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Tag: Deputy Minority Leader

  • Atiku to Reps: Why I want to contest

    …As lawmakers demand automatic return tickets

     

    The former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar met with members of the House of Representatives under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Thursday night in the National Assembly (NASS).

    The caucus was led by the Deputy Minority Leader, Chukwuka Onyema.

    The PDP presidential candidate used the opportunity to acquaint the members of reasons for his ambition.

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    The former Vice President personally distributed his letter of intent to each member of the caucus and some reformed All Progressives Congress (rAPC).

    The letter reads in part: “After thorough consultations with my families,  major stakeholders within man outside the party including party stalwarts, traditional and religious leaders, various youths and women groups, the civil society and the private sector; I , Atiku Abubakar, wishbone inform you about my aspiration for the exalted office of the President of Federal Republic of Nigerian under the flagship of People’s Democratic Party (PDP)

    “As stipulated by the Party constitution and guidelines for nomination, it is mandatory that we go through the process of presidential  party primary election.

    “It is in line with this that I wish to humbly solicit your votes during this all important process.

    “I am in no doubt that with your support, in will emerge victorious amongst other candidates at the forthcoming Presidential primary election.

    “Together, we can liberate, repair and refocus our country Nigeria. Together, we can put Nigeria back inbred right pedestal. Together, we can get Nigeria working again”.

    The Deputy Minority Leader of the House, Hon. Chukwuka Onyema who spoke on behalf of the Minority leader, Leo Ogor, appreciated the candidate for the interactive session.

    He appreciated the consultation with the caucus as being an important part of the process.

    He however reminded Abubakar how important an automatic return ticket is to all the lawmakers.

    Though some of the lawmakers that included reformed All Progressives Congress (rAPC) wanted to ask questions, Onyema prevailed on them to shelve the questions since further meetings would take place even outside the NASS complex.

    He said: “We are happy that you already know the importance of legislators coming back as many times as possible and seeing our former leader Abdul Ningi who does not follow anyone that is going to fail.

    “In our usual way, we will look at this, go over it and come up with one voice. Any decision we take, we go together and try as much as possible to earn 100 percent”.

    Atiku left while the lawmakers stayed behind for more deliberation where Onyema was heard stressing the importance of a united decision.

  • Dogara dispels allegations of witch hunting over investigation of NDPHC

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives,  Yakubu Dogara has said that the investigation of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) Ltd over alleged  misappropriation of over N10 trillion ($30b) should not be misconstrued as witch hunting.

    The Speaker said the company that is being funded by tax payer’s money has refused to follow due process by failing to present its expenditure to the National Assembly while spending without legislative approvals.

    He said the investigation of over $30b of public fund by the company since 2005 was borne out of the need to find a lasting solution to the challenges in the nation’s power sector that has adversely affected all efforts to transform the nation’s economy.

    Read Also:Plateau killings: Buhari meets Saraki, Dogara in Aso Rock

    NDPHC Ltd, established in 2005 was funded with $8.5b by the Federal, States and Local governments (LGs) with the Federal government bearing 47 percent of the cost while and 53 percent was shared by the State and 774 LGs.

    The shareholding composition of the company was 937,648,742 for the Federal Ministry of Finance Incorporated, 710,864,796 shares for States, 351,486,461 shares for LGS and 1 share for the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    Dogara, spoke Thursday at an investigative hearing by the Darlington Nwokocha-led ad hoc Committee where he said the House was particularly concerned about making the NDPHC to work to fulfil its intended objectives as an important agency in the nation’s electricity industry.

    Represented by the Deputy Minority Leader, Chukwuka Onyeama (PDP, Anambra), the Speaker said the House will not relent until all allegations of misuse of N10.08 trillion (about $30b) by NDPHC is unraveled.

    He said the investigation became imperative as more than half of the money was sourced from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) belonging to the three tiers of government.

    He said: “From the information made available to the National Assembly, the NDPHC Ltd. has since 2005 invested over $30b, over half of which was sourced from the ECA belonging to the three tiers of Government, while the balance consists of funds from other investors.

    “As a Limited Liability Company, the operations, management and accounting procedures of the NDPHC Limited is subject to the overriding provisions of the Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in general, and the Companies and Allied Matters Act, (CAMA), in particular.

    “However, the available information is that the Company has failed to comply with very serious and important provisions of the Law, such that the very essence of the company, and by extension the NIPP, is seriously threatened.

    “Furthermore, the NDPHC does not submit its annual budget and project plans for appropriation by the National Assembly, while, as alleged, it also generates Internally Generated Revenues (IGR) in trillions of Naira, which cannot be determined because it is neither divulged nor paid into the coffers of the Government, but rather expended by the company without Legislative approval or input from the other tiers of Government.

    “Most importantly, information available from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) conveys very disturbing signals that the trillions of Naira purportedly invested into the NIPP by the Federal, the 36 States and the 774 Local Governments have not been securitized as only two billion Naira is said to be registered as shares in the CAC for the three tiers of Government”.

    However, while NDPHC’s Chairman, Managing Director (MD), Chinedu Ugbo claimed to be unaware of specific allegations of funds misappropriation, the Association Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) disclosed that it was unaware of its participation in the formation of the company.

    The MD sought the indulgence of the Committee to amend the presentation earlier made to the Committee after the legal representative of the company, Olusola Oke, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) was denied audience by the Committee

    Ugbo afterward restated the submission of his legal adviser that he was unaware of the specific allegations of financial infractions.

    He pleaded for time to enable him report back at a later date for a comprehensive response to the allegations.

