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  • Akume, Saraki, Goje, others protest failure to read defection letter

    Akume, Saraki, Goje, others protest failure to read defection letter

    It was a battle of wits yesterday in the Senate as 11 senators who tendered a letter of defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) demanded that their letter be read.

    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who presided, blocked the efforts of the defectors to have the letter read.

    Proceedings in the upper chamber were held up for over 30 minutes as APC senators vehemently protested Ekweremadu’s refusal to read the letter.

    While the APC senators were insisting that the letter must be read, their PDP counterparts were encouraging Ekweremadu not to read it.

    Eleven Senators, submitted a letter of “notification of change of political party” to Senate President David Mark on Wednesday.

    They expected Mark to read the letter, but for undisclosed reasons, he did not.

    Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki (Kwara Central), who was said to have been unsettled by the antics of the Senate leadership, raised yesterday a Point of Order to enforce his privilege by calling attention to the letter.

    Saraki said 11 of them wrote a letter to notify the Senate leadership of their defection from PDP to APC.

    He noted that the letter which was given to the Senate President on Wednesday, was a notification of change of political party “by myself and 10 other senators from the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC)”.

    He added: “So, I felt that it was necessary for me to bring to your attention that the letter has not yet been read.”

    Ekweremadu promptly responded that the Senate President had travelled.

    He said “before he (Mark) traveled, he told me that you (Saraki) had a discussion with him and agreed to have a meeting on Monday”.

    Saraki, who appeared not to be satisfied with Ekweremadu’s response thundered: “That is not the case, sir. I submitted the letter yesterday (Wednesday) and he (Mark) indicated the intention that he would like to meet with senators.

    “The two issues, submitting the letter and his request for the meeting do not seem that the meeting was subject to the bringing of the letter. So, I felt that the two are two separate issues.”

    Ekweremadu insisted: “Unfortunately, this is my own understanding of your dialogue with him and he is not here. So I believe that we whould stand down any issue relating to that until he comes back.”

    Ekweremadu’s response provoked a massive protest by APC senators.

    Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central) raised another Point of Order.

    He said: “I, Senator Danjuma Goje, representing Gombe Central and 10 others sent a letter to the Senate President, formally informing him to inform the chamber that we have defected from PDP to APC.

    “We thought the letter would have been read yesterday (Wednesday); it was not read yesterday. We feel it should be read today (Thursday).

    “I think it is our right and privilege for the letter to be read. I have defected. Ten other senators who signed that letter have also defected from PDP to APC. So I demand that that letter be read.”

    Ekweremadu replied: “Well, first of all, I think you came late because we have discussed this matter earlier before you arrived and we have taken a decision on this.”

    There was a deafening shout of “no, no, no” by senators who opposed Ekweremadu’s comment.

    Undaunted, Ekweremadu said: “You did not sign any letter for defection; why are you saying no? So, I am addressing those who wrote a letter.

    “Just to recap; I said before you came in that the Senate President has travelled and that before he travelled, he told me that he had a discussion with distinguished Senator Saraki and that he will meet on Monday with those of you who want to defect from PDP. So, he did not give me any letter to read.”

    Minority Leader George Akume rose to emphasise that there was nothing unconstitutional about the defection of the 11 Senators.

    Akume said: “Mr. President, I speak on behalf of those of us who have sworn to protect the Constitution of this country. Mr. President, you are not new to this system.

    “We are all Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This country operates a bicameral legislature. This country has only one Constitution that guides our operations. Therefore, what is constitutional in the House of Representatives cannot be unconstitutional in the Senate.”

    Ekweremadu did not want to hear that.

    He said: “Sorry, sorry, sorry, I have to stop you. Please, you have to wait. Minority Leader, under which procedure are you coming now?

    “I don’t see what the problem is. Senator Saraki raised a Point of Order that he sent a letter containing the names of senators who want to defect. He said he gave it to Senator Mark, who is the President of the Senate.

    “Today, Mark is not here and before he traveled, he told me that there was a discussion he had. And I appealed to Senator Saraki to wait until Mark comes back. My own understanding is that the discussion had something to do with the letter.

