The Nation Newspaper

Tag: House

  • NASS: House divided against itself

    SIR: There’s an idiom, “a house divided against itself cannot stand”. As it stands, the All Progressive Congress (APC), the party Nigerians entrusted with power to rescue this nation from bad leadership has been thrown into pandemonium. The divisiveness rocking the camp of APC is appalling and Nigerians are dismayed at the inevitable choice they made during the last general elections.

    There seems to be no end in sight to the house leadership tussle bedeveiling the camp of APC at both chambers of the National Assembly following the controversial elections that produced its principal officers on June 9.

    It is an irony that the two legislative chambers of the national Assembly have been turned to theatres of internecine wars and its paraphernalia used as weapons in the legislative blitzkrieg.

    This is not the best of times for our democracy and certainly not for the ruling party (APC) as there is no end in sight to the horse trading and permutations going on at both chambers of the National Assembly.

    One won’t be wrong to say the legislative rascality exhibited is an indication the merger that led to the formation of APC before the general is an unholy wedlock between and amongst strange bedfellows.

    So far, President Muhammadu Buhari has remained silent over the lingering issues. The president’s indifference is not helping matters but rather worsening the crisis. President Buhari maybe keeping to his inaugural promise of not interfering in the affairs of the National Assembly but there’s a great difference between interference and intervention. Without the president’s intervention, the executive arm of government may never get it right in the act of governance. The best our president could do is to intervene and rescue the APC from the ongoing legislative embarrassment.

    Let’s not forget; Nigerians didn’t just vote for APC as an alternative choice, we voted for APC as a credible choice. APC is the ruling party with majority members at both chambers and shouldn’t be dictated on what to do. If this government fails, APC will be held responsible so party directives should be respected and adhered to in the choice of candidates for the remaining principal positions at both chambers.

     

    • Joe Onwukeme

    unjoeratedjoe@gmail.com

  • House probes $8b crude oil swap amid row over data

    House probes $8b crude oil swap amid row over data

    DESPITE conflicting data, the House of Representatives yesterday resolved to probe the $8 billion crude oil swap deals.

     Speaker Yakubu Dogara said the House will raise an ad hoc committee to probe the alleged $8 billion discrepancy in the deal.

    The crude oil swap was done by the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    When the issue was first mentioned, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) denied the loss of $8 billion from the Crude Swap programme, which was ascribed to it.

    Its Director of Communication Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, said: “The media report from that presentation attributed to NEITI that the nation lost $8 billion annually through crude oil swap was not only wrong, but misleading.

    “What NEITI presented and explained at that hearing was that there is no cost efficiency in the transactions with the offshore processing organisations.”

    But the House offered to investigate the veracity or otherwise of the claims of NEITI and some of the oil firms.

    This followed the adoption of a motion by a member, Michael Enyong (PDP, Akwa Ibom).

    The motion was titled: “Urgent need for a forensic Investigation of the contract known as ‘Refined products Exchange Agreement or Swap Contract” between the Pipeline and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Oil Trading Companies.’”

    Nnana Igbokwe (PDP, Imo) saw no need for the House’s intervention again since Mr. President had already directed the Department of State Services (DSS) to begin investigation of the oil swap deals.

    The motion was also opposed by Obinna Chidoka (PDP, Anambra State), who said there were enough investigative reports on the oil sector, which the House should revisit and take action.

    Prof. Mojeed Alabi said the motion was lacking in research and data accuracy. He called for more diligence to make a meaning of the investigation.

    Chidoka said the figures quoted were not correct.

    Attempts by former Majority Leader, Leo Ogor, through a point of order to truncate the debate by citing procedural error for the presentation of the motion by the sponsor was countered by former Minority Leader Femi Gbajabiamila (APC, Lagos).

    Gbajabiamila reminded his colleagues that it was agreed on Tuesday that due to importance of motion like that, rules should always be suspended to accommodate them.

    Emmanuel Oghene (PDP, Lagos State) supported the motion, citing the amount of money involved and the importance of the subject.

    Oghene and Razak Atunwa (APC, Kwara), noted that Igbokwe’s assertion was not right because the gravity of the consequences of the oil swap arrangement on the nation should make it mandatory on the House to carry out its own investigation.

  • Rear Admiral’s house, 140 others razed in Kogi

    The house of a serving Rear Admiral and 140 others in Aluaja village of Iyano Community, Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State have been razed or destroyed.

    The one-storey building residence of Rear Admiral Jerry Onubi was among the over 140 houses touched last Thursday during a communal clash over disputed land and fish ponds in the community.

    One of the affected victims who lost his four-bedroom apartment to the arsonists, Mr. Jacob Apeh told our correspondent how the attackers from the neighbouring of Itale, Iru and Abuaga communities sacked Aluaja.

    The retired Deputy Director (News), Kogi Radio, said the incident has rendered the entire people of Aluaja homeless.

    He said that his people fled their homes to take refuge in other towns and villages in Ibaji.

    “My house is next to the primary school, my brother’s house is number one, followed by my own, all have been destroyed.

    “They vandalized our houses before setting then ablaze. More than 100 modern buildings were destroyed,” he lamented.

    According to a source close to the community, there has been occasional clashes between the two factions over the ownership of land and fishing ponds since 2013.

    According to the source, the latest clash occurred when one Gabriel Ejima who was shot and killed at Aluaja in April this year was brought home for burial.

    He added: “It was this that led to the latest clash that led to the burning of almost all the houses in Aluaja.

    “Aluaja people were overpowered by a combined effort of Itale, Iru and Abujaga attackers”.

    The traditional ruler of Aluaja community, Chief Ben Akoji said that the matter has since been reported to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at Onyedega, the headquarters of Ibaji local government and the paramount chief of the local government, Chief John Egwemi.

