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Tag: Femi Gbajabiamila

  • Don’t blame Buhari for budget crises – Gbajabiamila

    Don’t blame Buhari for budget crises – Gbajabiamila

    The Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, has urged Nigerians not to blame President Muhammadu Buhari for the problems in the 2016 budget.

    Gbajabiamila, who said this while receiving leaders of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in his office in Abuja at the weekend, said civil servants should be held liable for the crises.

    He said: “I’m going to absolve the President, but I’m not going to absolve the people that put it in. Why I absolved the President, I will tell you.

    “The job was done by civil servants, it has always been done by them (civil servants).

    “The President does not sit in a ministry, he doesn’t know what’s going on there or what they need or do not need.

    “The argument will be that the buck stops at his desk and he must take responsibility, I agree with that. But the point is that he delegated responsibilities. Under the constitution he has the right to delegate his work to ministers. And he delegated the issue of budget and planning to the minister of Budget and Planning.”

  • Reps sponsored 327 bills in six months – Gbajabiamila

    Reps sponsored 327 bills in six months – Gbajabiamila

    Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, House Leader of the House of Representatives, on Wednesday said that the 8th Assembly in its six months of existence had sponsored a total of 327 bills as against 132 presented within the first six months of the 7th Assembly.

    Gbajabiamila said this in Lagos, at an end of the year media briefing on activities of the 8th House of Representatives from June 9 to December 22.

    He said that 264 Bills out of the 327 had passed through first reading and awaiting second reading while a total of 40 Bills had been referred to committees.

    According to him, inspite of a bumpy start in June when the house was inaugurated, the House has been able to step up to the plate and has busied itself in working for the progress of Nigeria.

    “In keeping with the resolve of the President to address the issues of insecurity, unemployment and corruption amongst others, we developed a legislative agenda that will guide the House in achieving its set objectives.

    “The Bills and Motions sponsored and passed so far are clear demonstrations of the House’s resolve to make laws and embark on legislative activities for the good governance of Nigeria.

    “Bills have been presented and resolutions passed to address the issues of insecurity, unemployment, economic reform, reform in the oil and gas sector of the economy etc.

    “We are not there yet but we intend as a House to vigorously align with the hopes and aspirations of the Nigerian masses,” he said.

    Gbajabiamila said that the 8th Assembly, in its six months of existence, investigated many issues that affect the development of the health, education, power and energy sectors.

    He said that they also investigated and deliberated on welfare of IDPs and victims of terrorism, good governance and anti corruption, transportation, security and came up with resolutions.

    Gbajabiamila said that the house intended to pursue the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill in the coming year and present further amendment to the constitution.

    He said the amendment was to provide a more perfect document that would guide the nation.

    “As a House, we have, through the instrumentality of the law, extended the 2015 capital budget to March 2016 in conformity with our constitution which prescribes a 12- month budget span, thereby ensuring the continuation of the infrastructural development envisaged in the 2015 budget.

    “On the 2016 budget, we will look at the proposals and the document with a fine tooth comb, dot the ‘Is’ and cross the ‘Ts’ where and if necessary,” he said.

    Gbajabiamila said the 8th Assembly would appreciate continued support and understanding of Nigerians.

  • Tribunal upholds Gbajabiamila’s election

    Tribunal upholds Gbajabiamila’s election

    The National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Ikeja on Friday upheld the victory of the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila.

    The tribunal held that Gbajabiamila of the All Progressives Congress (APC) validly won the March 28 election for Surulere Federal Constituency I in Lagos State.

    The three-man tribunal led by Justice C.U. Anwuka resolved all issues raised in favour of the respondent.

    The tribunal consequently dismissed the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Mr Tony Ashikodi, for failing to prove the allegations of electoral fraud.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ashikodi had petitioned the tribunal challenging the outcome of the election.

    Ashikodi had alleged that he observed some irregularities during the election which contravened the provisions of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s approved guidelines.

