The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Gbade Ogunwale

  • N600m rent allegation: Senate clears Saraki, Dogara, others

    N600m rent allegation: Senate clears Saraki, Dogara, others

    • Senate to seek review of Senate President’s building contract

    The Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Thursday said that presiding officers of the National Assembly did not receive any rent from the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).
    The committee also said that the Senate would demand the review of the contract for the building of the residences of the Senate President and Speaker House of the House of Representatives.
    Chairman of the committee, Senator Dino Melaye at a media briefing in Abuja said that the review of the contract sum of the building became necessary due to the discovery of what he called “skyrocketed and over inflated contract prices.”
    Melaye said that the clarification of the “erroneous impression” that the National Assembly leadership collected over N600 million rent from the FCDA became imperative following a “false report by an online medium to that effect.”
    The Kogi West Senator noted that it is on record that the National Assembly leadership does not collect rent from the FCDA.
    Melaye said: “Our attention has been drawn to a story in an online medium, where a sponsored group called Citizen Action to Take Back Nigeria (CATBAN). Obviously, one of this briefcase Civil Society Group that are not registered even by law in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and hurriedly packaged to do assassin jobs on the social media.
    “This fake briefcase NGO called CATBAN claimed that the president of the Senate, the speaker and their deputies are using Federal Capital Development Authority to collect some amount of money as rent for their accommodation.
    “We want to state clearly that the four presiding officers of the National Assembly do not collect any money for rent, furniture and renovation from the FCDA or any federal government agency for that matter.
    “I as the chairman of the Senate committee on FCT, I put my integrity on test to say that no kobo was collected by any of the presiding officers from the FCDA and those who know how government bureaucracy works know it is practically impossible for any of the presiding officers to collect money directly from the FCDA.
    “It should be noted that while senators Bukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu as well as Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara and Lasun Yusuff are entitled to well furnished official accommodation by virtue of their positions just like the president, the vice president and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, they all live in their private residences.
    “They even insisted last year if you recall that the president of the Nigerian Senate insisted last year that the N10 billion which the FCDA put in the 2016 budget for the completion of the official residencies of the Senate President and speaker be removed from the budget to save cost in reflection of the mood of the nation and that money was removed from the budget because Nigeria is in recession, they sacrificed their own personal comfort for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
    “It should be noted that this same group CATBAN on January 3rd, 2017 held a press conference where it cleared Mr Babachir Lawal, SGF who had been indicted by the senate for corruption in the award of contracts and utilisation of funds meant for the northeast humanitarian crisis.
    “Therefore, the same NGO that held a press conference and their name came into limelight for the first time on the 3rd of January is the same NGO now that is speaking trying effortlessly to indict the leadership of the National Assembly, therefore, we know where this is coming from.
    “We advise the sponsors of the group who are holding on to straw as they are drowning in the six pole of their corrupt practices to always check their information very well as they got it wrong this time.
    “I also want to use this opportunity to call on fake NGOs like this who propagate falsehood and lies all over the social media to advise themselves and do the right thing and I do expect that intelligence group before coming to the public will carry out even if they are been fed with lies.
    “I expect them to process this lies and check the veracity or otherwise of it before jumping into conclusion.
    “I challenge this group to provide evidence in terms of transfers or how in any manner any presiding officers have benefited financially from the FCDA.
    “I say it is a lie, it is not true, it is malicious, it is fallacious, it’s baseless and totally untrue.”
    On the review of the contract sum of building the Senate President residence, Melaye noted that as “Chairman of the committee, even if the Senate President had not asked that the money is removed from the budget we would have stopped it.”
    Melaye said that his committee went on oversight to the buildings and discovered that the contract was inflated.
    He said: “As I speak to you, the mosque that is occupying less than 100 square meters that are meant to be the prayer place for the Senate President and deputy senate president’s residence and even the Vice President’s residence was awarded for over N200million. And it is a three bedroom boys quarters less structure.
    “The gatehouse of the Vice President’s residence was also awarded at over N250million. We are going to call for a review of that contract and Julius Berger said they are going to build a concrete building.
    “I went there with a hammer and I hit the wall and I saw block. So, that investigation is ongoing. And we want to make sure that government is not being raped and shortchanged. So we are definitely going to call for a review of the contract because this is a rape of the taxpayers’ money.”

  • Saraki makes case for Nigerian engineers in construction 

    Saraki makes case for Nigerian engineers in construction 

    Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has called government agencies at all levels to integrate Nigerian engineers, technicians, and artisans in construction projects.

    Saraki said this would ensure the utilisation of local capacity and conserving foreign exchange.

