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Tag: Gemade

  • Gemade dumps PDP again for SDP

    A former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Barnabas Gemade, has defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

    He currently represents Benue North East in the Senate.

    The lawmaker has allegedly bought the party’s senatorial form and he is expected to submit it today.

    The senator, three weeks ago, picked the expression of intent and nomination forms of the PDP but it was learnt that he did not submit the form.

    SDP’s former Publicity Secretary Philip Wuhe said Gemade would submit his senatorial form today in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

    He added that the senator would be battling two other aspirants: Senator Joseph Akargerger and Torgem Malu for the ticket.

    Few weeks ago, Gemade’s aide, Alaga Udu, said his principal was not planning to leave the PDP.

    But PDP’s Publicity Secretary Bemgba Iortyom said the party was not aware of the senator’s exit.

    He said: “I am not aware if Senator Gemade has left the party. I don’t know if he picked the party’s form because aside the House of Assembly form, which was bought here, others picked their forms in Abuja, though they were asked to submit to the state. But Gemade did not submit the form here.”

    Gemade, who was PDP National Chairman, left the party in 2015 and won the senatorial election on APC’s platform.

    Two months ago, he returned to the PDP with Governor Samuel Ortom, but moved to SDP and bought the nomination form for Sone A senatorial seat, leaving former Governor Gabriel Suswam as a sole candidate in the Zone A contest.

    Gemade blamed Ortom for his defection to SDP, saying the governor betrayed him.

  • Gemade may dump PDP for SDP

    INDICATIONS have emerged former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Barnabas Gemade, who recently defected from the All Progressive Party (APC) and joined PDP may jump ship again.

    Gemade is the senator representing Benue – North east senatorial zone otherwise known as zone A.

    He defeated former Governor Gabriel Suswam in the 2015 PDP senatorial primary election.

    Before his defection, Gemade had declared intention to seek re-election to the senate for the third time.

    He and Suswam have purchased and returned their nomination forms on PDP platform.

    Efforts by the Uche secondus- led PDP leadership to broker a peace deal between Gemade and Suswam failed, leaving both of them to go into the contest.

    Our correspondent gathered Gemade may lose out of the power equation as Governor Samuel Ortom began his re-election campaign tour around the three senatorial zones and political blocs.

    Ortom was in Jechira federal constituency comprising Vandeikya and Konshisha Local Government areas where elders of the zone unanimously endorsed him for second term.

    Gemade, who hails from Konshisha, was conspicuously absent alongside his supporters.

    The absence of Gemade, who defected alongside Ortom, is seen as a signal the PDP primary may not favour him.

    But from all indications, Suswam is favoured to beat Gemade in the PDP race.

    This is because before Gemade returned, PDP had already put in place a new EXCO of the party in Benue and the senatorial zone.

    Even though the party was able to accommodate Ortom’s interest by partially dissolving the state EXCO to allow his men take some positions, Gemade met a brick wall.

    There are indications the former PDP chairman has already secured the ticket for zone A in Social Democratic Party (SDP) in anticipation Suswam may pick the PDP ticket.

     

  • Senate: Gemade, Melaye, Kwankwaso, 12 others defect to PDP

    14 senators including Barnabas Gemade, Dino Melaye and Dr. Lanre Tejuoso  on Tuesday defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC)  to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Their letter of defection was read by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki ,during the Senate proceedings.

    Others are:

    Senator Mohammed Shaaba Lafiagi

    Senator Muhammad Ubali Shitu

    Senator Rafiu Ibrahim

    Senator Isah Misau

    Senator Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi

    Senator Monsurat Sunmonu

    Senator Abdulahi Danbaba

    Senator  Usman Bayero Nafada

    Senator Sulaiman Mohammed Nazif

    Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso

    Read Also: Tension: Police mount surveillance, block Saraki’s convoy

    Saraki later announced that Senator Abdullazeez Nyaku has also informed him of his defection from APC to PDP.

    There was palpable tension in the Senate chamber as  Saraki entered the place at 10.41 a.m.

    Citing Section 68(1G) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the defectors said “we hereby inform the Senate that we, the undersigned are changing our political affiliation from All Progressives Congress (APC) to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    “We thank you for your exemplary leadership.”

    They said that their action was after due consultation with their constituents and stakeholders in their constituencies.

    Reacting to the development, Senate Leader, Sen. Ahmad Lawan, said “the APC, our party certainly has its own internal challenges.

    “But, Mr President, we all know how much effort he and other stakeholders have put into addressing the issues that bedevil this party.