    “So, there is no way you will tell me to believe somebody who is here and I don’t believe somebody who is not here. That would be unfair to Senator Mark.

    “My appeal is that we leave all these matters, make progress and, by Tuesday, Mark will be here. So, if there is any need to read the letter, then we would read the letter.”

    Senator Anthony Adeniyi (Ekiti South), who quoted Order 26 of the Senate, noted that in the absence of the Senate President, the Deputy Senate President shall perform all the duties and functions of the Senate President.

    Some Senators shouted “no, no, no”, in an attempt to heckle the APC Ekiti State senator.

    Adeniyi was not intimidated as he continued with his address.

    “Fortunately, the Senate President told this chamber that he is aware of the letter. I urge the Deputy Senate President to read the letter,” Adeniyi said.

    But, Ekweremadu said he was not limited in manner but that the matter under discussion had already been settled with Saraki, who raised it.

    He asked Adeniyi to read Order 39, which spells out the order of business for the Senate for the day. He said the session was already on the last business for the day.

    Senator Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central), who came under Order 14 (b), reminded the Senate that “whenever a matter of privilege arises, it shall be taken up immediately”.

    Ekweremadu noted that he had already done that.

    He said: “I have dealt with that and we are making progress. Senator Saraki raised it and I have ruled on it. Let us not waste our time on this, please. Let us leave this matter until the Senate President comes back. It would be his word against Saraki’s.”

    With that, the matter was kept in view.

  • Akume: APC senators complying with party’s directive on Executive Bills

    Akume: APC senators complying with party’s directive on Executive Bills

    A Senate Minority Leader George Akume yesterday said the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senate caucus are complying with the party’s directive to block Executive Bills and use legislative non-cooperation.

    In a statement in Abuja, Akume said any report to the contrary were not in line with the APC directive and the actions of its senators.

    He said the directive was a legitimate democratic tool to restore the rule of law and constitutionalism in Rivers State and save the lives of Nigerians.

    Akume said: “The participation of the APC senators in the rigorous screening of the Service chiefs and the debate on the general principles of the 2014 Appropriation Bill are, in fact, in compliance with the directive of the party.

    “The directive was not for senators to boycott their legislative business; rather their participation will lead to the ultimate execution of the party’s directive.”

  • Be selfless, Akume urges

    Be selfless, Akume urges

    Nigerians have been urged to imbibe the teachings of Prophet Mohammed and rededicate their lives to serving others.

    Senate Minority Leader George Akume said Nigerians must rise and stop our country from going under.

    He said: “We must rededicate ourselves to the ideals of Prophet Mohammed whose birthday we are celebrating. There are many lessons to be learnt by our leaders from his selfless service to humanity throughout his exemplary life.

    Nigerians should use this occasion to pray for a return to sanity in our polity; a peaceful campaign period and a free and fair election in 2015. We should above all pray and work for the defeat of PDP in next years election because Nigeria has been reduced to a big for nothing country because of the mediocre rule of the party.”

  • Akume celebrates with the needy

    Akume celebrates with the needy

    For the Senate Minority Leader, Senator George Akume, there couldn’t have been a better way to mark his 60th birthday anniversary than visiting orphanage homes, hospitals, prison yards and setting some convicts free by paying their fines.

    The activities marking the birthday anniversary celebration of the Senate Minority Leader began on December 26, 2013 with a Mass celebrated by Rev. Father Oliver Ortese in his Chapel at Judges Quarters, Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

    After the Mass, the former governor of the state, alongside his wife, political associates and friends visited General Hospital in Northbank, Makurdi.

    At the hospital, he visited each patient from bed to bed and sympathised with them over their sickness. Thereafter, he offset the medical bills of all those on admission.

    Addressing the  staff of the hospital which was built during his tenure as the governor of the state, the senate minority appealed to nurses and doctors to be patient with their patients as sickness can be so frustrating.

