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Tag: Suspend

  • Ebonyi Assembly suspends Lawmaker Indefinitely

    Ebonyi Assembly suspends Lawmaker Indefinitely

    The Ebonyi State House of Assembly on Friday suspended indefinitely, the member representing Ebonyi North West Constituency, Victor Aleke, over alleged misconduct.

    This followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by the House leader, Victor Chukwu and seconded by the member representing Ohaukwu North, Chinedu Awoh.

    Chukwu also moved a motion that the Chairman of Ohaukwu Local government area, Clement Odah, be suspended alongside the lawmaker.

    He said the motion stemmed from the findings of the adhoc committee set up by the House to investigate the financial activities of Ohaukwu Local Government.

    The Leader said, findings of the Committee indicted both Aleke and Odah, and there was need for the House to sanction them to serve as a warning to others that might indulge in similar acts in future.

    Chukwu said the Committee discovered a lot of financial improprieties, including inflation of contracts sum allegedly by Odah’s administration, which according to him, shouldn’t go unpunished.

    He alleged that Aleke who was a member of the Committee became a “a green snake in a green grass”, by allegedly conniving with Odah to sabotage the assignment; an act he said was against the House rule.

    Chukwu said Aleke had committed other infractions in the past which he described as not just dishonorable, but breaches the peace of the House, adding that such should not be overlooked any longer.

    He urged the House to suspend both Aleke and Odah pending when the determination of the allegations against them.

    But the motion for the suspension of Odah was stepped down by the Speaker, Rt. Hon Francis Nwifuru, who said it would be discussed during next plenary, while Aleke’s was upheld.

    Meanwhile, there was a mild drama as the member representing Ezza South State Constituency, Hon Chris Usulor, opposed the Speaker.

    He requested that there should be headcount of the lawmakers at the plenary to know those in support or against the suspension of Aleke, before he makes his ruling.

    But Nwifuru quickly told him that his request was against the House rule.

    Aleke was not present in the chamber when his suspension took place on Friday.

    On whether the suspension of Aleke had any connection with his alleged refusal to join Governor Umahi to APC, the chairman House Committee on Information, and Member representing Ishielu South, Hon Arinze Chukwu, said it had nothing to do with defection.

  • Edo 2020: PDP suspends Kassim Afegbua for alleged anti-party activities

    Edo 2020: PDP suspends Kassim Afegbua for alleged anti-party activities

    The Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has suspended a key member of the party, Kassim Afegbua for anti-party activities.

    He was suspended for a period of one month effective from August 2, 2020.

    State Press Secretary. Chris Osa Nehikhare, in a statement on Sunday said Afegbua was found guilty of anti-party activities.

    He said the State Chairman of the party, Tony Aziegbemi had also directed the local government chairman of Etsako East to set up a disciplinary committee to investigate the allegations against Afegbua.

    Nehikhare said the composition of the disciplinary committee is expected to be announced soon.

  • JUST IN: Umahi suspends Auditor Generals indefinitely

    JUST IN: Umahi suspends Auditor Generals indefinitely

    Ebonyi Governor David Umahi on Monday indefinitely suspended the State AUditor General, Innocent Nweda with immediate effect.

    He also suspended the Auditor General for local government in the state, George Ukpai.

    Secretary to the State Government(SSG) Kenneth Ugbala announced this in a statement in Abakaliki, the state capital.

    The statement said their suspension was as a result of their failure to perform duties of their offices.

    The Governor, according to the statement, accused the two officers of failure to prepare and produce the annual audited accounts of the State and Local government.

    Umahi further directed that Nweda should hand over to the next most senior officer in rank.

    He also directed one Dr U. A. Udu should take over as Acting Auditor General for local government until further notice.

    “All handover and takeover should be concluded before the close of work on Monday 13 July 2020,” the statement added. Ends

  • PDP suspends eight members for constituting rival caretaker committee

    The Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau has suspended eight members of the party.

