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Tag: Dogara

  • Benue’s situation a desecration of legislative sanctity, say Saraki, Dogara

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, on Monday described as “a desecration of the legislative sanctity,” the ongoing situation in Benue State where eight out of the 30 members of the State House of Assembly have commenced impeachment process against the Governor Samuel Ortom.

    Saraki and Dogara said the 22 other members of the House who constituted more than two-third majority are kept away from the Assembly complex.

    In a statement jointly signed by their media aides, Yusuph Olaniyonu and Turaki Hassan, the two National Assembly leaders asked President Muhammadu Buhari to call the police to order and stop them from being used to achieve political purposes.

    The statement read: “We have monitored closely the development in Benue State in which the impeached Speaker, Terkimbir Ikyange led seven other members to serve impeachment notice on the state Governor, Samuel Ortom, while the 22 other members who constitute more than two-third majority have been prevented from having access to the chamber. We believe this is illegality and does not conform to parliamentary procedure on impeachment.

    “We also note with surprise the role of the police in this undemocratic event in which the minority is seeking to impeach a governor against the position of the majority. We believe it is the sacred institution of the legislature that is being desecrated and rubbished in all these negative developments.

    “The situation in Benue State House of Assembly has grave implication for the nation’s democracy and it represents a throw-back to the period of dictatorship in our country. It also represents how the Nigeria Police are being misused to achieve political end. In a statement recently, the Presidency derisively referred to an era in the past where a minority number of legislators were used to impeach governors who were unfriendly with the Federal Government. What we are seeing in Benue now is a return to that inglorious era.

    “We believe this unlawful and unconstitutional move to impeach Governor Samuel Ortom by a minority should be condemned by all lovers of democracy at home and abroad. We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to call the police to order and prevent a break-down of law and order. We also call on friends of Nigeria in the international community to lend their voice in condemning the perpetration of illegalities and actions that can subvert our democracy.

    “There is already a tense atmosphere in Benue State following the recent killings. Nobody should encourage any action or move which may exacerbate the security situation in the North Central State. As leaders of the Federal legislature, we are ready to work with our colleagues in both chambers of the National Assembly to prevent any attempt to destroy any state legislature or use it to derail democracy.”

  • APC senators insist Saraki, Dogara must step down

    Three senators defection yet to be announced

    The battle for the control of the National Assembly seems to be getting tougher  – outside the two chambers.

    Despite the defection of some senators and members of the House of Representatives from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), APC senators are insisting on their simple majority, which they believe will soon be more consolidated.

    Besides, they are insisting that Senate President Bukola Saraki and House Speaker Yakubu Dogara must step down when they eventually defect to the PDP – a move they are believed to be planning.

    Senators and members of the House of Representatives supporting President Muhammadu Buhari are back to the drawing board to sustain APC’s majority in the two chambers.

    They are demanding that Saraki and Dogara must step down if the APC retains the majority in the National Assembly by September 26 when the lawmakers end their annual recess.

    The lawmakers, who are mostly members of the Parliamentary Support Group (PSG), may ask Saraki to quit if he is put on trial over the Offa robbery. The Senate President insists on his innocence.

    He was quizzed yesterday by detectives investigating the incident in which no fewer than 33 people died.

    PSG members and some strategists of the President have been meeting on how to “consolidate APC’s majority” in the National Assembly.

    One of the issues on the agenda is Saraki’s refusal to read letters of defection of three senators,  who are defecting from PDP to APC. They are Hajiya Fatima Raji Rasaki; Hope Uzondima and Sunday Ogbuoji.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said Nigerians have not heard the last word on the defections in the National Assembly.

    He said: “We believe APC has the number to hold a simple majority in the two chambers, contrary to what our leaders have been telling the nation. Without Senator Saraki, APC senators are 53 and, of course, it is obvious that APC is in the majority in the House.

    “Pro-Buhari/ APC members of the National Assembly have had some sessions in the last 72 hours and our ultimate goal is to sustain our majority in the two chambers.

    “With the upcoming elections in two states and ongoing talks and reconciliation, we will certainly be up to 57 in the Senate.

    “All we are waiting for is for Saraki and Dogara to tell the nation whether they are defecting or not. Once they defect, we will insist that they must step down as our leaders.

    “By simple majority, we are expected to produce the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. We will not take anything less than that.”

    A PSG leader said: “Deep in their hearts, Saraki and Dogara know that they have some hurdles to cross. The option for Dogara is to remain a member of APC and keep his office. Once he abandons APC for PDP, he has to step aside. And if he does not defect, he won’t get any 2019 ticket in APC.”

    The thinking is that once Saraki defects, he will face a tough battle to retain his seat because, the source said, “we will draw a battle line with our simple majority”. “ It is this dilemma that has delayed them in announcing their next plan of action,” he added, pleading not to be named”.

    A former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, confirmed the demand of APC Senators and Representatives.

    He said: “If Saraki defects, he has to step down. That is what it should be. But, as of now, he has not announced, written or registered. He is only hobnobbing around with PDP. So that is what we have to wait for. If he announces his resignation from APC or his defection, he loses the Senate President’s seat automatically.

    “If Saraki defects to the PDP, he is still our colleague in the Senate, but he cannot remain the Senate President. That cannot work. But he will be a senator like me. The same thing applies to Dogara.

    “You cannot participate in PDP primaries while you remain in APC; it is not possible and you can’t remain in PDP and go and participate in APC primaries. Even the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines do not allow you to do that. You have to move to a certain party before a certain period and the period is usually before the primaries.

    “I remember in my own case, I moved from ANPP to PDP but I had to do that before the expiration of my time.”

    On the consequences of the defections on APC, Ndume said: “In fact, now, we are better off because we now know clearly the colour of the moles and the names of the moles that were living with us and most of these people had issues, which is why they left. Some of them have issues in their constituencies, some with their governors. You cannot say they are not important but they cannot do any damage; they are not indispensable.