    The senator later returned to his Makurdi residence for a birthday lecture delivered by  Dr. Zack Agundu of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria(ABU) and Professor Alloy Ihyua of Benue State University (BSU) Makurdi, which was followed by the cutting of the cake by the senator, assisted by his wife and many others, including chieftains of All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The following day, Senator Akume and his entourage visited Minimum Prison, Makurdi and donated items to the inmates. He paid the fines of 10 convicts and appealed to them to be of good conduct so that that they would not go back to the vice that took them to the prison in the first place.

    After the prisons, Senator Akume moved to Mama Abayol Orphanage Home at Highlevel and danced with the inmates, after which he donated items which included toiletries, soaps and clothing.

    The climax of activities marking his 60th birthday was on December 28 at his Wannune country home, another big Mass was celebrated at St.Christopher Parish and later a reception was held at his Hill Top Mansion for APC members across the 23 local government areas of the state.

    Addressing APC supporters, Senator Akume appealed to them to be patient as 2015 is near and the mistake which the party made in 2011 will not be repeated.

    He said very soon registration of members will start and advised all APC members to go to their various localities and register.

    Akume was presented with gifts amid singing and dancing.

  • 31 more Reps to join APC in January, says Akume

    31 more Reps to join APC in January, says Akume

    The Senate Minority Leader , Senator George Akume has declared that 31 more House of Representatives members will join the All Progressives Party (APC) in January .

    Akume made the declaration at his Judges Quarters residence in Makurdi, Benue State capital yesterday, shortly after a mass to mark his 60th birthday anniversary.

    He, however, gave no further details. 37 Reps had earlier defected to APC, giving the party a clear majority in the House.

    He also spoke on the threat by the PDP to strip the PDP senators who defected to the APC of their positions, saying there was no force on earth that could declare the seat of any lawmaker vacant for dumping the PDP because the constitution is very clear on the issue.

    Responding to a request by the officiating priest over the Tiv-Fulani crisis which has rendered many farmers in the state homeless, Akume, who is the immediate past governor of Benue State, said the crisis should be blamed on the Benue State Government.

    The Minority Leader of the Senate said he had made efforts to intervene in the lingering crisis but the matter was politicised.

    The former governor said he had also suggested to the former military governor of the state to advise Governor Suswam to convene a meeting of Tiv sons to tackle the Tiv -Fulani crisis, but he said he was yet to get any response.

    He said he was ready to pay for the cows of Fulani herdsmen allegedly killed by Tiv people to bring about peace in Tiv land, like he had done before.

    Shortly after the mass, Akume visited the General Hospital in North Bank and offset the medical bills of all the patients on admission.

    He also donated undisclosed amounts to the patients and nurses on duty.

    Addressing the nurses, Akume appealed to them to be patient with their patients as sickness can make one to become frustrated.

    A birthday lecture was schedule to hold later in the day.

  • Senator Akume at 60

    On December 27, 1953 in the little known village of Annune, in Benue Province was born a child whose life would greatly influence the course of Nigerian history. George Akume was born into a family of great politicians. At the time of his birth, his uncle, late Senator Joseph Sarwuan Tarka was pioneering the crusade for minority rights in Nigeria. Many decades later, he would step into the oversized shoes of his great uncle as a politician of note from Benue State.

    Senator Akume had his primary education  at the then Native Authority (N.A) Primary School at Annune between 1960 and 1966, and then proceeded to  former Government Secondary School, Otobi now Model Science School, Otukpo, Benue State, between1967 and 1971 for his secondary education.

    Despite his humble beginning, “George” as he is called by his close associates sought and was admitted to St. Louis College Jos for his Advanced Level in1972, and then proceeded to Nigeria’s Premier University, at Ibadan for his Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology, graduating in 1978. He also obtained a Master’s Degree in Industrial and Labour Relations (MILR) from the same university in 1986. At the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), he obtained a Certificate in Management, 1988.

    Senator Akume began his working career as a Land Officer with the Benue State Civil Service in 1979 after he completed the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme. He made steady  progress in his career as a civil servant. Because of his versatility and diligence, he was at various times given diverse responsibilities and duties: Assistant Secretary, Research and Policy Analysis (REPA) in the governor’s office; Principal Secretary; Under Secretary, and Director of Personnel Management.

