Category: Lead

Former Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila has formally assumed duty as the Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 

Gbajabiamila assumed duty at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday, shortly after resigning his membership in the House of Representatives. 

His letter of resignation was read on the floor by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. 

The new Chief of Staff, who announced this on his Twitter handle said: “To the glory of God, I resigned my membership of the newly Inaugurated 10th House of Representatives today. 

Read Also: UPDATED: Gbajabiamila resigns as Speaker declares seat vacant

“I had the privilege to move the first motion in the new House which was on the need to prepare to avert the negative effects of the forecast of heavy flooding in some parts of the country. The House passed the resolutions accordingly. 

“Thereafter, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas read my resignation letter and declared my seat vacant. An opportunity for the people of Surulere 1 Federal Constituency to elect my replacement.

“I have assumed my new office as the Chief of Staff to the President in readiness to work with Mr. President in delivering his Renewed Hope agenda for Nigeria”.

After many years of resisting pressure from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to float the Naira, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) appears to have capitulated.

Forex traders- commercial banks and forex dealers- were on Wednesday allowed to trade the Naira freely without a cap on the rate.

Investigations by The Nation revealed Forex traders at the Investors and Export (I&E) window were only allowed to buy and sell Forex only at N1 difference.

A dealer confirmed there were no restrictions at the market on Wednesday morning.

The dealer stated that as of 12 noon on Wednesday, the Naira was already exchanging at N750 to the dollar.

Read Also: Labour Party faults suspension of Emefiele as CBN Governor

However, the final rate will be determined at the close of trading by 4 pm.

The trader hinted that the free-floating of the Naira may not be unconnected with a recent statement credited to. Wale Edun, a close associate of President Bola Tinubu, that the exchange rate will soon be unified.

Edun told Bloomberg a few days ago that “there are other sorts of things that need be put in place” before full exchange rate unification.

He added: “It’s quite imminent, no date has been set, but as I said, I think it’s already moved, there’s already movement in that direction but it’s very difficult to put the date on it and I don’t think it would be long at all”.

President Bola Tinubu at his inaugural speech vowed to unify the exchange rates to bring about stability and in the Forex market.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cautioned the Labour Party (LP) and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi to desist from blaming it for their inability to effectively prosecute their case before the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC).

INEC’s lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), spoke in reaction to a claim by the lawyer to LP and Obi, Livy Uzoukwu (SAN) that the office of the Chairman of INEC declined to accept a subpoena served on Prof. Mahmood Yakubu to produce some documents.

Uzoukwu made the claim mid-way into proceedings on Wednesday after another member of the petitioners’ legal team, Audu Anuga (SAN), who was tendering documents, suddenly announced that he has exhausted what they have for the day.

Read Also: Peter Obi tenders blurred IReV evidence before court

Uzoukwu, who is the leader of the petitioners’ legal team, rose and told the court that his team would have loved to continue, but for the refusal of the INEC Chairman’s office to accept a subpoena served on him to produce some documents, a development that was hindering progress in their case.

Reacting, Pinheiro noted that it has become a pattern with the petitioners to always look for someone to blame whenever they were stuck and unable to progress with the handling of their case.

Pinheiro said: “It has become a habit. Whenever they want to seek an adjournment, they look for somebody to whip. It cannot be true that a subpoena is refused by the office of the INEC Chairman. 

“Don’t use INEC as a whipping boy. If they have nothing else to do today, they should just stay so. It is their day. It is not correct that the office of INEC Chairman refused to accept a subpoena.”

Details shortly…

Immediate past Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila has formally resigned as a member of the House of Representatives representing Surulere 1 Federal Constituency of Lagos State. 

Gbajabiamila officially presented his letter of resignation to Speaker Tajudeen Abbas by 12.12 pm. 

In the letter read by the Speaker, Gbajabiamila informed the House of his appointment as Chief of Staff to the President and the need to exit the Green Chamber.

Read Also: ‘Gbajabiamila’s conciliatory approach will enrich his office’

He thanked members of the House for their support throughout his stay, especially in the last four years when he served as Speaker. 

The former Speaker left the Chamber after his letter was read by the Speaker at exactly 12.14pm to a standing ovation from members and was escorted out by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and a few other members. 