    “Our meeting with the President has unified us. Before, some of the defectors were standing up to talk the way they wanted but now we have known true and committed APC senators and Representatives.”

     

  • APC, PDP in war of words over Saraki, Dogara, others

    Senate President: no juicy offers

    We’ll leave APC, says Baraje

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) got yesterday a reply to its threat to boycott next year’s elections.

    You are being hunted by your past, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole told the main opposition party.

    The PDP fired back, saying APC was jittery over coalition between PDP and 38 others.

    Senate President Bukola Saraki and House Speaker Yakubu Dogara and others are believed to be on their way to the PDP, but the APC is urging them to stay.

    Also yesterday, Reformed APC chief Kawu Baraje said the group had decided to leave APC.

    Oshiomhole said the PDP was being haunted by its past treatment of electoral contests as a do-or-die affair, adding that the APC will not be intimidated by any threat of the PDP or any other party as it was committed to the sustenance of democracy and the sanctity of one man, one vote.

    The APC Chairman, who spoke when he received the report of the Osun State governorship primary from the chairman of the primary election panel and Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, stressed that if the APC could defeat the PDP while it still held power in 2015, it can repeat the feat now that PDP is out of office and divided.

    The former Labour leader described the move by the PDP as akin to that of “a rabbit jumping out of a hole in the afternoon because a hunter has come to put fire to smoke it out”.

    He said: “Our message to PDP is clear. Your Excellency, you come from the opposition party in the past, I also come from an opposition party and we knew that we didn’t have a rigging machine. The only thing we had was instrument of persuasion, mobilisation, explaining to people, convincing people and aligning with them and understanding that democracy was with the people at the grassroots.

    “But those who have lived on rigging machines, the one we call ward 16, they are based in Abuja and their only access is where electronics and papers exist. Those ones at old age they can’t possibly learn new tricks and they can’t master the dialogue of electioneering, which is why they got stuck in Ekiti and l am sure they would be flat in Osun.”

    Reacting to the threat by the PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus, who said his party may quit the election over the manipulation of the electoral process, Oshiomhole said: “Let me also use this opportunity to comment on what l read about the PDP chairman. I heard threatening that they may boycott 2019 general elections. When a rabbit in the afternoon jumps out of its hole, not because the hunter has come to smoke it out and it is running, you will know that it has already seen its end.

    “The truth is that we are not desperate; we have worked hard to defeat PDP while they were in power, when they had no faction, when all the founding fathers and founding mothers were in the same house.

    “Nigerian people rejected them on account of 16 years of absolute missrule at the peak of our property as a nation. When oil sold for a $140 per barrel and we came in when oil price had dropped. If with all those huge revenue that accrued to them people complained of bad roads whether from the South to East from the North to the West, they have nothing new to offer to the Nigerian people.

    “I think they are hunted by their own ghost and this is because they had perpetrated a do-or-die politics and they are on records that election matters are do-or-die affairs. One of their old men was recorded as saying that they perfected the language of rigging them out, ‘let them go to court’.

    “Now rigging machines have been dismantled and their problem is how they can survive without it. The glue that held them together, which was cheap money from treasury, again that has been cut off and what they already have, like a typical village sheep, they may chewing it all day all night. Now after three and half years, it almost seems that they have finished all; they have taken and now they are worried.”

    Also yesterday, APC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said in a statement: “After three years in the wilderness, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is understandably excited with possibility of hiding its irredeemably bad image under the heap of a new coalition.

    “Like the vulture, PDP sees every altercation as a potential opportunity for a feast.  If PDP is not alleging wild conspiracies, they are threatening to boycott elections or announcing fake defections. What is clear with all these is that no matter how long a leopard lives, it cannot change its spots.

    “What President Muhammadu Buhari and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the National Chairman of our Party are doing, persuading every aggrieved member not to leave the party, is what responsible and sensible party leaders would do. Party politics is a game of number. And that game is addition.

    “If the PDP had the same presence of mind in 2015, perhaps the calamity that befell them would have been averted. We challenge the PDP to face Nigerians on their own merit in 2019 and stop shopping around for supporters.”

    Speaking on the Osun primary, Oshiomhole said: “l am very excited that you did a fantastic job, because we decided to try a new method. We needed men and women of integrity, who cannot be compromised, who have the courage and can stand their ground on what they believe in.

    “You can’t influence them, you can’t buy them, you can’t bend; you will either agree to stand by the truth or you fall out and l am glad that you have brought those qualities to bear and the result is that we have a panel which people could not question their integrity. So, l want to thank you for accepting this assignment.

    We accept this report in line with the provisions of our constitution and we have set up in line with our rules an appeal panel because however clean a report appears to be members of our party who may be aggrieved either for the right reasons or for the wrong reasons, they have the right of appeal that our party constitution provides for. So, should there be, any of the aspirants who participated and who has reasons to question the outcome of the election they have the right to file an appeal and they will be heard tomorrow (Sunday). Tomorrow, because that is the last day up to 12 midnight by Monday, we are obliged by INEC rules to submit the name of our candidate and the appeal panel will be chaired by Distinguished Senator Obend Domingo, Dr. Aminu Hameed as secretary and Prof. Hamas Bakori as member. This three-member panel are against gentlemen of proven integrity whom we believe can listen to any appeal arising from exercise and scrutinize the procedures and the reports that have been given, hear people out and recommend to us their finding and after which we will submit the name as appropriate to INEC as provided for under our rules.

    “Let me say that l am happy that from your observation, you believe that over 200, 000 APC members participated in selecting the candidate. What that simply means is that even without any additional efforts, we can be rest assured that those 200, 000 card carrying APC members that participated in full freedom chose the candidate, they would naturally proceed to campaign for them around their neighborhood.

    “l understand that this number could have even be higher, but for the fact that those who have joined us recently, have not been formally registered and their names not included in our data bank.

