Tag: Abbas

Speaker Tajudeen Abbas has sworn in 12 of the 15 members-elect presented certificates of return by the Independent  National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday. 

The 12 new members won last Saturday’s bye elections and court ordered rerun elections to fill vacant seats in the House of Representatives. 

The inauguration was witnessed by Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who recently decamped from the Young Progressive Party(YPP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in solidarity with the YPP members. 

Four political parties (APC, PDP, YPP and LP) won the rerun and bye elections while the elections into Jalingo/Yorro/Sing Federal constituency of Taraba state and Udenu Federal constituency of Enugu state are still outstanding. 

The other three members who have collected their certificates of return from INEC will be inaugurated at a later date. 

The Speaker presented the new members copies of the House standing rules and the Legislative Agenda. 

With the new development, APC now have about 188 members to maintain its majority status in the House. 

Read Also: Speaker Abbas mourns ex-Yobe governor Ibrahim, condoles wife

Those who collected their certificates of return are: Umar Garba (Ngaski/Shanta/Yauri Federal constituency of Kebbi-APC); Ifeoluwa Ehindero (AKoko North East/North West of Ondo-APC);

Faud Kayode Laguda (Suru Lere 1 federal constituency of Lagos- APC) and Saleh Gabriel Zock (Kachia/Kangaroo federal constituency of Kaduna -APC). 

Others were:  Daniel Asama Ago (Jos North/Bases federal constituency of Plateau-LP); Rabiu Kamba (Arewa/Dandi federal constituency of Kebbi- APC); Emma Ukpong Udo (Ikono/Ini federal constituency of Akwa Ibom YPP); Dr. Emil Inyang (Akamkpa/Biase Federal constituency of Cross River- APC) and Peter Uzokwe (Nnewi North/Nnewi South federal constituency of Anambra YPP). 

The rest are Chinwe Nnabuife Orumba North/Orumba South federal constituency of Anambra- YPP); Adamu Yakubu (Birnin Kudu/Buji federal constituency of Jigawa-PDP); Yusuf Umar Yabo (Yabo/Shagari federal constituency of Sokoto-PDP); 

 Husseini Jallo (Igabi Federal. Constituency of Kaduna-PDP); Yusuf Dalhat Tafoki (Faskari/Kankara/Sabuwa of Katsina APC) and Mohammed Buba Jajere (Fune/Fune federal constituency of Yobe-PDP). 

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, and his deputy, Benjamin Kau have condoled Vice President Kashim Shettima over the death of his stepmother, Hajiya Hauwa Abba Kormi.

The vice president’s stepmother passed away on Thursday, February 1, after a prolonged illness at the age of 69 leaving behind five children and several step-children and grandchildren.

The speaker, in his condolence message signed by his special adviser on media and publicity to the Speaker, Musa Abdullahi Krishi described the death as a great loss.

Read Also: JUST IN: Shettima’s stepmother, Hajia Kormi, dies at 69

Speaker Abbas urged the Vice President to find solace in the fact that Hajiya Kormi lived a life worthy of emulation.

While praying to Allah to grant VP Shettima and the entire family the fortitude to bear the loss, the Speaker also prayed for the repose of the soul of Hajiya Kormi.

On his part, deputy speaker, Benjamin Kalu said the death was a huge loss to the family and the country in general especially at this time her motherly advice was greatly needed.

The Deputy Speaker however encouraged Vice President Shettima to be comforted by Hajiya Hauwa Abba Kormi’s impactful life, stressing that Allah’s Will cannot be questioned by any mortal.

Praying God to give the Vice President the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, Kalu also prayed for the repose of Hajiya Hauwa Abba Kormi’s soul.

Speaker Abbas Tajudeen has asked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider taking tough decisions to address the rising insecurity in the country. 

The Speaker l, who addressed members of the House on resumption from the Christmas and New Year break, said the President should not hesitate to make changes to the Security Chiefs if that is needed to address the security challenges. 

Read Also: Abbas: only good governance can sustain democracy in Africa

He however commended the President for his directive to the Security Chief to redouble their efforts and address rising insecurity in the country while expressing concerns about recent developments across the country. 

He said he was deeply troubled about the rising cases of insecurity, including kidnapping in Abuja and other parts of the country as well as the attack by bandits on communities in Plateau State leading to the death of several persons. 

He said the House will convene a legislative summit to brainstorm on the security challenges where actions can be proffered. 

House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas has said parliaments across Africa must ensure good governance to sustain democracy.

Abbas said this when he hosted a delegation from the Chairman of the Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of African Parliament.

Represented by House Leader Julius Ihonvbare, the Speaker said the parliament must also ensure social justice in democratic nations throughout the continent.

He said even though the military in Africa has been politicised, the only way to keep them out of politics is by ensuring good governance.

According to him, this would be achieved when the parliament works with the Executive arm to give the people good governance.

Abbas said Nigerian lawmakers were not able to use 90 per cent of their constitutional powers due to pressure from the rigours of electoral process, such as the nomination process, electioneering, and litigations arising from elections.

He said: “By the time you are through with all these, you will only have about one or two years to settle down to your mandate, and then you begin to face another election.”

Read Also: US professor accidentally shot dead by security bidding him ‘goodbye’ in Osun

Abbas noted that parliamentarians hardly have more than one year to convince their constituents that they know why they were elected, before facing another round of elections.

The Speaker urged parliaments to emphasise not just Liberal democracy but democratisation and the promotion of constitutionalism.

He said democratic organisations, such as the Conference of Speakers, were essential to sharing ideas and experiences among African countries.

Abbas hailed former Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila for initiating the Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Africa Parliament.

