The Nation Newspaper

Tag: House

  • Suspected cultists set house, cars ablaze

    •Stop fire fighters from containing outbreak

    Suspected cultists yesterday burned down a building and two vehicles at Ogijo, Ikorodu, a Lagos suburb.

    The arsonists were said to have attacked the properties belonging to the father of a leader in a rival cult group, located beside Omoleye hospital in Ogijo.

    It was learnt that the groups have had several clashes in the neighbourhood, destroying properties and valuables.

    The Nation gathered that the attacks forced residents to flee their homes for fear of being hurt by the cultists.

    Before the hoodlums set the house ablaze, they damaged two vehicles parked in the compound.

    They were said to have poured petrol on the building and lit it, keeping watch to ensure it was completely razed.

    Fire fighters at Ikorodu, who got to the scene to quench the fire were obstructed by the cultists, who threatened to also set fire on them and their truck if they do not vacate the premises.

    Confirming the development, the state fire service director, Rasaq Fadipe said the arson was reported at about 10:26am.

    Fadipe said: “Someone ran to the station to report the outbreak and our men moved to the site to contain it. But some boys came around and halted them from quenching the fire. They threatened to burn the men and the truck if they don’t leave the site. I do not know why they set the building ablaze but I learnt it belonged to the father of a rival cult member.”

    Fadipe also admitted that the fire service attended to a distress call at the Pan African University.

    According to him, the call was received at about 3:40pm, adding that the inferno started at the school’s diesel tank that supplies its generator.

    He said the fire destroyed the tank, the generator, as well as a PHCN cable.

    While warning Lagos residents to be safety conscious especially as the dry season approaches, Fadipe said the agency attended to six other cases yesterday.

    He said: “We attended to a fire call at 11 Ihuntayi Street in Lekki; there was also a fire outbreak which affected two buildings of eight rooms each at Muri Ojora Street, Amukoko.

    “Then, a confectionery factory at 5 /6 Peter Olu Ajayi Street, Agbado was gutted by fire, but our quick intervention saved the day; a restaurant at Ijaiye, Ogba also caught fire, thankfully, we were able to contain the fire there so that it does not spread into other shops and a bank beside it.

    “There was also a call of a drunk driver who was involved in a lone accident at Ebute Ero. By the time we got there, policemen were already at the scene and the man identified as Kasumu, claimed two of his passengers fell into the river.

    “But a search was conducted and no one was found in the river. You can see that most of the cases were caused by carelessness. People have to be careful especially now that the dry season is near,” he said.

  • 10 out of 37 bills scale first reading in House of Representatives

    10 out of 37 bills scale first reading in House of Representatives

    Unknown to many, the House of Representatives has put some bills in the works despite its burden. When the APC took the centre stage in the new dispensation, the expectation of Nigerians shot to the rooftops.

    Many Nigerians believed that the era of institutional profligacy, crass impunity and corrupt tendencies in the APC-dominated chamber were gone for good, especially, on the integrity of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Naturally, with the performance of the APC in the National Assembly elections, many believed that the change mantra of the ruling party will not only be visible in the executive arm of government, but will also be allowed to permeate to the parliament. The electorate had expected quality legislations, profound oversight and robust representation.

    However, with almost three months gone, the National Assembly is still struggling to find its footing in terms of lawmaking and quality representation. But there is a slight difference in what obtains in the Red Chamber from the show in the Green Chamber.  Sequel to the inauguration of the Eighth House on June, 9, a protracted face-off over leadership positions became an albatross that impeded the work of the lower legislative chamber. Members spilt into camps and physically assaulted one another. The seeming apathy of the APC on zoning in the wake of its resounding victory over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the March 28 and April national elections became a catalyst for a free for all on the floor of the House over majority leadership positions. The development triggered two forced adjournments in a bid to calm frayed nerves and prevent the House from recording fatalities as was the case in the Sixth House.

    The fracas also became a subject of litigation as two members of the House of Representatives, Abubakar Lado Abdullahi (APC, Niger) and Olajide Abdul Jimoh (APC, Lagos), in the suit with file no, FHC/ABJ/CS/625/2015 before the Federal High Court, Abuja, praying the court to grant an order restraining the Speaker for not toeing party lines.

    Apart from two holidays in the early life of the Eighth House, it has gone on another six-week recess to the chagrin of Nigerians, who believe that to whom much is given, much is expected.

