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Tag: Ex-Speaker

  • Ex-Speaker, others condemn invasion of APC secretariat

    EX-Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly Martins Azubuike and other stakeholders of All Progressives Congress (APC) have condemned the invasion of their secretariat in Umuahia by hoodlums.

    Hoodlums allegedly hired by factional chairman Emmanuel Ndukwe, last Friday, invaded the party’s secretariat and stole money and valuable documents.

    The Chairman, Donatus Nwankpa, said they were still taking stock to know if other items were stolen.

    Azubuike noted that it’s unfortunate that the ugly incident happened while party leaders were meeting to restore peace and sanity.

    He called on supporters to be firm, saying the APC would not be distracted by clandestine moves to cause confusion.

    Azubuike said: “It is an unfortunate situation happening in our state at a time like this.

    ‘’It is condemnable, especially coming from no other person than Chief Ikechi Emenike, who should be a leader. I’m sad about the invasion of the Abia APC secretariat and I condemn it.”

  • Nobody can rig APC primary in Ekiti, says ex-Speaker

    Former Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Olufemi Bamisile, has assured that the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary will not be rigged in favour of any aspirant. Bamisile, an APC governorship aspirant, promised to offer the people of the state good governance and better standard of living if he wins the party’s ticket and elected governor in the July 14 election.

    He claimed to have about 1,500 of delegates expected to vote at the primary election on his side. The former Speaker said he is not afraid of other party bigwigs interested in the APC ticket. He promised to use his Octopus Agenda blueprint to bring about positive change to Ekiti State which he said has been bastardised by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government.

    The ex-Speaker said nobody can buy delegates at the primary, noting that the shadow election represents an opportunity for the APC to regain the governorship seat lost in the 2014 election. “You and I will get to the promised land together; nobody can buy delegates at the primary because they are determined to elect the right candidate this time around.

    “We are going to run the government together because it is somebody that works hard that reaps the fruit of his labour. I want to assure my supporters that nobody can rig the APC primary. Everybody will be taken care of in our administration, including the delegates and voters. We will use agriculture to turn around our economy and give financial empowerment to women and youths.”

  • Alleged N40m fraud: ICPC arraigns ex-Speaker, others

    Alleged N40m fraud: ICPC arraigns ex-Speaker, others

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) yesterday said it has arraigned a former Speaker of Plateau State House of Assembly, Istifanus Mwanswat, and seven others, for allegedly diverting N40 million Assembly votes into personal use.

    The others are: Mrs. Joyce Ramnap, Emmanuel Goar, Joe Dawan, Dio Lamul, Michael Jubrin, John Clarck Dabwan and Dalyop Mancha.

    They are facing trial before Justice Christian Ladi Dabup of Plateau State High Court 5 in Jos, the state capital, for alleged conspiracy and abuse of office.

    A statement by the spokesperson for the commission, Mrs. Rasheedat A. Okoduwa, said: “All the accused persons were alleged to have diverted N40,000,000 meant for running of the Assembly to their personal use.

    “The prosecuting counsel for ICPC, Mr. Isaac Jiya, informed the judge that sometime in 2011, the first accused person, Mwansat, while being the Speaker of the Assembly, allegedly used N6,000,000 out of the Assembly’s fund for his personal purposes, thereby committing an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

    “Jiya also told the judge that by conspiring with the former Speaker, the second accused person, Joyce Ramnap, also diverted N4,400,000 for her personal use, thereby committing an offence, contrary to Section 26 and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

    “The erstwhile Speaker was also alleged to have aided four ex-legislators of the Assembly charged alongside him to divert N4,400,000 each for their personal purposes while two others allegedly diverted N2,400,000 each, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 26 and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

    “All the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against them and applied for bail through their counsel, Mr. S. T. Panwal and Mr. J. D. Morolayo.

    “Thereafter, the judge granted each accused person bail for N500,000 and a surety residing within the jurisdiction of the court or an original evidence of ownership of a landed property to be handed over to the court.

    “The case was adjourned till March 6 and 7, 2018, for the commencement of hearing.”