    A statement on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Sani Onogu, quoted the Senate President as making the call at the flag-off ceremony of the construction of the Dauran-Birni, Tsaba-Birnin and Magaji-Kaura Namoda Roads in Zamfara State.

    He also called on government agencies to make use locally made equipment where possible.

    Saraki, however, disclosed that the National Assembly was in the process of passing the Federal Roads Authority and National Road Fund Bills into law.

    The proposed legislation, the statement said, seek to promote safe and efficient management of the nation’s road networks and open opportunities for alternative funding mechanisms from the private sector that will guarantee continuous improvement of the quality of roads year in year out.

    Saraki said, “As we are about to begin this massive road construction, I hope that our Nigerian engineers, technicians and artisans have been, and will continue to be incorporated in the workforce at all the different stages of construction; and that we also employ the use of locally-made equipment where possible.

    “This will boost local content and reinforce our drive in the National Assembly for increased patronage of Made in Nigeria goods. It is expected that this avenue will provide a trickle-down effect on the socio-economic activities of Zamfara state”.

    The Senate President praised the Zamfara State Governor, Abdul’aziz Yari for starting the project at a period of limited resources. 

    Said he, “Indeed, to take up such a gigantic project in this period with such limited resources coming into the state makes an unmistakable statement that leadership and governance is all about commitment to the cause of lifting our people from poverty and suffering. 

    “No doubt, the construction of a reliable road network is one of the fastest ways of moving people, goods and services for growth and development. 

    “This project is commendable because Zamfara state plays a very important role in food production in Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries. 

    “For a state which prides itself on its large farming population, an improved road network will definitely provide more employment opportunities to the people and improve socio-economic activities in the State. 

    “The challenges of road construction and maintenance have been a very big setback in our quest for sustainable economic development as a nation”.

    “I will like to thank all our party men and women who have kept faith with this administration. The executive arm and the legislature are working tirelessly to ensure our economy is revived and the fruits of development reach every citizen. We have to join hands with Mr President to ensure that the common man finds comfort in this country.”

  • ‘Nigerians are regretting voting PDP out of power’

    ‘Nigerians are regretting voting PDP out of power’

    The chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Makarfi has said that Nigerians have been regretting voting PDP out of power in the 2015 general elections.
    According to him, some Nigerians are already apologising for voting the party out, saying however that there have another opportunity to vote the PDP back in power in 2019.
    Makarfi who spoke at a party function in Abuja on Wednesday, said the PDP was in the process of rebranding and re-strategising ahead of 2019.
    He said: “We are reviewing and rebranding the party, it is only the judgment in Port Harcourt we are waiting for and we are praying for a fair judgment that will revive the hope of the people.
    “Justice should be done and seen to be done in a manner that the whole would will see that the judiciary is doing the right thing.
    “If you eliminate or encumber the opposition, nobody will be safe. It is for the interest of Nigeria that there is opposition.
    “Some people are already apologising for voting us out of office, but we are telling them to vote for us again.”
    He advised his fellow party members to criticise wisely and to also come up with alternative policy options. He warned party members against blackmail.
    Makarfi assured that the party will reconcile on a strong foundation, stressing that the PDP would avoid loopholes in its reconciliation drive.
    Earlier, Chairman of the party’s Strategy Committee, Prof. Jerry Gana, said the party had covered a lot of ground in resolving the leadership crisis in party.
    According to him, party members across the nation have given support to the caretaker committee, adding “We trust that very soon, judgment will be delivered and the party will move forward.
  • PDP: Sheriff raises hope on reconciliation

    PDP: Sheriff raises hope on reconciliation

    Factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff has expressed the willingness to join others in resolving the leadership crisis in the opposition party.n

    At a media briefing in Abuja Thursday night, Sheriff said his camp would be nominating 14 members that would hold discussions with the Caretaker Committee headed by Senator Ahmed Makarfi.

    “It is true that we agreed to find a lasting solution to the crisis. I was out of the country and that is why I did not go with Makarfi to meet with members of the National Assembly.

    “We are going to set up a 28-man committee to prepare a way forward. The committee will be inaugurated on Tuesday.

    “We are compiling the list. It is true that we have reached understanding but there is no position paper from anywhere.

    “We must allow people to choose their leaders. We will not deviate from what the common man wants us to do,” he said.

    Sheriff attributed the crisis in the PDP to lack of internal democracy, saying what was happening was a lesson for everybody to learn.

    “We must allow people and party owners from the ward level, to choose their leaders.

    “We are doing what the common man wants us to do and we will not deviate from that,” he added.

    He blamed the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) for the lingering crisis, saying that the BoT had taken sides with the Makarfi committee in the crisis.