    He said that though no life was lost in the clash, it has however rendered the entire people of the area homeless.

    The traditional ruler of appealed to the Kogi State government and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to come to the aid of the community.

  • ‘This House Has Fallen’

    SIR: The above was the title of a book by US journalist Karl Maier written in 2000 chronicling a nation (Nigeria) on the verge of collapse after surviving series of misfortunes ranging from coups, civil war, religious crisis and human right abuses. While Karl Maier, in his book described his own as a house on the brink of a nervous breakdown, mine could be described as a house in ruins. The occupants of the fallen house are yet to come to terms with how the structure they boasted could stand to the taste of time turned out to be a house of cards.

    The fallen house is People’s Democratic Party PDP, the powerful institution that once enjoyed the trappings of power and also boasted about ruling the giant of Africa for 60 years. It took six weeks (March 28-May 29) to ascertain its discrepit state. Now the wreckage has been cleared, we now know how irredemably bad the situation is. While we are yet to recover from the failed promises of the outgone PDP government, the series of impunity perpetrated while it lasted remains odoriferously appalling.

    Before its collapse, the PDP led government could only be compared to the Ottoman empire of the 13th century. (Ottoman state rose to become a world empire in the Middle East that lasted from the 13th century to 1923).

    While PDP controlled one of the largest economies in Afrca for 16 years the Ottoman empire controlled the economies of the Middle East and South Eastern Europe from the 13th-20th century.

    Both governments were conservative and profligate: unwilling or slow to accept changes or new ideas. A great deal of resources that would have been spent on defence, education and public works were used to satisfy the alimentary purposes of government officials and their retinue of aides while at the Ottoman empire, it was used to satisfy the carnal and bacchanal desires of the Sultanate.

    PDP, as greenhorn in opposition politics are yet to come to terms with their latest status, neither have they taken up the challenge of their present status,. Before the official hand over, internal bickerings and frustrated egos took over. Leaders up in arms against leaders in the party. It’s been a gale of defections, blame-games and resignations. Can a party that has almost been relegated to a regional party, play the role of a formidable opposition?

     

    • Joe Onwukeme.

    unjoeratedjoe@gmail.com

     

  • ‘Nobody can impose Dogara on House’

    ‘Nobody can impose Dogara on House’

    House of Reprentatives member Hon. Aliu Sani Madaki (Dala Constituency, Kano State) is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In this interview with Victor Oluwasegun, he speaks about the battle for speaker and other issues.

    The party is silent on the zoning of the Speaker. What does this portend?

    My take is that it is not right and proper that the party is taking this long just to bring out the issue of zoning, and that can cause problems in ways one cannot imagine. Because if someone has been campaigning for a long time and you allow it to take very long, when he has campaigned, he has spent resources , he has visited so many people,maybe when you come and say you have zonedita place that does not favour him, there is tendency that someone can say he will still go ahead will his campaign.

    That is why I am appealing to the party to say please,because of the unity of this party, bring out its zoning formular. And I can assure you that we, especially the members of this party are loyal party members,we’ll do our best to abide by the decision of the party, because we are sure the party will do that which is in the interest of all.

    A new member-elect from Niger State has said that, as new members, they should write their own rules.

    Well my advice to the new member is to exercise some little patience, that he will very soon become a member of the 8th assembly, and when he becomes a member, after he has been sworn in then he can bring up a motion for the amendment of our rules and if it is in tandem with the wishes of the vast majority of members as it is the tradition in all democratic dispensation, then we’ll change the rules to what he wants if it’s what the majority wants. But as somebody who has not been sworn in now, he should be mindful of the fact that he’s still not yet a member. If he says he want to write his own rule now, it means someone who is not even a member, or not even elected can come and say he wants to write his own rule. You can re- write the rules when you become a member. And very soon, he is going to be a member, and when he does that, he has every right to re- write the rule as is usually the case.

    There is another member from Jigawa State who has declared his intention. The argument is that the new members are more than the ranking members…

    Everybody has the right to aspire to be this or that. But I believe there are rules and regulations that guide the conduct of members into the National Assembly. And I am sure nobody will want somebody that is not conversant with the way and manner National assembly is being run, becomes a Speaker. I believe even that person if he has respect for the National Assembly will prefer that he enters the National Assembly and see how the business of the National Assembly is being run, before he aspires to be this or that. But it is, like I said earlier, the legitimate right of every members to want to be this or that, but it should be done within the confines of the rules of the National Assembly of the House of Representatives as the case may be.

    Should there be zoning? Among the contestants, who are you rooting for?

    I think I personally believe and know for a fact that a vast majority of members- elect into the 8th House of Representatives are rooting for the candidature of Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila. And for obvious reasons. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has been the minority leader and I have been been opportune to be in the House with him in the last four years. And he has run the affairs of the then opposition party very well. And I think it is right and proper that now that party has become the majority party, that is what is done in developed countries. In the US congress when the Conservative Party, that is the Republican Party, became the majority, automatically the Leader of the Opposition becomes the Speaker of the House of Representatives. I believe if we have developed well, we wouldn’t even be arguing today who will be the Speaker of the House of Representatives, By right, it’s Femi. And if you’re talking in terms of capability, it should be Femi Gbajabiamila. And, if you’re talking in terms of grassroots support, by grassroots support, I mean the support of members- elect, if you’re going by that, Femi is far ahead of any other contestants. Let me say, other contestants that there names are even mentioned, with due apology are not even on grounds terms of support base. It’s just on the pages of newspapers. Or some people are being backed, quote and unquote, by a Godfather who is bent on foisting someone on us. And I’m sure the House of Representatives will not succumb to threat or intimidation from anybody.