Details shortly…

Fuji musician King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal aka K1 De Ultimate has pleaded with President Bola Tinubu to pardon embattled Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Igboho so that he can return to the country.

The Nation reports in July 2021, Igboho was arrested by the Interpol at Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou, Benin Republic. 

Prior to his arrest, the Department of State Services (DSS) declared him wanted for allegedly stockpiling weapons in his residence.

The secession agitator was detained in a prison in the Benin Republic but was released in March 2022 to get medical attention on the condition that he would not leave the West African country. 

Since his release, Igboho has remained confined within Cotonou. 

K1 De Ultimate, in his passionate appeal during a live performance, sang melodiously on the need for peace in the country, calling for Igboho’s pardon. 

He urged Tinubu to harmonise all interests, premising his argument on Nigeria’s unity.

He said: “Asiwaju, please anyone who has offended you, kindly forgive them. Irrespective of their tribes — Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa — we need to embrace ourselves.

Rread Also: How to end killings in Yorubaland, by Sunday Igboho

“Akanbi, please let Sunday Igboho come back home, he’s one of our own. ‘Omo eni o sedi bebere, ka fi ileke si idi omo elomi’ (the borrowed translation is — “One cannot say because one’s daughter has ample buttocks he would put the waistbeads on another man’s daughter”)

“Please when you (Tinubu) settle properly in office, kindly resolve this grey area. Let Sunday Igboho return to his root. Likewise other agitators from various regions, call their leaders to a roundtable discussion. 

“I know it is what you can do, and you can do it.”

Kwam 1 further prayed for the success of Tinubu’s administration. 

• •Ex-Akwa Ibom governor defeats Yari by 63-46 votes
• •Kaduna Rep triumphs by 353-3-3 over Wase, Jaji

The National Assembly turned a new page yesterday with the election of Godswill Obot Akpabio (Akwa Ibom Northwest) as President of the Senate and Tajudeen Abbas (Zaria Federal Constituency, Kaduna State) as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Also elected are Senator Barau Jibrin (Kano North) unopposed as Deputy President of the Senate and Benajmen Okezie Kalu (Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State) as Deputy Speaker. He was also unopposed.

Many Nigerians woke up to a live telecast of the election process on the floor of the two chambers as early as 8:00 am against the expected 10:00 am commencement time.

It was learnt that the time change was communicated to the lawmakers by the National Assembly bureaucracy but was unknown to many Nigerians.

Akpabio, who was nominated by Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South) and seconded by Senator Adeola Olamilekan (Ogun West) got 63 votes to Senator Abdulaziz Yari’s 46. All 109 senators were present.

Following the collapse of last-minute efforts to agree on a consensus around Akpabio, Yari (Zamfara West), contrary to the All Progressives Congress (APC) zoning arrangement, was nominated by Senator Elisha Aboh (Adamawa South) and seconded by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo South), two APC senators.

Following Yari’s defeat, Barau sailed through without a contest because the Yari camp knew they did not have the number. 

Senator Dave Umahi nominated Barau, seconded by Senator Salihu Mustapha (Kwara Central). 

Proceedings at the House of Representatives were held simultaneously with that of the Senate.

But the election in the Senate ended ahead because of the fewer senators compared to the House of Representatives with 360 members. One seat is vacant because of disruption of election in a an Akwa Ibom constituency.

Abbas was nominated by Ninth House leader Ado Doguwa (Kano State), seconded by Nnolim Nnaji (Enugu).

Senator Barau Jibrin (Kano) was elected unopposed as Deputy Senate President.

There was no other nomination after Jibrin was nominated for Deputy Senate President.

Following the nominations, the Clerk to the National Assembly, Sani Magaji Tambuwal, called for additional nominations.

Since there was none, Tambuwal declared nominations closed and called for the division to enable senators-elect to cast their votes for their preferred candidate.

After the votes were sorted, Akpabio’s supporters began to jubilate as it was obvious that he had won.

Tambuwal declared the winner. Akpabio was then led to take the chair as Senate President.

After taking his oath of office and the oath of allegiance administered by the Clerk, Akpabio signed the oaths and used the gavel for the first time.