    “The disagreements do not translate into factions. I therefore feel that our senators of the APC do not have to move to any other party.

    “I also believe that because the issues are under serious discussions by the major stakeholders of this party, I will urge that the announcement be quarantined.

    “Very seriously, this matter should be stepped down until we exhaust all the opportunities,” Lawan said.

    In his remarks, Saraki said “as you know and have seen that the seat beside you is empty.

    “As we speak, the Deputy Senate President cannot get out of his house.

    “He is under siege. This morning, I could not also leave my street as well, all by efforts of some people that believe that today’s sitting must not hold because some members want to move or defect.

    “It is not something that has started today; it will not end today; people have gone, they’ve come back.

    “But this kind of action does not allow for what you are saying.

    “You are speaking as the leader of the Senate, who has been here for many years.”

     

  • Fed Poly Adikpo will ensure equity, says Gemade

    Fed Poly Adikpo will ensure equity, says Gemade

    The Senator representing Benue North East, Barnabas Gemade, yesterday said that the establishment of the Federal Polytechnic, Adikpo, Kwande Local Government Area, Benue State will ensure equity.

    He also said the polytechnic will provide qualitative education in technology, applied science management and other fields of studies.

    Gemade stated this during the second reading of a Bill for an Act to establish the Federal Polytechnic, Adikpo, Benue State to provide full time courses in technology, applied science management and other fields of studies and to make provisions for the general administration of such polytechnic, 2018.

    He said that the development of polytechnic education is fundamental  and a sine qua non in creating a work force for the desired economic diversification and also bridging the unemployment gap and emancipation of the people.

    He added that the Bill is therefore a r right step in the right direction as it seeks to address not only the technological needs of “our populace but also provide training in the fields of applied science management, technical and vocational training  of artisans for the development of the nation’s diverse economic potentials and industries.”

    The Bill scaled the crucial second reading in the Senate with most of the senators speaking in favour of its approval.

    In his lead debate, Gemade noted that the Federal Government policy to site federal institutions in every state was established with the creation of 19 states in 1976.

    He said that the policy continued and with the creation of 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory,  successive governments have maintained the policy in ensuring that every state of the Federation has a Federal University, a Federal Polytechnic and a Federal College of Education.

    The lawmaker noted that commendable as the policy is, the need has arisen to bring about equity in its implementation.

    Gemade said that the report of the committee on the modalities of establishing federal polytechnics, colleges of education and universities across the country considered and approved by the Senate on 18th January, 2018, it its findings confirmed the fact that Benue does not have any Federal polytechnic of federal college of education.

    “It is against this backdrop that this Bill is being proposed to address these challenges by extablishing a federal polytechnic at Adikpo in Kwande Local Government Area which is very central within the North-East Senatorial District of Benue State which does not have any federal tertiary institution,” he posited.

  • Gemade: Senate ’ll review FMBN, FHA laws

    Gemade: Senate ’ll review FMBN, FHA laws

    The Senate is to review the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and Federal Housing Authority (FHA) laws to enable Nigerians benefit from some affordable housing schemes, its Housing Committee Chairman,   Senator Barnabas Gemade, has said.

    Gemade, who spoke at a ceremony in Abuja, to commemo-rate the partnership between the FHA and a private developer, Bauhaus International Limited (BIL), said the deal would lead to the construction of Rockville Garden Estate, comprising 260 housing units in Guzape in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The estate, said   to be a smart city, will be made up of detached duplexes, twin duplexes, terrace houses, two bedrooms, and  one bedroom luxury apartments. The project has a completion period of 30 months.

    He said: “This noble gesture is aimed at housing at least 260 families and is by no means a small feat considering the economic, business environment and current acute shortage of funds.” He stressed the importance of the National Assembly working in partnership with stakeholders to explore different interventions and bridge the housing gap at all levels and build more than 10 million housing units in the country.

    Also speaking, the FHA Managing Director, Prof Mohammed Al-Amin, said the Authority intends to achieve greater efficiency in housing delivery, encourage the use of modern technology, as well as the  injection of private sector funding into the sector.

    He said the project was planned to add a minimum of 1,500 housing units to the FCT housing stock. It sits on a portion of the FHA’s 100 hectares of land situated across two districts of Apo and Guzape. The land was acquired for housing development for the medium and high income groups.

    Al-Amin expressed the hope that on completion, the estate would provide a safe, comfortable, attractive and functional shelter, utilising the ambient terrain and a functional neighbourhood. He said  the FHA has developed not less than 15,000 housing units in the FCT since 1991. FHA, he further revealed, initiated the private, public partnership model of housing delivery following its lean financial muscle to deliver on her mandate was limited.

