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Tag: Ahmed Lawan

  • Ndume: PDP NASS leaders slowing down 2019 budget

    Former Senate Leader Ali Ndume on Wednesday said the leadership of the National Assembly under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is deliberately slowing down the consideration and passage of the 2019 budget.

    Ndume also contended the delay by the Senate to commence debate of the general principles of the N8.83trillion Appropriation Bill should have started if the All Progressives Congress (APC) senators were in charge of the leadership of the upper chamber.

    The Borno South Senator insisted that as far as APC senators were concerned, the 2019 budget can be considered within a week and passed.

    He said it appeared the National Assembly under the leadership of PDP lawmakers was not interested in the consideration of the fiscal proposals.

    Ndume said: “Though lawmakers on the platform of APC are more in number than their counterparts in PDP but since the PDP lawmakers are controlling the leadership of both chambers, the speed at which any executive bill, particularly the 2019 Appropriation Bill before us now will take, lies with them.

    “Those of us in the APC at both chambers have the passion and the will to effect expeditious consideration and passage of the 2019 budget proposals but the required speed for that lies with the leadership, topmost of whom are PDP members.”

    Told the Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan or the Deputy Senate Leader, Bala Ibn Na’ Allah who should move a motion to kick- start debate on general principles of the budget were not in the chamber on Tuesday and Wednesday, Ndume insisted the speed for any legislative action on the budget lies with the two presiding officers and principal officers.

    Ndume commended the House of Representatives for starting debate on general principles of the budget yesterday.

    The action in the House, he said, will propel legislative business in the Senate.

    He noted the required expeditious consideration expected to be given the 2019 Appropriation Bill, should also be extended to the new minimum wage bill when it is presented.

    Workers, Ndume said, deserve living and not just minimum wage.

    He said giving Nigerian workers a living wage is the view of many of the other Senators.

    Ndume added that the North East where PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar comes from, President Muhammadu Buhari will win 95percent of votes during the presidential election.

    Read Also: 2019 Budget: Reps for Second Reading Thursday

    He said: “The difference is clear between the two of them as far as popularity and acceptability are concerned going by crowds attending their rallies.

    “Buhari has already won the election going by the mammoth crowds being pulled by him even in North East more than Atiku .

    “Besides, to us in the North East, PDP is poisonous which cannot be embraced in anyway by the teeming populace.”

     

     

  • ‘Buhari can’t be stampeded into signing Electoral Act Amendment bill’

    The Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan on Friday said that President Muhammadu Buhari cannot be stampeded into signing the 2018 Electoral Act Amendment bill into law.

    Before the latest version was submitted to the Presidency, the President had withheld his assent to the document about three times due to ‘errors’ in the amended bill.

    With the 2019 general elections fast approaching, it is feared that the 2018 Electoral Act Amendment bill may not meet the stipulated time if not urgently signed into law by the President.

    But speaking with State House correspondents after jumaat prayer at the Presidential Villa on Friday, Lawan advised that the President should take his time to study the document to avoid errors.

    According to him, the amended 2006 Electoral Act can still be used for the 2019 general elections.

    If properly implemented, he said that the 2006 Electoral Act can even deliver a more transparent, free and fair elections in 2019 than what was experienced in 2015.

    According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari has signed more bills than any previous President in Nigeria.

    He said “President Muhammadu Buhari has signed more bills than previous presidents in this country.

    Read Also: We will work for Buhari’s victory in Ondo

    “Secondly, he has read and objected to certain provisions in many bills that were eventually sent back to the National Assembly to look and then return for further legislative actions for him to look at it again.

    “Previous government of President Jonathan didn’t sign much, they kept most of the bills sent by the National Assembly. So I want to give kudos to the President for ensuring that he looks into the bills before signing.

    “Some, he said he won’t sign because of this or that provisions which are either contradictory constitutionally or maybe it will cause more harm than good, so therefore the National Assembly should look into it again.