The Clerk thereafter called for nominations for the position of Deputy Senate President.

Since there were no other nominations, Tambuwal declared nominations closed for the position and thereafter declared Jibrin as Deputy Senate President.

There was a mild drama when Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno opposed the nomination of Yari, citing Order Three, Rule Three, which he said, spells out conditions for eligibility for the position of the Senate President.

He described Yari’s nomination as an academic exercise, saying the Senate cannot waste its time on it.

However, Clerk to the National Assembly overruled him and sustained the nomination.

All the Senators from the states voted in alphabetical order.

The proceedings were observed from the gallery by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator George Akume; Governors Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and Edo State Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu.

Read Also: Akpabio, Yari and triumph of democracy

After Akpabio was declared winner, he went to where Yari was sitting to embrace him. Other senators cheered them.

Speaking with reporters, the Chairman of the Media Committee of the Yari Campaign team, Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central), described the election as free and fair.

He said that the minority caucus was pleased with the process that led to Akpabio’s emergence, saying it was devoid of untoward drama.

Ningi said: “The election was free and fair without the much-anticipated drama. That is what makes the institution of the Senate different.

“The animosity, the fear of what happened in the last two days completely vanished. You go into the hall and you see how people are embracing themselves and that is parliament and that is democracy.

“We have refused to be intimidated by any law enforcement agency and that is why we said there must be an election.

“The sitting government had the day. We have no problem. We know we are in the minority, we are in total agreement. The election was free and fair and to be honest, I was expecting it to be so.”

Ningi who was elected on the platform of the PDP, added: “The position I took was not the position of my party, but that of the minority caucus and you could see that not all of us actually voted on the same page.”

How Abbas, Kalu became Speaker, Deputy

Abbas, who scored 353 votes of the 359 votes, was declared the winner at exactly 11.44 am by the Clerk.

Also, the immediate past spokesman of the House, Benjamin Kalu, emerged unopposed as the Deputy Speaker.

The election of the Speaker was through the open ballot system, with members calling out the name of the person they intended to vote for.

Order Two, Rule 2 sub-rule 3(F)(iii) provides that “every member voting shall name clearly and in the open the candidate of their choice”.

The immediate past Majority Leader, AlHassan Ado Doguwa (APC, Kano) nominated Abbas. The nomination was seconded by Nnolim Nnaji (PDP, Enugu).

Also, Tijani Kayode Ibrahim (APC, Kwara) nominated Ahmed Idris Wase to contest against Abbas and it was seconded by Ali Mohammed Abdulmumin (APC, Nasarawa).

Aminu Sani Jaji was nominated by Ahmed Idris Doro (Katsina) and it was seconded by Mohammed Ibrahim (Katsina).

The member who died immediately after the election, Isma’ila Yushua Maihanchi, was the only member that did not vote. He was from Taraba State.

Kalu, who emerged unopposed as the Deputy Speaker, was nominated by Babajimi Benson from Lagos State and seconded by Khadijat Bukar Abba Ibrahim from Yobe State.

Benson said the nomination has fostered inclusion and addressed perceived marginalisation.

In the absence of another nomination, the Clerk to the National Assembly declared Kalu elected as Deputy Speaker.

Read Also: NASS Leadership: Gov. Sanwo-Olu congratulates Akpabio, Jibrin

Immediate past Speaker and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, who took part in the election, handed over his notes to Abbas.

Gbajabiamila said Abbas will be a good Speaker.

There was heavy security around the National Assembly as the senators-elect and members-elect were inaugurated.

Security operatives drawn from the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps, as well as National Assembly security, ensured no incident in and outside the Assembly complex.

The National Assembly entrance from the Federal Secretariat junctions was blocked by heavily armed security personnel.

Staff and others accredited to the National Assembly could only gain access to the premises by using the gate at the SGF axis.

Many of the lawmakers were ferried to the National Assembly in coaster buses, while others preferred to drive themselves to the venue.

There was traffic gridlock at the only entrance into the complex.

Many of the Assembly staff, who were not accredited, were not allowed into the premises.

The ongoing construction work in the Complex was also put on hold.

Many supporters came to felicitate the lawmakers on their inauguration.