  • Oshiomhole: I gave no vehicle to ex-Speaker

    Oshiomhole: I gave no vehicle to ex-Speaker

    FORMER Governor of Edo State Adams Oshiomhole has said he never donated four official vehicles to a former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Elisabeth Ativie.

    Oshiomhole urged Governor Godwin Obaseki to charge Ativie for stealing, if it was established she privatised the four vehicles.

    Ativie claimed to have a letter purportedly written by Oshiomhole in 2015, asking her to keep her four official vehicles after she stepped down to become the deputy.

    She alleged the four vehicles were to compensate her for sacrifice she made in stepping down for an Esan lawmaker to become Speaker.

    The four vehicles are two Hilux vans, Toyota prado SUV and Lexus SUV, 2016 model.

    The former Speaker said she registered the vehicles in her name and sold one of them.

     Oshiomhole, who broke his silence in a chat with reporters at his Iyamho home, said he lacked the powers to give out assets of the government.

    He said: “Ativie has to return those vehicles and I believe the government, whether executive or legislative branch, has to follow legal procedures to recover those vehicles, and if she has privatised them, to charge her for stealing. I had a meeting, incidentally, with members of the House few days after the change (impeachment), and I reminded her that she had to return those vehicles.

    “At the eve of the governorship election, the House had reasons to make a change, which offset what we commonly refer to as the tripod. But once they made the change, the thing was either she resigned when the House realised that they agreed with the party that we needed to make an adjustment or they impeached the  Speaker.

    “And they were not ready to impeach her because they said it would not be fair to impeach her, though there were arguments that, after all, she was married to an Esan man and, therefore by marriage, she is Esan. But again, you know that in Nigeria, it depends on what suits you. One of the concerns she raised was that now she had the vehicles of the Speaker. If she had to resign and be made deputy, she would not be entitled to those four vehicles.

    “And we agreed she can use the four vehicles as deputy, for as long as she occupied the office. But that does not mean the next deputy would have four vehicles because the vehicles are for the Office of the Speaker but personal to you as deputy. How does that amount to asset transfer?

    “I am not in a position to give out government assets. The car that Governor (Godwin) Obaseki is using now, incidentally, was one of my official cars. The one he is using in Abuja is the one I handed over. They are not my property. It is true that governors have powers but those powers are derived from law; the limits of those powers are also well-specified in law.

    “I am not competent to do so; so even if I were to purport to do so, it would be illegal. Just as I reminded them (lawmakers) in that meeting, I told her: ‘Even as Assembly member, how can you say that I gave you government property? Do I have the power to do that? You are a lawmaker; you should know the law.’

    “I cannot purport to exercise powers that I do not have. So, if I cannot give cars in the Government House to people, why should I give out legislative cars? They belong to the Assembly, which is another arm of government; the executive cannot appropriate or purport to appropriate those cars and give them to individuals.

    “So, clearly, if she has registered them in her name, as I read in the papers, even that is a fraud because they were meant for the Office of the Deputy Speaker. That office is different from Ativie as a person. So, if she changed the vehicles and registered them in her personal name, that is criminal for which she should be prosecuted.

    “If it is anything done by me, I have told you what I did and I think it is straightforward. First is that I never wrote her a letter donating government cars to her. No. I couldn’t have; it doesn’t make sense. I don’t even have such powers, even if I wish to and if I am going to donate government cars, I cannot donate cars belonging to Edo State House of Assembly.

    “There is separation of powers. The governor of Edo State cannot appropriate cars belonging to the Office of the Deputy Speaker. The only reason I got involved in it was that if she (Ativie) had to be using those vehicles as the deputy, it means the state government had to appropriate funds to buy new cars for the new Speaker because she was not ready to hand them over.

    “That is the only area I come in because I have to look for the money. But, ordinarily, the deputy should not use those four vehicles.

