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Tag: Bukola Saraki

  • Expectations For The Week

    Expectations For The Week

    As we enter into another week, one wonders if the 2017 budget will be worked on by the Senate. Last week, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki said on the floor of the Senate that various committees are yet to submit their reports. With eight months left in the year, there is a high possibility that the budget will not be properly implemented – this is risky for the economic health of the country .

    The battle for supremacy between the Senate and the Presidency seems like a never-ending saga, however, a peace committee has been set up which is to be headed by Vice – President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. The committee which has current ministers who were ex-senators as members will seek to settle the sudden “supremacy battle” currently hindering the smooth running of governance between the executive and legislative arms of the country.

    Recently, the Senate decided not to screen the 27 nominees for Resident Electoral Commission (REC) sent by the President until their recommendation of replacing Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu is adhered to. Magu, was rejected by the Senate for the second time despite re-nomination by President Muhammadu Buhari. Will the President’s proposed closed-door meeting with Saraki end the macabre dance in the senate?

    Also, the current suspension of Senator Ali Ndume for six months by the senate is said to be generating heat as some “stakeholders” are trying to settle the current case between the Borno Senator and the “super powers” in the red chamber. Ndume was suspended  for bringing the name of the Senate into disrepute after calling for the investigation of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Senator Dino Melaye. Melaye was investigated after a certain online publication said he didn’t graduate from Ahmadu Bello University, a claim the Vice Chancellor of the institution has refuted. Saraki’s issue had to do with the importation of an SUV without paying customs duties; however, the ex-Governor has said the Senate (and not himself) was responsible for the importation.

    The current health crisis ravaging the country in recent times needs to be STOPPED. Meningitis, which is an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord causes several neausating and incommodious effects on it victim – skin rashes, seizures, vomiting, fever, bodily temperature, increased sensitivity to light, confusion, tightness in the neck muscles etc. It has claimed over three hundred lives and there seems not to be a solution to it. The minister of health, Prof. Isaac Adewole has assured Nigerians that the Federal Ministry of Health under his purview would nip the outbreak of meningitis ravaging some states in the bud. He said his ministry is “in constant discussion with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, E- health Africa and other international health agencies of supplies  of vaccines and injections”. With so many deaths already, the minister has to know that the time to act is NOW.

    As the Big Brother Naija enters into the final week, the excitement across the country from fans of the entertaining show is gradually getting to the peak. Just yesterday, Bally got evicted after getting nominated for eviction alongside Tboss, DebbieRise and Marvis. As it stands, Efe remains the only male standing in the house with four women (Tboss, DebbieRise, Bisola and Marvis) to contend with…A VERY LUCKY MAN! With over 11 million votes announced by show host Ebuka Uchendu for just yesterday’s eviction, the show organizers will be smiling to the bank after it ends at the weekend. After another week of performing various tasks, the housemate with the highest number of votes gotten by the viewers WINS in six days’ time.

    The excitement in the Nigerian Professional Football League has continued to draw more attention after the unpredictable nature of the league continued yesterday. Before round 18 games, MFM fc was sitting atop the log but after a 4-0 drubbing at Lafia and victories for both El-Knemi and Plateau United, the former climbs to second while the latter now lead the league and Mfm are presently third.  Without doubt, El-Kanemi’s next weekend encounter with Mfm fc at the Agege Stadium will be the match to watch; both teams have the same points (30 points) and are only separated by goal difference.

    Segun Odunayo tweets from @Segun_Odunayo

  • Buhari, Dogara meet in Aso Villa

    Buhari, Dogara meet in Aso Villa

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday met behind closed doors with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    It was also gathered that the Senate President, Bukola Saraki was expected to join the meeting.

    Dogara arrived the Villa at exactly 12 noon.

    The meeting may not be unconnected with the face-off between the Executive and the legislative arms of government.