    He also handled several special assignments which included, Sole Administrator of Idah Local Government Council, (Now in Kogi State), and later Gboko Local Government Areas. He was also Director of Protocol, Government House, Makurdi, Benue State.

    Between 1994 and 1995, Akume was seconded to  the Federal Ministry of Education, Lagos as Deputy Director and on returning to his home state became the Director- General in 1996, and later, Permanent Secretary, (Establishments and Management Services) in the Benue State Civil Service. He voluntarily retired from public service in 1998 to participate fully in partisan politics.

    On entry into politics, he registered as a member of the defunct Congress for National Consensus, (CNC), one of the five registered political parties during the Sani Abacha’s transition programme. He was nominated as the governorship candidate of the party but this ambition was short-lived when Gen. Sani Abacha died on June 8, 1998.

    Senator Akume’s desire to serve his people was not dampened even with the death of Abacha. This much was renewed when General Abdulsalami Abubakar who took over after Abacha’s death as Head of State outlined an elaborate but short transition programme. He actively participated in the formation of the Peoples Democratic Party and in 1999 was elected as the third governor of Benue State. As a reward for his sterling performance, he was re-elected for a second term in 2003.

    As a governor, the people’s desires and yearnings were always first on Akume’s the list of his priorities. He distinguished himself in the areas of poverty alleviation, the establishment of cottage industries, free health services and basic education for all, upgraded electrification and power supply in Makurdi and across the state, and he also opened up the state’s hinterland by constructing many feeder roads to enable farmers bring out their produce for sale.

    He also engineered a purposeful agricultural programme and this increased Benue farmer’s prosperity tremendously.  His impact was felt in other areas such as the establishment of the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, School of Medical Science, the Greater Makurdi Water Scheme as well as initiating an enhanced emolument and welfare package for all categories of state and local government staff etc. To this day, and for many years to come, his achievements as a state governor are used as yardstick for measuring the extent to which his succesors have succeeded or failed.

    His rare courage and patriotism were on display when he along with other Nigerians stood firm against the botched Third Term ambition of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. He repeated the same enviable feat against the tyrannical desire of the ruling PDP to subvert the will of the people in 2011 when he decided to join the more progressive and people–oriented Action Congress of Nigeria, now All Progressive Congress just before the elections. For a political platform that was relatively unknown in the state and region, he confounded his traducers with his re-election victory at the polls in 2011.

    In recognition of his sterling contributions to the activities of the Senate and the development of the nation at large, he was elected Senate Minority Leader by the minority caucus of the Senate. As the minority leader, he is known to be an astute political team player and a negotiator per excellence who prefers to play behind the scene. This trait has served him and his people well in his political career.

    Senator Akume’s innate ability to think clearly even in a  hazy political atmosphere has enabled him to contribute in no small measure to the evolution and emergence of the new political identity in Nigeria, the All Progressive   Congress.  And as he attains his 60th birthday today, one thing that has remained topmost on his mind is how to daily improve the living standard of the common man in all ramifications.

    This is reflected in the innumerable constituency projects – several manual and motorized water boreholes, health centres, classroom blocks, electricity transformers as well as skill acquisition centres among others that he has initiated and completed in different parts of his constituency.

    As a reward for his immense contributions to the development of Nigeria and in acknowledgment of the Senator’s outstanding qualities, he has received recognition from several local, national and international bodies. These include among others, Honorary Doctor of Letters (D. Litt.) from University of Jos, Most Distinguished Almunus (MDA) University of Ibadan, outstanding recipient of the Key of Little Rock, Arkansas and Honorary Citizen of the State of Georgia United States of America, Best Performing Governor among PDP Governors from the North-Central zone, Kwame Nkrumah Leadership Award for Excellence from All African Students Union, and Life Patron, African Sporting Initiative. He is also a member of several professional bodies including, Fellow Nigerian Institute of Management. He is also a Knight of Saint Job.

    • Ominyi writes from Abuja.

  • Akume: let’s think beyond ourselves

    Akume: let’s think beyond ourselves

    Senate Minority Leader George Akume yesterday urged Nigerians to think of serving fellow citizens more than themselves.