    “But that is not to say that they are her personal assets. How can I say that? Will that not amount to bribery? Will I have to bribe her with state asset? In any case, I do not have such competence. I cannot give you what I do not have. So, Ativie should just do the honourable thing by returning the vehicles and if, as I read in the papers, she sold them and registered them in her name, then she stole the vehicles and should be so charged and prosecuted.”

  • Edo Assembly may sue ex-Speaker 

    The leadership of the Edo State House of Assembly has threatened criminal action against a former Speaker Elisabeth Ativie, for refusing to return her official vehicles.

    It said claims by the former Speaker that the vehicles were given to her by former Governor Adams Oshiomhole were untrue as there was no evidence Oshiomhole and the House leadership took such decision.

    Ativie, who represents Uhunmwode, served as Speaker for 84 days after the impeachment of Victor Edoror.

    She stepped down following calls for balance of power, and Justin Okonoboh was elected Speaker. She became his deputy.

    Last week, both were impeached, but Ativie refused to return her official vehicles.

    Ativie, through her lawyer, Olayiwola Afolabi, wrote the Assembly the vehicles were given to her by former Governor Oshiomhole as compensation for stepping down as Speaker.

    She stated in the letter that she sold one of the vehicles, a Prado SUV 2016 model.

    New Speaker Kabiru Adjoto, in a letter to Ativie’s lawyer, said the signature in the letter purportedly written to Ativie by Oshiomhole was not genuine.

    Adjoto,  in the letter signed by the Clerk, Mr James Omoataman, said the leadership of the House warned of severe consequences of parading such document.

    He said original documents of the vehicles were still in possession of the House.

    The letter reads: “As your client will recall, the vehicles were purchased for the use of the Office of the Speaker when your client occupied the office. Consequently, when she became Deputy Speaker, the official vehicles were left with her office while alternative arrangement were made for the Office of the Speaker.

    “Despite the clarity of the above, your client deliberately skewed the words used in the purported letter from the former governor, claiming the former governor wrote to say the vehicles were given to her, which is far from the truth.

    “Further, the original documents of the vehicles are still in the possession of the House of Assembly till date, which means that title to the vehicles were never transferred or intended to be transferred to your client, contrary to your client’s assertions.

    “Accordingly, I hereby reiterate my instruction and demand your client’s return of the vehicles attached to the Office of the Deputy Speaker, which are still in her possession. Finally, if your client maintains that she indeed sold one of the vehicles, the Lexus Jeep 2016 model, then we expect that your client will furnish us with the details of sales.

    It warned further: “The House expects to receive all vehicles that have not been sold, together with details of the alleged sale of the Lexus jeep as enumerated not later than two days from the date of receipt of this letter. Failure to do so will attract the necessary legal action, both civil and criminal against your client”.

  • Nnamani, ex-Speaker to join APC

    Nnamani, ex-Speaker to join APC

    As the three-week registration of Enugu State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) began yesterday, former Senate President Ken Nnamani and former Enugu State House of Assembly Speaker Eugene Odo are among frontline politicians expected to join the progressives.
    Although it was not clear last night when the duo would join the ruling party at the centre, sources said they would soon register to become APC members.
    The sources said the window to join the progressives would remain open for them throughout the period of the registration.
    Besides the two heavyweights from Enugu State, who were chieftains of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), many other top politicians are expected to dump PDP for APC during the registration.
    Addressing reporters in Enugu, APC State Chairman Ben Nwoye dismissed reports the party was indisposed to receiving Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, should the lawmaker indicate interest to do so.
    He said APC was open to genuine democrats and progressives in the state and Southeast.
    According to him, the three-week registration “is open to all and sundry, including Ekweremadu, without any tariff”.
    Nwoye said APC’s door was open to all.
    He said last Sunday’s meeting was convened to raise awareness among the people on the party’s registration in Enugu and other Southeast states.
    Nwoye said those interested in the APC “now have the opportunity of registering through their political wards. Nobody should be barred from registering. The party is for all and sundry and lovers of true democracy”.