    You have been in the House since 2011. In 2011, the majority party zoned the position to the Southwest. Speaker Aminu Tambuwal emerged victorious in rebellion. Do you see this scenario playing out again?

    Let me recap your mind to what brought about that rebellion. I think it’s very important. I recall when we came in 2011, we were willing to assert our authority and tell the party, PDP then that they have done something wrong. To our understanding and based on what our leaders told us then, there was an agreement in PDP, the North will have two terms, the South would have two terms. By then, Obasanjo had done two terms, which was for the South. Yar’Adua came and started, after two years God in his infinite mercy took away Yar’Adua. It was agreed that Jonathan would complete his tenure and after he completes that tenure, someone from the North would take over as President. But when the time came, the President refused to abide by that arrangement in which he said he should be allowed to do only one term and that after that one term he would go. So, when we came as members from the North, we were aggrieved on that decision.so, when Tambuwal came out and said he wanted to contest for House of Reps Speaker, we said we were going to support him to tell the party that what they did was wrong, that if there was no agreement to zone the Presidency to any section,we don’t see any reason why someone would come now and say there was an agreement to zone the Speakership as it was done then, to the South-West. We came and rebelled against the party, but, if you could remember, e had the full support of the South- West. That was the only reason we have Aminu Tambuwal as our Speaker. Because, if you take away the vote of the ACN, we would not have Aminu Tambuwal as the Speaker.

     

    You  mentioned just now that some people are being supported by powers, what do you mean by that?

    There is a candidate who is in the race, I don’t like mentioning names, who if you take one person out of the equation, nobody would be talking about his candidature. Dogara is supported by one person, that one single person is the only person, the way I see it, with due apologies, it is coming out to be a contest between Femi Gbajabiamila and somebody, and not between Femi Gbajabiamila and Dogara. Somebody powerful in the National Assembly who is fronting or who is desperately pushing for the candidature of Dogara, for reasons best known to him. Because I know for a fact when we came into the National Assembly in 2011, Dogara was one of the staunch enemies of the House project, I know for a fact Dogara was never in tune. When Gbajabiamila was taking Tambuwal to Asiwaju and other leaders in the south to support his candidature, that time, Hon. Yakubu Dogara was going round everywhere to work against him. That’s a fact we all know. But today to our surprise, the tables are turning. We don’t know the reasons. I’m baffled.

     

     

     Now what do you foresee in the next few days?

     

    What I foresee is the victory of the people. The victory of democracy. God willing, Femi Gbajabiamila will be our Speaker. The House of Reps has a way of solving its own problems. Anybody who sits and think he will foist a leadership on us is making a big mistake.

     

    One of the candidates from Kano promised new members- elect 75 percent slots as Chairmen and Deputy chairmen, how feasible is this?

     

    I don’t know who that is. I am from Kano and I am not aware. That’s all I would say. I don’t know if there is any other member from Kano, apart from the name you called that is aware of what you’re saying. We’re 24 in the National Assembly, I as a person, I am speaking for myself, I’m not aware, and I don’t know of any member who is aware of what you’re saying.

    But I believe everybody has a right to come and aspire for whatever he wants. But as a caucus, Kano, we never sat and discuss the candidature of the person you mentioned.

     

    But that is surprising as he said he had the endorsement of all members from Kano?

     

    That’s what I’m telling you, I’m not aware.and I’m sure other members from Kano too especially this issue you said about endorsement are not aware of it.

     

    There is the story that there is a likelihood of an alliance between Gbajabiamila and one of the contenders, that is Mungonu from Borno State. Do you foresee that?

     

    I believe politics is about negotiations, about give and take. And I believe Hon. Monguno is eminently qualified to be the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and if they have an alliance with Femi, I would support it.because I know the pedigree of Femi and the pedigree of Hon. Monguno. And let me say this, that is why I’m saying if people are bringing names, bring names of people that are accepted in their locality. Hon. Monguno is supported by almost all members from Borno State. He is support by a vast majority of members from the North-East. But other candidate you’re saying is from Bauchi, you can quote me, go to Bauchi ask them to give you names of five people, they’re only eleven, ask them to give you five names that want to become Speaker, out of those five, I am telling you, you will not see the name of Dogara there. Go to the North- East, ask them to give you names of ten people from the North-east that want to become Speaker, Dogara’s name will not be there. So you now come back and ask yourself, what is this Dogara, where is he from? Where is his support base? I’m from Kano, if I want to be speaker I will start from Kano, then I will go to other north western states, then I will move to the North and then I will go to the south. Dogara is from Bauchi State, we have eleven members-elect from Bauchi go round, who is supporting Dogara? In North-east we have six states, go round the six states, who is supporting Dogara? Go and find out. People are not on ground but because they have powerful backers, who believe they can always have their way, because they’ve had their ways for four years in the House of Representatives, they feel now that they’re even going, they must impose their choice on members. Let me assure them, this time around , it will not happen. And my advice to them is to concentrate, God has done something for them, very wonderful. I don’t know if there is any other person who was speaker House of Reps and after finishing speaker, he becomes something. Most of those who finish after being speaker becomes something. Most of them end up hanging around. But God in his infinite mercy made Aminu Waziri Tambuwal Governor of Sokoto State, but he is not thinking about the good he will do to the people of Sokoto State, no, he is intent on foisting…because that is the truth, people don’t like to say it…he is intent on making sure that he saddles us with somebody we don’t like as our Speaker. It will not work God willing. We will revolt against it, like we revolted against those who wanted to make Mulikat Speaker against our wish, that is how we will revolt against those who want to foist Dogara on us. Let me say, I have nothing personal against Dogara but it is my believe he is not qualified to be the Speaker of the House. I believe Femi is more qualified.and I believe as a Northerner, I believe as someone who is from the North- West that we from the North, God in his mercy has brought a situation where now there is an alliance between the south west and the North west, I believe in the interest of Nigeria we should bring the South east, the South South into this alliance so we have a united country. But some people are trying to abort the alliance midstream just for political reasons, just for selfish…let me put it that way…very selfish reasons. I believe it will not augur well for the political development of Nigeria. I think we should be very careful not to bring something that will have repercussions to what will happen in 2019. This alliance has saved Nigerian democracy, by this I’m talking of the alliance we have between the North and the south west. We should bring others on board not trying to destroy that alliance not to break that bridge, we should build bridges not destroy them.