    “The electoral bill you are talking about has been sent back twice or thrice, that is to tell you that the president is willing to sign he bill provided it meets certain conditions that will make our electoral processes better and more sane.

    “So, the President is studying this bill, its not like you will send it to him and he will immediately sign. This is a sign that he is really interested in what we sent back to him.

    “It is for him and his advisers to read through line by line and see how best the electoral process can be enhanced.

    “So, I don’t think we have ran out of time, in fact I think we should encourage the president and those helping him to complete going through the bill before he signs.

    “We still have the 2006 Electoral Act as amended that we used in 2015 for an election that was adjudged to be free, fair and an improved process.

    “We don’t necessarily put so much pressure and unneeded criticism of the president when he is yet to complete his analysis of what has been sent to him. He needs to take his time.” he said

    The Senate Leader went on “And I will advise, even though I am not one of his advisers, that he goes through what has been sent to him line by line, understand whatever his advisers will tell him and of what we have sent will make the elections in 2019 better, then he signs.

    “But if however he discovers some provisions that will bring contradictions and controversies, he can withhold assent. I’m not advocating that he withholds assent but if he does, that is his right.

    “I want to tell you that the APC caucus in the National Assembly stands with Mr. President on this.” he added

    Asked if the Electoral Act amendment bill can still be used for the 2019 elections if signed into law now, he said “Yes. The 2006 electoral act as amended, was used in the 2015 general elections. Who amongst us will tell me that the 2015 general elections was not free and fair?

    “The processes were free and fair. So if we are not able to get this bill signed, we can still use the 2006 electoral act as amended and in fact we can even achieve better than we did in 2015.

    “We can observed our deficiencies in 2015 elections using the same act and we can improve it with administrative approach to the elections.

    “So, I personally believe the president is doing what is right, nobody should push, pressurize him into signing the bill, he needs to thoroughly read and then take a decision.” he said

    On whether the new version of the bill is in good shape for the president to sign into law, he said that the National Assembly has taken into consideration the issues raised by the President.

    He said “I think we have taken into consideration the observations made by Mr. President and the comment. A society that is human is so dynamic, and an environment that is so politically charged, you cannot be sure of what you will say or judge to be okay.

    “In a minute, it could change. So, for me I believe the National Assembly, we have done what we could to ensure that we work in a way that it will look better. But the President reserves the right to study it and not to be pressurized.

    “I noticed that the PDP in their meeting of yesterday was saying the Presidency must sign the bill, was the bill passed by the PDP or the National Assembly. This kind of thing tells you a lot. I expect for members of the National Assembly to be the ones talking and not PDP national chairman or other presidential candidates.” he said

     

  • Senate probes social intervention fund, Sure-P

    The Senate on Wedesday resolved to investigate alleged misuse of the social intervention progrmme fund.

    The upper chamber also agreed to probe how funds allocated to fund the Subsidy Re-investment Programme were used.

    The resolution followed the adoption of a motion by the minority leader, Senator Biodun Olujimi on alleged deployment of funds under the social intervention programme to buy Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) to promote President Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential election.

    Olujimi who displayed copies of signed forms used by an alleged beneficiary of the intervention fund, claimed that beneficiaries are made to attach their PVCs before they could benefit from the fund.

    She noted that it was unfortunate that the social intervention fund created for the benefit of every Nigerian, was allegedly being manipulated to buy PVC for President Buhari’s re-election bid.

    Olujimi who came under Order 42 (personal explanation) prayed the Senate to investigate the matter as a matter of urgency.

    She said that the upper chamber should insist that the social intervention fund must not be used for political purposes.

    Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan, described the allegation as completely unfounded.

    As Lawan made to disabuse the minds of his colleagues about any untoward use the fund, the Senate erupted with shouts of point of order.

    Attempts by Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to control the situation failed for some moment.

    Saraki gave Senator Dino Melaye the floor to move his point of order.

    The Kogi West senator said that Olujimi’s motion should first be seconded before contributions would be made.