    Though the incendiary issue of party list for majority positions which began with the party’s June 23letter to Dogara, has been resolved, the lingering question is if the impression of the Eighth House as a mace- grabbing, punch- throwing, missile-hurling and clothes-sripping chamber will ever be erased in the mind of Nigerians.

    However, despite being combative in its approach to issues and contrary to the people’s impression, 10 out of the 37 bills listed in its official gazette, have scaled through the first reading the Eighth House of Representatives.

    Speaker Dogara has also inaugurated a committee to conduct a Needs Assessment of the running of the House of Representatives/National Assembly. The committee members, drawn from Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and other eminent Nigerians, has a mandate to “judiciously determine the proper cost of running the legislative arm of government to enable it play its constitutionally assigned responsibilities.”

    In other words, the committee will answer the question: is N120 billion to little or too much for the National Assembly to operate.

    An area the House is being cautious is the selection of committees because of its touchy nature. No doubt, the non-constitution is slowing down operations as the House has been operating with ad-Hoc Committees, an arrangement that cannot be as effective as standing committees.

    The House has also increased committees from 89 to 95, which many said counter Dogara’s cost-saving promise in his legislative agenda.

    In terms of motions and resolutions on issues affecting Nigeria and Nigerians, the House could be said not to have done too badly but the quick succession of recesses has given many citizens the impression of the lawmakers as a pack of overpaid but under-utilised lawmakers.

     For a legislature that many expect to be a reflection of the change mantra as espoused by the President, the vicious struggle for leadership positions shocked Nigerians, who had been hitherto indifferent to political happenings and happenstances.

    A flurry of activities by the Speaker may have confirmed the assertions that the crisis-prone Green Chamber will take a longer time to settle down to its statutory mandate of legislating for good governance.

    In the first instance, the House has adopted a draft legislative agenda to give the Eighth House focus and a sense of direction. Also, the House ad hoc-Committee on Rules and Business listed 37 new bills for consideration prior to the resumption of the House on July 28, of these bills, only 10 had so far passed first reading before it went on a six-week break.

    The Speaker has his name as co-sponsor on four of the gazetted bills. They are: Public Interest Disclosure Bill, 2015; Subsidiary Legislation (Regulation) Bill, 2015; Federal Competition Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2015 and Data Protection Bill, 2015.

    Sixteen of the 37 bills are being sponsored by a member, Uzoma Nkem-Abonta.

    They include: Police Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015; Satellite Towns Development Agency Bill, 2015; Statutory Instrument (Legislative scrutiny) Bill, 2015; National Programme on Immunisation (Repeal) Bill, 2015; National Primary Health Care Development Agency (Amendment) Bill; Petroleum Refineries Incentives, Regulation and Miscellaneous Provision) Bill, 2015; Environmental Managers Registration Council of Nigeria Bill, 2015 and Chartered Institute of Project Management of Nigeria Bill, 2015.

    Others are:  Federal Capital Territory Area Councils (Administrative and Political Structure) Bill, 2015, Free Trade Zones Bill, 2015; International Trade Commission Bill, 2015; Telecommunication Facilities (Lawful Interception of Information) Bill, 2015; Investment and Securities (Amendment) Bill, 2015; Gender Equal Opportunities Bill, 2015; Emergency Communication Bill, 2015 and Commodity Exchange Bill, 2015.

    Another lawmaker, Gideon Gwani is sponsoring 10 bills. They include: Environmental Health Bill, 2015; Environmental Health Officers (Registration, etc.) Act 2002, (Amendment) Bill, 2015; Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan Bill, 2015; Chartered Institute of Human Capital Development of Nigeria Bill, 2015 and Nigerian Agency for Foreign Assistance Bill, 2015, National Judicial Institute (Amendment) Bill, 2015; Chattered Institute of Management Information Technology of Nigeria Bill, 2015; Federal Roads Authority Bill, 2015; Nigerian Railway Authority Bill, 2015 and Nigerian Postal Commission Bill, 2015.

    Ossai Ossai (PDP-Delta) has six bills to his credit. They are: Two Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) Bills, 2015; Federal Capital Territory District Court (Amendment) Bill, 2015; Pension Rights of Judges (Amendment) Bill, 2015; Companies and Allied Matters (Amendment) Bill, 2015 and National Industrial Court (Amendment) Bill, 2015.

    In the last legislative session, 767 bills were introduced and passed through first reading. Of the lot, 679 were private bills and 70 emanated from the Executive arm, which spanned the four-year term.

