The Nation Newspaper

Tag: House of Representatives

  • Reps pass bill to make June 12 a national holiday 

    The House of Representatives Thursday passed through Second reading a bill to make June 12 a national holiday in the country.

    The proposed legislation titled: “A bill for an act to amend the Public Holidays Act, Cap. P40 Laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2004 to bring the Act in tandem with the current realities and exigencies of the modern times and to declare June 12 as Democracy Day in Nigeria and for related matter,” was sponsored by Hons. Edward Pwajok (APC Plateau) and Kayode Oladele (APC Ogun).

    Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari declared June 12 a national holiday on June 6 this year.

    Read Also:I was imprisoned for June 12 – APC Senatorial Aspirant, Osinowo

    Pwajok while presenting the bill said Countries set aside some days to commemorate special events such as celebrating their independence, Religious festivals, some heroes etc.

    “For instance, President Ronald Reagan initiated the celebration of Martin Luther king’s day as a holiday in the U.S.A. He is considered a civil Rights hero in the U.S.A, May 1st is celebrated in most cities to celebrate workers.

    “There are individuals who have impacted so much on their countries, that they are
    celebrated with a declaration of public holidays such as George Washington of the U.S.A, (the First U.S President).

    “Certain events also have compelled the declaration of public holiday, such as Human Rights, Freedom. Youth, Women and National Reconciliation days in South Africa.

    “In many countries public holidays are not fixed, as they change from year to year. Thus, the U.S.A celebrates Presidential inauguration only in the fourth year when the new President is sworn in.”

    The lawmaker said in the year, 2000, President Obasanjo declared 29 of May, each year as Democracy Day to celebrate the handover of Government by the military to elected civilians.

    “This is in addition to celebrating independence on October 1st each year.

    “The question needs to be asked whether the mere hand over of power on May 29, 1999 is more symbolic of Democracy than the June 12th 1993 election.

    “It is pertinent to remember that it was the crisis that accompanied the annulment of the June 12th
    1993 election that led to not only the return of Democracy in 1999 but the concession of the Presidency to the South West in 1999.”

    He said declaring June 12 as Democracy Day will remind Nigerians of the supreme price
    many Nigerians including M.K.O Abiola, Kudirat Abiola, Alfred Rewane, Bagauda Kalto, etc paid and many others that lost their jobs, propertics, businesses etc.

    “It will also enhance National Unity by reminding us that on June 12 th 1993 Nigerians de-emphasized religion by voting a Muslim-Muslim  SDP ticket against a Musim-Christian NRC ticket,

    “It will therefore remind us of the need to be more nationalistic and Democratic, It also acknowledges the organizational skills of those who plgnned that election like
    Professor Humphrey Nwosu etc.”

    The lawmaker said though President Muhammad Buhari declared June 12 as a public holiday, in deference to the
    National Assembly which raised issues on the need to adhere to the law, there was no public holiday on June 12 2018.

    “However, if the Bill is passed and assented to, subsequent June 12 anniversaries will become public holidays to commemorate Democracy, while 29 May will only be celebrated every fourth year when there is inauguration of a new President.”

    When the Speaker,   Hon. Yakubu Dogara called for a voice vote on the bill, it was passed without dissent and referred to the Committee of the Whole.

     

  • Reps want NEMA boss sacked over alleged mismanagement of resources

    The House of Representatives on Thursday, urged President Muhammadu Buhari, to relieve the Managing Director of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr Mustapha Maihaja of his duties over alleged mismanagement of resources.

    This followed the adoption of a report of the House Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness at plenary.

    According to Chairman of the committee, Rep. Ali Isa, based on the investigation conducted, it has been established that the Federal Government lost over N33 billion as a result of mismanagement by Maihaja.

    “This is as a result of mismanagement or outright embezzlement of funds occasioned by actions or inactions of the Managing Director of NEMA, Mr Mustapha Maihaja,’’ Isa said.

    He also expressed reservation over the handling of the 6,779 metric tonnes of rice donated for Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in the Northeast by the Chinese Government.

    “On the issue of donation of 6,779 metric tonnes of rice by the Chinese Government for IDPs in the Northeast, the House condemned the negligence.

    “It also condemned the inefficiency of the Ministry of Budget and National Planning and NEMA for the long delay in the collection of the donated rice from the port terminal.

    “The Committee therefore called on anti graft agencies to investigate and prosecute all those involved.

    “The ICPC, EFCC and Police should ensure recovery of the payment of about N800 million demurrage from the concerned officers of the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Ministry of Agriculture and NEMA.

