The Nation Newspaper

Tag: assembly

  • Residents storm Assembly over forceful ejection by land grabbers

    Residents storm Assembly over forceful ejection by land grabbers

    Scores of Ibeju Lekki residents yesterday stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly to protest the alleged forceful takeover of their land.

    They carried placards with inscriptions, such as, “Folami, bring peace and development, not death and destruction to your fatherland,” and “To defend our land and our people from Folami is a task that must be done,” “Ha, ha, ha, haha, Folami, you want to use us as slaves on our fatherland,”  “If we remain silent, we would be guilty of complicity.  We want peace, nothing more than peace at Oke-Ogun. Governor Ambode take note”.

    In a petition titled: “Complaint against Mufutau Sefiu Olamiji as the purported Baale of ‘Okegun Ladeseso’ and subsequent attempts by the Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs to upgrade him to the status of a king.’

    The petition, which is addressed to the speaker of the Assembly states in part that, “We are solicitors to Chief Samsideen Ogunkoya (the Ajagunbiada of Ibeju Land) and the people of Okegun Odofin in the Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State and on their joint instructions write this petition to your Excellency in other to forestall total breakdown of law and order in Ibeju, Lagos,” the solicitor said in the petition.

    “Chief Ismail Ogunkoya was duly nominated and appointed as the substantive Baale of Okegun Odofin in the Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area which position has been held by him with much support from our clients and with dignity till date.

    “We want the Lagos State House of Assembly to set up a panel and look into the matter. We are sitting on a keg of gun powder. The matter is in court and under the Assembly panel headed by Funmilayo Tejuoso. They promised to get back to us but they have not done so since we met with them,” he said.

    Addressing the protesters, Majority Leader Sanai Agunbiade said that a situation, where a wrong person was installed would be investigated.

    Agunbiade urged the protesters to be patient saying that the house receives so many petitions daily and that the matter has to be thoroughly debated at plenary even when the committee handling it has completed its work.

    “All of these would not make the committee dispense with the petition as quickly as the petitioners want. But ultimately the whole house would look at the petitions.

    “We have to painstakingly look at the petition and the outcome is always acceptable to the petitioners,” he said.

    He then appealed to the protesters to go back to their base peacefully.

  • Assembly summons CP, other security chiefs

    The Oyo State House of Assembly has summoned the commissioner of police, special adviser to the Governor on Security Matter and other security chiefs over robberies in Ibadan.

    It reached the resolution during plenary, following a motion by Mr Akeem Ige representing Ibadan South East Constituency, on curbing night robbery attacks on citizens.

    Ige said security threat unleashed on the people by  robbers in the Ibadan metropolis must be stopped.

    He enjoined the House to take measures that will stop robberies and restore peace.

    Contributing to the motion, Bimbo Olawunmi Oladeji from Ogbomosho North Constituency thanked the mover of the motion, saying: “I want to remind you the similar case in my constituency which was promptly addressed by the police and nipped in the bud. Therefore, there’s need to invite security operatives to the Assembly and fashion ways to stop the activities of men of the underworld.”

    The Speaker, Michael Adeyemo, summoned the police commissioner, special adviser to the governor on security matters and others following the House’ resolution.

  • ‘Assembly’s action is legislative impunity’

    The Special Assistant on Media to Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Mr Yinka Oyebode,

    said yesterday that the proposal to set up a judicial panel of enquiry into the financial transactions of the last administration was nothing but legislative impunity.

    He said in a statement that the decision of the lawmakers was not only ill-advised, but also reckless, considering that two suits about the purported probe were pending in court.

    “Simply put, the legislators’ attempt to institute a judicial panel or administrative panel, while the two cases involving the House of Assembly, its leadership and a top official of the present administration (in an Abuja High Court and Ado Ekiti Federal High Court) are yet to be determined is subjudice.

    “Sadly, this is a reflection of their poor knowledge of the law.

    “The lawmakers are advised to study the constitution properly and understand their roles as well as the limit of their power, as this desperate attempt to implicate the last administration is nothing but another wild goose chase,” Oyebode added.

  • Delta Assembly impeaches Speaker Igbuya

    Delta State House of Assembly Speaker Monday Igbuya, representing Sapele, has been impeached.

    A new Speaker, Sheriff Oboriowori, representing Okpe, was elected and sworn in yesterday.

    The impeachment was held at plenary, presided over by Deputy Speaker Friday Osanebi.