Two huge white tents were set up at the National Assembly arcade.

We contested to protect Democracy, say Wase, Jaji 

Wase and Jaji said they contested in the true spirit of democracy.

While Wase said democracy should be allowed to thrive, Jaji said he contested to protect democracy.

Wase said democracy should not be truncated and the hands of members should not be tied.

In accepting his nomination, Wase said: “I hereby submit myself to be the voice of the voiceless, to be the true representatives of the Nigerian populace, to be a co-partner in the Nigerian development project. I hereby accept the nomination.

“We stand to believe power is from God. It is only God that will give power to whoever he wishes and if given the opportunity, we will do the needful.”

Lawmakers from Plateau (where Wase comes from) and Zamfara (where Jaji comes from) voted against the two candidates.

Tijani Kayode from Kwara and Abdulmumin Mohammed Ari from Nasarawa, who nominated and seconded the nomination of Wase, as well as Yusuf Ahmed Doro and Muhammad Aminu Ibrahim, both from Katsina, who nominated and seconded Jaji’s nomination, voted for the two aspirants. 

Nigeria’s financial markets roused to a new start yesterday as investors and dealers shrugged off weekend’s suspension and arrest of the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele.

In the first trading session after the announcement of the suspension and arrest, the markets traded positively across all segments.   

In the foreign exchange (forex) market, the naira is appreciated across the official and parallel markets, a correlation that usually denotes the convergence of traders’ and users’ opinions on the dynamics of the forex market.

At the official Investors & Exporters (I & E) Window, the naira appreciated by 0.18 percent to N471.67 per dollar. At the more volatile and unregulated parallel market, the naira also showed appreciable signs of recovery, trading around N754 per dollar as against N767   recorded at the weekend.

At the stock market,   equities spurred to a major rally in an all-session positive trading, closing with net capital gains of N1.215 trillion.

The All Share Index (ASI)- the value-based common index that tracks all share prices at the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), rose by 4.0 per cent from its opening index of 55,930.97 points to close at 58,163.55 points.

The ASI is widely regarded as the sovereign index for the Nigerian stock market, a measure of investors’ mood within a particular period.

Consequently, the aggregate market value of all quoted equities at the NGX crossed another threshold from its opening value of N30.455 trillion to close at N31.670 trillion. Turnover at the NGX doubled by 106.4 per cent with the exchange of 1.19 billion shares valued at N19.23 billion in 10,269 deals.

At the international markets, trading on Nigerian sovereign securities was also broadly positive.

Financial market experts were unanimous that the positive performances across the markets represented a range of indifference and endorsement of the suspension of Emefiele.

President Bola Tinubu had at the weekend suspended Emefiele in order to allow for unfettered investigations against the apex bank’s chief. The apex bank’s Deputy Governor, Operations, Mr Adebisi Shonubi was appointed as acting governor.

Emefiele, who had had a running battle with the Department of State Security (DSS) over allegations of money laundering, terrorism and other economic crimes, was subsequently arrested by the secret police. Earlier attempts by the DSS to arrest, investigate, and prosecute him failed.

Managing Director, Arthur Steven Asset Management Limited, Mr Olatunde Amolegbe, said the financial markets “reacted today(yesterday) as if a heavy boot had been lifted from its neck.” He pointed at the various indices that denote moods across the markets.

Read Also: Emefiele: Don’t make him a hero

Amolegbe said: “The equities markets closed 4.0 per cent up, which is the second highest one-day gain in about two years. The short end of the local bond curve also gained while the Eurobond market remained bullish.

“Market expectations is that the imminent harmonization of the foreign exchange rate should bring renewed interest in Nigerian assets by foreign investors, be they portfolio or foreign direct investors.

“Also the potential for a lowering of interest rate as stated by the president in his inauguration speech will also be positive for the equities market since both asset classes have an inverse relationship.”  

President, the Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, said the positive sentiments in the market over leadership change at the CBN will continue to reflect positively on the domestic exchange rates.

“The naira is appreciating against the Greenback in the black market. The naira has gained over N10 per dollar from a high level of N767 per dollar on Monday morning to a low of N754 per dollar at the close of business on Tuesday(yesterday), at the parallel market. As positive sentiment continues to usher in confidence there is a likelihood of naira increasing its strength across markets,” Gwadabe said.