    “They should further investigate the conflicting testimonies of the above agencies to determine whether there were multiple payments for the demurrage,” Isa said. (NAN)

  • Reps resort to use of wireless microphone

    Members of the House of Representatives at plenary on Wednesday were shocked and amused at resorting to the use of wireless microphone for the legislative business of the day.

    For the first time, proceedings at plenary  were conducted with wireless microphone being passed around by Sergeant at Arm.

    This followed the inability of the technical department of the National Assembly to rectify the lingering fault with the public address system that denied many lawmakers the use of their individual in-built microphone.

    The faulty system which denied many lawmakers the use of their individual microphones led to an abrupt adjournment of plenary on Tuesday, while hoping that the fault would have been rectified.

    Read Also: Reps summon Baru, others over N91tr oil contracts

    Some individual microphones that were functional were also found to be inaudible, while some worked perfectly.

    With the strange development, incidence of microphone being passed to unrecognized lawmakers was witnessed.

    Speaker Yakubu Dogara, who informed his colleagues of the use of wireless microphone before the commencement of proceedings said it was regrettable that the House is still using obsolete public address system.

    According to him, technician tried  to rectify the fault but failed.

    The Speaker however pleaded with his colleagues for the inconveniences they have to bear for about three weeks when the challenge would have been addressed.

  • Mid-term elections: U.S. warns Russia, China, Iran to stay off

    The U.S. has warned against foreign interference in its mid-term elections, particularly from Russia, China and Iran.

    All the 435 House of Representatives seats, representing the 50 states are up for grabs in the election, holding on Tuesday.

    Thirty five of the 100 senate seats are being contested and gubernatorial elections are to be held in 36 states.

    “The United States will not tolerate foreign interference in our elections from Russia, China, Iran or other nations,” U.S. law enforcement agencies warned.

    The agencies are the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – in coordination with federal, state, local and private sector partners nationwide.

    In a joint statement, DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, DNI Director Dan Coats, and FBI Director Christopher Wray said they were continuing efforts to protect the elections.

    “Our agencies have been working in unprecedented ways to combat influence efforts and to support state and local officials in securing our elections, including efforts to harden election infrastructure against interference.

    “Our goal is clear: ensure every vote is counted and counted correctly.

    “At this time we have no indication of compromise of our nation’s election infrastructure that would prevent voting, change vote counts or disrupt the ability to tally votes.

    “But Americans should be aware that foreign actors – and Russia in particular – continue to try to influence public sentiment and voter perceptions through actions intended to sow discord.

    “They can do this by spreading false information about political processes and candidates, lying about their own interference activities, disseminating propaganda on social media and through other tactics,” the agencies said.

    They, however, said the American public could mitigate these efforts by remaining informed, reporting suspicious activity and being vigilant consumers of information.

    The agencies said actions that interfered in the elections were a threat to U.S. democracy and identifying and preventing this interference was one of our highest priorities.

    “On Sept. 12, President Trump signed an executive order that makes clear the U.S. government will not hesitate to defend our electoral processes or punish those who attempt to undermine them.”

    “Our agencies have been making preparations for nearly two years in advance of these elections and are closely engaged with officials on the ground to help them ensure the voting process is secure.

    “Americans can rest assured that we will continue to stay focused on this mission long after polls have closed,” the agencies said.

    NAN

     

  • Reps want Sergeants-at-arms armed

    The House of Representatives on Thursday resolved that Sergeants-at-arms in charge of security within the National Assembly complex should be armed
    The lawmakers therefore resolved that members of the security outfit should proceed for the arms training and that firearms should be procured for them to better secure the National Assembly.
    The resolution was sequel to a the adoption of the prayers a a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Hon. Ossai Ossai (PDP- Delta) to guard against any future attempt to invade the National Assembly.
    The lawmaker while arguing the motion said it has become necessary to beef up NASS security because of increase of security threats.
    According to him, arming Sergeants -at-arm is a universal standard practice.

    Read Also: Reps may summon IGP over detained lawmaker

    The lawmaker reminded his colleagues that  in April the 18th,  suspected thugs  gained entrance into the l Senate Chamber and snatched the the mace, the symbol of authority.
    He also recounted that on August the 7th, masked and hooded armed security operatives from the Department of State Security (DSS), the Nigerian Police and other security agencies invaded the national assembly and stopped both lawmakers and workers from gaining entrance for hours .
    He said these types of incidents make it imperative to arm the NASS Security  outfit.

  • ‘PDP had rancour-free primary in Owo/Ose Constituency’

    A House of Representatives aspirant for Ose/Owo federal constituency,in Ondo state under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Sadiq Oluwole Obaneyen on Saturday said there was peaceful primary in the area where he emerged the candidate.