    “Now we are going to open up to ensure that all those thousands of people who have joined the party across the country enter our register. When we do that, you will find that if those number come out to nominate, they would proceed to ensure that the person wins. I think it is a very positive report…”

    Saraki said last night that the speculations about juicy offers being  made to him and his associates as part of the on-going discussions with the Presidency and leadership of the APC are untrue.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki said reports about promise of money or oil block and nomination tickets are simply reducing a major national issue involving many key actors to that of personal benefits and preferences.

    “I believe at this point, it is important for me to make some clarifications, end speculations and make my position clear. It is important for Nigerians to know that the discussions that I and many others of like minds are having with the Presidency and the leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) is not about me and what I want. It involves the future of our country and her democracy. It is about making things better for our people.

    “Though there are many speculations being peddled in the media, let it be known these discussions are not about me. Whatever has happened to me in the past has passed. Now that God in his infinite mercy has vindicated me, I have moved on, believing that we have all learnt our lessons.

    “As I said in my statement following the Supreme Court Judgement on July 6, I cannot hold any grudge against any individual. I have forgiven all those who played any role in my persecution and likewise, I have asked for forgiveness from all those that I wronged in the past. Our focus should now be about Nigeria. The major issue on the table for discussion is how to strengthen our democracy, rebuild our economy, stop the spate of insecurity, improve the conditions of living of our people and generally chart a course for the development of this great country.

    “We will be insulting Nigerians if, as the 2019 elections draw nearer, our deliberations is about personal benefits or how to pay compensation for wrongs done to an individual,” Saraki said.

     

     

  • Defection: PDP gives Saraki, Dogara, Tambuwal, Kwankwaso, others two-week deadline

    •Senate President summons meeting of loyalists, strategists for final decision
    •No timeline for defection, says Ologbondiyan

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seems to be in a hurry to get its deal with members of the Reformed -All Progressives Congress (R-APC) done and sealed.

    The two sides have been locked in intense talks and negotiations over the last few weeks for the aggrieved members of the APC to switch camps ahead of next year’s elections.

    But President Muhammadu Buhari and the new national chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, have also launched peace talks of their own to persuade such APC members to reconsider their plan to dump the party.

    With no defection of note happening as expected by the PDP, the party has   given Senate  President Bukola Saraki, House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara and others a two-week deadline to make up their minds and rejoin it.

    Also being wooed by the PDP are : Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto); Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara); Governor Samuel Ortom (Benue); ex-Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, many Senators and members of the House of Representatives mostly in the Reformed-All Progressives Congress(R-APC) and other willing defectors.

    The Nation gathered that the Senate President who met with Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday, has summoned an emergency meeting of his associates, loyalists and strategists to take a final decision on whether or not to defect.

    The meeting, which may hold anytime this week with tomorrow said to be the target date, if all those concerned could make it to Abuja.

    It was learnt that Saraki has been in Lagos and Ilorin on whistle stops over the last few days for last minute consultations with his allies.

    Sources told The Nation that a committee empanelled by Saraki has recommended that defection is “appropriate and popular” among his loyalists.

    Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the two week deadline was conveyed to Saraki in Ilorin by Governor Nyesom Wike on Wednesday during a closed door session that took place after the Fidau for Hajiya Aishat Baraje, mother of a former National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Kawu Baraje.

    Baraje, who was also chairman of the New PDP (nPDP), is one of the key promoters of R-APC.

    A top source familiar with the development said: “there is no doubt that the PDP delegation came for the Fidau and to mount pressure on Saraki to hasten action on the proposal to accommodate likely defectors from APC to PDP.

    “Wike, who led the team, asked Saraki to wrap up decision on the defection within the next one week or two weeks in order to enable PDP adjust its structures ahead of primaries for various elective posts in 2019.

    “Do not forget that the defection might alter the party structure at the state level and the power sharing formula. The PDP has clearly stated that it will give equal rights and a sense of belonging to all defectors.

    “This deadline applies to Saraki, Dogara, Tambuwal, Kwankwaso, other governors, Senators, members of the House of Representatives, Speakers and members of the State Houses of Assembly; and other party chieftains.

    “The conduct of primaries by all parties is expected to begin on August 18. Any serious defector, technically, has less than three weeks to do so in order to be able to integrate with the structure of the party.

    “And the National Assembly will soon go on break to enable the lawmakers participate in the primaries.”

    Responding to a question, the source said: “I think Wike, who is a key facilitator in strengthening PDP ahead of 2019 poll, is working on a deadline to prevent undue pressure on the APC bigwigs which might make them change their decision.”

    No timeframe for defection, says Ologbondiyan

    However, the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan said last night that there is no timeframe for defection.

    “There is no timeframe for defection. Our constitution says those who are coming to our party can contest election within one month to the conduct of any elective post. And even that one month can still be waived,” he said when contacted by The Nation.

    Continuing, the PDP spokesman said: “I am not aware of the two-week deadline given to those who are defecting and it could not have been true.

    “It is natural for those defecting, who want to contest for elective offices in 2019, to join PDP before the primaries.”

    What INEC time table stipulates

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in January released the guidelines and schedule of activities for the 2019 poll.

    According to the guidelines, all political parties are expected to collect forms for all elections latest by August 24, 2018.

    The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said the notice of election would be communicated on August 17, 2018 in line with Section 30(1) of the Electoral 2010 which provides that the notice of election be made not later than 90 days before the election.

    He said the conduct of party primaries and resolution of disputes from the exercise will hold between August 18 and October 7, 2018.

    Saraki summons meeting with associates

    Sources said Saraki is currently on the last lap of his consultations with his associates on whether to defect or not.

    A final decision is expected to be taken at the meeting which will take place anytime this week.

    Although it was reliably learnt that the session might take place on Monday, it could not be officially confirmed as at the time of going to the press.

    “There is pressure from the two main parties on the President of the Senate. I can tell you that Saraki is on the last lap of consultation on whether to remain in APC or defect to PDP,” a well placed source said last night.