    He urged the court to void the election and order a fresh election to be conducted by INEC.

    The petitioner had alleged that “the final figures in Form EC 8 C (i) were cancelled and altered with a view to declaring Gbajabiamila the winner of the election.”

    He claimed that the 14,351 received by the APC candidate was “whimsically changed’’ to 21,715 while 16,079 earlier recorded for petitioner was changed to 14,550.

    However in the judgment, the tribunal said Ashikodi failed to substantiate his allegations that ballot boxes were snatched and result sheets falsified by INEC.

    The judges noted that the petitioner failed to call a single witness to substantiate his claims.

    They said Ashikodi, in his evidence-in-chief, admitted that he was not present at the collation centre and did not tender any document to back his allegations of multiple irregularities.

    The tribunal also faulted the claim of the petitioner’s counsel, Mr. Kalu Onuah, that the election did not comply with Section 139 of the Electoral Act and therefore dismissed the petition.

  • Reps’ crisis: Why I stayed on fighting – Gbajabiamila

    Reps’ crisis: Why I stayed on fighting – Gbajabiamila

    The House of Representatives Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, has revealed how he was prevailed upon to continue with his aspiration to be part of principal officers in the 8th House of Representatives.

    He said his insistence on throwing in the towel in the 49-day old face-off was rejected by higher authorities based on principle.

    Gbajabiamila lost the Speakership position to Yakubu Dogara in an election conducted on the floor of the House but entered the race for the position of House Leader that was resisted by the Dogara group.

    Speaking at a media parley on Friday, the former Minority Leader, said he was pained that the face -off was manipulated to center around his person.

    He said: “A lot of people do not know this, but long time ago, I saw the President, I saw my party, I explained to them that this thing has been framed to be about me.

    “So I said I wanted to withdraw for the sake of the House and the country. I told them I would leave this thing in a heartbeat without even thinking about it and I will go and sit on the floor of the House, without even accepting anything, not even chairmanship.

    “I have never been a committee chairman or deputy, I have never even asked. So I told them, I have turned things down.”

    On why he continued with the struggle despite his resolve to withdraw from the race, Gbajabiamila said the issue got beyond him at that point.

    He said President Mohammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) declined his offer to withdraw from the race,

    “But on principle, the President did not accept it, my party did not accept it and I thank God for the kind of confidence they have in me to be able to deliver the goods for the party. Who am I to say no? It was on principle that we stayed the course,” he said.

    He, however, expressed his support for the full disclosure of lawmakers’ remunerations.

     

  • Gbajabiamila emerges as Reps Leader

    Gbajabiamila emerges as Reps Leader

    Femi Gbajabiamila has emerged as House Leader for the 8th House of Representatives.

    The Speaker, Yakubu Dogara made the announcement this afternoon on the floor of the House.

    The announcement came after Dogara returned to the chamber after he left plenary for a meeting at an undisclosed venue.

    He also announced Buba Jibrin (Northcentral) as Deputy Majority Leader, Chief Whip is Alhassan Doguwa (Northwest) while Pally Iriase Southsouth) is Deputy Whip.

    The development, it was gathered was the result of the resolution reached by both parties after the Monday meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The source said: “The final resolution was made at National Chairman’s house at about 12:11am is that the Party’s letter stands.

    “It was also agreed that names earlier attached to the letter would be removed. While members at the zonal caucus level would elect their various leaders.

    “The zonal caucuses were expected to conduct the election would be conducted by the party

    “We do not expect that Dogara camp would do anything contrary to this latest agreement on the floor this morning as it would be strange and amount an affront against our collective interest including that of the President”.

  • Why I dumped Gbajabiamila – Doguwa

    Alhassan Doguwa, an ally of Femi Gbajabiamila has defended his acceptance of the House leadership position.

    He said the only permanent thing in politics is personal interest.