     

    What do you suspect is the reason Speaker Tambuwal is backing Dogara?

     

    Selfish interest…let me put it that way..very selfish interest…personal selfish interest, I don’t know.

     

    We know Hon. Dogara from Bauchi state is heading the House Committee on House Services…

     

    Well maybe that place should be looked into very well. Because with the desperation people are pushing this Dogara project down our throats, I’m amazed, I’m beginning to think maybe people should look very carefully

    Into all the things that happened in these four years in the House Services Committee. I believe that place there is something some people are trying to cover. Because I can’t understand the desperation. And like i told you, go to Bauchi, nobody is supporting Dogara, go to North- east, nobody is supporting Dogara, but everywhere you go you hear Dogara’s name. who is supporting Dogara? Just one powerful person who is calling this…he will go to this, go to that, he has access to everywhere. He goes and tell them tales by moonlight. You know tales by moonlight? Because when you know something is not there, I’m telling you, you can verify this: go and check all members- elect from Bauchi they’re eleven, ask you is supporting Dogara except Dogara himself, go to North-east who is supporting Dogara apart from Dogara himself. Check, how many are with Dogara? You will find he has nobody, but he has one person, who is moving, moving and going to Villa, going to this, telling tales by moonlight…Dogara is on ground, if you don’t give Dogara ticket there will be problem. Problem where? When we didn’t make Mulikat Speaker, there was no problem. And now there is another part of the story I’m hearing, people will come and tell if Femi becomes Speaker, Asiwaju will take everything. When I hear that I laugh. Why? When Asiwaju was helping Tambuwal to become Speaker. That time Asiwaju was not trying to control Tambuwal, when Asiwaju assisted Buhari to become President, he was not doing something wrong, but now if he says he’s supporting Femi that he’s doing something wrong. I’m amazed with the way people think for very petty and selfish reasons I must say.

     

    Still on Tambuwal’s backing for Dogara, like one of you had said earlier on, are you suspecting that there’s a sharp one like fraud or scam?

     

    Its a rumour I’m hearing, let me not say I’m did not hear it, its a lie I heard it from so many people. People would say maybe Tambuwal is supporting Dogara because they have done something in the House services and they want it covered. That is what I heard, but I don’t have evidence to back it up and so I’m nota kind of person that will be circulating rumours but that s the rumours going round. Because people are saying it. When Tambuwal wanted to become Speaker, one of his arch enemies was Dogara. Dogara was opposing him while Gbajabiamila was taking him from house to house, from pillar to post to make sure he becomes Speaker. Now Dogara is nobody without Tambuwal. What makes his aspiration even tick is because Tambuwal is with him, but its the truth nobody wants to say. But that’s the way I am, I will say it: Tambuwal is supporting Dogara.

     

    This issue of Tambuwal supporting Dogara you’re saying, is it something you’ve confirmed yourself or you’re joining the hearsay party?

     

    Its not hearsay, by his action, by his utterances. Recently some members of the group that I belong to, the Patriot went to him. The statement he was making, he was trying to instigate members to work against the party if the Speakership is not zoned to the place where his candidate is from. He said people should go and vote for who they like, blah, blah, blah, that no big man should ask them to vote for this or that. And I’m assuring him that no big man will tell us to vote for this or that , but who we are voting is Femi.

     

    But if you’re saying that at some point Asiwaju supported Tambuwal ascendancy to the seat of the Speakership…

     

    I’m not saying , I’m stating, its a statement of fact.

     

    If Tambuwal is no longer toeing the line, are you now suspecting that there’s a crack between…

    Well I don’t know why that crack should affect Femi. Lets assume there is a crack.

    It also appears that Femi is Asiwaju’s candidate?

    What I said, when Tambuwal presented himself, he went to Asiwaju and Asiwaju supported him. Ask Tambuwal whether Asiwaju did not support him, he’s in a better position to answer that question. And I know for a fact that Asiwaju supported Buhari’s to become President and I’m proud of it. And for that as a person, I feel indebted to Asiwaju. Not for supporting me but because he has supported Tambuwal who is my brother, he has supported Buhari who is my brother, that’s the way I am. And I believe that’s the way every reasonable human being should be, whoever does good to you, you should pay him with goodness.

    As a parliamentarian do you support the independence of the legislature?

    Very much .

    One of the cardinal principles of legislative independence is that at the time of election they pick own their leaders.

    That is why I’m telling Tambuwal to stop interfering in the way and manner were going to elect our leader. Because he has been our Speaker for four years either for good or for bad, and God in his infinite mercy has now made him a big man in Sokoto. Let him go and face his job in Sokoto and I am praying for him to do well there. But please, let him allow members- elect of the 8th assembly to choose who would be their Speaker. It should not be Tambuwal who would choose our leader for us. You cannot shave my head in my absence.

    Don’t you also think zoning as being introduced by the party is a form of interference?