    “You can see that even the President, Vice President and some governors met with him at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday.

    “A committee, set up to consult widely in all the zones and local government areas in Kwara State, has strongly recommended that he should defect. Left to members of the immediate family of Saraki, they do not want him to stay a day longer in APC because of his ordeal in the last three years.

    “As a leader, the president of the Senate will hold a session with his associates, loyalists and strategists on whether to defect or not.  The meeting will hold this week with Monday tentatively in mind. It is a moment he did not expect will come so soon after joining others to form a coalition which led to the birth of APC.”

    The source added: “The greatest concern of Saraki and his loyalists borders on whether President Buhari and APC leaders will keep faith if he remains in APC. No one has trust in the presidency and the APC leaders.

    “If APC returns to power in 2018, the Buhari administration will be going through its constitutionally acceptable second term in which there will not be anything at stake. Are you sure Saraki will be safe enough?”

     

  • Nigerians don’t understand lawmakers’ duties, say Saraki, Dogara

    Senate President Bukola Saraki and House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara yesterday attributed the poor understanding of the National Assembly’s functions to the abiding misconception of the role of the parliament by most Nigerians.

    Saraki also said that the work of the parliament to stabilise democracy and ensure accountability in governance is also misjudged by some people.

    Dogara noted that “Contrary to some mischief makers’ views, legislative oversight and scrutiny is very critical to good governance as the legislature remains perhaps the only arm of government imbued with necessary constitutional powers to obtain information necessary to shine light on any form of abuse, inefficiencies or waste in governance.”

    “Many Nigerians do not quite understand the functions of the Parliament in carrying out its constitutionally assigned roles and responsibilities.”

    “The Parliament does its works through Legislation, Representation and Oversight.  Through Legislation, we make Laws for the peace, order and good governance of the country.  Through Representation, we advance the particular interests of the people of our constituencies and the interests of Nigerians generally, while through Oversight, we oversee or monitor the activities of the other Arms of Government.”

    They spoke at the maiden edition of National Assembly Open Week in Abuja.

    The week- long event marking the end of the third session of the National Assembly, will also witness exhibitions and tours.

    Saraki said: “It remains a concern that, because the legislature is the youngest arm of government in Nigeria, it is the most misunderstood.

    “This is largely due to an abiding misconception as to the role of the legislature and the work we are doing to stabilise democracy and ensure accountability in governance. It is my expectation that this programme will go a long way towards helping to deepen the public understanding of the very real, indispensible work done by lawmakers, in line with our constitutional mandate.”

    Saraki noted that a clear evidence of the negative perception of the National Assembly is the lack of understanding of the budget process and the role of the National Assembly, which is seen, unfairly, as holding up the passing of the budget.

    Insisting that “nothing could be further from the truth” Saraki said “Civil society has a voice at the table, with regard to the budget; public hearing on the budget as part of the enactment process, has come to stay.”

  • Dogara: Every day has been a learning curve

    House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara spoke with reporters in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on the achievements of the Lower Chamber in the last three years, the Not Too Young to Run Act and the crisis in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Excerpts:

    HOW is the House trackling the challenge of lawmaking to deepen democracy?

    I know that democracy is all about due process and the rule of law. The deeper your laws, the deeper your democracy, but I don’t really know of laws that either impact negatively or positively on the lives of the people on their own. Democracy doesn’t just work, it is the people who have to make it work for them.

    Laws are there to cover every strata of human endeavour in Nigeria, from agriculture, commerce, solid minerals, youth development, name them, we have the laws. The question however is whether the citizens are harnessing the opportunities provided by these laws, as that’s what makes the difference. It is citizens operating and harnessing the provisions of the laws that exist in the country that actually bring the difference.

    In the Parliament, under the last three years of our leadership, we have passed into law about 224 bills, and that includes the 21 constitutional amendment bills and most of those bills have been graciously assented to by Mr. President. We have processed to the region of about 1,500 motions and we’ve handled nearly 700 public petitions from citizens who are petitioning the National Assembly for the redress of some issues that they may not be able to prosecute in Court maybe due to the cost of hiring a legal practitioner to do so, so the Parliament has done that.

    At the commencement of our administration, I empanelled a committee of experts consisting of Senior Advocates of Nigeria and law lecturers – some even taught us in the university – to look at the entire count of laws that we have in Nigeria since 1800 and recommend to us what we can do to bring them in line with international best practices. They sat for some months – some of them sacrificed so much, in fact without much compensation – but they devoted their time and at the end of the exercise they turned in about 300 bills, most of which have been processed. In one sitting, we read about 130 bills for the very first time in the history of the House of Representatives, so I’m not aware of laws that will positively impact on the lives of Nigerians that we haven’t touched, as all manner of laws that can be imagined covering all strata of human endeavour in Nigeria.

    What has been the input of the House of Representatives to strengthen the democracy and to make the ease of doing business more effective?

    Democracy is just like the proverbial elephant; you can only debate it depending on the angle at which you touch it. For us to have a robust democracy, you have to consider certain factors. Some very brilliant scholars in Harvard, I think Levitsky and Ziblatt, did a wonderful research on how democracy seems to be dying and it was published this year.

    They stated the need to look at three indices which show that democracies these days hardly die at the hands of men with guns, unlike in those days where coups would put a violent end to a democracy. This time around, according to them, democracies die when an authoritarian leader is elected, when governmental powers are harnessed and abused, and thirdly when this leads to repression of the citizens and the opposition. So, for you to have a robust democracy, you must ensure that these three factors don’t come into play.

    It boils down to how elected leaders employ their institutional prerogatives; by this I mean how the coercive instruments of state are deployed. This is exemplified when leaders treat the opposition as friends, and not as enemies. So, once these are lacking, you don’t have a robust democracy, it is now for you and I to determine whether these are present in the context of democracy that we practice in Nigeria.

