The Nation Newspaper

Tag: 9th National Assembly

  • Ninth National Assembly: NSCIA warns CAN against incitement on leadership

    The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) yesterday faulted the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for allegedly inciting National Assembly members-elect to vote for principal officers along religious lines.

    It urged CAN to stop behaving like a political party. It  alleged that the intolerance and political partisanship of CAN and its alter egos were becoming alarming.

    The NSCIA, which made its position known in a statement by its  Deputy Secretary-General, Prof. Salisu Shehu, urged CAN to apply to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for registration as a political party.

    It accused CAN of allegedly mounting surreptitious pressure on Christian judges serving in the various election petition tribunals across the country, under a pseudo-Christian organisation, to ensure the victory of Christians and/or their sympathisers.

    CAN  in a statement of appeal to the coming Ninth National Assembly, asked members-elect to  ”balance the appointments of your principal officers across religious divides to avoid domination and marginalization of any kind in the interest of equity, justice, and fair play as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended).”

    It went on: “Although both the Senate and the House of Representatives have several principal officers, our focus here are the Senate President, the Deputy Senate President, the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker. As it has been the practice since 1999, whenever the Senate President is a Christian, the Speaker of the House has always been a Muslim and vice- versa. And the same thing happens to their deputies.”

    But the NSCIA described CAN’s plea as ill-advised and ill-motivated.

    Read also: Your political interferences causing disunity, Christian group cautions CAN, others

    NSCIA said: “Given the trajectory of the recent activities of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), like other informed groups and people in Nigeria, cannot but wonder whether CAN still remain a religious body or a political party in a religious garb.

    “The Council is persuaded to believe the latter because of the Association’s posture as the counterfoil for and opposition to everything Islam and Muslims in this country.

    “We cannot also but wonder whether Islamophobia has indeed not replaced the more important responsibility of giving direction to millions of our compatriots who are law-abiding citizens of the Christian faith. It is really benumbing that CAN appears to be giving credence and relevance to the rhetorical question asked centuries ago: “if gold rust, what should iron do?”

    “Specifically, the statement issued by Pastor Adebayo Oladeji (Special Assistant Media and Communication to CAN President) on behalf of CAN is the last straw to break the camel’s back in the Association’s ill-advised and ill-motivated interventions in the polity.”

    The NSCIA reminded CAN that past National Assembly leaders were voted for on merit and without religious colouration.

    The statement added: “Is CAN suffering from selective amnesia or is it just obsessed with chronic mendacity? Was there no CAN between 2009 and 2011 when Dr. Goodluck Jonathan was the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu was the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Senator David A. B. Mark was President of the Senate and Senator Ike Ekweremadu was Deputy Senate President? Was there religious balance in 2007 when David Mark was elected Senate President and Patricia Etteh was elected Speaker? Was there no 1999 Constitution at that time?

    “Even prior to 1999, the two arms of the National Assembly were headed by Christians. For instance, while between 1979 and 1983, the Senate was headed by Joseph Wayas and the House of Representatives by Ume-Ezeoke, from October to December, 1983, Joseph Wayas and Benjamin Chaha were leading the respective chambers. Furthermore, in the aborted Third Republic, the Senate Presidents were Iyocha Ayu and Ameh Ebute while the Speaker was Hon. Anakwe.

    “Meanwhile, the NSCIA welcomes with pleasure the fact that CAN has finally agreed that the correct interpretation of the Section of the Constitution quoted in its letter to the National Assembly includes religious balancing.

    “It is in this spirit that NSCIA calls on the Federal Government of Nigeria to conduct a holistic census of all Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies, including higher institutions, to determine whether there is anywhere Muslims constitute up to 30 per cent of the staff strength and thereafter ensure compliance with the sections of the Constitution cited by CAN.

    The chronic intolerance and political partisanship of CAN and its alter egos are becoming alarming as they are ardent at purveying blatant falsehood and fake news.”

    It urged CAN to apply to INEC for registration as a political party instead of serving as front for politicians.

    It said: “Let CAN apply to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be registered as a full-fledged political party as “politicians in cassock”, to quote the CAN President himself, rather than front for politicians who nurse the ambitions of holding political offices. In other climes such as Australia, Germany, New Zealand, etc., there are Christian political parties and CAN should rather be straightforward and apply to be registered as a political party, if the Nigerian Constitution allows that tomfoolery.

    “It is hypocritical for CAN and its alter egos to claim to be on the side of justice by forming the ‘National Peace Committee’ which is not surprisingly dominated by Christian clergymen. The pretense of the ‘Peace Committee’ had been exposed by the various comments/actions of their prominent members.

    “ For instance, a member, prior to the last election, took a partisan posture masquerading as a good doer and incited the people of Southern Kaduna against the government while another member, despite his level of education, could not avail himself of historical facts but rather chose to spit the dummy that “the low turnout at the gubernatorial election was a loud protest against the outcome of the 2019 presidential polls”.

    “All these are not surprising as it is on record that CAN itself had maliciously referred to President Muhammadu Buhari as a ‘bad product’.