    The grey areas included the summons of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Hameed Ali, who was to appear in uniform, the rejection of Ibrahim Magu as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and the extension of tenure of a Permanent Secretary by the President which the House of Representatives is currently kicking against.

    The Presidency last week set up a committee to meet with the leadership of both Chambers of the National Assembly to reach a compromise on the issues.

    The committee chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has membership including ex-lawmakers in the cabinet.

    The meeting was still in progress at the time of filing this report.

  • We did nothing wrong on Paris Club refund- Governors Forum

    We did nothing wrong on Paris Club refund- Governors Forum

    The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) has dismissed reports of illegal dealings regarding the release of the first batch of the Paris Club refund to state governments.

    It however confirmed that it hired consultants to facilitate the disbursement of her funds to the various state governments.

    In a statement signed by the Head of Media, Abulrazque B. Barkindo, the forum said it was not within its purview to determine how the consultants spend the money.

    The Forum said that the directive by President Muhammadu Buhari to the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria to release the second batch of the money was a confirmation of the confidence the President has on the governors.

    The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to publications in the media which are believed to have emanated from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) about a purported report the anti-graft agency submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari, on March 10, 2016.

    “The report is said to have indicted the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and imputed illegal dealings in the disbursement of the Paris Club refund payment to states of the federation as handled by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).

    “While the NGF will not want to repeatedly join issues with the EFCC on the disbursement of the first tranche of the Paris Club refund, particularly after its officials have been interrogated by the anti-corruption agency and we provided all necessary and required details and documents regarding disbursement to states, including harmonizing the number of consultants and payment made to them, we are constrained to once again state the following for the benefit of members of the public:

    “It is true that Melrose General Services Limited was one of the consultants that was duly engaged and documented to facilitate the disbursement of the Paris Club Refund. The consultant was also paid an amount commensurate to the services it provided, among other numerous consultants that were involved in the process.

    “It is not in the NGF’s purview to determine how Melrose or other consultants disburse or utilize the consultancy fee paid to them. The NGF should therefore not be dragged into how its suppliers, lawyers, contractors and consultants spend their legitimate incomes and revenues.

    “It may interest the public to know that the NGF is still being inundated with claims from many other consultants from all over the country who had earlier been engaged and promised commission by the respective states.

    “The NGF maintains its earlier position that it has done nothing illegal as far as the disbursement of the Paris Club Refund to states and the consultants are concerned. The Forum has all necessary approvals to act in the manner it did. Therefore, the misinformation in the media about the disbursement and insinuations being made concerning some Governors that are being mentioned is outright mischief.

    “We will like to state that the approval for the release of the second tranche of the Paris Club refund by President Muhammadu Buhari is indicative of his Confidence in the NGF for the manner it handled the disbursement of the first tranche of the fund.

    “The NGF would like to once again place it on record that it played an altruistic and patriotic role in ensuring that it aided, as directed, approved and authorized by the Presidency, Federal Ministry of Finance, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Debt Management Office (DMO) and all other necessary agencies of government, the disbursement of the funds to entities and individuals lawfully entitled to it. All approvals, authorization, terms of engagements and disbursement were properly documented and are verifiable by anyone, including the general public.”

     

  • Saraki denies importing bullet proof car

    Saraki denies importing bullet proof car

    Senate President Bukola Saraki has denied ever importing any bullet proof car contrary to the report laid before the Senate.

    Saraki made the denial when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions in Abuja on Monday.

    He said he had nothing to do with the vehicle under reference, adding that the allegation was an attempt to malign his person.

    “I am not (an) importer and at no point did I import an SUV Range Rover. As you know, this is a vehicle that is not a personal vehicle.

    “It is a vehicle which was processed through the National Assembly.

    “I don’t know anything about the importation; I did not appoint any clearing agent or anything like that.

    “Most of the vehicles that are here you only know when it is delivered to you. None of this did I import or getting any agent or going to the port.

    “This is not true, those that said it know it is not true, (the) Customs knows it is not true.