    The one thing I can however assure you is that in the House of Representatives, we stand for the truth at all times in  line with the oath of office we took which is to defend the law and constitution of the country. We are by that obligated to pay obeisance to anyone in authority. We have however been able to stamp our foot and when the government is wrong, we say it is wrong. This is the right direction to follow. When the government is however right, we apportion the appropriate praise for that. To that extent we have been able to maintain a very delicate balance, as you know all democracies are fragile.

    Relating to the ease of doing business, we had a tactical committee on exiting the recession you spoke about, which we just exited. The committee made far-reaching recommendations and we’ve always worked with the executive relating to the ease of doing business and I’m glad you raised that. In the struggle to rebuild our economy, we have always cooperated with the executive in the line of most of the bills that have been transmitted to us from them. In some cases, because of the passion we have for the lawmaking role we have assumed, we passed some of those bills within three days. You might be surprised that ordinarily, these bills would have taken months to process within the legislative chain but we ensured that within days, they were passed. I must also commend the Vice President who is the head of the executive in charge of this laudable initiative which has ensured that businesses that had left Nigeria before are even coming back.

    From the World Bank ranking of 2017, Nigeria moved 24 points upwards and was placed among the top ten countries that have improved their business environment, so in the global ranking of the ease of doing business Nigeria has moved upwards by 24 points. That is due to the efforts of the Parliament coupled with the leadership that the Vice President is giving as the leader of the Economic Management team in Nigeria.

    How have you been able to keep the House together?

    I remember was that for certain reasons, someone else was preferred by the party to be the Speaker. Talking about capacity, however, I think it was King Solomon, undoubtedly the wisest king who ever lived that said he had looked under the sun and realized that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the mighty, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favour to men of skill, but that it is time and chance that happens to them all.

    So, ultimately, I’m deeply thankful to members of the House of Representatives for putting me there as the Speaker. For me, every day has been a learning curve in this position. You know it is not easy for anyone to say he is coming prepared to be the Speaker of the House of Representatives in Nigeria. This is for a variety of reasons; number one, you’re presiding over a colossal gathering of 360 members who are equal in all aspects as there is no master-servant relationship. As a matter of fact, as you’re seated and presiding over the House, your vacant seat is staring at you. So, anytime you walk into the chambers having lost the confidence of two-thirds of the members, you’ll simply go and take your seat as the seat is always staring at you when you’re sitting over there.

    On almost daily basis, you come across problems, these problems are the sort that some parties may describe as being wicked. Wicked not on account of the degree of the problem, but because of the frequency and the way the problems defy the usual tools used to resolve problems. You have members who want to see you on daily basis. Assuming you give appointments to 20 members out of 360, just 20 and each person wants to take at least 30 minutes, how many days will it take you for instance to listen to all the members?

    The levels of difficulties show that it is almost impossible for someone to come fully prepared to be the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and you know because you’re all equal, anybody can bare his mind, but what has really helped me is to ensure that we escalate constructive conflicts. If there are issues up for discussion, you try to garner as much opinions as you can possibly accommodate and at the end of the day, when the position is taken, of course not all the opinions will win, but even those who are losing will be convinced that the end product or decision taken was done after due consultation of all and sundry present and after all opinions have been collected and processed. So, in order to round up on this, what I will really say has helped me, looking at the words of Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Persian Empire who spoke of his successes and attributed it to diversity in council and unity in command. I think that is what has played the magic and everybody should listen to all shades of opinions so that at the end of the day when a decision is taken, it can be as if we each made the decision ourselves. That is what has kept the house thick and going.

    Recently the Not too Young to Run Bill was passed and you played a big role in pushing the Bill. How do you think that this will help youth inclusion in Nigeria?

    I worked with the Not too Young to Run Movement and from day one when the Bill was introduced, I saw this group of committed young people who were pushing for this Bill to be passed and thankfully that is now history. I want to say without any fear of contradiction that it is just the first hurdle for us; I don’t think there is any guarantee somewhere that young people will find a place within the political environment right now, but it was one long and necessary step to take in this journey.

    If you look at the youth body, it comprises a large part of the population because half of the world’s population now is below 30. In rural Africa the youth will soon overtake other demographies in terms of population. We felt it necessary to provide a seat at the table for these teeming young people who should take responsibility for decisions they make. They should not only be heard but should also participate in decisions that affect them; that’s the only way we will be investing in the future of our country.

    The bill has been celebrated and the movement that started in Nigeria has become a global revolution. As a matter of fact, our parliament was recognized at the United Nations for pushing through this piece of legislation, so it is something that is celebrated across board. I must however caution, like I said it’s not enough; it is a necessary, logical first step that we have taken and I am glad that we have taken that. The youth themselves must now be prepared because you see, age is just like money; it’s not a question of how much of it you have, but how well you invest. They have to invest in generating the capacity that would make them compete because no one is going to say because you’re a young person and as the Constitution has been amended you can now aspire to any position you desire, and people will fold their hands and say just go and run for elections and win.

    When they came to me on the eve of the passage and signing by Mr. President, they were so excited and it was the leader of the movement that informed me the President was going to sign the bill the next day. I warned them that apart from the capacity to compete, they must also prepare for the next phase of the struggle, which is actually campaigning and winning elections. I told them that since they were able to put themselves together to fight for this piece of legislation, there’s nothing they can’t do if they’re able to bring themselves together again, because now I don’t know if we might have to resort to affirmative action on this as political parties deliberately allocate some seats to the young people, and where you have the requirements to pay millions to aspire for some particular positions and the young people do not have such means, it should be waved for them.

    Unless we do that, after removing the legal and constitutional barriers, we may discover that we have social, monetary and other barriers that may stop them from realizing or taking the benefits of this piece of wonderful legislation that has been crafted; so, it is a work in progress. The enabling environment still has to be worked out for the young people to ensure that at least the Law is effective and that we have young people seated at the table where decisions affecting them are made.