    It is a form of interference, but that is done so as to have balancing. It will not be good like some people are saying now to have President from the North, Senate President from the North and Speaker from the North. I don’t think that is fair, I don’t think its justice, I don’t think its equity. We should take as we usually do, two to this side, two to this side. The time would come when our democracy has developed to a certain level, when we can have all from one house and there won’t be a problem, but as it is now, we want this democracy to thrive and it would thrive by being fair and equitable to all of us.

    Apart from all these other factors you have enumerated, can you sell the candidacy of Femi Gbajabiamila to us?

    Let me say for a fact I know Gbajabiamila to be hard working, I know him to be honest and I know him to be somebody who is a man of his own words. If Gbajabiamila tells you this, that is what its going to be. Gbajabiamila is not the kind of person who will tell you this in your presence and when you go he tells you something else. And what you need in leadership is somebody who is honest, who is not corrupt. And based on the four years I’ve stayed with Femi Gbajabiamila, I have not seen him involved in any corrupt activities to my understanding of him. And I am one of the few members who are very close to him because of the way I am in the House and the way he is.

    Let’s repeat the question that one of the contenders is promising new members-elect 75 percent of the chairmanship and deputy chairmanship positions in the House. How feasible is this?

    Like I said earlier as long as you’re a member of the House of Reps elect, everybody has a right to aspire for whatever you want. But my advice would be: you should please promise what you know is possible. You don’t make promises on the spur of the moment just because you want to be elected as Speaker.

     

  • Plot to amend House rules thickens

    Plot to amend House rules thickens

    A group of lawmakers are plotting to amend the House of Representatives standing order on voting procedure during the election of the Speaker.

    Election of Speaker and principal officers is the first assignment the lawmakers will carry out when they resume next month.

    Among the front runners are Hon. Yakubu Dogara (Bauchi), Femi Gbajabiamila (Lagos), Abdulmimin Jibrin (Kano) and Pally Iriase (Edo).

    The group pushing for the amendment of rules is mobilising members to support amendment of Order 2, Rule 4 (f) (ii) of the House Standing Orders 2014, which states that: “Voting by secret ballot shall be conducted by the Clerk-at-Table using the list of the members-elect of the House, who shall each be given a ballot paper to cast his vote, with the proposer and seconder as tellers.”

    The motion was initially planned to be tabled on Wednesday, but the plot was aborted at the 11th minute after the promoters realised that they didn’t have enough support.

    “They have planned to propose the amendment under matters of urgent public importance on Wednesday, but changed their minds after realising that it will be defeated,” a ranking member, who does not want to be named, said.

    The lawmaker said the group is planning to “come under a substantive motion on Tuesday to propose amendment to the voting pattern from secret to open ballot.”

    The aim of the amendment, according to the source, is to achieve the purpose of intimidating members to vote for a particular candidate

    “Secondly, we are also aware that they want to induce member with money to vote for their candidate but they want to make sure that those who collects their money votes for their candidate.

    “It is both hypocritical and disingenuous for the same people who pushed for the adoption of the secret ballot four years ago to now work against it for selfish reasons,” the source said.

    The House rule was altered few days to the election of Aminu Waziri Tambuwal as Speaker in May 2011, following threats by the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) members supporting Tambuwal.

  • Why House wanted me impeached, by Chime

    Why House wanted me impeached, by Chime

    Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime has explained that some members of the state House of Assembly wanted him impeached because he refused to yield to their financial demands.

    He said the allegation of impropriety against him was false, as the issue for which they moved against him was a loan for the development of the state.

    He said: “They felt the administration was coming to an end and it is time for them to make money. They came shamelessly and said that I should give them money. They thought I was asking for the loan as a parting gift. This nonsense started when they could not get me to give them money outside their allowances.”

    He was reacting to the impeachment notice he was allegedly served by the House. Just less than three weeks to its last sitting, some members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, to the chagrin of residents woke up as early as 4:00 a.m. on Monday and marched to the Assembly Complex located at the Independence Layout for the day’s legislative business. What surprised the entire people of the state was the timing of the sitting–the wee hours when the first cock crows.

    The legislators who were led by the Speaker of the House, Hon. Eugene Odoh (who was later impeached) included the suspended House Leader, S.K.E. Ude Okoye, Okechukwu Nwoke, Ikechukwu Ezeugwu, Elochukwu Ugwueze, Iloabuchi Aniagu, Nze Michael, Onyeze Anichukwu, John Nwankwo, Theresa Egbo, Nkechi Omeje Ogbu, Chika Eneh, Mathias Ekweremadu, Paul Okechukwu Ogbe, Anthony Ogidi and Nelson Uduji.

    The reason for sitting at an unusual hour of the day was principally to pre-empt another group of the legislators, said to be loyal to the governor that planned to sit and use the platform to dissociate themselves from the N11 billion loan saga between the House and the governor.

    Governor Chime had, last year, requested the House to approve for the executive a loan of N11billion for the execution of some ongoing and new projects. The House, in November last year, approved the loan which was put to use.

    Governor Chime explained that the bank which granted the loan requested some further additional endorsement from the House.

    The leadership of the House capitalised on the bank’s request to get a “parting gift” from the governor. They insisted that they must be given some amount of money before they would give their approval. But the governor stood his ground, insisting that he was not going to tamper with public funds because he could not account for any money taken from it.

    Angered by the governor’s refusal to yield ground, some of the members, led by the then Speaker, started some manoeuvers to arm-twist the governor into yielding to their demand. They started investigating the various ministries and parastatals of the state, particularly those that have much to do with finance.

    The commissioners were summoned one after the other to be “interrogated” by members of the House.

    Among those summoned was the Accountant-General of the state, Paschal Okorie who was asked to explain why the executive has refused to release monthly subventions to the House and other ministries since March. After his appearance, he was asked to submit to the House records of funds received and disbursed from April this year.