Group Executive Director, Investment Banking, Cordros Capital, Mr Femi Ademola, said the markets appeared to have suffered significantly from the regulatory flip flops of the CBN in the past few years.

According to him, the regular interventions in the market and the deluge of circulars and policy actions from the apex bank had resulted in volatility in the market.

He noted that the implementation of the recent naira redesign policy affected the market quite negatively and pitched the populace against the CBN Governor.

“Therefore, the immediate market reaction to the news of his suspension is likely to be positive,” Ademola said.

He, however, noted that the steps taken by the Federal Government within the next few days and weeks would determine the long-term reactions of the markets.

Managing Director, APT Securities and Funds Limited, Mallam Garba Kurfi, noted that the international response to the decision to suspend the apex bank’s chief could have an impact on the domestic market.

He said the direction of the market reflects its response, adding that the action of the acting CBN Governor would also influence the markets going forward.

Afrinvest Securities said there was a “positive market reaction to CBN shake-up,” citing the general mood of the market.

Coronation Asset Management stated that the new administration’s “bold reforms continue” to elicit positive market reactions. It attributed the equities’ market rally to investors’ reactions to “huge implications for different sectors and stocks” of the new administration’s reforms.

SCM Capital attributed the market’s performance to “prevailing positive sentiments,”  which have continued to drive demand for Nigerian stocks. 

• •President promises to commit more resources to education
• •NANS: some people asked us to protest but we declined

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday promised his administration’s commitment to committing more resources to the Education sector to ensure that every Nigerian child, regardless of background, has access to quality education.

President Tinubu made the promise when he hosted the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

A statement by the State House Director of Information, Abiodun Oladunjoye, said the President stressed that poverty should not be a barrier to education, underscoring the transformative power of education in combating poverty.

“If we all believe that education is the greatest weapon against poverty, then we have to invest in it.

“Poverty should not prevent anybody, any child, including the daughter or son of a wood seller, ‘bole’ (roasted plantain) seller or yam seller, from attaining their highest standard of education, to eliminate poverty.

“If you eliminate poverty from one family, you can carry the rest of the weight,” he said.

President Tinubu, who also promised to consider the requests of NANS leaders, urged the students’ body to ensure unity among its members across the country to achieve better results.

“You have to promote unity and stability among each other. You have to employ democratic means in your programmes and elections. I have to say anyone who is unable to accept and celebrate a free and fair election does not deserve the joy of victory,” he said.

Read Also: State of emergency on education in Taraba: rhetoric or reality?

The President expressed his appreciation to the students’ body for supporting the removal of subsidy on petrol, explaining the reasons behind the decision and the need to curb smuggling.

“I’m glad you understand the reason for the subsidy removal. We were at a point where Nigeria tried to draw water from a dry well. That is no longer acceptable. We equally must not continue to service the smugglers because they used to take our tankers and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS or petrol) across the borders. We will put our money where our mouth is,” he said.

Leader of the NANS delegation, Umar Barambu, said the leaders of the students’ body visited the President to thank him for signing into law the Students’ Loan Bill, which will provide loans to indigent students.

The students’ leader noted that the law would ensure that no Nigerian student in tertiary institution will drop out of school over inability to pay school fees.

The Bill, sponsored by former House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, was signed into law by President Tinubu on June 12, the nation’s Democracy Day.

“We are here to congratulate you and to thank you for what you have been doing for the country since you assumed responsibility as the President. We want to equally thank you for the Students’ Loan Bill,” Barambu said.

Declaring the students’ support on the removal of fuel subsidy, the NANS president said: “It takes a great person to take that bold step of removing the subsidy on petrol. Some people contacted us to protest against that decision, but we said no!

“The well is dry and ‘Baba’ cannot give what we don’t have now. We have to accept reality and face that challenge squarely so that together we can rescue the country.

“Today, we are saying ‘yes’ to fuel subsidy removal and we will stand with that decision,” he said.