    The ‘group of rascals’, as stated by Mr. John Akans, the committee’s head of media, were suspended for constituting a rival State’s Caretaker Committee.

    Akans, in a statement on Saturday, said the decision to suspend the erring members was taken at an emergency meeting on Friday evening.

    “The working committee, an arm of the Plateau Caretaker Committee at its emergency meeting held Friday evening at the party’s secretariat, reviewed the unfortunate incident that took place at the secretariat.

    “Some group of rascals mischievously constituted themselves into a caretaker committee, which is an affront to the national leadership of our party, under the leadership of Prince Uche Secondus.

    “The state leadership of the party frown at these decedents and therefore approved their immediate suspension from the party.

    “Seven of the affected persons are Nandom Penap Exodus, Godwin W. Bedir, Akims Mamot, Mrs Asabe Dareng, Nathaniel Dakas, Jecob Dashe and Alhaji Kabiru Musa,” he said.

    According to Akans, the group’s attempt was not only laughable and mischievous but infantile and an act of lawlessness to the extreme which the party could not condone.

    The head of media announced that a seven-man disciplinary committee was immediately constituted to look into the activities of the suspended members.

    He gave the names of the disciplinary committee members as Mr Monday Agwom as Chairman with Mr Pam Davou Major to serve as Secretary.

    Others members of the committee were Jarusa Gotau, Mr Amos Komtul, Mr Dauda Daiyabu, Hajia Sa,adatu Ado and Wycliffe Wansonh.

    The party called on members across the state to forget the unfortunate incident and continue to work together for the progress and victory of the party.

  • COVID-19: Wike Suspends LG Chairman, Deputy indefinitely over violation of ‘sit-at-home’ order

    COVID-19: Wike Suspends LG Chairman, Deputy indefinitely over violation of ‘sit-at-home’ order

    Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has threatened that the state government will not hesitate to acquire any beer parlour or public drinking joint caught operating.

    On Thursday, March 26, 2020, the Governor in a television broadcast directed closure of all businesses in the state and ordered residents to sit at home.

    This was part of efforts to protect the state from the coronavirus pandemic, which eventually found its way into the state some hours after the televised address.

    On Monday (yesterday), Mr Wike, in another broadcast, expressed his displeasure over the non-compliance of the state government’s directive.

    He said some markets have continued to violate the sit-at-home order, saying, “We have no choice than to make some painful, but necessary decisions to further prevent the spread of coronavirus in the state.”

    According to him, after a meeting of the State Security Council, it was agreed that, “With effect from Tuesday March 31, 2020, there will be a dusk to dawn curfew from Obiri-Ikwerre Junction (Ozuoba, Rumualogu) to Choba and from Education Bus Stop to Agip Junction, Ikwerre Road.

    “All beer parlours and public drinking joints are hereby closed because they have suddenly become an extension of night clubs that were earlier shut down.

    “Any beer parlour or public drinking joint found to be open shall be acquired by the State Government.

    “All landlords are advised to warn their tenants who use their property as beer parlours or public drinking joints to adhere to this directive.

    “Traditional Rulers, Youth Leaders and Community Development Committees are to ensure that beer parlours and public drinking joints in their areas remain closed.

    “Any Traditional Ruler who allows markets to be open in his domain will be deposed.

    “Government is investigating the illegal operation of markets at night at Woji and Elelenwo Communities. Further violation by residents of these two communities will attract declaration of curfew.

    “Further flagrant violation of the closure of markets will attract a state-wide declaration of curfew. We must understand that people must be alive before they eat food.”

    However, he said those in the medical and pharmaceutical, food and beverages, essential oil and gas, petroleum products, and media sectors would be exempted from the lockdown.

    He noted that, “All these categories of staff must identify themselves with valid identity cards.”

    According to him, to make this easy for people in the state, “government is looking into the setting up of food markets across the state.”

    “As a result of the flagrant violation of the closure of markets in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, the Local Government Council Chairman and his Deputy, are hereby suspended indefinitely,” he declared.