    He faulted the claim that there were irregularities during primary which led to the purported cancellation of the primary in the federal constituency.
    Obaneyen in a statement made available to reporters in Akure, the state capital said he clinched the party ticket to contest the general election for Owo/Ose federal constituency next year.
    According to him,”I emerged at the PDP primary election held in Owo where 234 delegates participated in the exercise”.
    He said delegates from the two local governments were accredited before voting,while
    the election went smoothly as delegates conducted themselves in a peaceful manner.
    Obaneyen added that INEC officials were on ground to monitor the exercise as well observers.
    Besides,the aspirant said Security operatives were present to provide maximum security which facilitated hitch free exercise.
    Announcing the results,the Returning Officer,Yusuf Rabiu declared Obaneyen as the winner with 107 votes to defeat the serving member in the federal constituency,Bode Ayorinde who had 73 votes while the third  contestants got 54 votes.

    Read Also: Agbaje clinches Lagos PDP governorship ticket

    The PDP chairman in Owo local government,Idris Okeowo expressed  delight in the process that produced clear winner.
    Obaneyen expressed appreciation to God,party leaders and supporters for the victory while promising his constituents that he would not disappoint them.
    He assured them of robust and quality representation.
    Obaneyen had served in various leadership positions within and outside the state.
    He was the first Labour Party secretary in the state and served as the former Director, Ondo State Development Property between 2009/2010.
    Besides,he served as the senior legislative aide to the Deputy Senate President,
    Ike Ikweremadu,the position he held before resigning  last month to contest for the  House of Representatives seat in Owo/Ose federal constituency.

  • PDP secretary picks Reps ticket

    Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretary in Kwara state Razaq Lawal has emerged as the PDP candidate for Ilorin West/Asa House of Representatives.
    Former commissioner for Special Duties was yesterday officially affirmed by delegates from his federal constituency at the Kwara central zonal office of the party in Ilorin.
    Also affirmed as PDP House of Representatives candidate for Ilorin East/ South constituency at the event is Hon. AbdulWahab Issa.
    Issa had served as Representative for the same constituency between 2011- 2015 and thereafter served as the Director General, ABS Mandate Constituency office, Ilorin.
    Rasaq Lawal’s emergence was also in fulfilment of the  Senate President Bukola Saraki’s pledge to give both the old and PDP members equal opportunity.
    The Kwara central zonal chairman of the PDP, Alhji Adesina Jimoh poured encomiums on Saraki for providing effective and efficient leadership for the PDP and Saraki political structure in the state.
    Adesina described Saraki as a fair and selfless leader whose only interest in politics is the development of his people and growth of Kwara state.
    He said the Senate President’s unique leadership has put the PDP in more advantage position over the  disunited and leaderless opposition parties in the state.
    In his acceptance speech, Lawal thanked God for ensuring his emergence.
    He expressed special gratitude to the Senate for making good his promise to give both the old and new members of the PDP in the state equal opportunities.
    ” Saraki’s name will go down in his history as a fair and detrabilised leader through whose leadership so many Kwarans had been elected and appointed into positions of authority both at the state and federal levels.
    The chairman of the electoral panel that conducted the primary, Barr. Moses Ibiyemi raised up the hands of the two candidates for affirmation by delegates.
    Before this, other aspirants for the House of Representatives seat for the two federal constituencies had announced their withdrawal from the race in the interest of their party. They expressed their support for Lawal and Issa.
    Those that spoke include Hon. Abubakar Kannike, Alh Saka Babatunde, Hon. Warrah and Hon. Segilola AbdulKadir.

  • Reps endorse Sanwo-Olu for Lagos governor

    House of Representatives members on the platform of Lagos State All progressives Party (APC) yesterday endorsed former Commissioner for Establishment, Training and Pensions Babajide Sanwo-Olu for governor.

    The legislators described him as a hardworking, competent and result-driven technocrat and politician, who will take Lagos to a horizon of progress.

    Led by the House Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, the legislators visited the Ikoyi resident of the aspirant to decorate him with the insignia of endorsement.

    The legislators include former Head of Service Yakubu Balogun, former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Rotimi Agunsoye, Bisi Ayinla Yusuf, Jide Jimoh, Jide Benson, James Faleke, Taofeek Adaranijo, Ayodeji Joseph, Setonji Bamgbose, and Wole Diya.

    Gbajabiamila described the endorsement by the “community of friends” as the last pre-direct primary endorsement by a crucial political structure that has its taproots across the constituencies.

    Noting that the forum had earlier endorsed Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, he explained that politics is dynamic. In his view, the governor was endorsed then because he had no rival.

    Gbajabiamila said: “This is the last political structure that is lending support to Sanwo-Olu. We needed to take our time, look at issues dispassionately and deliberate extensively. We had endorsed the governor before. He has done well in infrastructure development. But, politics is dynamic. We have sat down. Governance is not just about infrastructural development.