There was excitement following yesterday’s inauguration of the 10th National Assembly and the election of principal officers. Stakeholders, including governors and groups, have high expectations.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State hailed the emergence of both Godswill Akpabio and Tajudeen Abass as Senate President and House of Representatives Speaker.

AbdulRazaq, who is also the chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF),  congratulaed Senator Jibrin Barau and Benjamin Kalu on their elections as Deputy Senate President and Deputy Speaker.

In a statement from his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, the governor said: “The popular choices of the new Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives — as well as their deputies — underscore the confidence that their colleagues reposed in them and their abilities to work in harmony with the other arms of government for the development of our country.

“We look forward to working with the new leadership on different issues of national interest while wishing them God’s guidance and protection as they lead their colleagues in the 10th National Assembly to champion a vibrant legislative agenda that complements the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other subnational governments across Nigeria.”

Make good laws, Sanwo-Olu urges

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu urged members of the 10th National Assembly to surpass the laudable record set by the 9th Assembly. He added that the 10th National Assembly is expected to settle quickly and begin to pass laws and make decisions that will be beneficial to Nigerians.

He said: “We need to wish them all the very best, pray for them, and hope that this 10th Assembly can do better than the 9th Assembly. “

‘Akpabio experienced’

Edo State’s Governor Godwin Obaseki said the emergence of a former “uncommon” governor of Akwa Ibom State as the 10th President of the Senate is a good development.

Obaseki, a chieftain of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), described Akpabio as the right man for the position at this crucial period in Nigeria.

He said: “I congratulate Senator Akpabio on his emergence. Senator Akpabio comes with immense experience as a former Governor and Minister, garnering wide-ranging expertise that will benefit the 10th Senate and advance the development of our dear nation.

“His (Akpabio’s) understanding of the machinery of state will smoothen executive-legislative collaboration, which will enhance good governance and engender sustainable development.”

Eno: Akwa Ibom joyous

His Akwa Ibom State counterpart, Pastor Umo Eno said it is a sign of good things to come for Akwa Ibom and Nigeria as a whole.

 Governor Eno who spoke with reporters at the Victor Attah International Airport urged the people of the state to shun party politics and celebrate, adding that the development has linked the state to the government at the centre.

 He said: “We’re very excited. Every Akwa Ibom person today should be thankful to God and be happy because the number three man in this country is from Akwa Ibom. That means development-wise, we can now link our state to the centre and we can collaborate.

“We congratulate him and I know that it’s a great milestone for Akwa Ibom State and every Akwa Ibomites, across party lines should be happy and thankful to God.”

Abiodun  expects vibrant legislature

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, who personally witnessed the elections both at the Senate and House of Representatives, described the emergence of the new National Assembly leadership as the final fulfilment of the installation of transformational leadership in the country, which began with the election of President Tinubu.

Read Also: NASS Leadership: Gov. Sanwo-Olu congratulates Akpabio, Jibrin

In a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Mr. Waheed Adesina, the governor said the emergence of both Akpabio and Abbas as the leaders of the 10th National Assembly was in line with the decision of the APC, adding that it was a testament to the confidence reposed in them by the party and their colleagues to steer the ship of the legislative arm of government.

He added that Akpabio’s emergence represents a round peg in a round hole because he has a wealth of knowledge to deploy in managing the affairs of the Senate having been a governor and a minister.

On Abbas, the governor said the new House of Representatives Speaker has garnered the requisite legislative knowledge for a smooth working relationship with the executive.

He said that the combination of Akpabio and Abbas will help President Tinubu in his agenda to transform the country.

Inuwa: they’ll deliver

Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Yahaya described the newly-elected four presiding officers as courageous, visionary and loyal party men, who possess sterling leadership qualities to lead a united and cohesive parliament that would work for the progress of the country.

He said the new leaders have kept faith with the APC over the years and are capable of engendering a harmonious working relationship between the executive and the legislature in the overall interest of the nation.

Yahaya who is also the chairman of the Northern States’ Governors’ Forum, expressed optimism that the 10th National Assembly would cooperate and work closely with the Tinubu-led executive, the judiciary and other tiers of government in the task of moving the country to economic growth and prosperity anchored on “Renewed Hope”.