    Concluding, the Governor said “government will continue to do what is right no matter who is involved. As you are all aware, no conventional war has grounded global life and economy like coronavirus has done.

    “I want to sincerely express my heartfelt gratitude to our health professionals on the frontline of this fight. Let me also thank all the security agencies, individuals and organisations who are collaborating with us to make Rivers State safe.

    “I am confident that with our collective resolve our dear state will contain the spread of this virus.”

  • PDP suspends two ex-Ministers, one other for misconduct

    The Nasarawa State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP has suspended former FCT minister, Senator Solomon Ewuga and the 2019 deputy governorship candidate of the party Muhammed Onawo.

    The party’s publicity secretary, Muhammed Bwala who stated this on Wednesday in Lafia said, former Justice Minister, Musa Elayo was also suspended indefinitely by the party.

    “The State Executive Committee of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Nasarawa State met today, 25th March, 2020 to take far-reaching decisions after a joint session with Members of State Elders Forum.

    “That owing to the role of some PDP elders in sponsoring crisis within the party and engaging in act of gross misconduct, Senator Solomon Ewuga , Musa Elayo and Muhammed Onawo are hereby suspended from the party” he said

    He explained that they would also face disciplinary standing Committee of the party for their actions.

    It was gathered that the suspended key members of the party had been having running battles with the state chairman of the party, Francis Orogo who is seeking a second term in office.

  • NHIS crisis: Governing boards have no power to suspend CEOs of parastatals – SGF

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, on Monday said governing boards of federal agencies or parastatals have no power to remove Chief Executive Officers appointed by the President.

    He said such boards may, however “articulate infractions, investigate wrongdoing and make recommendations to government through the supervisory ministry.”

    Mustapha made the clarification at an induction programme for governing board members of federal parastatals, universities and medical centres organised by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, in conjunction with the Department for International Development, a United Kingdom government department responsible for administering overseas aid.

    The clarification came at the time the dust raised by the recent decision of the Governing Board of the National Health Insurance Scheme to suspend Prof. Usman Yusuf as the Executive Secretary is yet to settle.

    The chairman of the board, Ifenne Enyanatu, had on October 18 announced Yusuf’s indefinite suspension, saying the board consulted and got the approval of the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, on the matter.

    Yusuf had however rejected the suspension, saying it is only the President that can suspend him.

    Although he did not specifically mention the NHIS saga, Mustapha said the Federal Government was concerned that most governing boards have not understood their roles in the corporate governance of the agencies they superintend.

    So far, he said the government has noticed some infractions on the side of such boards.

    He listed the infractions to include what he called the board chairmen’s undue interference in the day-to-day activities of their parastatals and agencies; blatant disregard for extant regulations guiding the conduct of board meetings; interference in the function of the CEOs; issuing directives to members of staff without recourse to the CEOs; imposition of disciplinary measures against the CEOs in flagrant violation of the laid down rules; and using labour unions as agents of distractions in the agencies.

  • JUST IN: APC suspends Shehu Sani indefinitely

    The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has suspended Senator representing Kaduna Central in the National Assembly, Shehu Sani.

    The party based its decision on the alleged disrespect for party rules, unguarded utterances against President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Nasir El-Rufai and the executives of the party.

    Recall that the embattled senator had had a running battle between him and Governor Nasir El-Rufai. He, however, shocked many last week when he refused to defect with his colleagues to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The senator was suspended in a letter by the Tudun-Wada North chapter (Ward 6) of the party.

    In a statement signed by its chairman, Ibrahim Salisu Togo, Tudun-Wada North chapter of the APC insisted that their decision was based on the constitution of the party.

    The statement reads, “We, the Tudun Wada North (Ward 6) Exco of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kaduna South Local Government Area wish to affirm our decision on the indefinite suspension of Senator Shehu Sani.

    “This affirmation was informed by the need for updating the general public and the good people of Kaduna State regarding our collective resolve.