    The motion for Igbuya’s removal was moved by Johnson Erijo (Isoko South II) and seconded by Peter Onwusanya (Oshimili South).

    It was adopted by the 22 members present at plenary.

    The Assembly also removed Majority Leader Tim Owhefere, representing Isoko North. He was replaced by Johnson Erijo, representing Isoko South II.

    Upon reconvening for the day’s business, the lawmakers called for opening prayers, which was led by Alphonsus Ojo, representing Ukwuani.

    Erijo moved the motion to remove Igbuya under matters of urgent public importance.

    The lawmaker said the action became necessary because of alleged incompetence of the embattled Speaker, as well as his “highhandedness and unacceptable leadership style”.

    He noted that for the Assembly to function well, a new Speaker is needed.

    Erijo said the legislature was key to the growth of democracy and the development of the state.

    Osanebi called for nomination of a new Speaker.

    Onwusanya nominated Oboriovwori, representing Okpe; he was seconded by Daniel Mayuku, representing Warri South West.

    Efe Ofobruku, representing Uvwie, nominated Eric Oharisi, representing Ughelli North II; he was seconded by Daniel Yingi, representing Burutu I.

    Oharisi stepped down for Oboriovwori, who he described as an elder brother.

    He praised Ofobruku and Yingi for nominating him.

    Osanebi put Oboriovwori’s nomination to vote and he was unanimously adopted.

    The Clerk, Mrs Lyna Ocholor, administered relevant oaths on Oboriovwori and Erijo.

    In his acceptance speech, Oboriovwori promised to adhere to the rules of Assembly.

    He said as the first among equals, he would accord every member due respect.

    The new Speaker said he would not allow the integrity of the Assembly to be trampled upon.

  • Ondo Assembly converts removal

    The Ondo State House of Assembly has converted the controversial impeachment of its former principal officers to resignation.

    At plenary yesterday, Gbenga Araoyinbo moved the motion and was seconded by Sunday Olajide.

    A group of 13 lawmakers had impeached and suspended former Speaker Jumoke Akindele and other principal officers in February.

    The affected officers resigned two weeks ago as part of the reconciliation efforts in the Assembly.

  • Benue: Ortom sends names of 4 commissioner nominees to Assembly

    Benue: Ortom sends names of 4 commissioner nominees to Assembly

    Gov. Samuel Ortom has forwarded the names of four nominees to the Benue House of Assembly for confirmation as commissioners.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Gov. Ortom in February dropped four of his commissioners in a cabinet reshuffle.

    The affected commissioners were those of the Ministry of Water Resources and Environment, Information and Orientation, Tourism and Culture as well as Women Affairs and Social Development.

    According to a letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Ijohor (SAN), the commissioner-nominees are Dr Utsev Terlumun, Mr Isegbe Ladi, Mr Joseph Shimaor and Mr Unenge Bernard.

    The Speaker of the House, Mr Terhemen Ikyange, said the nominees would appear for screening before the Assembly at a later date. (NAN)

  • Masari bans unlawful assembly in Katsina

    Masari bans unlawful assembly in Katsina

    Kaduna State Governor Aminu Masari has signed an order banning any form of unlawful assembly in the state.

    The ban was announced yesterday in a statement by Masari’s media aide, Abdu Labaran.

    Labaran said the February 27 order was in consonance with the power conferred on the governor by Section 97 (A) of the Penal Code.

    “Governor Masari declared that any assembly of two or more persons in any part of Katsina State is, hereby, banned.

    “The assembly, by whatever name and whether members are armed or not, is banned.

    “And if the objective of the assembly is to kill, injure, harass and intimidate the public or provoke breach of public peace, or go against the government or any public servant in exercising his lawful powers, resist execution of any law or of any legal process; or commit any mischief or criminal trespass or other offence.

    “Or enforce any right or supposed right by means of criminal force or show of criminal force; or compel any person to do what he/she is not legally bound to do or prevent to do what he/she is legally entitled to do by means of criminal force or show of criminal force,” he said.

    The statement added that defaulters will be prosecuted.

  • PDP wins Assembly’s, Reps’ seats in Rivers

    PDP wins Assembly’s, Reps’ seats in Rivers

    •Returning Officer: Wike humiliated us
    •Governor: we resisted rigging

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates were yesterday declared winners of the legislative rerun elections in Etche, Rivers State.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected the results.