    According to him, the BoT members should not take position on any matter; “If there is a problem they should call everybody and resolve it”.

    “When we are constituting our committee, we can pick from the BoT. Every interest will be represented”.

    Sheriff insisted that Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim remained the governorship candidate of the PDP in Ondo state. The candidate presented by the Makarfi committee is the one recognized by INEC.

    “As a party, we have taken our decision, we have chosen Jimoh Ibrahim as our candidate and whatever the law says we would follow it. We are products of the rule of law”, he said.

  • Postponement of Edo election illegal – PDP

    Postponement of Edo election illegal – PDP

    The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the postponement of Saturday’s governorship election in Edo state as illegal, saying it’s a coup against the people.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier on Thursday announced its decision to hold the election, only for the commission to reverse itself hours later.

    The party, in a statement by its spokesman, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, said the date should be kept sacrosanct, stressing that there were no tangible reasons to tamper with the election.

    The statement said: “The call for the postponement of the election by the top hierarchy of the security agencies predicated on alleged security threat was a less than ingenious attempt to buy time for the APC which is clearly heading for a major electoral catastrophe on Saturday.

    “It is shameful and indeed a major constitutional breach for the security agencies to act in concert with the APC to truncate an election that had been planned for months.

    “Nigerians were not deceived by the obvious concoctions of the security agencies whose performances during elections have been less than average since the advent of the Buhari administration.

    “Indeed they have become instruments in the hands of the ruling party to harass, intimidate and punish opponents.”

    The PDP called on the President and the National Assembly to conduct a non -partisan and holistic review and investigation of the national security apparatus to save the nation’s fledging democracy.

     

  • Abia: A/Court judgment excites PDP

    Abia: A/Court judgment excites PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is excited by the Appeal Court ruling that affirmed the election of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s of Abia state who contested the election on the platform of the PDP.

    The appellate court on Friday had set aside a judgment of a Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Okon Abang ordering Ikpeazu’s removal and his replacement with Dr. Uche Ogah, also of the PDP.

    In a statement on Friday by the spokesman of the party’s Caretaker Committee, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, the PDP described the ruling of the appellate court as triumph of the rule of law and victory for democracy.

    The statement said, “What transpired at the Court of Appeal on Thursday, August 18, 2016  has once again rekindled our trust in the Judiciary as the last hope of the common man.

    “You will recall that the lead Judge of the five-man panel of Judges of the Appeal Court, Justice Morenike Ogunwumiju on Thursday, August 18, 2016 delivered ruling on an appeal brought before it by Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, Executive Governor of Abia state in respect of his Tax Clearance Certificate.

    “Finally, the Peoples Democratic Party call on all well meaning Nigerians and the National Judicial Council (NJC) in particular, to continue rising up to its responsibility of maintaining an unbiased judiciary that will be neutral on all issues brought before it”.

  • ‘Teaching Hospital can’t provide cotton wool, spirit’

    ‘Teaching Hospital can’t provide cotton wool, spirit’

    .X-Ray machine down

    .Resident Doctors to go on strike Monday

    The management of the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria cannot not provide common cotton wool and methylated spirit needed for the dressing of patients’ injuries.

    Also, the Haematology Department of the teaching hospital cannot provide blood component for patients. The hospital is also having problems with its X-Ray machines.

    These were part of the revelations made by the President of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Dr. Waziri Aliyu in Abuja on Friday.

    Aliyu, who led a delegation of his colleagues to the Senate Committee on Health, also complained about dilapidated infrastructure and insecurity within the hospital’s work environment.

    He similarly complained about poor sanitation and broken down facilities and equipment that have continued to reduce human and material capacities.

    Dr. Aliyu narrated an incident where a member of the association suffered a snake bite but could not get prompt medical attention.

    Said he, “The sewages in the hospital’s labour ward are presently leaking. The Haematology Department of the teaching hospital cannot provide blood component for a patient. As simple as X-ray is, we have been having problems with it.”

    The doctor also said the premises of the teaching hospital were not completely fenced, giving room for frequent intrusion and trespass.

    According to him, two medical officers were recently attacked by hoodlums on two different occasions.

    He continued, “Lack of adequate accommodation and opportunity of Residency Training as various units of the health institution lack adequate personnel, a situation that has led to the over stretching of the remaining workforce even without motivation.

    “Part of their (doctors) grievances with the hospital management include alleged illegal sack of 19 personnel and non-intake of Resident Doctors since 2012 as many people have left the hospital services over time without replacements.

    “ABUTH personnel earn less than their contemporaries in other Teaching Hospitals across the country.

    “As simple as cotton wool and spirit are, we ask the patients to provide them. It is as bad as that”.