    “This is because we all know that all treated vehicles have end user certificate and there it states clearly who the importer is and these documents are available and there is no document anywhere that shows my name.

    “So, I want to state categorically that this is not true and it is important that I come here and clear my name and put this matter to rest.

    “We all raised the issue of the policy that is anti-people in the interest of Nigerians.

    “This policy that really had no value at all and that was why this motion came up and we debated it in the interest of Nigerians.

    “Unfortunately those who want to fight back went and thought there was something to blackmail us with.

    “I know the documents you have will show clearly that it has nothing to do with me’’, he said.

    The Senate President commended the committee for giving him a fair hearing.

    He said the process would further strengthen the institution as well as protect the country’s democracy.

    “I believe that this process is good for us. It will further strengthen our institution.

    “It is a great day for our democracy for me to come before you as the President of the Senate.

    “We must protect this institution. As members, we will come and go but we must protect this institution.

    “To ridicule an institution of this magnitude is not something we should take lightly and that is why I have taken the time to be here.

    “Today, it is me but tomorrow it will be another person.

    “I think it is part of the sacrifice we are making in the work that we are doing that we have this kind of case that did not hold water.

    “We must protect this institution because this is the only thing we can leave. The difference between military rule and democracy is the parliament.

    “For as long as the parliament is weak, our democracy can never be strong’’, he said.

    Saraki reiterated that democracy could only be strong with a strong parliament.

    He added that the parliament would only be strong if the lawmakers respected the Standing Order and the Constitution.

    The Senate President noted that it was his belief in the institution of the National Assembly and the legislature as a whole that motivated him to appear before the committee.

    He pointed out that “that is why I told myself that I must come here no matter how ridiculous I felt it was “because the documents are clear.

    “There is nowhere it said I imported it; it is not my private vehicle.

    The importer of the car, Tokunbo Akindele,  said it was imported on behalf of Oando Plc in 2015.

    He denied allegations that Saraki had any link with the car.

    According to him, the car was imported by the company for the various operations it had around the country.

    He also explained that “at no point did we submit any fake document for the clearing of the car.

    “We followed all due processes in terms of payment to the company which handled the entire process for us.

    “In 2015, on behalf of the firm that I work for, Oando PLC, we imported a Range Rover Bullet Proof SUV vehicle.

    “We imported it as the company that needed to use it for the various operations that we have around the country.

    “The car took longer than was expected and by the time it reached Nigeria in 2015, September, we decided that we will no longer be using the car, so we effectively parked it.

    “We mandated a company offshore to buy the car, armour the car, ship the car, clear the car with Customs and just deliver the car to us as a full-fledged service.

    “We received the car in September 2015 assuming that all of these things were done.

    “All payments were made for the acquisition, the armouring, the shipping as well as the clearing of which we have necessary evidence.’’

    He further explained that at no point did the company receive any documentation from the National Assembly in the process of clearing the car.

    “We were not a part of clearing the car, we were the customer; we were expected to receive the car for our own use.

    “The vehicle was not to be used by Sen. Bukola Saraki, it was not imported or acquired for his use at the time the vehicle came into the country.

    “The National Assembly took receipt of the car through a consignment from us, through Lanre Shittu Motors in December 2015.

    He said the car was in the country for two months and with no use, adding that it was at that point that Oando released it to Lanre Shittu on consignment who sold it to the National Assembly.

    Chairman of the committee, Sen. Sam Anyanwu,  gave assurance that the committee will do all within its powers to ensure that all parties involved got fair hearing.

    While commending the president of the senate for appearing before the committee, Anyanwu said the committee would continue to work for the advancement of democracy and protection of the parliament.

    He said the customs boss, “will appear before it on Tuesday to speak on behalf of the Nigeria Customs Service.’’

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls a section of the media had reported that Nigeria Customs Service had impounded aN298million worth of vehicle with fake documents.