    The House, during the period, also alleged a contract scam at the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ESUBEB) and asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe activities of the board. But the EFCC did not see any merit in that direction.

    All these were part of the arm-twisting tactics that the governor refused to yield to which led to the build-up of Monday’s action which claimed Speaker Odo’s position.

    At their early morning sitting on Monday in the absence of the Clerk of the House, they commenced the process of impeaching Governor Sullivan Chime. After forcing their way into the Assembly premises by overpowering security men, they made for the office of the Clerk of the House and broke into it and took the Mace.

    Among the allegations leveled against the governor was the issue of allegedly forging the N12 billion 2012 Supplementary Budget.

    They also accused the governor of allocating reserved government lands to members of his family and some individuals for erection of private houses, especially within the three-arm zone and seriously condemned the act.

    The impeachment notice was signed by 14 members of the House, including the Speaker. The Clerk of the House; Christopher Chukwurah was directed to serve the notice on the governor immediately.

    At the sitting, the anti-Chime legislators suspended the Deputy Speaker, Chime Oji, nephew of the governor, who was recently elected to represent Enugu North/South Federal Constituency, Hon. Emeka Ogbuabor and Deputy House Leader, John Kevin Ukwuta for alleged anti-House activities.

    The Speaker and the 13 members arrived at the House at 4:00 a.m. but were able to enter the legislative chamber at 6:28 a.m. and held the sitting after fierce altercation with the police.

    The lawmakers had complained that the governor was using some members of the House to disrupt its activities because they refused to approve the N11 billion loan requested by the governor.

    Immediately after their sitting which lasted for 30 minutes, another group of eight legislators; led by the Deputy Speaker, Chime Oji, including the Deputy Governor-elect, Hon. Cecilia Ezeilo walked into the chamber with another mace and conducted another sitting. Another member, Joseph Agbo Ugwumba who represents Enugu East Rural, later joined them.

    After a short prayer, Hon. John Kevin Ukwuta moved a motion to the effect that Hon. Johnbull Nwagu who was suspended by the House be recalled. The motion was seconded by Hon. Chinedu Nwamba.

    The pro-Chime lawmakers, however, lifted the suspension slammed on Nwagu for misconduct and invited him to join the group bringing their number to nine.

    Ukwuta, thereafter, moved another motion calling for the suspension of the Speaker, Eugene Odoh and seven other members in his group, who included Anichukwu Nwankwo, Okechukwu Nwoke, Paul Ogbe, Nze Michael Onyeze, Theresa Egbo, Chika Eneh and S.K.E. Udo-Okoye. The motion was approved by the nine members.

    The principal officers among the suspended members were also stripped of their positions and benefits.

    Ukwuta further moved for the nomination of other colleagues to fill the vacancies created by the suspension. He nominated Chinedu Nwamba, representing Nsukka East State Constituency to be sworn in as Speaker of the House.

    The motion was approved by other members and Chinedu Nwamba was sworn in as Speaker by the Clerk of the House, Dr. Chukwurah, who was present throughout the nearly one hour sitting.

    Nwamba thanked his colleagues for the confidence reposed in him to preside over the affairs of the House as Speaker. He directed the Clerk of the House to inform the governor of the decision of the House.

    The group also elected Donatus Uzoagbado, Oji River Constituency as Leader of the House and Hon. Emeka Ogbuabo as Chief Whip of the House to replace the suspended principal officers.

    Ukwuta informed the lawmakers of the letter written by the State Attorney-General, Anthony Ani, informing the lawmakers that they had no powers to investigate the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ESUBEB), saying the freezing of the account of the board was a legislative recklessness.

    He said the members of the House should be seen as lawmakers and not law-breakers. He therefore moved a motion that the freezing of the account of the ESUBEB was erroneously done and should be lifted immediately.

    Hon. Emeka Ogbuabo seconded the motion, saying the House erred by freezing the account of the board, stressing that the petition against the chairman of the board was not properly handled.

    They subsequently lifted the order freezing the account of the board and directed that the account be immediately de-frozen, while the board was asked to continue dealing with the chairman of ESUBEB.

    At 7:50 a.m., the House adjourned sine die and the factional Speaker, Hon. Nwamba directed the police officer in charge of the House security to ensure that nobody was allowed into the Assembly till further notice.

    Reacting to the said impeachment notice by the suspended Speaker’s group Governor Chime said: “These are just people, characters who are frustrated for not getting what they bargained for. I know what they are doing will not see the light of the day but I want my defence to see the light of the day.”

    The governor, who appeared unruffled by the unfortunate development said in the first place they are not up to two thirds majority and the timing was not in their favour.

    He asked: “Please who are they investigating? Is it me or Gburugburu who is coming in as the governor in a few days time?”

    Chime dismissed the N12 billion supplementary budgets alleged to have been forged by him in 2012 and displayed the signed and published document.

    “All they want to create is the impression that I have been milking this state dry,” he said, adding, “and the issue of the said forged supplementary budget happened when I was ‘dead’. When you people (press) reported that I was dead. I am hearing this allegation of forgery for the first time today.”

    On the issue of the N11billion loan, Chime explained that the loan was already in use based on the approval by the House in November last year. Displaying the resolution of the House dated November 18, 2014, the governor said: “This is the resolution approving the loan by the House of Assembly.”

    The governor further said: “They felt the administration was coming to an end and it is time for them to make money. They came shamelessly and said that I should give them money. They thought I was asking for the loan as a parting gift. This nonsense started when they could not get me to give them money outside their allowances.

    “I won’t give them any money. It is public money. I can’t account for it. And I have no regrets for what I am doing.”

  • Doctors in the house

    Doctors in the house

    Forty-two graduates of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) have taken the oath of practice. The ceremony was held in the institution’s Princess Alexandra Hall. OLADELE OGE reports.