    The house was divided along party lines. Lawan requested for protection and to be allowed to make his points.

    Saraki said that Lawn should be allowed to speak.

    Lawan said, “I listened attentively to the motion by Senator Olujimi.

    ‘I want to say that the social intervention programme of this administration transparent.”

    He noted that “for the first time in the history of social intervention programme in Nigeria we have proof that any where you are in Nigeria, you can apply.”

    The shout of point of order continued.

    Senator Albert Akpan (Akwa Ibom North East) took the floor to raise Orders 49 and 52.

    Akpan re-iterated Melaye’s position that Saraki should first allow Olujimi’s motion to be seconded.

    He added that contributions in support of the motion should be taken after which those opposed to the motion should take the floor.

    Saraki could take none of that. He said that Lawan should be allowed to conclude his contribution.

    Lawan said that the social intervention programme of the government is computer based which made it easy for Nigerians to apply wherever they were.

    He urged the Senate President to be above board and blind to the debate.

    Lawan said that it is on record that the social intervention programme has been the most successful in the country.

    He said, “We inherited poverty, we inherited empty treasury. This administration is working to change the system. The social intervention fund is under the office of the Vice President who has been very transparent in the implementation of the programme for the benefit of all Nigerians.”

    Lawan said that he is not against whatever the Senate wanted to do with Olujimi’s motion “but the investigation should not be turned into a political weapon.”

    He reminded the Senate that Nigerians were aware that Sure-P failed.

    He said that Olujimi should tender the document he has while the investigation should be party blind.

    The Senate adopted that prayer that the probe should be apolitical.

    The prayer that Sure-P should also be investigated was also carried.

  • PDP loses Rivers senator to APC

    The Senator representing Rivers West, Osinakachukwu Ideozu, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Majority Leader of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, announced Osinakachukwu’s defection at plenary on Wednesday.

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    Lawan, who was moving a motion for the adjournment of plenary till November 6, welcomed and congratulated him for joining the majority party.

    With this, the three senators from Rivers, a PDP controlled state, are now members of the APC.

    The others are Senator Andrew Uchendu (Rivers East) and Magnus Abe (Rivers South East).

  • Drama in Senate over $3.8bn subsidy fund

    There was mild drama on Tuesday in the Senate over the management of over $3.8 billion fuel subsidy fund by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    Senators were at each others throat following accusations and counter accusations of alleged compromise in their line of duty.

    There was also allegation of subterranean plot to source campaign funds from the oil behemoth.

    Senate Minority Leader, Senator Biodun Olujimi, sparked the controversy when she raised the alarm over alleged mismanagement of huge subsidy fund.

    Olujimi (Ekiti South) told her colleagues that it was dangerous to allow just two people in NNPC, the Group Managing Director (GMD) and  the Executive Director in charge of Finance, as the sole controllers of huge subsidy fund.

    The fund, she said, has been curiously renamed “Fuel Subsidy Under-Recovery Fund” for a purpose that has not been explained to Nigerians.

    She recalled that NNPC has been severally requested to submit subsidy budget to the National Assembly for consideration and approval.

    A request, the lawmaker said, has been resisted by the NNPC without reason.

    She insisted that the Senate cannot sit by and allow only two people to continue to manage over $3 billion oil subsidy funds.

    Olujimi who came under a point of order, reminded the upper chamber that attempts to compel NNPC leadership to do what is right by submitting a budget to the National Assembly on subsidy payment, has failed.

    Read Also: Senate condoles with family of slain Red Cross worker

    The amount involved, she reiterated, was “too huge for only two people to control and manage without appropriation.”

    Olujimi said, “I need to bring this issue to the attention of the Senate. The NNPC is operating an illegal fund on subsidy. As a Senate, we are the true representatives of the people. We cannot sit back and allow this to continue to happen.

    “I am bringing this to the attention of the Senate so that we can look at the issue. Let the various committees, especially the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), look into this issue. Let them investigate and tell us what the position on ground is.”