    Figures released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) shows Chief Jerome Eke of the PDP scored 15, 221 votes to defeat his closest rival, Ogbonnaya Wuke of the APC, who scored 6, 220 votes.

    Anthony Ejiogu of the PDP scored 4, 162 votes to win the election. The APC candidate, Golden Chioma, had 1, 618 votes.

    The results were announced by Prof. Shola Omotola and Mr Olatubosun Odusanya. But the APC agents rejected the results citing alleged irregularities. About  15,131 votes were cancelled in six wards and 44 polling units.

    Omotola,  a professor of Political Science from the Federal  University Oye-Ekiti, accused Governor Nyesom Wike of humiliating returning officers. He said the governor was at INEC office at midnight to insist on declaration of results.

    He said: “I am not going to deny that the governor was here, (INEC office), last night. I’m not also going to deny the fact that I felt thoroughly humiliated, embarrassed, whatever way you want to describe it.

    “When we left the venue at Etche, we saw tension building. I called the National Commissioner, and appealed to her to inform the military personnel to provide escort for us to move out of that place.

    “To my surprise, we got here (INEC office), a few minutes to 12 midnight and we met the governor already inside here, INEC premises; how he got here I don’t know, but for the fact that we were thoroughly humiliated cannot be denied. It is important I clarify that.

    “It is however also important that I reassure you that yes, the governor used all tricks to force us to declare results. But, we stood our ground. We never declared any results yesterday. What we did when he insisted was on getting a copy of the results we have tallied.

    “He came together with PDP agent; but what I am trying to say is that on the basis of those threats, yield to his demands and again, it is also important that I reiterate the fact that the results that were so presented was as gotten from the LGA.”

    Wike’s media aide, Simeon Nwakaudu, in a statement yesterday, said: “As the two INEC  Returning Officers  for the Etche/ Omuma Federal Constituency, Prof   Shola Omotola and  Etche Constituency 2, Oluwatosin Odusonya were about to declare  the PDP  winner, military personnel  at the Collation Center  brought a phone to them, claiming that the  call was from the National Commissioner  of  INEC in charge of the election.

    “Upon receiving  the call, INEC Returning Officer  for Etche/ OmumaFederal Constituency, Prof Shola Omotola  stated that all collated results should be  moved to the Port Harcourt office of INEC.

    “Soldiers of the Nigerian Army who stopped the declaration at Okehi moved the collated results alongside party agents and political leaders to Port Harcourt.  They were joined by PDP leaders led by Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and the APC Candidate for Etche/ Omuma Federal Constituency, Mr Ogbonna Nwuke.

    “At the headquarters, leaders of the two parties insisted that the two INEC Returning Officers  publicly announce collated results  to the media and party agents present.

    “After the announcement, the INEC Returning Officers handed the already  collated results  to party agents.

    “Party leaders  left INEC  by 3.30am on Sunday  morning, while agents  and security  agencies  were detailed to  stay with the INEC  Returning Officers  for the declaration of results  by 9am on Sunday, 26th February, 2017.

    “The Returning Officers claimed that they were directed by the National Commissioner not to declare PDP  winner  of the two elections.  They claimed that the National Commissioner said she must get clearance  from Abuja, before  any further step would be  taken.”

     

  • Five Lagos PDP assembly members defect to APC

    Five Lagos PDP assembly members defect to APC

    Five out of the eight Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Lagos State House of Assembly members on Wednesday defected to the ruling All Progressive Congress(APC).

    Details later.

     

  • Assembly to partner RTEAN on tourism

    Assembly to partner RTEAN on tourism

    Lagos State House of Assembly has promised to partner with the state branch of Road Transport Employers’ of Nigeria (RTEAN) to boost tourism ahead of “Lagos at 50” celebrations.
    House Committee on Tourism, Art and Culture chairman Desmond Elliot told RTEAN members during a visit to their secretariat.
    He said: “Transportation is key to tourism because tourists need to be transported from one point to the other”.
    RTEAN Chairman Alhaji Musa Muhammed hailed the committee, saying it was the first time any arm of government or its agencies visited the association.
    “We have never been recognised except during election because we have 20,000 members that are eligible voters in Lagos State,” he said.
    RTEAN, he said, was ready to support the government and its policies. He said they were given 52 garages in six council areas, but noted that none is operational.
    A member of the committee and Central Business District (CBD) Committee Chairman Victor Akande said: “Transportation cuts across other committees, so we need your assistance and collaboration, we will in turn come together to assist you”.