    The role of doctors cannot be overemphasised in the health delivery chain. To enable Nigeria achieve quality health service, doctors must  understand the primary objectives of their calling, which are to treat illnesses and save lives, said Prof Benjamin Ozumba, Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, (UNN) at the  induction of veterinary medicine graduates.

    The event was held last Wednesday in the university’s Princess Alexandra Hall.  It started at 11am, with the procession of the 42 veterinary medicine graduates into the hall. The graduands looked resplendent in their well-tailored suits.

    Prof Ozumba, represented by his deputy for Administration, Prof Edwin Igbokwe, congratulated the inductees for their courage and hard work during their undergraduate days. He advised them to maintain the culture of excellence for which the school is known, saying they must strive to achieve the best for themselves.

    He urged the graduands to use their scientific knowledge and talents for the benefit to the society, stressing that the school had trained them to be authority in the prevention of animal diseases. If human must not be made to suffer, the VC said, animals also deserve good living condition.

    The VC wanted the graduates to be in the vanguard of change as they were formally inducted into the profession, advising them to be guided by the ethics of the profession and the underlying values of their alma mater.

    Prof Ozumba praised the Dean of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Prof Chukwunyere Nwosu, for keeping the standards of the school high and his contributions to the accolades the school had received in teaching veterinary medicine.

    Prof Nwosu highlighted the tasks of the profession to the society, which he said, is pertinent to human health. He described animals as creatures next to human being, saying their wellbeing or suffering affects the health of the society.

    He said: “If domestic animals like dog, goat and chicken in our environment are in good health, it is also a great benefit to human lives because human won’t contract any disease through consumption of these animals. If they are being ravaged by disease, no human being would like to consume them as meal.”

    Prof Nwosu described efforts made by veterinary doctors in preventing animal sickness as great achievements, urging the inductees to do more by enlightening the public on new development in the profession.

    The Dean explained that excellent research in veterinary medicine has encouraged professionals in the field to have trust in graduates produced by the school in solving challenges facing animal species.

    Outlining the new agenda for the veterinary doctors, the President of Veterinary Council of Nigeria, Prof Garuba Sharabutu, said the council had identified itself with best practices in the continent, urging the inductees not to bypass standards.

    Sharabutu said the role of veterinary doctors had been misunderstood, adding that the graduates’ services are needed in museums, poultries and rural healthcare centres. He said the council was repositioning the methods of training for students to enable them discover their areas of interest.

    He urged the incoming government to consider investment in veterinary medicine, animal husbandry and animal sciences to boost the profession in the country.

    Sharubutu warned the graduates against unethical practice, which he said may lead to revocation of license to practise. He added that the certificates given to them were provisional and only valid for one year to checkmate irregular practice among veterinary doctors.

    The Registrar of the council, Dr Marcus Avong, urged the parents, guardians and non-governmental organisations to play role of a watchdog to the graduates to enable them maintain standards of the training given to them.

    Highlights of the event included the approval of the certificates by the council.

     

  • Doctors in the house

    Doctors in the house

    The University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) inducted 64 graduating medical students last week. One of them, Miss Ganiyat Akera, stole the show as the best graduating student, bagging seven prizes and awards. OLAWALE ODEYEMI (300-Level History) reports.

    All roads led to the main auditorium of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) last week for the induction of grduating medical students. Sixty-four of them took the Hippocratic Oath in a ceremony witnessed by their family members and friends.

    Miss Ganiyat Akera emerged the best graduating student, bagging seven awards.

    She walked to the podium to receive the honours amidst cheers from members of the audience. She won the prize endowed by the Academic Staff of the College of Health Sciences; Best Student in Maternal and Child Health, endowed by Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), the late Dr. Hamzat Olayinka Braimoh Academic Prize and Prof Matthew Akinyemi Araoye Annual Prize for Best Student in Medicine, among others.

    She also won the College Book Voucher and Olalomi Hospital Annual Award for Best Student in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

    The Provost, Wahab Johnson, a professor of Paediatrics and Child Health, described the graduating class as 64 olive green inductees, saying they  distinguished themselves in knowledge and practice.

    His words: “Our robust medical programme has continued to turn out well-trained medical doctors, who have continued to contribute quantitatively and qualitatively to the healthcare needs of our nation. With today’s induction of 64 additional doctors, our medical school has produced a total of 4,062 in the 38years of its existence.

    “We have continued to get institutional commendations, indicating a distinctive brand of clinical competence and commendable knowledge by our products.”

    He said inductees’ formal initiation into the medical profession was an entry into an honourable profession, which has sole objective to save lives.

    Congratulating the graduands, the provost hailed the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Abdulganiyu Ambali, for promoting excellence.

    The VC, in his address titled: Erudite professionals, said the university was proud of the students for proving to be worthy in character and learning, key variables, which he said the school usually check before issuing students its certificates.

    Prof Ambali said: “The hallmarks of professionalism, especially for doctors, include integrity, honesty, trust, responsibility, confidentiality, altruism, excellence, team work and continuous improvement. As today marks your professional initiation, there is need for you to prove your professionalism. Always hold these values dear and do not compromise the values of the profession.”

    The Vice-chancellor urged the new doctors to improve their learning and training to live above board. He advised them not to engage in practice that could tarnish the image of the university, noting that the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) would not hesitate to withdraw license of anyone found wanting in compromising standard.

    The highpoint of the event was the administration of Hippocratic Oath on the inductees by the MDCN Chief Registrar, Dr. AbdulMumini Ibrahim.