    She prayed the Senate to mandate its committee on petroleum (downstream) to cause the NNPC to come before the senate to explain what has happened to the fund and the new terminology formulated to manage the fund.

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki, agreed.

    Saraki asked Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan and chairman, Petroleum Committee (downstream) Senator Kabiru Marafa to inter face with those involved and report back to the Senate within four days.

    He said that “the issue is too serious and the money involved too huge to be left just like that.”

    Saraki said: “When we passed the budget, I said the executive needed to bring subsidy budget. In the light of the enormity of this, we will direct the Leader and chairman of Downstream to summon those in charge. They need to get back to us in four days. I don’t want this issue to be partisan. I want us to speak on the basis of fact. I don’t want us to take up this issue and people will begin to see it as a partisan issue.”

    Some Senators were however not comfortable with the inclusion of the committee on Petroleum as part of those to investigate the matter.

    Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume suggested that since committee on Petroleum has oversight function over NNPC, it should be left out of the probe.

    The Borno South Senator re-echoed what Senator Buka Abba Ibrahim murmured that the Petroleum Committee might have compromised on the issue.

    Apparently for emphasis, Ndume said that his proposal that the Petroleum Committee should not be part of the investigation stemmed from the insinuation by Ibrahim that the Petroleum committee might have compromised in the course of its oversight duty.

    He said, “Issues like this should be looked at seriously. When these things happen, the committee should know. I suggest that the Leader and other people who are not members of the committee should look at this. The committee may have compromised. We should set up an ad-hoc committee to look into the issue.”

    Marafa felt injured by the comment that members of his committee might have been comprised by officials of the NNPC.

    The Zamfara central lawmaker said that he would not be bothered if his committee was disbanded.

    He said that it would not be out of place to say that those proposing the setting up of ad-hoc committee in place of a standing committee have other motives.

     He did not stop there. Marafa said that those behind the proposal for ad-hoc committee were actually gunning to generate campaign funds ahead of the elections in 2019.

    There was uproar on the floor. Many senators attempted to shout him down. He persisted.

    Marafa said that Ndume must also asked to withdraw his statement that members of his committee have been compromised.

    He said that Ndume must not only stop at withdrawing the statement but also tender an apology to them.

    He said, “I feel insulted. If the Selection Committee agrees today to dissolve our committee, I will not have any problem with that. They have the right to do that. But for anyone to just accuse us that we have been compromised, I think it is an insult.

    “I know that those advocating that an ad-hoc committee be set up to investigate the issue are out to generate campaign funds for their election next year. They are free to do so. I will not stop them. But no one should malign us and accuse us of compromise.”

    Saraki attempted to restrain Marafa.

    Marafa refused to apologize.

    He insisted that Ndume must first tender unreserved apology and withdraw his statement.

    Sensing total break down of law and order in the chamber, Ndume told his colleagues that Buka Ibrahim had given him the authority to apogise and withdrew his statement.

    Marafa followed and withdrew his statement. He also apologised to his colleagues for what many considered a sweeping statement.

    The matter did not end there as the Senate Leader protested Marafa’s statement.

    He declined to serve in the yet to be constituted committee.

    Lawan said that he was declining his nomination to head the probe team to protect his integrity.

    Although he did not mention Marafa, Lawan said that it took him several years to build his integrity and reputation and will not want anybody to soil his name.

    Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, requested Lawan to reconsider his decision.

    The Senate President said that the Senate cannot afford to handle the issue haphazardly.

     He said that “the country cannot be running a subsidy fund of $3.8 billion without knowing who is doing what.”

  • Forensic auditors urge action on CIFIA Bill

    The Chartered Institute of Forensic and Investigative Auditors of Nigeria (CIFIA) has called on the House of Representatives to follow the Senate and pass the CIFIA Bill in order to boost the fight against corruption.

    CIFIA’s Chief promoter, Dr Victoria Enape, made the appeal at the induction/ training of new members in Abuja, with the theme “Transition to Forensic and Investigative Audit.”