    “The NSCIA is also well-informed of the surreptitious pressure CAN is mounting on Christian judges serving in the various election petition tribunals across the country, under a pseudo-Christian organisation, to ensure the victory of Christians and/or their sympathisers.  Even the recent release of the so-called National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) lends credence to this point

    “The indecorous and outright partisan statement by CAN which is meant to polarise the country has created doubt in NSCIA and any right-thinking person about the genuineness of the partnership of CAN with NSCIA. What is the essence of conferring with hate-filled religious leaders whose wish is for Muslims to be exterminated from the polity and Nigerian society?

    “All these must stop! CAN should save itself of creating hatred in the minds of well-meaning Nigerians through its divisive and evil-impelled interventions.”

     

  • Speakership: North-West group endorses Gbajabiamila

    The North-West Democratic Front has openly endorsed the bid by Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila to become the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 9th Assembly.

    Making the endorsement known in a statement signed by its Chairman, Abubakar Ainu, a former Sokoto state chairman of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the Group observed however said that, Mr. Gbajabiamila would need the support of a strong deputy.

    He said, in line with the commitment of the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership to rewarding loyalty and integrity, Mr. Gbajabiamila would make a great Speaker and the House would be dynamic if he is backed by an equally loyal, strong and experienced member such as Alhaji Musa Sarkin Adar.

    According to the statement, “On behalf of the people of the North-west, we hereby endorse the declaration of Femi Gbajabiamila to run for office of the Speaker of the 9th Assembly.

    “Our endorsement is in line with the spirit of members of the House which was displayed when Gbajabiamila, the House Leader and five time legislator, (APC-Lagos), made his formal declaration on the 31st of March and was accompanied during his official press release by returning and new members, who were over 100 in number.

    “We are also convinced by Gbajabiamila’s pledge to mentor the next generation and unite the nation which informs our recommendation for Sarkin Adar, another strong nationalist to be made Deputy Speaker,” The group said.

    While commending the stand of the APC on rewarding loyalty, the Group said Gbajabiamila and Sarkin Adar are not only core party loyalists but competent, tested representatives of proven integrity, honesty and experience as well.

    Shedding light on their choice for Sarkin Adar as deputy, the Group said he is one of the rarest unapologetic believers in the grand ideals of President Buhari who has not for once contemplated any distrustful act nor played against party principles, objectives and standpoint on any issue.

    The Group noted that Musa Sarkin Adar who represents Goronyo/Gada Federal Constituency of Sokoto state would make a competent deputy for Mr. Gbajabiamila who is eminently favoured by the APC for the speakership.

    Read Also: ‘Gbajabiamila best choice for Speaker’

    Recounting some of the qualities that inform their preference for Sarkin Adar, the Group said, prior to his becoming a member of the federal legislature, he has made commendable mark as Director in the Governor’s Office, Sokoto state and at the Nigerian Ports Authority where he was Personnel Manager.

    “In the 2007 elections, he contested for the House of Representatives seat and won and got re-elected in 2011,” the Group said and pointed out that he spearheaded the historic move against the imposition of a Speaker in 2011 by the then ruling party.

    “He also made the nomination for Emeka Ihedioha as the deputy speaker on the floor of the house and the nomination was seconded by Hon Kumo.

    “In the 2015 elections, he re-contested on the platform of the APC and won,” the Group said, adding that he was Chairman, House Committee on Electoral Matters in the 6th Assembly and Chairman House Committee on Land Transport in the 7th Assembly.

  • Ndume steps up campaign for Senate President

    Senator Ali Ndume has stepped up his campaign for the position of Senate President in the Ninth Senate, despite the endorsement of Senator Ahmed Lawan by the leadership of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC)

    Ndume, who represents Borno South senatorial district, has rolled out a nine-point agenda in handbills he circulated in Abuja on Monday.

    One of the points in the agenda was a promise to improve upon the performance of the 8th Senate, stating that he will make the office of the Senate President less attractive by reducing unnecessary privileges attached to the office

    Also on his agenda is the independence of the legislature, operation of checks and balances and strict adherence to the principle of separation of powers.

    He added that he will prioritise and ensure the passage of the Constituency Development Bill, which will make constituency  projects more transparent, accountable, efficient and effective.

    Ndume also stated that if elected, he would mobilise other senators to agree on timeline for confirmation of nominees of Mr. President, passage of bills. The third-termer senator said with him in the saddle, the national budget would be passed within 90 days from the day of submission to the National Assembly.

    He pledged to make laws that will block leakages in the system; devise improved means of generating revenue, amendment and review of tax laws, and emphasis on reduction of reliance on local and foreign loans to finance budget.

    “To run the Ninth Senate transparency, through open accountability with full participation of all senators. For example, we will transfer the approving powers of the privileges of the senators like foreign travels, allowances to Senate Services Committee or a new committee to be known as Ways and Means  Committee”, the document added.

    Ndume concluded that the Senate under his leadership will uphold the governing party’s principles and policies, in addition to making laws and reviewing existing ones, to key into APC’s Next Level Agenda for the country.