    The Executive Chairman of BIL, Victor Onukwugha, remarked that housing all over the world has become a hydra-headed socio-economic problem that needs to be tackled frontally. He therefore assured that Rockville Gardens Estate will be fitted with smart technology-sensors embedded in streets and homes, Wi-Fi broadcasts and other information and communication technologies for lifestyle living and also provide serenity, and security for its residents.

  • Gemade, others pay homage to Tor Tiv

    Gemade, others pay homage to Tor Tiv

    Senator Barnabas Gemade yesterday led leaders of Benue North East to pay home to the New Tor Tiv, Prof James Ayatse, in his Makurdi, Benue State residence.
    Prof Ayatse’s coronation is scheduled for Saturday in Gboko.
    Gemade said they were in the palace to pledge their loyalty ahead of Saturday’s coronation. He expressed confidence that the monarch will return Tiv people to glory.
    The Tor Tiv said Tiv people must change their thinking for them to progress Nigeria, adding that they must also return to God for him to show his glory.

  • Ortom, Akume, Gemade meet Buhari over Fed appointments

    Ortom, Akume, Gemade meet Buhari over Fed appointments

    Benue state Governor Samuel Ortom yesterday met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on the for more appointments of people from the state into federal positions.

    Ortom was accompanied by a former Governor George Akume and Senator Banabas Gemade.

    Addressing State House correspondents, Ortom said Benue residents overwhelmingly voted for the President in the March 28 election and needed to be given a sense of belonging.

    The governor said the state had qualified persons of integrity who could contribute positively to the nation’s progress.

    He said: “We believe that we are endowed with the capacity to deliver and sustain food security for our nation, even beyond our nation.

    “So, we are happy about this. We appreciate Mr. President and we also know that we overwhelmingly voted for Mr. President. We have the capacity, the manpower. There are so many of our people who can add value to the development of this country through several appointments.

    “Mr. President, we are not being Oliver Twist, but we believe that we have the capacity to also present other sons and daughters of Benue State to be appointed into other key positions. That is why we are here today.

    “We know that the appointment of ministers is not the end; there are several other appointments that will still come. We are sure that the Tiv will be carried along.”

    Thanking President Buhari for appointing one of Benue sons, Chief Audu Ogbe, as the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ortom said: “Beyond that, Audu Ogbe is a detrabalised person; he is known to carry everybody along. We are sure he will represent our interest.

    “Above all, we believe that in the next appointments, the interest of our sons and daughters will be taken into consideration.”

    The governor pledged to support Ogbeh, whom he said would collaborate with the state to pursue the nation’s food security policy.

    He said: “We came to thank Mr. President for appointing …Chief Ogbe as minister and subsequently swore him in as Minister for Agriculture.

    “That is putting a round peg in a round hole. And we are happy that Benue State is the food basket of this nation and Chief Ogbe is known for his passion for agriculture and agric business. We believe that with Ogbe as minister, Benue State will collaborate with him very well and Nigeria will have the dividends of democracy through agriculture.”

    Ortom also said Benue State hitherto lacked the right people with the right policies.

    The governor noted that this was why it had not been able to tap into its agriculture potentials.

    He said: “Today, I am a farmer; Chief Ogbe is also a farmer. All of us are farmers. We have put in place the enabling environment not just for agriculture to thrive. But the main problem has been that of storage, processing and marketing.

    “These are areas that we are expanding and inviting investors to come into. We believe that this time round, the story will be different.”

     

     

     

  • Saraki appoints Gemade as panel chair

    Saraki appoints Gemade as panel chair

    Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki yesterday appointed Senator Barnabas Gemade as the chairman of the Adhoc Committee on Ecological Disasters and Bad Roads.

    Observers said the appointment was strategic as Saraki aimed to use the offer to further consolidate his hold on power in the Senate.

    Gemade is one of the leaders of the Senate Unity Forum, a group of senators opposed to the emergence of Saraki as Senate president.

    The appointment followed the adoption of two motions on the state of disrepair of some major roads in Akwa Ibom State and landslide in parts of Isiukwuato and Arochukwu Local government Area of Abia State.

    Besides Gemade other members of the committee included Senators Athanasius Achonu (PDP Imo North), Bassey Akpan (PDP- Akwa Ibom North East), Mohammed Shittu (APC- Jigawa North East), Olarenwaju Tejuosho (APC-Ogun Central), Barau Jibrin (APC Kano North).