    The Bill for an Act to establish the Chartered Institute of Forensic and Investigative Auditors of Nigeria was jointly sponsored by Sen. Ahmed Lawan, the Senate Majority Leader and Sen. Andy Uba.

    The Bill has been passed by the Senate and waits passage by the lower chamber before transmission to the president for assent.

    Enape, in a statement in Abuja, advised the Federal Government to embrace the current trend of forensic and investigative auditing to revamp the nation’s economy and check fraudulent practices.

    She said if the Bill was enacted, it would help position forensic fellows in various organisations and agencies to check illicit financial flow in the country.

    Enape said: “Our appeal is that the Bill should be given speedy concurrence at the House of Representatives, so that it can be moved to the president for assent.

    “After presidential assent, we will be able to do anything Nigeria wants us to do to assist in ensuring prevention of fraud.”

    Enape also called for synergy with stakeholders in order to ensure that forensic auditing which was a new trend in global auditing became a reality in Nigeria.

    “Therefore forensic auditors must not necessary be only accountants considering the nature of the works involved,” she added.

    On his part, a fellow of CIFIA, Mr Mavis Ighota, said that the induction would enable the professional diversity in response to the urgent globalisation in the fight against fraud and corruption.

    According to him, CIFIA is soliciting for collaboration with ICAN and other professional bodies in order to achieve their respective goals.

    “We are pleading with ICAN that they should calm down and let us work together.

    “We are no threat to any professional body in Nigeria but only trying to fill a vacuum” she said.

  • NASS working to pass bills in nation’s interest, says Senate Leader

    The Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan, yesterday gave an indication that peace has returned to the National Assembly.

    According to him, lawmakers are more interested in working for the national interest by passing the relevant bills that would move the nation forward.

    Prior to the reconvening of the National Assembly on Tuesday, Lawan had declared at the All Progressives Congress (APC) Convention at the Eagle Square on Saturday night that APC would not allow the leadership of the National Assembly run away with its mandate.

    While the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has been of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, had recently defected from the APC to the PDP.

    But speaking on the crisis with State House correspondents yesterday at the Presidential Villa, Lawan said: “I don’t know what informed your view to anticipate crisis, but let me tell you that NASS will continue to remain focused on national issues.

    “We must be patriotic, nationalistic, we must put national interest above individual, parochial or partisan interest.

    “We definitely have to bury our hatchets for us to work for Nigeria and Nigerians. Perhaps that might have informed the disappointment of many people that there will be crisis in the National Assembly.

    “Let me also say that disagreements are usual. In fact, they are very practical components of any  parliament. When you have two to three parties or even within parties you will have views that may differ.

    “It is traditional, it is usual for us to disagree. Maybe these disagreements  may crop up and some other issues, but for now, our focus is on national interest.” he said.   Asked if the idea of impeachment has been dropped, he said: “The National Assembly is a Nigerian parliament and therefore  the best thing to do is to ensure that Nigerians get a good deal, and for now, the good deal is for Nigeria to have all those pending requests of Mr President approved by the National Assembly.

    “I think national interest for now overrides any other interest.” he said.

    Speaking further on the resumption day, he said: “Well, you could see from day one, Tuesday was not an eventful day because the National Assembly lost a member from Kwara. So traditionally, we normally don’t work on such a day when the death will be officially announced.

    “But Wednesday and Thursday witnessed the focus and concentration of members of the National Assembly on the request of Mr President for the funding of INEC for elections to be conducted in 2019, and we passed it in the Senate and the House did also.

    “We passed the request of Mr President for N189 billion for INEC activities for 2019.On Thursday, the committee on appropriation invited the head of the security agencies to come and defend the request that Mr President made on their behalf for funding of their supervisory and oversight  roles during the  elections in 2019.

    “We also had the referral of the request of Mr President approval for foreign loan component of the 2018 appropriation and that is about 2.78 billion dollars eurobond.