  • Senate commiserates with British Parliament over terror attack

    The Senate has commiserated with the British Parliament over Wednesday’s terror attack outside the parliament in Westminster which killed three people.

    The Senate took the step following a point of order by the Leader of the Senate, Sen.  Ahmed Lawan, on Thursday’s plenary.

    “The Senate notes with utter sadness the attack by terrorists on the House of Parliament in Westminster,” Lawan said.

    He said the Senate believed “that the attackers carefully touched the legislature which is the mark of liberty and democracy”.

    Lawan said the issue of terrorism was no longer a local issue of any country but that any terrorist attack on any country was an action on all  those who cherished freedom from oppression and the right to be free.

    According to him, the Senate will not relent and must indeed continue to fight terrorism in whatever shape or form it takes, irrespective of where it is targeted.

    “The Senate recognises the long standing and historic relationship between the Nigerian Parliament and Westminster.

    “The Senate reiterates our earlier role as a parliament for broader cooperation against terrorism on a global scale and the need to build synergy and partnership in this regard,” it said.

    Contributing, Sen. Mohammed Hassan (PDP-Yobe), who seconded the motion, said: “This building (the Senate) is vulnerable to such attack.

    “The leadership of the Senate should take a very drastic measure to ensure that things like this are averted.”

    Sen. George Sekibo (PDP-Rivers) said “it was frightening when we heard of terrorist attack on the legislature.”

    “They want to discourage the legislature from saying the truth or functioning in their full capacity for the purpose in which the legislature is set up. We should not be afraid we should do our work as it is expected.”

    The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, described the attack as sad and horrifying.

    “The message is that any attack on any parliament anywhere in the world is an attack on all parliaments.

    “This Senate conveys our solidarity and support for our colleagues in the UK parliament and to the people in the United Kingdom in general.

    “We continue to stand together in the fight against terrorism,” he said.

     

  • Ndume to Saraki, Melaye: Clear yourselves of car importation, fake certificate allegations

    Ndume to Saraki, Melaye: Clear yourselves of car importation, fake certificate allegations

    Former Senate leader, Senator Ali Ndume on Tuesday asked the president of the Senate, Bukola Saraki and Senator Dino Melaye to clear their names over allegations of importation of bullet proof car with fake papers and parading fake certificates respectively.

    Details shortly…

  • Expectations for the week

    [dropcap]A[/dropcap]s we begin a new week, several actions, decisions and activities will be taken in various walks of life across the country.

    From politics, sports, fashion and entertainment, this column will give you a quick peep into expectations for the week. Today, the debut of juicy news to expect hits your tabs, laptops and phones.

    First, let’s start with the melodrama by some of our incredibly talented thespians in the Senate. The seemingly unending saga involving the Customs boss Col. Hameed Ali, about his UNIFORM and the refusal of the senate to lay down its ego for an insubordinate retired colonel leaves much to be imagined.

    [quote font_size=”18″ color=”#000000″ bgcolor=”#e5c834″ bcolor=”#dd3333″ arrow=”yes”]Trending:

    Reliable sources have it that the Customs boss rather than appear on the stated date, met the Senate President, Bukola Saraki a day before in a closed-door meeting. Still unsatisfied with the meeting, the senators demanded he appeared before them last Friday.

    The iconoclast, Col. Ali, shocked everyone when he appeared in flowing white robes matched with a white cap…interesting! When asked why he didn’t wear his uniform, he said his letter of invitation did not specifically inform him of what to wear. He was “sent” back home to dress properly, and was told to appear this Wednesday in his uniform.

    Will Col. Ali appear in his uniform as stipulated by the Senate? This will be answered in the next forty-eight hours.

    Secondly, Nigerians will be eager to know what will become of the acting EFCC boss, Ibrahim Magu. Twice, he has been rejected by the Senate; the latest, on the grounds of failing the highly revered “integrity test” by some “men of integrity” in the senate. Their decision they say is predicated on the report by the DSS. Will the President resend his name to the Senate or nominate another individual? It is only a question of time!