     

    The senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Borno South senatorial district in the 2019 general elections, Kudla Satumari popularly called Haskey by his supporters has asked one of the candidates for the position of Senate President in the 9th Assembly, Senator Ali Ndume to forget his ambition.

    Satumari said Ndume was not the right candidate for such a high leadership position, describing him as a self centred person who has contributed nothing to the upliftment of the people he is representing in the Senate, while accusing him of being part of the problem that rocked the outgoing Senate when he worked against his party in favour of Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the PDP in 015

    Speaking in an interview in Abuja, Satumari also warned the All  Progressives Congress (APC) not to nominate Ali Ndume as senate president because he will reclaim his mandate at the Election Tribunal as the rightful elected senator for the senatorial district.

    He claimed that his victory at the polling units was upturned between the polling stations and collation centre where the results were rewritten in favour of Ndume, adding that no amount of pressure and persuasion can make him accept an out of court settlement, expressing confidence that the overwhelming evidences at his disposal are substantial enough to upturn the Ndume’s temporary victory at the Election Tribunal.

    “For the records, I contested Borno South senatorial district on the platform of the PDP. The immediate result of the election is not what is expected. I initially evaluated the outcome of the election to see what action to take, but I have overwhelming appeal from my people and even the contestants from other political parties that have supplied me with hard facts and evidences to prove substantial breach of electoral process.

    “The evidences have shown that I won the election but was upturned between the polling units and the collation centre. For us to deepen democracy and ensure that the process of election is abided by, I decided to take the case to the tribunal. It has been submitted and the papers served to all the respondents involved,” he said.

    According to him, if Ndume had won him fair and square; “I would have been among those campaigning for him to be the senate president because he is from my senatorial district and I believe that as senate president he could attract some interventions and developmental projects to our area.”

    “What people don’t know is that I have worked assiduously for him to become the senator in 2011. I was among those that worked hard to ensure that he won the election. I even named a primary school I built in area after him. The fight is not personal, but we should not reinforce failure”.

    On whether he will consider the option of an out of court settlement, he said: “Never. Out of court settlement is never an option. It is not about me but my people because the level of insecurity in my area has gotten to alarming stage. I doubt if we still have men to stand for the people.”

    Read also: PDP opponent to Ndume: you are not fit to be Senate President

    “Our problem is that nobody is bringing the issue to the centre stage. My over 80 year-old mother slept in the bush last week. It pains when the federal government claims Boko Haram has been degraded, yet the kind of insecurity we are experiencing on daily basis before, during and after the general elections has never been so under Goodluck Jonathan.

    “It was better under him because they can take control over a Local Government but the kind of hit and run we are having now and the seeming lack of concern or tangible effort made by the appropriate authority to curtail the attacks, make us to wonder if we are still part of this country.

    “That is why I will never accept any out of court settlement. Let the court decide and confirm his victory. I will appeal and if the Appeal Court still gives it to him, I will accept and leave for God. My life has been threatened and there has been nothing that has not been done.

    “There is nobody on this earth, including my mother, I cherish and respect so much that can prevail on me to step down for whatever consideration. I will never concede and even if lawyers refused to defend me, I will defend myself”.

     

  • ‘Gbajabiamila best choice for Speaker’

    A Lawmaker-elect, Musiliudeen Akinremi, has said he supports Femi Gbajabiamila to become the next Speaker of the House of Representatives because “Gbajabiamila will usher in development and render quality services”.

    Akinremi, in a phone interview yesterday, said the support Gbajabiamila is getting will ensure that the House performs well by passing quality bills, enjoying harmonious relationship, robust leadership and quality debate.

    The lawmaker, who won his election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to represent Ibadan North Federal Constituency, said: “The Gbajabiamila declaration on Sunday, which was attended by the majority of the ninth Assembly members, has shown that he will enjoy our support and confidence in the green chamber.

    “Such development will foster seamless and timely passage of quality bills and amendments to existing ones, to quicken the next level agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari. With his experience spanning 16 years, Gbajabiamila will provide good leadership.”

    The new APC lawmakers across the six states in the Southwest last Friday pledged their allegiance to the party’s decision on house leadership structure.

    Led by their National Coordinator, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo (Ondo State), and Akinremi, the lawmakers-elect, who met at Ibadan Business School, Bodija, said Southwest deserved the position of Speaker.

    They said as loyal party members, they had no objection to the party’s position on selection of the House leadership.

    They said: “We had a fruitful deliberation during the meeting, which lasted over three hours. We all agreed on the party’s supremacy and the need to support the success of the President Buhari administration when inaugurated on May 29.

    “We agreed to abide by the consensus arrangement of the party in choosing the House leadership. We pledged to protect the party’s interest, especially on the need to make APC stronger ahead of the 2023 general election in Yorubaland.”

  • Why we want Lawan as Senate President, by APC Governors

    Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have begun the battle to smoothen Senator Ahmad Lawan’s road to the Senate presidency.

    Some of them last night met in Abuja on how to push “the Lawan Agenda.” He is the party’s and President Muhammadu Buhari’s choice for the job.