    “We have gone full blast consciously, purposely to ensure that Mr President gets what he requested. We lost time because some of the issues were requested for before we went on recess.

    “But we have also in the Senate passed confirmations of the CBN deputy governor, ICPC governing body and we are determined to continue to do this throughout this period.

    “Our intention is to ensure that Mr President does not lack from inactivity of the NASS that whatever he requests, the fundamental aspects especially will be attended to.”

  • NASS working to pass bills in nation’s interest, Says Senate Leader

    The Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan, on Friday gave indication that peace has returned to the National Assembly.

    According to him, lawmakers are more interested in working for the national interest by passing the relevant bills that would move the nation forward.

    Prior to the reconvening of the National Assembly on Tuesday, Lawan had declared at the All Progressives Congress (APC) Convention at the Eagle Square on Saturday night that APC will not allow leadership of the National Assembly run away with its mandate.

    While the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu has been of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the Senate President, Bukola Saraki had recently defected from the APC to the PDP.

    But speaking on the crisis with State House correspondents on Friday at the Presidential Villa, Lawan said “I don’t know what informed your view to anticipate crisis but let me tell you that NASS will continue to remain focus on national issues, we must be patriotic, nationalistic, we must put national interest above individual, parochial or partisan interest.

    “We definitely have to bury our hatchets for us to work for Nigeria and Nigerians perhaps that might have informed the disappointment of many people that there will be crisis in the National Assembly.

    “Let me also say that disagreements are usual, in fact they are very practical components of any parliament, when you have 2 to 3 parties or even within parties you will have views that may differ.

    “It is traditional, it is usual for us to disagree maybe this disagreements may crop up and some other issues but for now our focus is on national interest.” he said

    Asked if the idea of impeachment has been dropped, he said “The National Assembly is a Nigerian parliament and therefore the best thing to do is to ensure that Nigerians gets a good deal and for now the good deal is for Nigeria to have all those pending request of Mr President approved by the National Assembly.

    “I think the national interest for now override any other interest.” he said.

    Read Also: Why Atiku picked Peter Obi as running mate – Daniel

    Speaking further on the resumption day, he said “Well you could see from day one, day one Tuesday was not an eventful day because the National Assembly lost a member, a member from Kwara. So traditionally, we normally don’t work on such a day when the death will be officially announced.

    “But Wednesday and Thursday witnessed the focus and concentration of members of the National Assembly on the request of Mr President for the funding of INEC for elections to be conducted in 2019 and we passed in the Senate and the House did also.

    “We passed the request of Mr President for N189 billion for INEC activities for 2019.On Thursday the committee on appropriation invited the head of the security agencies to come and defend the request that Mr President made on their behalf for funding of their supervisory and oversight roles during the elections in 2019.

    “We also had the referral of the request of Mr President approval for foreign loan component of the 2018 appropriation and that is about 2.78 billion dollars eurobond. We have gone full blast consciously, purposely to ensure that Mr President gets what’s he request, we lost time because some of the issues were requested for before we went on our recess.

    “But we have also in the Senate passed confirmations of the CBN deputy governor, ICPC governing body and we are determined to continue to do this throughout this period.

    “Our intention is to ensure that Mr President doesn’t lack from inactivity of the NASS that whatever he requests, the fundamentals aspects especially will be attended to, this is our determination both as APC senators infact as senate and National Assembly.” he added

  • Lawan hints of rowdy Senate session on resumption

    Senate Leader Ahmed Lawan has hinted of a rowdy session when the Senate resumes plenary tomorrow.

    Lawan spoke at the National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja where President Muhammadu Buhari was endorsed as the Presidential candidate of the APC.

    The Yobe North Senator said those who refused to toe the part of honour and integrity will be forced out with ignominy.

    He also said the chamber would work to pass the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies budget for the 2019 general elections.

    “The Senate wishes to assure you that we will remain in our caucus determined, focused and resolved to work with you.