    He also noted that there was no reason for controversy since the offer of House Leader was made to the Loyalists Group that was agitating for fairness in the distribution of House principal offices.

    Doguwa said from the beginning, he had to tow party line because the party suggested Femi Gbajabiamila to be the Speaker.

    “As a loyal member of the party, I felt I should follow suit,” he stated.

    Doguwa, however, said despite his acceptance of his selection as House Leader by the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, he remains an ally of Gbajabiamila and loyal party member.

    Dogywa’s reaction was monitored on TVC interview programme on Monday.

    He said: “Femi has been a very good friend of mine after being in that political arrangement. I speak with Femi every 24 hours, even this morning (yesterday) I spoke with him.

    “We have also exchanged ideas and views based on the nature of this crisis and based on the nature he looks at it. My view has always been consistently about the position of the party.

    “I was with Gbajabiamila and was fighting Dogara because he (Dogara) defied the position of the party to become the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    “At a point, precisely on July 3, the party held a NEC meeting, which is the highest decision making organ of the party and which Mr. President attended.

    “What is more important to me is that the party has conceded to Dogara and accepted him as a legitimate son of the party.

    “On that day when Dogara was recognized by the party, I should have no problem with Dogara, because my own political party has accepted and pardoned him.

    “I have no cause to fight him.”

     

  • NASS crisis : Gbajabiamila’s group seeks Buhari’s intervention

    NASS crisis : Gbajabiamila’s group seeks Buhari’s intervention

    The 174 All Progressives Congress (APC) members of the House of Representatives loyal to Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila on Wednesday night called on President Muhammadu Buhari to prevail on the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, to abide by the party’s decision on four principal officers.

    Gbajabiamila, who was the choice of the (APC) for the post of the Speaker of the House of Representatives had lost election for the seat to Dogara.

    Following the loss, APC wants Gbajabiamila to be the House Majority Leader, Alhassan Doguwa as Deputy Leader, Mohammad Monguno as Chief Whip and Pally Iriase as Deputy Chief Whip.

    But Dogara and his group, like what played out in the Senate, are not disposed to the position of the party.

    A 30-man delegation of the 174 APC members led by Gbajabiamila made their position known to Buhari at a closed-door meeting at the Presidential Villa, which started around 9.45 p.m. on Wednesday and ended late into the night.

    Urging Buhari to call to order the 39 APC members, who have teamed up with the Peoples Democratic Party members in the House to undermine APC, the group said that the issue of Federal Character principle being thrown up by Dogara and his loyalists cannot apply to National Assembly as it didn’t apply in the 6th and 7th National Assembly.

    “If it must apply now in the 8th National Assembly, the group said that either the Senate President, Bukola Saraki or Dogara must step down as they are both from the North.”

    A copy of the group’s presentation to Buhari at the meeting made available to journalists at the end of the meeting reads: “On the 9th of June, 2015, 174 APC members in the House faithfully and loyally followed the directives of the party to vote for Hon Femi Gbajabiamila and Hon Mongunu as Speaker and Deputy Speaker while 39 other APC members colluded with the opposition Party, the PDP, to elect the current Speaker and Deputy Speaker with only 8 votes superiority.

    “Whereas the candidates of the majority (Gbajabiamila and Mongunu) openly congratulated the winners and continued to cooperate with the House, the opposition and the 39 APC members continued to hold the APC leadership in contempt.

    “Whereas we the 174 Party faithfuls and loyalists had been obedient to the Party, what shall be the reward of our loyalty to the Party?