    Lawan was at the meeting, which was said to be part of steps to keep APC caucuses united ahead of the inauguration of the 9th National Assembly.

    Last night’s meeting, The Nation learnt, was to:

    • sell Lawan’s candidature to all senators-elect, irrespective of political parties; and
    • debunk the notion that Lawan is being imposed.

    The meeting, which began at about 8pm, was still in progress as at 10.30pm.

    The list of the governors and others at the talks was kept under wraps.

    It was gathered that upon endorsement of Lawan by the party last Monday, the President mandated members to “sell the qualities of the nominee to Nigerians, especially senators-elect.”

    One of the organisers of the meeting, who spoke with our correspondent, said: “ The meeting was informed by the directive of the President to the governors to see the Lawan Agenda through in the interest of the country.

    “We want to change the narrative being sponsored by the opposition PDP  that Lawan’s choice and zoning amounted to imposition.

    “Most senators-elect may not be aware that the President actually raised an eight-man search team which recommended Lawan and a few others.

    “It was after weighing options that the President opted for Lawan. It is not a case of the Executive breathing down on senators-elect and members of the House of Representatives-elect.

    “The governors met with Lawan on how to project his inherent qualities, especially his rich legislative experience, and the need to build inter-party confidence/ collaboration before the 9th National Assembly is inaugurated.

    “We do not want the race for the office of the President of Senate to be beclouded by sentiments. This is the time of merit and we want to stick out our neck for these candidates we have recommended.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “The meeting will come up with strategies to reach out to all stakeholders on the Lawan project.”

    President Muhammadu Buhari is expecting Senator Danjuma Goje to set his terms for stepping down from the race for Senate President.

    Goje (Gombe Central), one of the leading aspirants for the job, is expected to quit the race for Dr. Ahmed Lawan, the Senate Leader who is being backed by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the President.

    Goje is believed to have visited Buhari with Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

    Details of their discussion remained unknown at the weekend, but a source said Goje was asked to state his terms for dropping his ambition. He is said to be willing to let go.

    Also in the race is Ali Ndume who is said to be planning to formally present a nine-point agenda this week.

    APC leaders are said to be persuading Ndume not to go against Lawan because “the President and the party have spoken.”

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “So far, the race is still open, despite the endorsement of Lawan by the party. The Presidency, APC, governors and national leaders of the party have been reaching out to senators-elect and the  two other aspirants (Goje and Ndume).

    “In fact, one of the governors, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, brokered last week’s talks between the President and Goje at the Presidential Villa.

    “At the session, Goje was asked to name his terms which are still being awaited. So far, Goje and Ndume have not stepped down.

    ”All the aspirants have been holding meetings with senators and senators-elect. The comforting aspect is that the APC, governors and our national leaders still have about two months for rapprochement before the inauguration of the Ninth Senate in June.”

    On Ndume, a Senator-elect said: “Although a strategist of the President has had audience with him, he is unrelenting in his ambition to contest for the seat.

    “As at Saturday, Ndume has presented his nine-point agenda to senators and senators-elect who are backing him.

    “The agenda will be presented to the public any time this week. What Ndume told his supporters was that if he is the only senator left in the race, he will vie for the office against Lawan. He said it is either he wins or loses.

    “He is embittered that after sticking out his neck to defend Buhari’s government, he is being sidelined. And he complained against the way the National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, allegedly breathed down on senators-elect last Monday in the presence of the President on the choice of Lawan.”

    The opposition Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) may field candidates for Senate President and deputy Senate President if Goje and Ndume step down.

    A PDP senator-elect said: “At a meeting, we agreed to work with any of the aspirants not imposed by the APC. Some of us are discussing with both Goje and Ndume.

    “In one of the sessions with some PDP senators-elect, we insisted that if Goje and Ndume withdraw for Lawan, we will nominate candidates for Senate president and deputy president. We are not bound by the APC’s zoning formula.

    “Left to us, we want the Southeast to retain the office of the Deputy Senate President . We are thinking of either the present occupant, Chief Ike Ekweremadu and ex-Governor Orji Uzor Kalu, who is a ranking lawmaker, being a former member of the House of Representatives.”

  • Why I want to be Speaker – Gbajabiamila

    Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, on Sunday made his official declaration to contest for Speaker of the Lower Chamber.

    According him: “I seek the office of the Speaker to bring our tendencies together and unite us as a country.  I seek the office of the Speaker to bring governance even closer to the people. I seek the office of the Speaker to mentor the next generation.

    “I seek the office of the Speaker come I can use the bully pulpit to galvanise Honourable members to make life more abundant every Nigerian irrespective of tribe, religious background or political persuasion.

    “There is so 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 alleviation of poverty.

    “I believe many of these deficits can be addressed through meaningful and impactful legislation.”

    Gbajabiamila said after wide consultations, he formally declared “service to constituents and Nigerians.”

    He said he will foster the relationship between executive and legislature without surrendering the independence to the latter.

    “Having been in opposition and moved to majority, placed me in a unique position of know the workings of both and that’s what I bring to the table.