    On the entertainment scene, the Big Brother Naija housemates may be reduced by one later in the week. Just yesterday, Thin Tall Tony (TTT) got evicted after getting the least number of votes. TTT, DebbieRise, T-boss and Efe were put up for eviction last week. As the show enters it’s closing stages, many viewers are expectant of more scintillating drama that has followed the show from the beginning.

    After Don Jazzy’s surprise visit to the housemates today, the viewers will love to know which celebrity will be next to visit the housemates.

    In sports, after defeating the league leaders at home yesterday to go second on the table, MFM FC have another home fixture on Wednesday which will make them go top of the league if they win. Star striker, Stephen Odey will have to be in his usual top form if the “Olukoya boys” are to continue their good home run. Will the Agege based club win and go top of the Nigerian football league? Time will tell…

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  • Saraki congratulates new CAF President, Ahmad

    Saraki congratulates new CAF President, Ahmad

    The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, on Thursday congratulated the newly-elected President of African Football Confederation (CAF), Madagascar’s Ahmad Ahmad.

    Saraki said in Abuja that Ahmad as a consummate technocrat would help to usher in an era of innovation and positive change in the affairs of CAF.

    “Ahmad’s victory is testament to his determination to positively alter the 29-year status quo in CAF,” Saraki said in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu.

    “His predecessor, Issa Hayatou had served the organisation well; now, we look forward to the new leadership to usher in an era of change and effectiveness to raise the standard of African football across all levels.”

    Saraki also urged Football Associations (FA) across the continent to rally support for the new CAF president to deliver on his electioneering promises for the good of African football.

    “This is a new beginning and we cannot afford to make the mistakes of the past.

    “African football has been yearning for a new direction and now that this opportunity to inject fresh blood into the management of CAF has been realised, it is time for stakeholders to extend the frontiers and fortunes of African football at the global level,” Saraki said.

    He commended the outgoing President of CAF, Issa Hayatou, for his services and contributions to the development of football in Africa in his 29-year headship of the body.

  • Senate seeks replacement for Magu

    Senate seeks replacement for Magu

    Following Senate’s non-confirmation of acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu as Chairman of the Commission, the Senate has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to send the name of another nominee for the position.

    President of the Senate, Bukola  Saraki, said the Senate had played its constitutional role as an arm of government on the matter.

    He said there is need to fill  any vacuum that might be created in the commission following Magu’s rejection.

    “With the screening being carried out in a transparent manner, we see democracy at work.

    “I believe we have played our part; we have followed the Constitution and due process.

    “We hope that the executive will quickly act and bring in another name as soon as possible so that the activities of the agency will not be crippled,’’ Saraki stated.

  • Customs boss visits Saraki as Senate expects him Wednesday

    Customs boss visits Saraki as Senate expects him Wednesday

    The Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, retired Col. Hameed Ali, on Tuesday paid a visit to the President of the Senate, Dr  Bukola Saraki.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the comptroller-General, who arrived the National Assembly complex at about 5.30 p.m., was first received by the Leader of the Senate, Sen.  Ahmed Lawan.

    He then went into a close door session with Saraki.

    The Customs boss later left the complex in company of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Sen. Ita Enang, at about 6.49 p.m.

    NAN recalls that the Senate on Tuesday at plenary session insisted that Ali must appear before it in uniform on Wednesday.

    This followed the receipt of a letter from Ali seeking permission not to appear on Wednesday.

    An Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr Azarema Abdulkadir, had written to the Clerk of the Senate requesting that the upper chamber gives the Comptroller-General a new date to appear before it.

    NAN recalls the Senate had on March 9, asked Ali to appear in plenary session in uniform on Wednesday to address the issues of retrospective payment of duty on vehicles.

    The letter was read by the Clerk, Mr Nelson Ayewoh, to the senators at plenary session.

    It stated that Wednesday coincided with the fortnightly meeting of the NCS management.