    In a Sallah message, the former Benue State governor said it was necessary to “reflect deeply, not just on our religious convictions but also on how these affect our brothers and sisters”.

    The message reads: “I, on behalf of my family and the good people of Benue Northwest Senatorial District, wish to congratulate Muslims and appreciate the Almighty’s blessings on the celebration of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir.

    “It is indeed a thing of immense joy to me – and I believe it is to all Nigerians – that our lives have been spared by God until this momentous day. I wish all of us would recognise that there is a divine purpose for this.

    “The celebration of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir is an opportunity for us to take time out from our busy schedules and reflect deeply not just on our religious convictions but also on how these affect our brothers and sisters. It’s a time when we are reminded to always think beyond self. It is also a day that reminds us that we can achieve new things only when we act together as one eschewing our differences.

    “I, therefore, urge all of us, in the spirit of this celebration, to respond to the divine calling that we love one another, live together in peace and tolerance as well as imbibe the spirit of fairness in all our dealings.

    “Furthermore, our solemn prayers should be directed towards remedying the difficult times we face in the country today, because it is only through that we can initiate and ensure justice, progress and development in Nigeria.

    “Once again, I wish all Nigerians a happy Eid-elKabir celebration.”

  • Delta senatorial by-election, a litmus test for 2015 — Akume

    Delta senatorial by-election, a litmus test for 2015 — Akume

    Senate Minority Leader, Dr. George Akume, has described the Delta-Central Senatorial by-election holding today as a measure of the preparedness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct free, fair and transparent elections, and hence a litmus test for 2015.

    He also called on people of the Senatorial District to come out en masse and vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the by-election, Olorogun O’tega Emerho, describing him as “the right man for the job.”

    In a statement issued in Abuja by his Media Assistant, Mrs. Beckie Orpin, Akume said in the light of the massive irregularities that marred the 2011 polls, it was imperative for the INEC to get its acts right this time around so as to rekindle confidence in the nation’s electoral system.

    The former Benue State governor said the conduct of credible polls was a democratic emergency, particularly as Nigerians and petitioners have come to the painful conclusion that the courts and tribunals cannot be relied upon to redress matters of electoral fraud perpetrated during elections.

    He, therefore, called on the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, to rise above board, and prove that the “Giant of Africa does not have clay feet when it comes to electoral matters or that Africa’s largest democracy is incapable of meeting the minimum standards of credible elections.”

    The statement reads in part: “The much-talked about Transformation Agenda must also transform the INEC and the reforms being trumpeted in government circles must reach Attahiru-Jega’s INEC, and evidently so. Let votes count.

    “Let neither INEC officials nor security agents become parties in this election. It is not too good that the Giant of Africa is giving electoral support to smaller African countries like Sierra Leone, but cannot herself hold commendable polls.The INEC must move from rhetoric to performance.

    “The INEC must take a cue from smaller countries like Mali, Ghana, Sierra Leone as well as South Africa, and begin to discharge its mandate as an impartial umpire. It is less than wonderful that after every election, the INEC engages in self-congratulations, while other parties, save the supposed winners, head for court.

    “And the Federal Government should also know that the acceptability of an electoral process or the stability of the polity does not lie in the intensity of the official propaganda or in militarization of the polity before and after elections; they depend on the free, fair, transparent and credible conduct of the exercise itself. Today’s exercise offers us that possibility!”

  • UI, WAEC, NYSC clear Akume of certificate forgery allegations

    UI, WAEC, NYSC clear Akume of certificate forgery allegations

    The University of Ibadan (UI); the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have cleared former Benue State Governor George Akume of alleged certificate forgery.

    An Abuja-based businessman, Philip Agbese, sued Akume in the Federal High Court, Abuja, accusing him of forging his educational certificates.

    The denial by UI, WAEC and NYSC was contained in their responses to the suit.

    The three institutions, in separate applications, confirmed that Akume sat and passed requisite examinations and was awarded certificates and issued with a discharge certificate.