    “I did my best to stabilise the House and know how legislature can maximise potentials that is why the theme “Nation building, a joint task.”

    “The Speaker must be for the people to fulfill their hopes and aspirations,” he said.

    Abdulmumin Jibrin, the Campaign DG. of the House Leader’s candidacy, said Gbajabiamila’s ambition is not about himself but about “our democracy sanitising, civility and in global best practice.”

    According to him, the party must be Supreme as is the practice in advance democracies.

    He said Nigerians look up to advance democracies in the practice of our democracy.

    “Without being immodest he (Gbajabiamila) stands out the best,

    “He has experience, brilliance, astuteness, building relationships, bridges etc. We will not take things for granted because within and without others are interested,” he emphasised.

    He said Gbajabiamila’s campaign organisation “won’t throw muds, no rumours blackmail, we plead, for the interest of country, run clean, issue-based campaign, he charged the other candidates.

    Read also: Reps leadership: North-West new members adopt Kawu Sumaila

    “Since everyone is qualified, just be clean. We will lobby and campaign and win hearts.

    “How do you explain a minority aspiring to be Speaker. What if a majority party vied for minority leader, sponsored and supported by us, how would it be?

    “But we’ll engage them and a large number of them are convinced that today they may be in minority but tomorrow night be in the majority, so they’ll reason for the need to protect the institution.

    “They should come and join us and I guarantee Gbaja will be a Speaker for all and ensure the independence and interdependence of the legislature,” Jibrin said.

    Hon. Da’u Aliyu Magaji, who moderated the event, declared over 170 members across party line from the House attended the declaration.

  • NASS: APC moves against PDP plot to snatch 13 senators-elect

    • Opposition party targets APC men from Borno, Abia, Oyo, Gombe, Bayelsa, Bauchi, Ogun, Kogi, Sokoto, Imo

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has launched an audacious move to win to its side 13 All Progressives Congress (APC) Senators-elect as part of a grand design to hijack the leadership of the 9th Senate.

    But the alleged plot has  leaked to the APC which has launched a counter move of its own to avoid a repeat of the 2015 infiltration of its ranks in the National Assembly by the PDP, highly placed party sources said last night.

    The APC is in talks with all  its state governors and national leaders  to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s choices for the President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan and the Speaker of the House who may be named this week.

    The party is determined to ensure that none of its members contests against APC’s official candidates for leadership positions in the Senate and the House of Representatives in June.

    Another option is a likely waive of the Standing Rules of the two chambers to allow open voting during the election of principal officers to monitor the loyalty of the party’s Senators-elect.

    Besides, the APC is discussing with some PDP Senators-elect with a view to giving them the   chairmanship of juicy committees.

    But some PDP leaders are targeting 13 ‘rebellious’ Senators-elect from the APC to produce the next President of the Senate, Deputy President of the Senate and other principal officers.

    If the PDP’s plan sails through it will have on its side about 56 votes for a majority decision leaving APC with 53.

    The PDP targets are Senators-elect from Borno, Oyo, Gombe, Bayelsa, Bauchi and Ogun states.

    The party is insisting that the Standing Rules do not expressly state that presiding officers must come from the ruling party.

    The opposition party said the fact that it has been a convention for the majority party to produce presiding officers does not make it legal or the norm.

    Following the APC’s endorsement of Dr. Ahmed Lawan for the position of Senate President,  the battle for the Deputy President of the Senate is hitting up between Senator Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta Central ) and  the outgoing  Deputy Chief Whip of the Red Chamber, Senator  Alimikhena Asekhame (Edo North)..

    The outgoing Governor of Ogun State, Mr. Ibikunle Amosun is believed to have joined the race for Deputy Senate President even though it was not zoned to the Southwest.

    Investigation by The Nation  revealed that APC and PDP have been trying to outwit each other on the election of the new Senate President, Speaker and other officers.

    While the APC leadership and Dr. Lawan have been engaging Senators-elect on one-on-one talks, the PDP has been trying to mount pressure on most Senators-elect to resist what it has termed “imposition of principal officers” by the Executive.

    Sources said PDP’s agenda is to share power with the APC in the two chambers.

    A top source in APC, who spoke in confidence, said:  “The race is still open despite the fact that APC has made its position known and released its zoning formula for the Senate. We are expecting the party’s idea of power sharing in the House this week. What we are trying to do is to keep our caucus united in the two chambers.

    “But not all Senators-elect and House members-elect have bought into the party’s zoning formula. This is why we have sought the assistance of APC governors and national leaders to engage the new National Assembly members to avoid a repeat of 2015 episode which was plotted and sealed by the opposition.

    “Our main target is to assert our right as the party with the majority in the National Assembly to produce the new set of leaders.

    “We have already asked the nominee for Senate Presidency, Dr. Ahmad Lawan and some Senators-elect to meet with all Senators-elect on why APC must forge a common front. To us, delivering democratic dividends is more important than the sentiments being whipped up by the opposition.”

    Asked if the APC could  regain the control of the two chambers, the source added: “We want to speak with one voice this time around; we plan to present common candidates for all offices due to APC without counter-nominations; and we are also negotiating with PDP Senators-elect and House members-elect.

