governor of the state, Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan over the passage of his father-in-law, Retired Brigadier-General Sunny Esijolomi Tuoyo.

    The former Military Administrator of old Ondo State died Saturday December 17, 2022 in Lagos State at the age 84.

    In a Press Statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Dennis Otu, the Delta State PDP Governorship Candidate who is also the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and National Deputy Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, expressed sadness over the death of the former Military Administrator, saying he lived a worthy life.

    Describing Retired Brigadier-General Sunny Esijolomi Tuoyo who served as the Military Governor of Ondo State (July 1978 – October 1979) during the military regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo, as a disciplinary and a God fearing person, the Speaker said his death was a big blow not only to his immediate family and the people of Delta State, but to the entire Nation.

    According to the Speaker, the late Retired Brigadier-General Sunny Esijolomi Tuoyo served his fatherland dedicatedly, saying his contributions to the people and the nation cannot be over emphasised.

    “I wish to commiserate with the immediate past governor of the state, Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan on the demise of his beloved father-in-law. He died at a time when his wealth of experience was most needed. He was a patriotic man who wanted nothing but the best for his fellow Nigerians and his country. We are solely going to miss this great man who raised up his children with the fear of God”, he said.

    The Speaker added that; “History is going to be very kind to him by the time the story of his dear country is going to be written because he served his fatherland meritoriously”.

    “My prayers and thoughts are with his family, our immediate past governor, Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, his wife, Her Excellency, Deconess (Mrs) Roli Uduaghan and others he left behind. You are not alone in this moment of grief. May his gentle soul find repose in the bosom of our Lord and grant those he left behind the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss”, he stated.

  • Aribisogan’s impeachment as Speaker, irreversible, Ekiti Assembly replies Afe Babalola, Falana

    Aribisogan’s impeachment as Speaker, irreversible, Ekiti Assembly replies Afe Babalola, Falana

    The Ekiti State House of Assembly says the impeachment of Gboyega Aribisogan, who spent only six days as Speaker is irreversible.

    This is contained in a counter statement issued on Thursday night by Adeoye Aribasoye, the new Chairman, House Committee on Media and Publicity, on behalf of the lawmakers.

    Aribasoye said that contrary to impression created by the seven Senior Advocates of Nigeria, the removal of Aribisogan had come to stay, and that the new Speaker, Mrs Bunmi Adelugba, shall remain in office.

    The seven eminent Ekiti lawyers, who are of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) rank, led by Aare Afe Babalola, had called for reinstatement of Aribisogan on the ground that his impeachment was “ill-conceived, illegal, null and void”.

    Others Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN); Dele Adesina (SAN); Olu Daramola (SAN); Femi Falana (SAN); Dayo Akinlaja (SAN) and  Gboyega Oyewole (SAN), had on Wednesday night, issued a statement, condemning as unwarranted, Aribisogan’s purported impeachment and calling for his immediate reinstatement.

    The senior lawyers also said that Mrs Bunmi Adelugba, elected as Speaker after Aribisogan’s impeachment should stop parading herself as the new Speaker, saying her purported election was irregular.

    However, in a swift reaction, Aribasoye said: “The attention of the Ekiti State House of Assembly has been drawn to a letter circulating on the social media written by a combination of Senior Advocates of Nigeria.

    “The letter is about the concern of the legal luminaries led by Aare Afe Babalola about the recent change of leadership in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, leading to the impeachment of Rt. Hon Gboyega Aribisogan, who was replaced with Rt. Hon. Olubunmi Adelugba.

    “We recognise the right of the legal luminaries, as stakeholders in Ekiti State and we respect their opinions and advice, but that is where it ends.

    “We wish to let the reading public know that members of Ekiti State House of Assembly feel a sense of injustice by the one sided opinion and biased intervention of the legal luminaries, who are also elderstatemen.

    “The principle of justice all over the world is that all sides to a conflict must be heard and it is only then that justice can be seen to have been done.”

    According to him, it is unfortunate that our elderstatemen did not hear from the side of the new Speaker and the remaining 16 members, who impeached the former Speaker, Rt. Hon. Gboyega Aribisogan and elected Rt. Hon. Olubunmi Adelugba.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, Rt. Hon. Olubunmi Adelugba remains the validly elected Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly and she enjoys the support of overwhelming majority of the Honourable members, party leadership and the government of Ekiti State.

    “Therefore, the advice of the legal luminaries that Rt. Hon. Olubunmi Adelugba, who was duly elected by 17 members  should stop parading herself as the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, is unwarranted and we believe this is based on wrong information by the impeached Speaker.”

    He said that the House has neither breached any section of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, nor its own Standing Rules concerning the impeachment of Aribisogan, and the election of Adelugba.

    Aribasoye further explained that on Monday, Aribisogan was duly served an impeachment notice and was thereafter impeached by two third members of the whole House.

    “We, however, wish to remind our legal luminaries that when a serious infraction of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was committed during the PDP  administration of Gov. Ayodele Fayose where seven members, impeached the then Speaker, Adewale Omirin, we didn’t see a convergence of legal luminaries condemning the action.

    “This same Aribisogan was equally suspended by the fifth Assembly during the tenure of Gov. Fayose, but there was no whimper from our legal luminaries.

    “We wish to reinstate that peace has returned to the Ekiti State House of Assembly. since the inordinately ambitious Speaker was impeached and suspended alongside his cohorts.

    “Mrs Adelugba has presided over parliamentaries and plenaries, with majority of members present.

    “She has announced appointment of new principal officers and she has constituted all Committees of the House,” he said.