    “The Party has chosen not to punish the 39 APC members including the elected Speaker and Deputy Speaker, but chose to direct, as it is customary and conventional, on how the other four (4) Principal Officers should be distributed. Alas! The opposition and the 39 members continue to hold the ruling Party in contempt by disobeying the Party

    “Whereas, the beneficiaries of the disobedience are citing Federal Character Principle as the main reason for their disobedience, His Excellency should note that

    “(a) During the 6th Assembly 2007 – 2011, the following Officers were Elected from the NORTH WEST (I) the president and Commander in Chief (ii) Hon. Ismaila Kawu (iii) Hon. Mutawalle. The two (ii) and (iii) occupied 2 out of the 4 principal officers positions of the Minority Party (iv) Hon Aminu Tambuwal was elected Deputy Chief Whip

    “(b) Also during the 7th Assembly, the following officers in Government were elected from the NORTH WEST

    “(I) The Vice President (II) The Speaker, R Hon Aminu Tambuwal (III) Hon. Ismaila Kawu, Deputy Minority Leader (IV) Hon. Garba Datti, Deputy Minority Whip. In these instances there was never an issue of Federal Character.

    “It should be noted that the Federal Character principle as embedded in Chapter of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) IS NOT JUSTICIABLE AND OF NO LEGAL CONSEQUENCE. Its provision in S.14 of the Constitution is only applicable to appointments in Federal Ministries and Agencies. The House of Representatives is not an Agency of the Federal Government and the Principal officers Positions are elective and not by appointment. If the Federal Character is applicable to the National Assembly, then both the Senate President and the Speaker cannot come from the North, one of them should be advised to step down.”

    The two- page presentation continued: “It is noteworthy that Mr. President and the Governors had strongly put their weight behind the Party and had severally admonished the House to abide by the Party position. The 39 APC members in the House continued to collude with the PDP to flagrantly disobey Mr. President, the Governors and the Party with a view to bringing the Party and Government to ridicule before Nigerians.

    “The conduct of the 39 APC members colluding with the PDP is tantamount to affront, ultimately targeted at polarizing our Party so as to give room for many of them to decamp to the PDP.

    “It is therefore imperative for Mr. President to take a stand and save the integrity of the Party, by calling to order, the 39 members, which include the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, to respect, honour and obey our Party Leaders and their directives.

    “In conclusion, Mr. President, we as loyal Party members shall continue to abide by the Party and our Party Leaders and their directives. We strongly appeal to you to direct the Speaker to return to our fold and be truly elected Speaker on APC platform. He should be directed to announce the other four Party Principal officers positions as directed by the Party as it has always been the convention.

    “We sincerely appreciate Mr. President for the audience trusting in his ability to successfully mediate so as to save our great Party, the APC, from further embarrassment.” It concluded

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, Gbajabiamila said that the meeting was a very successful one and that the caucus and the party will come out bigger and stronger.

    According to him, Buhari, who is a party man, is committed to party supremacy.

    On what Buhari’s response to the group was, he said: “We all know that the President is a party man. He believes in the party supremacy. He believes in the ideology of the party and he believes that the party will move forward. That is how much I can tell you. That is not new, we all know the President.”

    Asked why the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, did not attend the meeting if it was a caucus meeting, he said: “The Speaker probably had other engagement and there were other caucus members that were not here. We are a representative of the caucus.

    He said that the meeting was not about himself or any individual but for the party.

    “It is not about me. We need to get that very straight. They voted with me, but the idea is about the party, they supported the party, the party position and the party line. It is not about any individual. Nobody came here as an independent candidate.” He stated

  • Dogara elected as Reps Speaker

    Dogara elected as Reps Speaker

    Hon. Yakubu Dogara was on Tuesday elected as Speaker of the 8th House of Representatives.

    He polled 182 votes to edge out Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila who garnered 174 votes.

    They are both members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    A total of 356 lawmakers took part in the exercise.

    Dogara was later sworn in by the Clerk of the National Assembly.

    Details later…

  • NASS: Dogara, Gbajabiamila for Speaker

    NASS: Dogara, Gbajabiamila for Speaker

  • Voting begins in House of Reps

    Election for a new Speaker of the House of Representatives has commenced in the House.

    Femi Gbajabiamila and Yakubu Dogara have been nominated for the position by members of the Green chamber.