    “We will not underrate the opposition but we won’t let them have their way like the case in 2015. We are hopeful of getting the figures from APC and PDP members before the inauguration of the 9th Senate.

    A ranking Senator in PDP said: “We are really opposed to any plot to foist leaders on the two chambers. Our fears border on a possible rubber-stamp legislature.

    “Our position is that it is not mandatory for the principal officers of the Senate and the House to come from the party with a simple majority in the two chambers. This has been successfully proven in the 7th and 8th National Assembly.

    “And going by Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution, the two chambers can come up with rules and regulations to guide its proceedings. The section says: ‘Subject to the provisions of this constitution. The Senate or the House of Representatives shall have power to regulate its own procedure, including the procedure for summoning and recess of the House.

    “The modes of voting can be by voice vote, signing of register in a division, electronic voting or even by secret ballot if it is the wish of the new members of the National Assembly.

    “So, if a PDP lawmaker will lead the Senate or the House better, let us go for him or her.”

    On the alleged plot by PDP to poach 13 APC Senators-elect in order to influence the election of new principal officers in the Senate, a party source said: “With 13 Senators-elect from APC teaming up with 43 PDP Senators-elect, we can comfortably elect independent-minded Senate President and other principal officers with 56-man strength.

    “We are discussing with some Senators-elect from Borno, Oyo, Gombe, Bayelsa, Bauchi, Ogun states.

    This is our target which we believe is realizable. We will field candidates for all available offices in the two chambers.”

    The race for the Office of the Deputy President of the Senate however took a new turn with the emergence of three contenders.

    The zoning of the position to the Southsouth has made it a close race for Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta) and the outgoing Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Sen. Alimikhena Asekhame from the Southsouth.

    But the outgoing Governor of Ogun State, Mr. Ibikunle Amosun was said to have joined the race for the Deputy Senate President even though it was not zoned to the Southwest.

    The outgoing President of the Senate, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, has been silent on whether he will vie for the office for a third term.

    A source said: “So far, three candidates have emerged from the APC but being a deft politician, Ekweremadu can spring a big surprise like he did in 2015. The zoning formula favours Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege(Delta) and  the outgoing  Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Sen. Alimikhena Asekhame from the Southsouth but if Amosun goes ahead with his ambition, it can redraw the permutations.

    “The zoning formula put in place by the APC is yet to favour the Southeast and the PDP will not mind reaching some accord which can make Ekweremadu to remain in office.”

  • How APC can avert repeat of 2015 NASS leadership crisis – Shehu Sani

    Senator representing Kaduna Central zone in the upper chamber of the National Assembly, Senator Shehu Sani, bared his mind on how the ruling APC can avert repeat of the 2015 leadership crisis in the NASS. In this interview with Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Sani also tells Buhari what to do in his second term. As he speaks on security challenges in Kaduna and his battle against his opponent in the election petitions tribunal. Excerpt

    THE 2019 General Elections have come and gone. As a player in the election, what is your assessment of the whole process?

    Well, let me say we have passed the first phase. We are now in the second phase, which is the litigation aspect of it, where the candidates have gone to the court to challenge the outcome of the polls. We cannot say this election was perfect; actually there is no perfect election anywhere in the world. But the expectation on this election was very high, in view of the standard that was set in 2015. Many things have come into electoral lexicon of Nigeria today, which have to do with inconclusive elections and some issues that have to do with lack of clear definition of which election could be termed inconclusive. There is also the violent aspect of the election; the killings that have happened during these elections are something that we have to all condemn.

    I think if we are to score these elections, we can say that achievements have been recorded, but there are areas that actually need to be put straight; the issue of money politics was a case of incumbents clearly buying votes. And also the role played by the Police and the Army in most parts of the country is condemnable. There is also the very fact that the foundation of these crises also has to do with the inability of the politicians to play the game fairly and squarely. These are all fundamental issues that have seriously undermined the integrity of this election. But, I believe we cannot throw the baby away with the bath water. We now have a judiciary that has started doing a wonderful job in some certain places and the outcome of the cases that are before the courts will further either give credit to the elections or seriously prove how worthless the process is.

    Compared to the 2015 elections, which one would you say is better?

    Well, there are elements of 2015 elections, many things were introduced now, that were not introduced in 2015. First of all, we must commend the fact that Jonathan made it very clear that, no blood of any Nigerian is worthy of his own ambition, and he went further to demonstrate it by conceding defeat. But, as of now, we have seen desperation on the side of the governors in their attempt to hold on to power. We have seen how public resources were used to buy votes. We have seen how the security agencies became the armed wing of the state government. We have also seen how electoral officials themselves were intimidated and manipulated.

    There is no political party that can say the election has been free and fair. The APC in Akwa Ibom are complaining that they have been rigged out, that the Army and Police sided with the ruling party in the state. The APC in Rivers are raising the same issue. And in other states like Kano, the PDP are saying that they have been short-changed and that violence was used. So, if you look at it, in the area of vote buying, in the area of violence and manipulation of and use of security agencies, the election has not proven to be better than that of 2015.