    An inductee, Samuel Fayose, said: “I feel really great having become a doctor today. This is a moment I have been longing to witness. I admit that there were challenges before my graduation today, especially the trouble moments I had in pathology and pharmacology. I give glory to God for making me see the end of it all.”

    Another graduand, who came from Cameroon, Benedicta Samba, said: “My training as medical doctor has been an interesting one. Although I faced challenges and that is normal in all discipline. Nevertheless, it is awesome and this is a happy moment for me.”

    Damilare Ariyibi also won five awards and prizes as Second Best Graduating Student. Other awardees are Gideon Okeke, who is Best Student in First Professional MBBS Examination, as well as in Community-Based Experience and Services (COBES) and Kazeem Ahmed, winner of Prof Adeoye Lambo Annual Prize for Best Student in Neuropsychiatry.

    The event was attended by principal officers of the college, University of Ibadan (UI) VC, Prof Issac Adewole, traditional rulers, and top government officials.

  • Adamawa PDP: A divided house

    Adamawa PDP: A divided house

    All is not well with the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa State, despite the recent presidential visit. BARNABAS MANYAM examines the crisis and its implications for the party, ahead of the general election. 

    The squabbling in the Adamawa State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is yet to end, despite President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s visit. The grouse was generated in the wake of the party’s primaries, which were characterised by the imposition of candidates at all levels.

    The support of the Christian population can no longer be taken for granted. After seven years of Vice Admiral Murtala Nyako in office, Christians are demanding for a fair deal. They say they have waited in the wings to take a shot at the governorship, but are being denied the chance once again, with the handing of the governorship ticket to another Fulani man on a platter of gold. They are insisting on Nuhu Ribadu’s name being substituted by that of a seasoned politician and legal luminary, Jerry Kumdisi.

    According to observers, the argument of the Christian community and that of the minorities may be tenable, but the Presidency has continued to disregard this sizeable voting population, going by the outcome of the 2011 general elections.

    Less than two weeks to the presidential elections, the chances of the PDP is becoming bleak by the day, as some party bigwigs have been defecting to other parties.These include: Markus Gundiri, Navy Commander Bodes, Alh. Abubakar Kari Abdulahi and Hon. Awwal Tukur. Others are: two members of the National Assembly, Aishatu Dahiru Binani and Anthony Madwatte, and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr. Kwamoti Laori.  Laori left the party with many members of the House, including the former Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr. Ahmed Modibbo.

    Some of the aggrieved aspirants that contributed to building the party, but have been ditched by the PDP include Gen. Aliyu Kama, Hon. Awwal Tukur, Dr. Ahmed Modibbo, Prof Andrawus Sawa, incumbent Governor Bala Nggilari, Senator Abubakar Halilu Girei, Hon. Jerry Kumdisi, Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong, and former Special Adviser to the President, Mr. Ahmed Gulak. It also includes senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly aspirants, who were sidelined during the primaries by the party. As a result, the party is grappling to make an impact in Adamawa State.

    Under Governor Nggilari, many local government chairmen have resorted to using state funds to fund parties that are in the opposition.

    Another baffling aspect is that some politicians, who are said to be loyal to the PDP are becoming lukewarm; most of them no longer attend party functions or contribute their resources to support the campaign effort. Those could be described as resourceful people in the party are aloof and unperturbed by the struggles the party is going through. People like the former Acting Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, who was the major beneficiary of the Murtala Nyako impeachment and who also presided over the government for three month have since refused to identify with the party in terms of committing his resources to run the party. Observers say he is waiting in the wings to benefit from the appeal court judgement between him and Nggilari. Fintiri believes the Presidency will swing the case to his favour.

    Kumdisi has been endorsed by many political heavyweights in the state. According to observers, he is the one politician that may help galvanise the party to victory, if the party decides to right the wrongs done to him during the primary. Such observers see the coming of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu as a sign of the growing impunity and interference with the internal democracy from Abuja. The henchmen behind the manoeuvrings, they said, are only are interested in siphoning the state’s funds, if Ribadu comes to power.

    Among the other nine aspirants that were shortchanged at the primaries, Kumdisi appears to have more political clout. He is a moderate voice that can carry many stakeholders along. Besides, he is an experienced legislator; having served three terms in the House of Assembly

    He is not a money bag. Yet, the people’s love for him is genuine because he is simply a grassroots man that believes in personal persuasions. Kumdisi carries more influence and acceptability among Adamawa State delegates. He was coasting to victory before the impunity that took place in Abuja was concocted.

    Pundits say the only way the PDP can extricate itself from the tight spot it has found itself is to go back to the drawing board, by reuniting stakeholders and pacifying those that left the party because they felt they were shortchanged during the primaries. Kumdisi is believed to be the only man who can unite members once more. Local people contributed to buy his PDP nomination forms for N11m because of their love for him.

    Many party supporters have called for compensation for former aspirants with positions and cash to assuage their huge campaign expenditure and the N11m nomination fee.

    Observers believe that, if Ribadu’s name is not substituted by that of Kumdisi, the party may come a distant third in the election. They believe that the change of candidature will bring the party back to his winning ways. They say this is not because they have anything against Ribadu, who is widely regarded as a gentleman, who can even stand elections to the highest office in the land. But, their grouse is the process that brought him into the race.

    According to this group, the PDP would not be in the mess, if real elections were allowed to take place if the President had persuaded other aspirants to step down for Ribadu. “Many aspirants would have agreed, but, by using the elbow on the other nine aspirants and thwarting the whole process, they see in Nuhu Ribadu as a pawn being used by some dangerous people in Abuja to feather their nests,” one of such observers, who does not want to be named, said.

    He added that those that drafted Ribadu into the race on the platform of the PDP have only succeeded in spoiling the bright chances that the former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had from the beginning. Only time will tell if the mafia will succeed.