    You are being commended as a man of the people and a role model to millions of Nigerians, what will you love to be remembered by during this 8th Assembly?

    Fortunately for us, almost all assemblies in Nigeria have carried a certain attribute that is linked to them. In Gali Na’aba’s House, it was the independence of the legislature; there was constant in-fighting between the parliament and the executive. In Masari’s House, it was the issue of third-term; they had to stamp their foot and ensure democracy is saved. In Etteh and Bankole’s House too, there were countless issues that were resolved.

  • Ex-minister Adamu Ciroma dies at 84

    Former  Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Adamu Ciroma is dead.

    The Minister of Finace (1999-2003) during the first term of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidency, according to family sources, died in a Turkish hospital in Abuja yesterday after a protracted illness. He was 84.

    The late Ciroma, also a minister under President Shehu Shagari in the Second Republic, was a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    In 1979, Ciroma was one of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) presidential aspirants.

    He came third in the primary, behind Shehu Shagari and Maitama Sule.

    Ciroma was briefly the secretary of the NPN before serving at various times as Minister for Industries, Agriculture and Finance.

    Ciroma was born on November 20, 1934 in Potiskum, Yobe State. He graduated from the University of Ibadan and served in different capacities in the Public Service.  He was appointed to the Board of the Central Bank of Nigeria in 1970 where he served as a Director before his appointment as the Governor in 1975.

    His remains were buried in Abuja yesterday.

    President Muhammadu Buhari, Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Senate President Bukola Saraki, House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Governors, All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Aiwaju Bola Tinubu, among others reacted to Ciroma’s passing.

    In a statement by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President extended sincere condolences to the Ciroma family, the government and people of Yobe State on the passing of the elder statesman.

    The President described Ciroma as a political leader and Federal cabinet minister for Industries, Agriculture and Finance, at various points in his remarkable life, will be long remembered for his remarkable service and dedication to the country’s unity, progress and stability.

    President Buhari also affirmed that he will be honoured for his contributions in promoting democracy in Nigeria and his legacies should be a constant reminder to politicians who wish to work for the good of their communities and our great country.

    Senate President Bukola Saraki described the late politician’s death as monumental loss to the country.

    In a statement, Saraki said: “Although death is painful, but it gladdens my heart that late Ciroma lived a worthy and successful life,” Saraki said.

    “As a public servant, the late Ciroma’s integrity was unparalleled, as a politician, he was unblemished and as a journalist, he was among the finest breed.”

    “Indeed there is no word or adjective that will be enough to describe late Ciroma, considering his invaluable contributions to the development of the country.

    “We have lost a detribalised Nigerian, bridge builder and a strong pillar for nation’s unity. He will surely be remembered for his forthrightness and integrity. We shall miss him greatly”.

    House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara expressed sadness over the demise of an “icon of transparency and an epitome of integrity who lived an incorruptible life.

    “Indeed we lost a great man, a patriot, leader par excellence and  a shining star.  Malam Adamu Ciroma was one of the few surviving close associates of the late Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello and he remained a consistent advocate for the struggle to see Nigeria achieve the dreams of her founding fathers”.

    “He was an intellectual genius and highly cosmopolitan public servant who exhibited high sense of patriotism, passion and enthusiasm for the progress and development of the country while serving as first indigenous Editor and Managing Director of New Nigerian Newspaper, CBN Governor and Minister of various portfolios in different administrations in Nigeria.”

    Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele described Ciroma as a very good man who was still of immense service to the apex bank. He said Ciroma was a firm believer in the sanctity and independence of the CBN.

    “While we mourn the loss of a very good man, an astute central banker and a patriot, we also celebrate his remarkable life and contribution to the banking industry in Nigeria,” the CBN said.

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) said the country has lost one of its finenest elder statesman, a bridge builder and a leader who lived a simple and humble life.

    “The late Mallam Ciroma was a quintessential civil servant and politician who served Nigeria in various capacities in the first and second republics as well as the military regimes and the fourth republic.

    “The late elder statesman was a man of great intellect vision and politician who was a strong pillar that continues to support the unity and stability of Nigeria.

    “The late elder statesman would be remembered for his political doggedness, commitment to national unity and selfless service to his father land. Nigeria has lost one of its finenest elder statesman, a bridge builder and a leader who lived a simple and humble life. He needs no thumb stone to remind us of his legacies. Yet the best remembrance is for those he has left behind to live up what he stood for.

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki said: “I am saddened by the loss of elder statesman, Adamu Ciroma, whose passing was announced today at an Abuja hospital.

    “Ciroma was a respected leader, who rose to serve Nigeria meritoriously when the occasion demanded. This can be gleaned from the number of public service offices he held and the panache with which he dispensed his roles.

    “I hereby extend my condolences to the government and people of Yobe State, his hometown, Potiskum, and his immediate family. I pray that God gives them the fortitude to bear the loss,” he said.

    Obaseki noted that “Ciroma’s role as one of the architects of modern Nigeria cannot be controverted,” calling on youths to emulate his commitment to the Nigerian project.

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola described Cirom as principled, recalling his famlus statement in the heat of the June 12, 1993 election annulment crisis, that Ciroma said the late Chief Moshood Abiola won the election “fatr and square.”

    In a statement by his Media Adviser Sola Fasure, Aregbesola said: “The death of Mallam Adams Ciroma came to me with a rude shock.

    “This was a highly respectable and influential politician and a reputable voice from the North.  He had been around since after the independence, taking part in major decisions that had shaped the country both in trying moment and in peace.

    “He had witnessed Nigeria’s political development from the First Republic to the present democracy and participated in all, which made him one of the most highly experienced and informed politicians living in the country until his exit on Thursday. History will be kind to him”, adding:

    “There is no denying the fact that the nation will in some days and years to come miss the experience and interventionist roles of this man of immense wisdom and political knowledge.”