    The doctors were summoned by the Senate committee over their warning strike notice to the management. The ultimatum will expire next Monday.

    Addressing the doctors, the Senate committee chairman, Dr. Olanrewaju Tejuoso, requested them to come forward with a comprehensive report on their demands and grievances.

    Senator Tejuoso pleaded with the doctors not to embark on the planned strike, assuring them that the Senate would sort out the issues raised.

    “We will make sure that when your next budget comes, we will ensure that we take care of your demands”, the senator said.

    Also commenting on the issues raised by the doctors, Senator Shehu Sani warned that denying the country’s teaching hospitals the needed attention could jeopardise the nation’s projections in the health sector.

  • PDP crisis: Makarfi, Sheriff camps disagree with court’s judgment

    PDP crisis: Makarfi, Sheriff camps disagree with court’s judgment

    The National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed satisfaction with Wednesday’s ruling of an Abuja High Court, which sacked Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as National Chairman of the party.

    The committee has, therefore, advised Sheriff to retrace his steps and join hands with others to move the party forward.

    But the Sheriff camp has said that the court did not sack the embattled chairman and that the judgement of was being misinterpreted.

    The court, presided over by Justice Valentine Ashi, nullified the 2014 PDP constitution‎ amendment upon which Sheriff was appointed PDP chairman.

    The court described the said amendment as illegal and a violation of the Electoral Act.

    Secretary of the Ahmed Makarfi -led caretaker committee, Senator Ben Obi, in an interview yesterday described the judgement as a welcome development.

    He said: “We expect more positive court rulings in the days ahead in favour of our party‎. It is time for them to face the truth and retrace their steps.”

    He called on Sheriff and his supporters to stop their hard line posture and cooperate with the caretaker committee to move the party forward.

    “We believe that truth must be upheld; we want all hands to be on deck to chart the way forward”, Obi added.

    Repudiating the judgment, the National Secretary of the Sheriff faction, Prof. Adewale Oladipo said in a statement yesterday that “this is completely false and a clear misrepresentation of the ruling of the court as it never gave any ruling ousting the national chairman.

    The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to reports circulating in the media that a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has ousted the National Chairman of the PDP, Sen. Ali-Modu Sheriff.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the court only heard and delivered judgment on a matter concerning certain amendments in the PDP constitution, which has nothing to do with the election of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as the national chairman or even that of his predecessor, Alhaji Adamu Muazu.

    “Senator Ali Modu Sheriff was duly elected as the national chairman of the PDP. He still holds office as the national chairman and has not been removed by any court.

    “We therefore urge those misleading the media and the unsuspecting public to desist from such. The media are also urged to always crosscheck their facts before going to press”

  • Dasuki charged with illegal arms possession

    Dasuki charged with illegal arms possession

    •‘Ex-NSA held firearms without licence’

    The immediate past National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki, was on Monday charged to court by the Department of State Services (DSS).

    A statement yesterday by the Acting spokesman of the DSS, Tony Opuiyo, said Dasuki was charged to court based on evidence relating to possession of firearms without licence.

    According to the statement, the offence is punishable under Section 27(i) (a) (i) of the Firearms Act Cap F28LFN 2004.

    “This is in line with democratic practice and our avowed commitment to the rule of law, in which nobody is deemed to be above the law, no matter how highly placed in the society.

    “Accordingly, the general public will be duly informed as the matter progresses”, the statement added.

    The DSS on July 16, carried out a search on property belonging to Dasuki in Abuja and Sokoto.

    The search followed what the DSS described as credible intelligence linking the ex-NSA to acts capable of undermining national security.

    “The search led to the recovery of large cache of arms and ammunition among other things and for which further investigation was conducted”, the DSS said.

     

  • Senate confirms Service Chiefs

    Senate confirms Service Chiefs

    The Senate on Tuesday confirmed Major Gen. Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin as the Chief of Defence Staff.

    Also confirmed were Major General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (Chief of Army Staff); Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Chief of Naval Staff); and Air Vice Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar (Chief of Air Staff).

    The military chiefs were grilled in a closed session with the lawmakers for over four hours. They were appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari on July 13.

    President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, said the officers answered questions on various issues, after which they were cleared for confirmation.

    “Having successfully completed the screening and confirmation of the nominees, it is clear that their appointments were based on merit,” Saraki said.

    He added that the appointments came at a very crucial time, especially at a time the country was still battling with insurgency in the Northeast.

    The President of the Senate urged them to work hard to ensure the insurgents are routed in record time, assuring that the Senate would always give the Armed Forces every necessary support.

    Saraki charged them to restore the battered image and prestige of the Armed Forces and to also tackle corruption in military procurement process.