Governors open to collaboration

The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) said the emergence of Godswill Akpabio as Senate President and Tajudeen Abass as the Speaker of the House of Reps is a sign of good things to come for the administration of President Tinubu.

 In a statement, its chairman, Gov. AbdulRazaq said: “The popular choices of the new Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as well as their deputies, underscored the confidence that their colleagues reposed in them and their abilities to work in harmony with the other arms of government for the development of our country.

 “We look forward to working with the new leadership on different issues of national interest. We wish them God’s guidance and protection as they lead their colleagues in the 10th National Assembly to champion a vibrant legislative agenda that complements the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda of President Tinubu and other subnational governments across Nigeria.”

Keyamo: expect

uncommon laws

Former Minister of Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, said Nigerians should expect some uncommon moments of legislation, with the emergence of Senator Akpabio as Senate president.

Keyamo in a congratulatory message on his Twitter page wrote: “Huge congratulations to the uncommon Governor, Senator, Minister (GSM) and now Senate President with whom I had an excellent relationship in the Ministry of Niger-Delta Affairs in the last dispensation.

“Expect some uncommon moments at the National Assembly with the brand new Senate President, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio.”

Obasa to Akpabio, Abbas: see office as sacred

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa urged Akpabio and Abbas to see the offices entrusted to them as sacred.

Obasa said: “To have been selected by such overwhelming majorities by their peers is a wonderful honour and a clear demonstration of the implicit confidence reposed in them as leaders and legislators.

“The offices these leaders have been entrusted with are sacred and must not be toyed with.

“Their emergence as leaders of the 10th National Assembly comes at a crucial time in our nation’s history. As we celebrate 24 years of uninterrupted democracy.

“It comes on our national democracy day of June 12, we look backwards to recognise the sacrifices and valour of our heroes past. We also look forward with hope for the future of our nation and our democracy.

“Their election in a free, fair and transparent manner is, therefore, a further demonstration of the fact that our democracy is functioning well.

Obasa, therefore, urged the National Assembly leaders to do all within their powers to not only nurture and deepen the institutions of the parliament but also our promising democracy.

A member of the governing board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Olorogun Bernard Okumagba enjoined Akpabio to ensure a “robust legislative agenda that will support the Nigerian ideal” of President Bola Tinubu.

He described his emergence as an achievement for the nation’s Southsouth as the Senate has, for the first time since 1999, chosen a Senator from the region.

Emenike satisfied with choices

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State in the just concluded general election, High Chief Ikechi Emenike said he was satisfied with the emergence of these “fine crop of leaders for the nation’s hallowed chambers of legislative business”.

In a statement, he said: “I have no doubt that with these intelligent and patriotic lawmakers leading the National Assembly, there I’ll be harmony and synergy between the executive and legislative arms of government for the overall growth and prosperity of the nation.”

Emenike, who was the Abia State Coordinator of the Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Council, implored the leadership of the National Assembly to get to work immediately and make Nigerians feel the positive impact of their quality legislation.   

Umana sets agenda

The immediate past Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Umana Okon Umana, described the development as a judicious choice.

 Umana said Akpabio’s election was an expression of the appreciation of the APC for the contributions of the South-South geopolitical zone to the fortunes of the party in various ways, particularly during the last election cycle.

He also described Senator Akpabio’s election as a national acknowledgement of the significant contributions of the South-South to the economic and political development of the country, pointing out that Senator Akpabio as Senate President represents a big boost to the Akwa Ibom brand in the comity of states of the federation.

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Umana advised Senator Akpabio to again do Akwa Ibom State and its people proud by using his exalted office to promote good governance that is noted for politics of inclusion, fairness and equity for all.

A political pressure group, the Niger Delta Rights Advocates (NDRA) said members of the 10th House of Representatives have done well by electing the best pair, Dr. Tajudeen Abbas and Benjamin Okezie Kalu, as Speaker and Deputy Speaker as their principal officers.

According to the National Coordinator, NDRA, Bright Ngolo, Abass and Kalu sponsored 74 and 43 bills in the 9th Assembly.

Ngolo said their leadership would crystallise a true people’s parliament adding that the events that led to their emergence would mark the beginning of the end of lacklustre leadership bereft of deep consultations and respect.