    Former Anambnra State Governor Peter Obi, described Ciroma as an elder statesman “that served the country creditably as the Governor of the Central bank and the Minister of Finance. While urging  the younger ones to emulate his spirit of service, he prayed for the repose of his soul.”

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said his world view was largely influenced by early contacts and mentorship that he received from the late Ciroma.

    He said: “A lot of what I have turned out to be in life today was as a result of the early contacts and mentorship that I had with Adamu Ciroma, who graciously offered me vacation job in my formative years”, Atiku said.

    Atiku said Ciroma’s honesty and patriotism were among his greatest virtues, adding that the deceased had left behind untainted public service record for which he would always be remembered.

    Also, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed grief over the passing of the former Finance Minister and a chieftain of the party.

    In a statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP said the country has lost one of its finest; an incontrovertible patriot who spent his life making inestimable sacrifices for the unity and development of our dear country.

    The PDP said, “Mallam Ciroma lived as a committed citizen; an astute administrator and highly disciplined politician, who  discharged all responsibilities vested in him with unequaled forthrightness and loyalty to the nation.

    “On the political sphere, this great Nigerian will be remembered for his roles in ensuring the stability and growth of our nation, and particularly, the roles he played in the formation and growth of the PDP. He played a leading role in Group of 34 eminent Nigerians, otherwise called the G34, that formed the PDP.

    “He was an embodiment of the ideals and visions of our great party in our pursuit of a prosperous nation where unity, equality and justice prevail.

     

     

  • Saraki, Dogara, Kwankwaso, Baraje, others form R-APC

    Aggrieved members of the newPeoples Democratic Party in the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday made good their threat to factionalise the party, with the emergence of the Reformed-All Progressives Congress (R-APC).

    The group, at a press conference at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja, announced Alhaji Buba Galadima as its National Chairman, Dr. Fatai Atanda (Oyo State) as National Secretary and Kazeem Afegbua (Edo State) as National Publicity Secretary.

    Galadima told reporters that the decision to form the R-APC was a fallout of the APC  congress, which he described as null and void due to the violations of the party’s constitution.

    Describing the APC under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari as “rudderless” and “incompetent”,  Galadima said the president’s highhandedness showed in his various attempts to shut out members of the nPDP even after they had table their grievances, giving him the latitude to discuss with them the best way forward.

    He said the R-APC remained the authentic party and does not need to approach the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for registration, adding that anyone who feels uncomfortable with the arrangement can go to court.

    He also said Senate President Bukola Saraki and House Speaker Yakubu Dogara are key members of the R-APC.

    Galadima described the change promised by the APC as a “fake change”, adding that the RAPC would bring real change in the 2019 elections under his authentic leadership.

    “We are saying that we are the authentic leaders if the APC, if anybody disputes that, let him go to court, we will meet him there. Do the  Senate President and the Speaker belong to any party? If they were members of any of the four parties (that formed the APC) you mentioned, it means they are part of this.

    Speaking on Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso’s membership, Alhaji Kawu Baraje said: “Rabiu Kwankwoso is very much with this group. We were together when the national officers’ names were being put together and we held final meetings on the address of today. So there is no cause for alarm.”

    Galadima noted that the incident in Kwara State where three leaders of the senatorial zones denounced the APC yesterday was just a tip of the iceberg as more people would soon join the R-APC.

    His words: “You will recall that in the build-up to the 2015 general elections, some political parties and groups came together, and formed a brand new political party, the  APC. This merger was based on the strong belief that Nigeria had come of age, but was severely underperforming and unable to meet its potentials for good governance. The Nigerian people entrusted power to the APC based on its promises and potentials.

    “We are sad to report that after more than three years of governance, our hopes have been betrayed, our expectations completely dashed. The APC has run a rudderless, inept and incompetent government that has failed to deliver good governance to the Nigerian people. It has rather imposed dictatorship, impunity, abuse of power, complete abdication of constitutional and statutory responsibilities, infidelity to the rule of law and constitutionalism. It has failed to ensure the security and welfare of our people and elevated nepotism to unacceptable height. The APC has failed to deliver on its key promises to the nation. There is no evidence of any  political will to reverse the decline of our party while leaders who have created these circumstances continue to behave as if Nigerians owe our party votes as a matter of right.

    “The APC government has been a monumental disaster, even worse than the government it replaced. The political party that was a vehicle for enthroning the government was rendered powerless by manipulations and complete lack of due process in its operations.

    “The last straw was the Congresses and Convention of the APC held recently. The Congresses were intensely disputed as it was conducted with impunity, total disregard for due process, disregard for the party Constitution and naked display of power and practices that have no place in a party we all worked very hard to put in place.

    “There are countless cases in courts all over the country challenging the legality of congresses and even the National Convention itself. It is very likely that the judicial decisions on these cases will result in massive chaos, confusion and uncertainties. The fate of a party in this state with a few months to the elections is best left to the imagination, but it is not a fate we believe our millions of members should be abandoned to. There were parallel congresses in 24 states, namely: Abia, Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Enugu, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ondo, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto and Zamfara.

    ”These congresses in wards, local government areas and states all over the federation produced different sets of delegates. We therefore had an unfortunate situation where the party has been seriously factionalised and divided in not just 24 states but the 36 states and Abuja FCT.”

    To Galadima, the National Convention, which was hailed by many as successful, was “even worse”. He said it was full of what he described as “constitutional infirmities”, adding that these were “so glaring and obvious that no fair minded person can claim that a legitimate and lawful executive emerged from that process”.

    He said the nominees should not have been declared elected as that violated the Constitution of the APC.

    ”Indeed, Article 20 of the APC Constitution is very clear and explicit. It envisages a situation where if at the close of nomination, only one person is nominated, the Convention must vote “Yes” or “No”, for each candidate before he is declared duly elected,” he said.

    ”We all witnessed on live television and at the venue, Eagles Square Abuja, that the Convention Chairman, only put the “Yes” question to all the delegates, using words to the effect: Do you affirm? Do you agree? There was no opportunity whatsoever given to the delegates to say whether they are voting “No” for any candidate as the “No” question was never put to them,” Galadima said.