    “We make bold to say.that our decision was based on the provisions of the constitution of our great party. Therefore, Senator Shehu Sani remains suspended. In all fairness to the party and Kaduna State voters, the only pre-condition for lining this suspension on Senator Shehu Sani is for the lawmaker to openly apologize to the leadership of our great party for his various acts of misconduct and disrespectful attitudes towards both his constituents, party leadership and his vicious media attacks against our amiable President, Muhammadu Buhari.

    “He should also apologize to the Government and people of Kaduna State for frustrating the $350 million loan meant to develop the State in the areas of Education. Healthcare delivery, Works and Housing, Women and Youth Empowerment among others.

    “We cannot justify the pain to which the disappointed voters of Kaduna State have been subjected by the Senator’s uncooperative and selfish attitude over the World Bank loan.

    “We wish to also seize this opportunity to stress our allegiance and respect for the leadership of our great party at all levels. We also identify fully with the developmental strides of Governor Nasir El-Rufai-led administration in many areas, especially infrastructure.”

     

  • Presidency keeps mum as weekly FEC meeting is suspended

    The Federal Government on Wednesday put off the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council.

    The meeting holds every Wednesday at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    President Muhammadu Buhari presides over the meeting, while Vice President Yemi Osinbajo steps in whenever the President is not available.

    As of Wednesday, Buhari was rounding off his official visit to The Netherlands where he participated in the 20th anniversary of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, among other activities.

    Osinbajo was, however, in Abuja, as he attended the 10th National Development Summit of Traditional Rulers.

    He later conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the floods which affected Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital last Friday.

    As of the time of filing this report, no official reason has been given for the cancellation of the meeting.

    The last time the meeting was put off was on June 20.

    The Presidency had, at the time, attributed the cancellation to the long Sallah break.

  • Youth, women wing suspend Nwodo as Ohanaeze president

    The crisis rocking the apex Igbo socio-political body, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, escalated on Sunday as the youth wing of the association, Ohanaeze Youth Council, announced the ‘suspension’ of the President General, Chief Nnia Nwodo.

    The leadership of the women wing of association was part of the decision to suspend Nwodo, according to a statement made available to journalists in Enugu.

    The development came on the heel of the announcement of plans by the National Executive Council of Ohanaeze to conduct elections into executive positions of the youth and women wings.

    The Nwodo-led NEC is insisting that the Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro-led youth wing had been disbanded by the Ime-Obi, Ohanaeze’s highest decision making organ, in 2016 while the tenure of the women wing had expired in 2017.

    Before announcing Nwodo’s suspension on Sunday, the Ohanaeze Youth Council had, on April 2, 2018, passed a vote of no confidence in Nwodo, and demanded his appearance before a ‘disciplinary committee’ over a number of allegations levelled against him.

    The Ohanaeze youth wing led by Isiguzoro, accused Nwodo of running the apex Igbo socio-political body as a ‘one-man show.’

    Claiming that Nwodo was parading himself as a ‘Generalisimo,’ they alleged that the former minister was using the office to further his political ambition.

    The OYC insinuated that Nwodo was working for the presidential ambition of a former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, for whom, they claimed, he was positioning one of his brothers as the running mate.

    They equally accused Nwodo of ‘illegality,’ noting that, contrary to the rules of the organisation, he was using a Forum of States’ Presidents (presidents of Ohanaeze state chapters) to override the Ohanaeze NEC.

    The OYC further frowned on the appointment of a Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, by Nwodo, as well as the appointment of a Director of Administration, which they said were done without the approval of the Ime-Obi, the organisation’s highest decision making organ.

    Accusing the Ohanaeze President-General of autocracy, the youth leaders added, “He (Nwodo) has closed down the Publicity Department of Ohanaeze by not giving the Publicity Department the liberty which the spokesman for Afenifere enjoys, rather he (Nwodo) is now the President-General and the Publicity Secretary using his media aide against the official spokesmen of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.