    But, in the general sense like I have said, whether what was done was right or wrong, will also be dependent on what the judiciary will be able to do in the coming election. It is natural for those who won to say the election was free and fair, while those who lost will say it is not fair. But, we have seen that the political elite have carefully embraced and included thugs and thugery as part of the political institution. And if we continue to use violence to achieve our political objective, we will continue to do serious damage to the integrity of our democracy itself. A society like ours that is desirous of good leadership cannot get it right when leaders have to buy their ways into power or use violence to assume the position of leadership.

    As a legislator, what would you be recommending to better this democratic process?

    You see, what we are facing today is a direct result of the failure of the successive administrations in Nigeria to implement the much needed reforms that could have addressed some of these issues and advanced us forward. The Nnamani report was dumped, the Awesu report was also dumped. You see a systematic pattern of disregard and also refusal by different governments to implement electoral reforms. Why most governments refuse to implement electoral reforms is because they benefit from the failure and weaknesses of the electoral system as it exists today. They don’t want to reform the election because if they do it, it is going to undermine their power base and make it difficult to retain power.

    For now, the task before the next Assembly is to implement the much needed electoral reforms, to establish electoral offences commission, and to remove the burden of registering political parties from INEC and leaving it with only the responsibility of conducting elections and not arresting electoral offenders. When we unbundle INEC, it would be able to concentrate more on the responsibility of conducting elections.

    So, as far as I am concerned, electoral reform is very important for us to have better elections in the future.

    Can’t electronic voting address all these challenges?

    You see, we learn as we move forward; electronic voting, the use of card reader, the use of PVC, punishment for those who unleash mayhem and buy votes, are all necessary tools that we need to take, in order to millions of voters? So, I think we need to adopt and include the necessary technological instruments that are needed for us to have a perfect election difficult for anyone to manipulate. When people get into office by simply manipulating the electoral process, they will not represent the people; they will be representing a certain class of people to the detriment of the overall interest of the people. perfect our electoral process. We are living in a technological world. Questions need to be asked, if banks can handle over hundred million in their data base and they are not having system failure and they are able to account for every kobo, why should we live in the same century where an electoral body is still having problem dealing with few millions of voters? So, I think we need to adopt and include the necessary technological instruments that are needed for us to have a perfect election difficult for anyone to manipulate. When people get into office by simply manipulating the electoral process, they will not represent the people; they will be representing a certain class of people to the detriment of the overall interest of the people.

    Let’s come back to your own election. You are challenging the victory of the ruling party candidate, what are issues you are taking to court?

    Yes, we have made it very clear that the National Assembly election in Kaduna was marred with fraud and corruption. We have cases of places where election did not take place; they simply thumb-printed, with the assistance of the security agencies in Birnin Gwari and Giwa. We have cases where even the INEC officials were denied, they were simply removed and replaced by certain persons. We have cases of where we had over voting. We have cases where people were disenfranchised from voting. We have cases of vote allocation. So, to us, this election was a complete fraud. We have evidence and documents. We are going to court to demand for justice.

    Considering your popularity and the way the election went, would you say leaving the ruling party is part of the problem?

    No. My position is that, every vote I have gotten, people voted me for my credibility, my principles, and my ideals. They voted me for what I stand for. But, every vote the APC candidate got was given to Buhari. What this implies is that, people who voted for the APC candidate voted for Buhari, but those who voted for me, voted for the candidate. So, I am proud of every vote that I have gotten, because it is genuine and it is from the heart. So, there is a sense of satisfaction. Where we have problem is if you don’t count my votes, if you suppress my votes and count the votes of people you prefer, that is very wrong.

    Any regret leaving the APC?

    There is no regret, because the party has treated us badly. We gave our lives, our blood, our sweat to build the party. I reached out to every nook and corner with people who we worked together. Even in 2015, they didn’t like us but it was impossible for them to stop us because they were not in position of power. But now, the governor of the state now has the state resources, he has contacts more than he had in 2015.

    What is responsible for banditry around Birnin Gwari, ethno-religious crisis in Kajuru, as well as farmers/herders clashes in other places? And what is the way out?

    In Birnin Gwari, bandits have driven away villages and people can no longer go to their farms. Women, children and the elderly have been kidnapped and the place has become so lawless. In Kajuru, Muslims and Christians are at war with each other. In Southern Kaduna, herdsmen wiped out villages and kidnapped people. The fundamental problem is that the government has not provided adequate equipment and security personnel to really tackle these problems. Secondly, the governor of the state has openly sided with one party of the conflict against the other. He is being perceived to be in support of people from his own ethnic and religious background. If you are a leader presiding over a state that is multi-cultural and multi-religious, for you to be able to strike a balance and bring about peace, you must treat everyone with justice, with equity and fairness. Peace is impossible in a state with a divisive leader, a leader that has shown he is on one side of the crisis. Even if you want to help your own people, you must show the other side that you can also be fair to them.

    What can be done to remedy the situation?