    Others are Senators Matthew Urhoghide (PDP- Edo South), David Umaru (APC-Niger East), Uche Ekwunife (PDP Anambra Central), Mohammed Hassan (APC-Yobe South), Binta Masi (APC- Adamawa North) and Donald Alasoadura (APC-Ondo Central).

    The committee was asked to present its report to the Senate within two weeks.

     

  • Gemade, others call for national cohesion

    Former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Senator representing Benue Northeast senatorial zone, Chief Barnabas Gemade, has admitted that the recent election of Muhammadu Buhari has altered negative perception about Nigeria, especially at the global stage.

    The Senator who spoke in Abuja during the official unveiling of a book, ‘Fragrance of Diversity’, urged Nigerians to sustain the momentum engineered by the successes recorded in the elections in order to move the country forward.

    ‘Fragrance of Diversity’ is a book written by Mr. Nosike Ogbuenyi, the Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Media. The book demonstrates how some of Nigeria’s cultural traits and diverse names which have often been misapplied as divisive tools can be transformed into positive instruments of unity.

    The book further explains meanings of names of Nigerians across ethnic, religious and geographic divides.

    “That way, our names can become instruments for bounding and integrating our people irrespective of our ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic diversities,” the author, Ogbuenyi explained.

    Senator Gemade took Nigerians through memory lane, recalling how series of internal crises have threatened to undermine national peace and security.

    “Since 1960, Nigeria has witnessed many costly internal conflicts. The notable ones include the civil war, Zango/Kataf in Kaduna state, Hausa/Beron in Plateau, Tiv/Jukun in Taraba and Benue, Ebira/Bassa in present day Kogi, Ife/Modakeke in Osun, Ijaw/Itserkeri in Delta, Ezza/Izzi in Ebonyi, Umuleri/Aguleri in Anambra, Ombatse in Nasarawa.

    “In recent years, we have seen the more devastating crises of militancy in the Niger Delta, Boko Haram in the Northeast and the Fulani herdsmen, many communities recurring clashes in the middle section of the country and others.

    “The crises have in some cases snowballed to the extent that not a few people are beginning to be skeptical about the prospects of continuing to exist as one country if we are capable of building and sustaining peace and unity,” Gemade noted.

    The Benue-born senator explained that a major threat to our unity, tolerance and peace is the lack of deep understanding and appreciation of one another by Nigerians.

    He equally emphasised the need for inter-cultural marriages, provision of Unity Schools for younger generations, understanding languages and bearing names across cultural, political and geographical divides will encourage tolerance, acceptance and proper integration in Nigeria.

    Also speaking, representative of the FCT Minister, Mr. Emmanuel Awodu in his brief remarks, urged Nigerians to embrace the message of peace, propagated by the author, Mr. Ogbuenyi in his book.

    Some of the dignitaries at the event include representatives of state governors, senators, directors and heads of agencies of FCT administration, among others.

    “When Nosike told me about the book, I encouraged him to go ahead. What he has done is the first of its kind in Nigeria and he has captured the whole country. The work is excellent.”

  • Senate Presidency: Gemade backs Akume

    Senate Presidency: Gemade backs Akume

    Chairman, Senate Committee on National Planning, Senator Barnabas Gemade, on Tuesday threw his weight behind the bid of Senator George Akume to become the next Senate President.

    Gemade, who represents Benue North East Senatorial District, described Akume as not only the highest ranking Senator from the North Central geo-political zone but very suitable to assume the position of Senate President when the eight National Assembly is inaugurated.

    He noted in a statement that the clarification became necessary following mischievous and unfounded rumour making the rounds in parts of Benue State that he is against Akume’s candidature for the position.

    He described the insinuation as “baseless and absolute falsehood and should be disregarded in its entirety.”

    He said that some people who lost election were sowing seeds of discord in the All Progressives Congress (APC) by peddling unfounded rumour.

    He said, “My attention has been drawn to the mischievous and unfounded rumour on cyberspace and some newspapers circulating within Benue State that I am not in support of Senator George Akume’s candidature for the office of Senate President.

    “This is no doubt the handwork of our political opponents who suffered defeat at the just concluded elections and can’t seem to get over it, that are now bent on sowing seed sof discord in our party.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, I hereby reiterate that if our party, the APC zones the office of the Senate Presidency of the 8th National Assembly to the North Central zone, Senator George Akume who is the highest ranking Senator in the zone should be its choice.

    “Let it be known therefore that as a loyal member of our party I am in complete agreement with the decision of the party and will abide by it.”