    On his part, the Director General of the Nigerian Governor’s Forum (NGF), Abdullateef Shittu, who could not make a comprehensive submission, however disclosed that shares belonging to the Local Governments were delivered through the NGF.

    Shittu pleaded with the Committee for more time to provide detailed information requested due to the short notice of the invitation.

    On his part, the consultant that represented ALGON, Mohammed Ali said the organizational was not aware of its investment in NDPHC.

    Ali said ALGON has never been invited to NDPHC’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) and neither has it received Share Certificate or dividends for its investments in the company since inception in 2005.

    ALGON demanded for 10 years audited account of the company to enable it make informed decision on what next step to take about its investment in the company.

    A member of the Committee, Abiodun Olasupo (Oyo state) wondered whether NGF was trying to shield certain interests by failing to make a detailed presentation on account of short notice.

    He said ALGON got the invitation same time with NGF and was able to make its presentation.

    Earlier, Committee Chairman Nwokocha said the House was forced to launch the investigation due to the avalanche of petitions on allegations against the composition, management and operations of the company.

    “This investigation into afford all stakeholders an opportunity to participate and be heard on this issue of national importance,” he said.

    The hearing was adjoined indefinitely.

  • Reps PDP caucus rejects new PDP

    Reps PDP caucus rejects new PDP

    The caucus of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Representatives has described those behind the formation of a new faction of the party as ‘impostors’.

    The caucus in a statement Thursday by the Deputy Minority Leader, Chukwuka Onyema said it will never recognize or interact with the new faction, while calling for the investigation of the activities of those behind it by security agencies.

    The statement reads: “This band of impostors – pawns being strung along by devious elements in the ruling party – has the audacity to arrogate the name of our party, the PDP, to its misadventure, using a rented space somewhere in Asokoro, Abuja.

    “Feigning complete ignorance that the Wadata Plaza national headquarters of the PDP that is recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission is located at Wuse Zone 5 in Abuja, they pasted two copies of our flag on the wall and went to town like a band of jesters.

    “The PDP House caucus hereby declares that the five leprous fingers said to constitute the mischievous adventure do not constitute any faction, splinter group or whatever fanciful description they claim within PDP as they are only serving the errands of the ruling party elements planning to use them for even more mischief early next year.

    “The activities of the said men claiming to be starting a fresh PDP deserve urgent investigation and immediate halt by the police and the Department of State Security as we would not want enraged supporters of the PDP to take the laws into their hands in the process of dealing with such miscreants.

    “There is need to investigate how far these five leprous fingers are connected to the APC and its past record of widespread deceit and unscrupulous propaganda.

    “Our convention has come and gone in the face of a ruling party that seems so petrified at the thought of facing a reawakened PDP, even as it remains unable to hold a national convention like we did”.

  • $30 billion loan: Reps’ South-East Caucus gives Buhari conditions

    $30 billion loan: Reps’ South-East Caucus gives Buhari conditions

    …Vow vigilance over Sharia Bill

    …Protest killing of Igbos in FCT

    The South East Caucus in the House of Representatives Thursday said they were unclear as to the intent of the Federal Government concerning the $29.9 billion foreign loan for which it seeks approval from the National Assembly.

    The Caucus also said the controversial Sharia Bill is a Constitutional matter that cannot be sneaked through without the knowledge of lawmakers and vowed that the Caucus will be on high alert for the piece of legislation.

    While addressing the press on matters relating to the economy, the Caucus leader, Chukwumah Onyeama, Deputy Minority Leader, said the information concerning the loan needs to meet the threshold of transparency.

    “Details of the terms of the loans- duration cost, and application are unclear. Details of the loan utilization must be made available, to us to ensure geographical spread and relevance to current economic outlook with a view to Jon creation and inclusive growth for all sectors/ sections  if the country.

    “We therefore insist that as part of this country, the South East infrastructural deficit must be captured to ensure uniform development and inclusive growth.

    Recall that the Senate had earlier in the week rejected the request of the Federal Government to borrow $29.9 billion foreign loan while the House is yet to debate the loan.

    The Caucus while speaking on the economic situation downturn in the country said: “”We recognize that as our country goes through an economic recession which has resulted in the loss of jobs, decreased spending, more valence of hunger and uncertainty in the polity, we stand with our fellow Nigerians in this difficult period

    “We urge the Executive Arm of Government to speedily formulate Fiscal and Economic Policies that will see an end to the present economic downturn.”

    The lawmakers said that there is need for the President to brief the Legislature on the true state of the economy and his road map to economic recovery. “The urgency cannot be overstated at this time,” they said.

    On the controversial Sharia Bill, they said: “the passage of the Sharia bill passing second reading. You all know gentlemen of the press that any matter that concerns the constitution will, must, in fact, let me use the word “shall”, pass second reading. Then it goes into committee where we are going to debate it.

    “Now be rest assured that the people you see here (the caucus members) I’m sure you recognize all of them on the floor. They cannot sit there and… We’re waiting for it to come on the floor for debate that is when we can discuss this issue.”

    The Caucus also condemned the killing of prominent Ndigbo in the FCT. “Arinze Vhikwem was brutally murdered in Kabusa with over 72 knife stabs. He hails from Mbieri Mbatoli LGA of Imo State.

    “David Nkwazema was stabbed to death in Kuchigoro, he hails from Amakohia Ikeduru LGA of Imo State and Ikechukwu from Enugu State was beheaded at Apo by an Okada rider.

    “We strongly condemn the gruesome murders of the three prominent Mdigbo in the FCT. We call on all relevant authorities including the Nigeria Police Force and the Judiciary to expedite action in bringing the culprits to book,” The lawmakers said.