Giadom expectant

The National Vice Chairman (Southsouth), of the APC, Chief Victor Giadom said Akpabio is an experienced and detribalised leader and that he will not disappoint Nigerians.

He pleaded with all the senators and members of the House of Representatives to eschew extreme political partisanship and support Akpabio and other elected officials, whom he described as excellent performers, in order to reposition the giant of Africa.

PANDEF welcomes balance

The Pan Niger Delta Forum, (PANDEF) welcomed the outcome of the election, adding that “it has provided some degree of balance” in the Federal Government.

PANDEF, in a congratulatory statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Dr. Ken Robinson, expressed confidence that Akpabio “with his wealth of experience, and knowledge of the dynamics of the polity, will provide the desired leadership and candour in directing the affairs of the Senate, and indeed, the National Assembly, to the utmost benefit of the people of Nigeria.”

The foremost Niger Delta group thanked President Tinubu and the APC for their firm resolve on the zoning of the Senate presidency to the South-South, and for following through on it.

The forum, however, frowned on the attempt by some groups and individuals to foist an “all-Muslim” leadership on the country. The kinsmen of Akpabio, under the auspices of Ntipe Ibibio Unity Mission, also hailed the former governor’s victory.

Its convener, Okon Mkpafit, in a statement, said Senator Akpabio’s victory was divinely arranged and there is no doubt that he will not bring his experience into this new position.

 The Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) equally congratulated Akpabio and Abass on their emergence as the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives respectively.

Its chairman, Isaac Abrak, described their emergence as significant milestones in the collective journey towards inclusiveness, unity, and progress in Nigeria.

A member of the House of Representatives, Joshua Gana (PDP-Niger) said the 10th Assembly will not be a ‘rubber stamp’ legislature for the executive.

He said: “No, it will not be a rubber stamp, the name does not even exist; if you look at the rich crop of people that have been elected, you will know that Nigerians have selected their own leaders.”

Gana expects pro-people laws

Former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, said Nigerians will expect rapid development from the 10th Assembly.

“We expect them to cooperate with the executive so we move forward rapidly into genuine development,” he said.

CNPP: don’t be rubber stamps

Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) urged the new leadership of the 10th National Assembly to prioritise the overall interest of Nigeria and Nigerians in their decisions.

Secretary-General, Chief Willy Ezugwu, said in a statement that while the party may be supreme, national interest outweighs party interest.

 •By Bisi Olaniyi (Southsouth Bureau Chief); Bassey Anthony, Uyo; Oyebola Owolabi, Lagos; Sola Shittu, Gombe; Elo Edremoda, Warri; Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt; Juliana Agbo and Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

The House of Representatives will not be a rubber stamp in the hands of the executive, Speaker Tajudeen Abass has assured. 

He said the legislators will move against the executives should the latter work against the public interest. 

Abbas, who said this while speaking to journalists at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday, also said the wide acceptability, depicted by the cross-party support during his election put a lie to the picture previously painted that he was being imposed by the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Abass with Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu visited President Bola Tinubu at the Villa after they emerged a few hours earlier. 

Responding to a question about the House they would be presiding over being a rubber stamp, Abass said: “If you talk about rubber stamp, look at the acceptance rate, those who have elected those across party lines, almost all the whole entire PDP, SDP, ADC and all other minority parties voted us. 

“So if they felt that we are going to be rubber stamps, do you think they will elect us? No. They believe that we will safeguard the sanctity of the National Assembly, the legislature.

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“We will always separate our independence and we will relate and be able to harmonize with the executive where necessary, but where there is a conflict of interest, where we feel that the executive is or wants to do something that is not in the interest of the public, they know that we’ll stand up against that.”

Speaking on his eventual victory as Speaker, he said: “What I can tell you is that right from day one, when we started this campaign, it was always good but the impact of social media propaganda of some of the contestants distorted the entire picture of what was on the ground. 

“To God be the glory, today people have seen our level of popularity and acceptance by our members and it has put to shame those who always thought that we were imposed by the party and that we don’t have the numbers. 

“Today, people have seen that we have established a record that has never been established in the past; 353 out of 359 members, electing us. It is unprecedented, it has never ever happened in the history of Parliament.”