    UI, in an application, confirmed that Akume attended the institution and was awarded a B.Sc degree in Sociology in 1978. WAEC also confirmed that Akume sat and passed its examination in 1971, having attended the Government Secondary School, Otukpo, Benue State, between 1967 and 1971. The NYSC admitted that Akume participated in the mandatory one year national service and was issued with a discharge certificate after his service at the Advanced Teachers’ College, Akwanga, in the former Plateau State (now in Nasarawa State).

    Also sued with Akume are: the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).

    Justice Ahmed Mohammed yesterday warned against undue delay in the case.

    He issued the warning after the plaintiff’s lawyer, Amobi Nzelu, stalled the proceedings by applying for an adjournment to enable him respond to the preliminary objections by WAEC and NYSC.

    Justice Mohammed said: “The application for an adjournment is very unfortunate. I would want a situation where this matter is prosecuted diligently.

    “Nobody wants to be taken to court. And if you take somebody to court over an allegation, you are expected to speedily prosecute the case so that he or she will know his fate.

    “The second to third respondents (WAEC and NYSC) served you (Nzelu) before the vacation, but you did not reply on time. You are expected to be diligent as the plaintiff’s counsel.”

    Akume’s lawyer, Sebastine Hon (SAN), also said the action of the plaintiff’s lawyer was an attempt to delay hearing in the matter.

    Hon said: “You rushed somebody to court, who is a former governor and a Senator of the Federal Republic, over allegations of certificate forgery and you are now not in a hurry to proceed with the case.

    “My Lord, I want a quick resolution of this matter on its merit. That is why we did not file any preliminary objection.”

    Akume, in his statement of defence, argued that the suit was intended to harass, intimidate, ridicule and embarrass him.

    He urged the court to dismiss the suit and award cost against the plaintiff on the grounds that the suit was baseless, frivolous and without merit.

    Further hearing in the matter was fixed for November 20.

  • UI, WAEC, NYSC clear Akume of certificate forgery

    UI, WAEC, NYSC clear Akume of certificate forgery

    The University of Ibadan (UI), the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have denied claim that former Benue State Governor, George Akume forged his education certificates.

    An Abuja-based businessman, Philip Agbese had sued Akume before the Federal High Court, Abuja, accusing him of forging his educational certificates.

    The denial by UI, WAEC and NYSC is contained in their responses to the suit.

    UI, WAEC and NYSC, in separate applications, confirmed that Akume sat and passed requisite examinations and was awarded certificates and issued with a discharge certificate.

    UI, in an application, confirmed that Akume attended the institution and was awarded a B.Sc Degree Certificate in Sociology in 1978. WAEC also confirmed that Akume sat and passed its examination in 1971 having attended Government Secondary School, Otukpo Benue State between 1967 and 1971.

    The NYSC admitted that Akume participated in the mandatory one year national service and was issued with a discharge certificate after his service at the Advanced Teachers College, Akwanga in the then Plateau State (now in Nasarawa State).

    Also sued with Akume are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Inspector General of Police.

    The presiding judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, on Wednesday warned against undue delay in the hearing of the case.

    Justice Mohammed issued the warning after plaintiff’s lawyer, Amobi Nzelu, stalled proceedings by applying for adjournment to enable him respond to the preliminary objections raised by WAEC and NYSC.

    Justice Mohammed observed that “the application for adjournment is very unfortunate.

    “I would want a situation where this matter is prosecuted diligently.

    “Nobody wants to be taken to court. And if you take somebody to court over an allegation, you are expected to speedily prosecute the case so that he or she will know his fate.

    “The 2nd to 3rd respondents (WAEC and NYSC) served you (Nzelu) before vacation, but you did not reply on time. You are expected to be diligent as plaintiff’s counsel,” Justice Mohammed said.

    Akume’s lawyer, Sebastine Hon (SAN) also complained about the altitude of the plaintiff’s lawyer, which he said showed an attempt to delay hearing in the case.

    “The history of this case has left so much to be deserved. You rushed somebody to court, who is a former governor and a Senator of the Federal Republic, over allegations of certificate forgery and you are now not in a hurry to proceed with the case.

    “My lord, I want a quick resolution of this matter on its merit. That is why we did not file any preliminary objection,” Hon said.