The leader of the delegation and former Deputy Speaker of the Ghanaian Parliament, Joe Ghartey, recalled that one of the ideas put forward by the Conference of Speakers was the issue of debt cancellation for African countries.

Ghartey, who said Ghana and Nigeria have always had a cordial relationship, stressed that while seeking debt cancellation, African countries must look inward and ensure judicious management of their resources.

The delegation leader said there was a need to ensure that Speakers and Presiding Officers on the continent worked closely with the Executive arm of government in the development of the continent.

He said Speakers and Presiding Officers should not work alone on debt cancellation for African countries but must get Presidents and their Foreign Ministers to key into the quest.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen has charged the Super Eagles to go for victory and bring home the cover tee trophy at the ongoing African Cup of Nations.

In his message to the Nigerian senior national team, he said the Super Eagles have the potential to win the AFCON considering the array of stars and experienced players in the team.

The speaker said football and several other sports have been a potent tool for uniting Nigerians across ethno-religious lines, adding that the citizens show more patriotism, unity and love through their passion for the national teams.

Read Also: AFCON 2023: Salah hits back at critics on commitment to Egypt

He expressed his appreciation to the delegation of the House, comprising some members and several former Super Eagles players who are currently in Cote d’Ivoire to cheer the team to victory.

The speaker urged the relevant government agencies and officials who are managing the Nigerian team at AFCON to ensure that their welfare is given the utmost priority, saying it would go a long way to motivate the nationals.

The speaker wished the Super Eagles a successful outing at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations.

Kaduna state governor, Uba Sani on Wednesday, January 17, said that President Bola Tinubu told him that the Abbas Tajudeen-led 10th House of Representatives was the best in the nation’s history.

The governor, who spoke when he led a high powered delegation on a visit to the speaker, said that the president also informed him that the debates, bills and motion in the House has been in the overall interest of the country.

He spoke just as the speaker said that irrespective of political affiliation, governance was for everybody and should be seen to work in the interest of all.

Governor Sani said Kaduna state was proud of the leadership style of the Speaker  holding together and working closely with members of the opposition.

The governor said: “The reason for this courtesy call is to express our appreciation and support for the leadership of the Right Honourable Speaker. I must say here that we the people of Kaduna State are really proud of your leadership style, of stabilising the National Assembly.

“For me as a former legislator, I know how difficult it is to lead a very complex institution like the House of Reps. But in the two or three of my discussions with His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he made it clear to me that this House of Representatives is the best.

“He made it clear to me that he, being a former legislator has seen the level of debates, and the bills and motions being promoted on the floor of the House of Reps. I’d you look at them, they are in the best interest of Nigerians.

“I also want to make it clear here that Mr. President also made it clear to me that in most of the important interventions, he decided to relate with the National Assembly and that whenever he discussed it with the Speaker, he finds it very easier to convince the members of the House because as we are speaking, this very House of Reps, we can see the level of relationship between the opposition and the ruling party.”

Governor Sani also expressed his amazement over how members of the ruling and majority All Progressives Congress and those in the opposition parties have been united under Speaker Abbas’ leadership.

Responding, Speaker Abbas expressed gratitude to the governor and the people of Kaduna state for the support extended to him and the encouragement to contest the position of Speaker.

Speaker Abbas disclosed that the trio of Governor Uba Sani, El-rufai and the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal actually encouraged him to contest for speaker long before the 2023 general elections.

He said: “It is indeed gratifying that in the first month of the Year 2024, we are receiving a very important visitor – a visitor that is coming from my own dear state and coming for the very first time to pay a courtesy visit to me in my office. I am really delighted. I am very honoured, Your Excellency, and I will remain indebted for this.

Read Also: Ibadan explosion: Akpabio condoles Oyo govt, victims

“It may amaze a lot of people if I tell you (that) my governor and the honourable minister have been very supportive of my aspiration from Day 1. It may amaze you that the whole idea of even contesting for this (speakership) position started with these two gentlemen and, of course, my elder brother, the former governor of Kaduna State (el-Rufai). The three of them and my humble self started this.

“Some people will be amazed because you hear a lot of stories in the media (that) governors don’t like speakers (of the House) to come from their state; that I, in particular, was not in good terms with my governor; that my governor was not happy with me; that we were not operating on the same frequency.

“This visit is a demonstration to everyone that if there were previous speakers who were not in good terms with their governors, this is the first that will set an example for others to follow.”

The Speaker added that he and Govenor Sani “talk together, dine together and share our problems together,” stressing that they have remained together even after he emerged Speaker of the House.

“There will be no obstacle that will come our way that will obstruct any communication, unity, harmony, mutual relationship between my dear self as the Speaker and my dear Governor of Kaduna State. We are a family and will remain a family,” he stated.

Speaking on Governor Sani’s earlier comment about the unity in the House across political party lines, Speaker Abbas stated that “it is true.” He added: “I have been in the National Assembly for quite a while, and I have never seen a set of people who are so cooperative and supportive of any leadership like the present members of the 10th House of Representatives.”

He stressed that members of the House demonstrated their support to him on June 13, 2023, when the 10th National Assembly was inaugurated and 353 of the 359 members in attendance voted for him to become the Speaker. He noted that the members have continued to give him all the needed supports ever since then.

“Most importantly, I need to inform you that members from our own (Kaduna) state caucus have been very supportive…and that is why you can see that even the caucus leader (Hon Amos Gwamna Magaji) who is from Southern Kaduna and from a party different from the APC – the PDP, is here” the Speaker noted, adding that governance is for all Nigerians regardless of political party affiliations.