    “On the 15th of July this year, when we had unceremonious closure of the Senate and the National Assembly, for the first time, we had the most cohesion, most united and most focused APC caucus of the eighth Senate.

    “We remain committed to you and the programmes of this administration. We remain loyal to our party and we shall continue to support any Programme of this administration.

    “We thank the President for supporting Senators who have remained committed and loyal to this party.

    ”I want to take this opportunity to thank the chairman and leaders of the party for supporting us at the most difficult times in the history of our primaries.

    “I want to add that it is not yet Uhuru for some of us. We believe that there are still some issues to be resolved in favour of some of our colleagues.

    “I want to also add that the number of Senators of APC in the Senate remained the largest.

    ”I want to call the attention of everyone here of the fact that democracy as defined by people remained government of the majority, where minority will always have their say.

    ”Those who can remember that there was a time in this country when nine was greater than 16. I think we have come to that point again.

    ”Now we have our chamber dominated and occupied by minority leaders. They remain minority leaders occupying our positions.

    ”Those who refuse to follow the part of honour and integrity by exiting, we will send them out with ignominy.

    ”I want to assure everyone here that 2019 is going to be a walk over for Mr. President by the grace of God.

    ”It will see APC winning more than 24 state. We will have a National Assembly where vast majority of Senators will be from the APC and in the House of Representatives.

    ”We want to have a National assembly that will, at all times, work with Mr. President day and night to deliver to Nigerians what we have lost over the years.

    “The leadership of the National Assembly has shown to us that they are not prepared to be loyal to this administration.

    ”On Tuesday, we will be going back to the National Assembly when our recess is over.

    ”We intend to force through a lot of things and pass those budgets for INEC and the security agencies for the 2019 election.

    “If we cannot convince them, we intend to force through the foreign plan for this administration.

    ”Some people have taken our mandate and ran away with it.

    “We intend to fight and defend and promote the interest of this party at all cost.”

    The House of Representatives is also gearing up to resume after the long recess

    The contentious Electoral Law Amendment Bill which is awaiting passage, the defection of Speaker Yakubu Dogara, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) budget to enable it adequately prepare for the 2019 elections and the Eurobond loan approval requested by President Muhammadu Buhari, are the issues that are awaiting consideration.

    There are also fears that Dogara may use a last minute reshufflement of the over 90 standing committees  as a red herring to distract proponents of his impeachment.

    Spokesman of the House Abdulrasak Namdas said Dogara’s defection is a personal decision with nothing to do with the House. According to him, all politics is local and it’s left for his constituents to express their satisfaction or otherwise with his defection.

    House leader Femi Gbajabiamila has been resolutely quiet on the issue, preferring to keep his thoughts and strategiesto his chest. “For now, I have no comment”, he said.

    But a member Bashir Babale (APC Kano) said the issue of the Speaker’s defection should not be allowed to lie low and should be frontally addressed when the House resumes.

  • INEC budget: It’s unfortunate NASS failed to reconvene – APC lawmakers

    Leaders of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in the National Assembly said on Tuesday the lawmakers’ failure to reconvene for debate on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) 2019 election budget would spark constitutional crisis in the country

    Speaking at a meeting with the members of the National Working Committee of the party in Abuja, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yussuf Lasun, Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan and the Majority Leader in the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, said presiding officers must reconvene the National Assembly immediately to avoid any form of sabotage for the party.

    However, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, was absent at the meeting.

    Lasun said it was unfortunate that the National Assembly could not reconvene on Tuesday as earlier agreed by the presiding officers.

    He said: “I am not particularly happy that we are not able to reconvene the National Assembly today (Tuesday) because we decided few days back that we are going to seat and consider those items that are very important and may likely hamper the function of INEC and other programs without which the implementation of the capital component of the 2018 budget would have been slightly difficult.”

    Lawan said the APC Senate Caucus and the House Caucus would continue working towards averting constitutional crisis by ensuring that the National Assembly reconvened and pass the INEC budget.