    “The GAC had spoken. I was at the meeting. There was no dissenting voice in GAC. Sanwo-Olu is a man of rich pedigree; he has intimidating credentials. He has a lot of experience. We are going to support him at the primary tomorrow (today).”

    Gbajabiamila spoke on the imperative of party unity, saying that the party will not be divided after the primary.

    He added: “We have one party. We don’t want a divided party. Whatever is the outcome of tomorrow’s primary, our party will remain united. We believe in Sanwo-Olu, his capability. We believe he will take Lagos to a higher level.”

    An excited Sanwo-Olu thanked the legislators, promising to endow the office of governor with honour and responsibility, if elected.

    He said: “A vote for me is a vote for taking Lagos to a higher, bigger and better level in health, education, environment, direct foreign investment. While others are playing low, we are playing high. The party will respond to them.

    “I feel elated. I feel tomorrow should be today. Our people will make a right choice.”

  • ‘Osun victory signals APC’s readiness for 2019 polls’

    A former House of Representatives member, Mr. Bimbo Daramola, has said the victory the All Progressives Congress (APC) recorded in the Osun State governorship election was a signal of its readiness to win next year’s general elections.

    He said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would have used the Osun poll as a launching pad to make a big statement for 2019, had it won.

    Daramola praised the APC national leadership for entering into an alliance with the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

    He noted that the working relationship swung the pendulum of victory to the side of Gboyega Oyetola, who trounced PDP’s flagbearer, Senator Ademola Adeleke.

    The former Federal lawmaker spoke at the weekend in Ire-Ekiti, his hometown, while welcoming over 300 PDP defectors into APC in support of his bid to return to the National Assembly, to represent Ekiti North Federal Constituency I.

    Daramola said: “But with this winning, APC has again expressed its dominance on the PDP and there was a clear indication that our party will have the upper hand in the Southwest in 2019.

    “The Osun governorship poll could have been disastrous if the PDP had won. It could have been a berthing place for the PDP, the way Ekiti State was before Dr Kayode Fayemi won the governorship election. The election we thought would be won easily turned out to be a tie between the two dominant parties.

    “We thank God that He provided the opportunity for a rerun; if not, APC would have lost that election. But we have learnt our lesson. We have learnt one or two lessons which will guide us in future elections.”

  • Aspirant calls for per-time legislature

    An aspirant for the House of Representatives on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alimosho Constituency, Amuludun Gbenga Ahmed, has called for a part-time legislature to cut down the cost of governance in the country.

    Gbenga disclosed this in an interview with reporters at the launch of his campaign in Lagos. The event was witnessed by  friends, party faithful and party leaders.

    He said: “I am in support of part-time legislature and it will help to reduce the high cost of governance in Nigeria.”

    Has lamented that many people are vying for public office in Nigeria because of pecuniary gain and not because they want to serve in the best interest of the people.

    Ahmed said making legislative arm of government a part-time work like its was in the first republic will help to thrown up astute professionals and highly motivated people who want to give their best and skills to serve the country.

    “I believe that we will have fewer incidences of money bag politicians who have failed in their homes and businesses but are seeking for public office as another business investment opportunity”, he said.

    Amuudun noted that the current representative have done his best to serve the people of Alimosho Constituency 1, but I want to improve on the representation of Alimosho people at the House of Representatives with selfless service and innovation that is needed in today’s world.

    He said “Lagos is the most populated state and economy epic centre of Nigeria, Alimosho is the biggest local government in Nigeria; its deserve better representation at the National Assembly”,

    He noted that his grand strategy is active engagement through continuous enlightenment and respectful engagement with stakeholders in the constituency.

    “My goal will always be clear. My agenda will always be open. At any given point, constituents will always know what I am up to. In every sense of the world, I shall be a servant-represent. My duty is to be humble enough to know what my people want, and then proceed to work for its achievement by all means necessary within the ambit of law. My law constituents will always have the final word”, he said.

    He added “I will see myself as the representative of my people in Alimosho. I shall do my best to further acquire and understand All Material facts about governance and political issues. then It shall be my duty to explain it to my people at periodic town hall (Constituent)”.

    “My aim is to immediately register and set up a non-governmental organisation that will be devoted to exclusively provide and give practical assistance to constituents by creating social intervention programmes for constituent of Alimosho.

    Amuudun said my agenda is to provide additional education and primary health care information. at least one each in all wars in Alimosho and upgrading of existing ones sponsor bills for the creation of an additional federal constituent in Alimosho seeking for their delineation of Alimosho into more local governments to be in line with the average size of local government in the country.