    The state APC publicity secretary, Mrs. Kate Offor, had on Sunday issued a statement that the party would not admit Ekweremadu, insisting that the Deputy senate president should stay put in the PDP to clear the mess in the party.
    But Nwoye said the APC in Enugu state expected the influx of old and new politicians from PDP and other political parties into its fold “because we have worked tirelessly since 2016 to build our structure, as well as convince these politicians to join us for a better Nigerian.
    “As it stands, we want the world to know that the PDP is in comatose in Enugu state, and we are fully prepared to wrestle power from them in 2019, because we have the structure.
    “You will quite agree with me that all those politicians that made PDP tick in Enugu state in the past, including former governor of old Anambara state and ex- senator, Ifeanyichukwu Jim Nwobodo have all dumped the opposition party, for APC.

  • Orji is senator in exile, says Abia ex-Speaker

    Orji is senator in exile, says Abia ex-Speaker

    A former Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Stanley Ohajuruka, has said former governor and senator representing Abia Central, Theodore Orji, has not given his constituents effective representation.

    The former lawmaker described Orji as a senator in exile.

    Addressing reporters in Umuahia, the state capital, Ohajuruka said Abia Central was unfortunate to have voted for Orji.

    The former speaker accused the former governor of not doing anything to impact on the lives of his people since he got to the Senate.

    He said: “Look at the kind of senator we have here in Orji. Can we say we are having an effective representation in the Senate? We don’t have effective representation in the Senate. I stand to be corrected.”

    Ohajuruka, who was also a member of the House of Representatives, recalled that he attracted 63 projects to Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency when he was in the House.

    The former lawmaker said it was unfortunate that Orji had not attracted a single project to his senatorial zone since he went to the Senate.

    He said: “How many projects can the present senator (Orji) tell us he has attracted to the people of Abia Central? Has he ever invited anyone from the area for a senatorial meeting? Where is the senatorial office? Does he have any? If you can find any, you tell us.”

  • Mimiko squandered N38b inherited from Agagu, says ex-Speaker

    Mimiko squandered N38b inherited from Agagu, says ex-Speaker

    Ondo State House of Assembly ex-Speaker Victor Olabimtan yesterday accused Governor Olusegun Mimiko of allegedly squandering the N38 billion he inherited from the Olusegun Agagu administration.

    Olabimtan, who is a governorship aspirant of the APC in the forthcoming governorship election, said there was no record of positive achievement recorded by the PDP-led Mimiko administration despite the huge amount of money he inherited from the Agagu government.

    Rather, he said the governor had incurred huge debt for the state with nothing substantial to show for it.

    The aspirant added that for the almost eight years he has spent in office, Mimiko failed to construct even a kilometre of road in Ondo South and North senatorial districts.

    The former speaker said his quest to govern the state was borne out of desire to effect the adequate change, saying; “The governor took over in 2009. I say it with all emphasis at my disposal that he has not constructed one inch to what Dr. Agagu constructed in Ilaje land (in the southern senatorial district of the state) up till now.

    “Ask anybody in Ondo State, ask anybody in Ilaje. Is that not a failure? Today, Akoko land in the northern senatorial zone has the worst road network and before he came in, those roads were okay.

    “This (Mimiko) government, I make bold to say, has not constructed up to 200 kilometres since they came on board almost eight years ago; and you tell me it’s not a disaster.

    “That was a government that inherited N38 billion, in liquid cash, apart from the assets inherited and as at the time Agagu was leaving in 2009, oil sold for $58 a barrel and during the tenure of the incumbent governor, it rose to about $120 per barrel.

    “If you go to Ondo State today, you can’t see what this money has been used for and that is why the people of Ondo State are clamouring for change. We cannot continue like this, he said.”

    On his plans for the state, he said: “We are going to revitalise the civil service and provide incentives to make the civil service a productive one. We are bringing integrity into the governance of Ondo State. We have designed our manifesto, which I called ‘My pact and covenant for Ondo State’.”

    “We are going to revitalise the Olokola Deep Blue Sea Port in partnership with the Federal Government. We are bringing integrity into the governance of Ondo State.”