    ”It may well be that it the convention Chairman put the “No” Question, the voice vote for the “Noes”, may have been more. We will never know, since it was never done, contrary to the express provisions of the APC Constitution. It is therefore unquestionably clear that the 18 officers of APC that was “Elected” through this process could not have been duly elected.”

    He spoke of “widespread disenchantment with the manner the party has been run, and the conduct and performance of our governments”, adding that the nPDP “made strenuous efforts to invite attention to inequities, injustice and poor management  in our party without any success”.  He said the group’s “good faith” was rewarded with “indifference and even contempt”.

    With scenario painted above, Galadima said the original founders of the party resolved to

    “take control and give legitimacy to APC to be now known as and called REFORMED-APC (R-APC).”

    He noted that: “The R-APC as constituted have officers in all the wards, 774 Local Governments, and all the 36 States of the Federation, including the FCT. The R-APC also have National Executive Committee, the National Working Committee and other organs of the Party are properly constituted and functional. Some of the National Officers of the R-APC  include:  Yobe State – Buba Galadima (National Chairman),  Kano State – Bala Muhd Gwagwarwa (National Deputy Chairman, North),  Abia State – Chief Theo Nkire (National Deputy Chairman, South East), Ondo State – Hon. Eko Olakunle (National Vice Chairman South West),  Kaduna State – Hon. Hussaini Dambo (National Vice Chairman North West), Kogi State – Mahmud Mohammed Abubakar – (National Vice Chairman, North Central), Benue State – Hon. Godwin Akaan (Deputy National Secretary),  Oyo State -Dr Fatai Atanda (National Secretary), Edo State – Kazeem Afegbua (National Publicity Secretary) and Adamawa State – Daniel Bwala (Financial Secretary).

    Others are:  Jigawa State – Abba Malami Taura (Deputy National Auditor),  Kwara  State – Hon. Kayode Omotosho (National Treasurer),  Anambra State -Barr. Nicholas Asuzu (National Youth Leader), Rivers State – Barr. Baride A. Gwezia (Legal Adviser), Katsina State – Haj Aisha Kaita (National Woman Leader), Bauchi State – Mrs. Fatima Adamu (National Welfare Secretary),  Ogun State -Alh. Isiak Akinwumi (Deputy Financial Secretary),  Zamfara State – Alh. Bashir Mai Mashi (Deputy National Treasurer),  Abuja – Hauwa Adam Mamuda (Deputy Welfare Secretary), Sokoto State – Hon. Shuaibu Gwanda Gobir (Deputy National Publicity Secretary),  Katsina State – M. T. Liman (National Organising Secretary) and  Niger State – Dr Theo Sheshi ( Deputy National Organising Secretary)

    Some of the State Chairmen include: Adamawa  – Dimas Ezra, Anambra – Sir Toby Chukwudi Okwuaya,  Bauchi – Sani Shehu,  Benue – Noah Mark Dickson, Jigawa – Hon. Nasiru Garba Dantiye, Kaduna – Col. Gora (Rtd),  Kano – Umar Haruna Doguwa,  Katsina – Sada Ilu,  Kogi – Alh. Hadi Ametuo,  Ogun – Alhaji Adeleke Adewale Taofeek,  Ondo –  Hon. Otetubi Idowu,  Oyo – Alh. Ali Alimi Isiaka Adisa, Yobe – Mohammed Burgo Dalah, Zamfara – Alh. Nasiru Yakubu, Niger – Hon. Samaila Yusuf Kontagora and FCT – Adaji Usman.

  • Bauchi elders support Dogara

    Elders and stakeholders in Bauchi State have voiced their support for Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, ahead of the 2019 elections.

    A letter titled “Expression of Solidarity”, signed by about 30 prominent Bauchi indigenes and addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari, lauded Dogara for providing quality leadership and representation.

    They said: “We, the undersigned elders and stakeholders of Bauchi State, wish to express our solidarity with our son and political leader, Dogara Yakubu, who has been providing us with quality leadership and representation at the national level.

    “We recall how Dogara worked to deploy personal resources and commitment to ensure President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory in the 2015 election and of the APC governorship election in Bauchi State.

    “We are, therefore, alarmed by the political tension and unnecessary misunderstanding between the executive and the National Assembly.

    “Since his emergence as Speaker in June 2015, Dogara has helped in ensuring stability in the House of Representatives.

    “Mr. Speaker has helped pushed every piece of executive communications from the President, including bills and requests which the President, on many occasions, acknowledged publicly.

    “We wish to remind Mr. President that Bauchi is his second home and we have consistently given him 100 per cent support in all elections since 2003.

    “We beg President Buhari to intervene to end the political impasse threatening our nascent democracy.”

  • Killings: Nigerians losing confidence in security system, says Dogara

    NIGERIANS are fast losing confidence in the country’s security system, House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara has said.

    The Speaker said history would be hash to on present administration, if it fails to stop the violence and mass killings of innocent Nigerians.

    Dogara, who was speaking at the resumption of plenary yesterday, noted that the achievement being recorded by the Buhari administration would not be remembered if the orgy violence and mass killings of innocent Nigerians continue unabated.

    His words: “History will have a harsh verdict for us as a government, if we fail to live up to this responsibility and it won’t matter if we succeed in other areas.

    “Unfortunately, the stark reality now is that our citizens are fast losing confidence in our security system.

    “The stark reality now is that our citizens are fast losing confidence in our security system. This must not be the case. Before we ebb to the realm of anarchy, we must rise up as true representatives of the Nigerian people to salvage the situation and defend our hard-won democracy.”

    According to Dogara, the unresolved issue of rampant killing of defenseless people, including innocent and vulnerable children and women, in various parts of the country, calls for a sober reflection and more concerted efforts by the National Assembly.