    The remedy is, for areas where you have ethno-religious crisis, you need justice, fairness and equity to everyone above everything, and for areas where you have banditry, you need to fund our security agencies, support the local vigilante groups, provide materials for them to be able to fight.

  • Tinubu: No room for serpent in National Assembly this time

    ALL Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has declared that  the party is in no mood to  allow serpent infiltrate its ranks  and hijack the leadership of the 9th National Assembly.

    He vowed that party discipline would be upheld in deciding those who will lead the Senate and the House of Representatives in the coming dispensation.

    Tinubu spoke to reporters in Lagos after a Prayer Programme organised by Islamic and Christian clerics to mark his 67th birthday.

    “Party discipline is key, we must be disciplined in the party,” he said.

    “We were a little careless in 2015. We created the opportunity for serpent to get into our party and that did not allow Nigeria to make the desired progress.

    “You have seen the result of it and we are not going to allow that to happen again. We are going to respect our party and we are going to apply the rules and regulations.

    “It is either you stay with us or you follow us or you leave. You have the freedom to choose but the freedom does not give you as a minority to go and collaborate and protrude our mandate given to you to another party who was our opposition and who is still our opposition.

    “We would not take that this time, no matter who you think you are. That is how it is built. Why do you want to deviate from what has been structured?

    “We look at our reward system equally, zone by zone,” he said.

    Tinubu said that his life as a politician at 67 had been a fulfilling journey.

    “When I joined politics, there were a lot of uncertainties because it was during the military regime. There were lots of struggles but my concern is about people and the future of my country.

    “My mother stood by me when I told her then that I was joining politics. She told me to be ready to take all sorts of insults whenever they cross my way. May her soul rest in peace.

    “The struggle was tough. It created a justice on June 12 election of MKO and some people deserted the camp, the struggle, the spirit.

    “We have stayed with this struggle. We know democracy is not easy but it is the only system of government that we chose.

    “Ever since, it has been a very fulfilling journey. There is always the twist and turns in politics.

    “Today, we endure, we persevere, we think, adjust, collaborate, merged and became single party just like yesterday,” he said.

    Tinubu said that the APC was in government for the common man.

    “You will think that APC has been on for 20 years but it is not up to six years. We went through compromises because we know that if we form a good alliance of progressive thinkers and believers in the ideology of common man, we will be able to serve the people.

    “It is not by criticism alone. You have to have the opportunity to even change the life of the people and quality of their standard of living.

    “So, we stood by it, we persevered persistently, uttered our voice, offered our recommendations, and then we are here. And today I am extremely happy that we are in government for the common man.

    “The only way to change Nigeria from penury is to fashion out our own organic economic strategy and plan that will continue to cater for all,” he said.

  • Party discipline will be upheld in 9th NASS leadership – Tinubu

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Sen. Bola Tinubu has said that party discipline would be upheld in addressing the leadership tussle of the 9th National Assembly.

    Tinubu said this while speaking with newsmen in Lagos on Friday after a Prayer Programme organised by Islamic and Christian clerics to mark his 67th birthday.

    “Party discipline is key, we must be discipline in the party. We were a little careless in 2015. We created the opportunity for serpent to get into our party and that did not allow Nigeria to make the desired progress.

    “You have seen the result of it and we are not going to allow that to happen again. We are going to respect our party and we are going to apply the whip.

    “It is either you stay with us or you follow us or you leave. You have the freedom to choose but the freedom does not give you as a minority to go and collaborate and protrude our mandate given to you to another party who was our opposition and who is still our opposition.

    “We would not take that this time, no matter who you think you are. That is how it is built. Why do you want to deviate from what has been structured?

    “We look at our reward system equally, zone by zone,” he said.

    Tinubu said that his life as a politician at 67 had been a fulfilling journey.

    “When I joined politics, there were a lot of uncertainties because it was during the military regime. There were lots of struggles but my concern is about people and the future of my country.

    “My mother stood by me when I told her then that I was joining politics. She told me to be ready to take all sorts of insults whenever they cross my way. May her soul rest in peace.

    “The struggle was tough. It created a justice on June 12 election of MKO and some people deserted the camp, the struggle, the spirit.

    “We have stayed with this struggle. We know democracy is not easy but it is the only system of government that we chose.

    Read also: 9th NASS: APC zones Senate key offices

    “Ever since, it has been a very fulfilling journey. There is always the twist and turns in politics.

    “Today, we endure, we persevere, we think, adjust, collaborate, merged and became single party just like yesterday,” he said.

    Tinubu said that the APC party was in government for the common man.

    “You will think that APC had been on for twenty years but is not up to six years. We went through compromises because we know that if we form a good alliance of progressive thinkers and believers in the ideology of common man, we will be able to serve the people.

    “It is not by criticism alone. You have to have the opportunity to even change the life of the people and quality of their standard of living.

    “So, we stood by it, we persevered persistently, uttered our voice, offered our recommendations, and then we are here. And today I am extremely happy that we are in government for the common man.

    “The only way to change Nigeria from penury is to fashion out our own organic economic strategy and plan that will continue to cater for all,” he said. (NAN)