     

     

  • Ex- Kebbi Speaker dies in auto- crash

    Ex- Kebbi Speaker dies in auto- crash

    The immediate past Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Alhaji Musa Habib Jega, has died in an auto crash.
    Close family sources said the accident occurred along Birnin Kebbi-Kangiwa road.
    The former Speaker is presently the Special Adviser on Local Government to the current Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu.
    Late Jega, 49 years who is survived by wives and children he has since been beried according to Islamci right in his home town Jega.

  • Ex-Speaker’s love for kids, youths

    Ex-Speaker’s love for kids, youths

    Former Ogun State House of Assembly speaker, Basorun Muyiwa Oladipo lost his parents when he was a toddler. Members of his family assisted him to realise his dream. ERNEST NWOKOLO reports that through the Kokumo Oladipo Memorial Foundation established in rememberance of his late father, he is empowering children and youths to be self-sufficient.

    They did not expect it. All they knew was they were invited by the former Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly, Basorun Muyiwa Oladipo. But they did not know why he called them. Curiously, they rushed to the football pitch of the Makun High School at Sagamu, venue of the day-long community empowerment and children’s party.

    From different places they met one another. They hugged and exchanged pleasantries, even as some asked: “you know why they called us?” And some would answer: “I just heard they called us”.

    As if to keep the children thinking why they were called, Basorun Oladipo somewhat delayed the commencement of the event. They kids became more inquisitive. But good things were ready waiting for them.

    The waiting game over, the over 2,000 kids were all smiles. Hope suffused on the faces of the pupils from public primary schools in Sagamu, the headquarters of Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State. They were feted again by Basorun Oladipo.

    The football pitch of the Makun High School, Sagamu, the venue of the day-long community empowerment and children’s party, came alive as the children sang and danced to the rhythm of various Nigeria songs, even as they made merry.

    Also, train coaches, stunt boards of different designs were provided for the kids to showcase their stunt skills while the Santa Claus added much colour and excitement to the event.

    Aside the special meals and drinks, gift items ranging from school bags; writing materials to T-shirt were also given to them. The Christmas cake of variegated colours was jointly cut by Basorun Oladipo and the kids.

    Adults were not left out in the bash. No fewer than 25 youths of Sagamu received slots for leadership training in a reputable leadership training centre. This is to enhance their chances of realising their aspirations to become future leaders.

    The yearly event, which began three years ago, is being sponsored by Kokumo Oladipo Memorial Foundation.

    The foundation was put in place by Muyiwa Oladipo to commemorate his late father, Papa Kokumo who died in a fatal motor accident four years after the death of his  mother; leaving him and his other four siblings orphans at tender age when parental love and guidance were most needed.

    Speaking at this year’s edition, Oladipo, who is a serving Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Ogun State, said it was his own way of giving back to the society.

    He noted that his affection for kids dates back to his teenage years. He added that when children, particularly the needy and other less-privileged people are lifted from deprivation or lack, the society is lifted as well.

    Oladipo noted that in spite of the death of his parents, God was on his side by using kind-hearted members of his family to help him.

    He further said there were lots of less-privileged children and orphans who may be going through similar ordeal. He urged them to have courage, trust in God and have the determination to succeed irrespective of the challenges.

    Oladipo said: “Having lost my parents early in life and considering the fact that I would not have gotten to where I’m today. Well-meaning individuals picked me up and helped me to have access to education. I felt I should also give back to the kids, especially some of them that are no so privileged.

    “I love children right from my teenage years and the best way I can give back to them is to make them have  a sense of belonging and better their lots.

    “They are our leaders of tomorrow; some of them will be governors, senators, commissioners and professionals in various fields.”

    Also speaking, the Majority Leader in the Ogun State House of Assembly, Yinka Mafe praised Oladipo for his yearly childen and youth-friendly gestures, saying it should be emulated by other well-meaning individuals in the society.

    Mafe, who represents Sagamu State Constituency in the Assembly, however, urged parents and guardians to priotise their expenses and plan for their children’s  education against the backdrop of the nation’s dwindling economy.