    Besides petitions and matters of urgent national importance, the Green Chamber treated an average of 12 motions at the plenary sessions of the last few days before the House adjourned on August 13.

    Some of the resolutions passed and their sponsors include: urging the federal government to set up Northeast Development Commission (Yakubu Dogara and others); Representatives to investigate N430 billion  Ikorodu-Shagamu Road reconstruction project (Babajimi Benson); the investigation of non-payment of 3,600 midwives (Mark Igbillah); setting up the Haman Pategi-led ad-Hoc Committee to probe the non-implementation of capital allocations (Patrick Asadu); urging President Buhari to constitute the Council on Public Procurement (James Faleke); telling the Federal Government to fill INEC Vacancies (Edward Gyang Pwajok); urging the Federal Government and Police Commission to employ more policemen (Uzo Abonta ); investigating the accounting procedure of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) over N89 billion deduction (Abubakar Amuda Kannike).

    Other resolutions passed are: decision to investigate state of AGIP, other oil companies’ equipment; inviting Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor to face Representatives over the new dollar policy; intervention in ALSCON stalled re-opening;  investigating the Federal Government over N4 trillion debt owed contractors.

    With the majority leadership issue resolved and the House at peace with itself, many have predicted that the House will settle down to business upon resumption on September 28 and that the expectations of the teeming Nigerians voted for change would be met.

    The two chambers cannot but shape up for the challenges ahead. If the mood of the nation and the expectations of the electorate are anything to go by, any sign of deliberate floppiness on the part of the lawmakers could trigger public indignation. Nigerians appear in a hurry to reap the dividends of the change they voted for and the National Assembly must not be seen to constitute a clog in the wheels.

  • A house against itself

    A house against itself

    ONE of the factors responsible for the shortcomings in the Nigerian entertainment industry is that it is divided along the line of politics within each association that is supposed to unite members. What an irony.

    To a large extent, the associations in the music and film sectors are embedded in crises: from the Performing Musicians and Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN) to Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP), and Association of Nigerian Theatre Practitioners (ANTP), among others, there is a clear sense of selfishness among the leaders and their members, and this has continued to defy the purpose for which an association exists.

    One wonders why there are no similar tussles in the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ). If the argument is that these associations are bodies of professionals, while the entertainment industry associations are made up of craftsmen, then it is a case of using nomenclature to justify a wrong doing. This is because even journalism has been described as a craft, so is every profession that is an all-comers affair, owing to the fact that they have bias for talent than field of study.

    I have never been impressed with the malicious politics of the Nigerian film industry that has continuously caused dissonance among practitioners. While PMAN has remained in comatose for years and is merely struggling to find its feet again through a caretaker committee that is also experiencing turbulence, members of AGN are scattered like sheep without a shepherd. And although the AGN have two people laying claims to the presidency, the movie producers association has a parallel association in Association of Nollywood Core Producers (ANCOP).

    The last political dispensation witnessed a false sense of unity among members of some of these associations who savoured the Jonathan largesse while it lasted. But there is more to being united along professional interest lines than happenstances  the former, to me, is more enduring.

    Perhaps now that it seems the tea party is over, we would begin to see leaders focused on growing the industry than on riding on the bandwagon political campaigns. Perhaps now, those who wouldn’t branch into other businesses would sit down to structure how Nollywood can grow and entice investors. Perhaps now, stakeholders in the movie industry might consider a merger in the much anticipated Motion Picture Council of Nigeria (MOPICON) or its like, as a common front for the movie sector.

    It is worrisome when you see brilliant minds in the entertainment sector channeling their energy into endless criticisms and petition writing rather than facing the art, politics and business of filmmaking.

    People who should learn from each other and advance the industry with progressive ideas cannot do so because they have not maintained an open mind.  Colleagues have been at loggerheads with each other on the social media because they get too personal, unduly sentimental and attack themselves over matters that should be discussed objectively. The industry needs to be a brand that is marketable. It has proved or shown great potentials as the second producers of home video in the world. Now that the world has an eye on how Nollywood evolves and how it can become sustainable, is the time to take advantage of its potentials.

  • ‘Peace has returned to House’

    The lawmaker representing Ibadan North Abiodun Dada Awoleye has said there is now peace in the House of Representatives Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting at the High Court, Iyaganku, Ibadan.

    Awoleye spoke with reporters on Monday.

    He said: “It is a normal thing to experience such misunderstanding while contesting for a leadership position but now we have settled everything and are experiencing peace and tranquility. I want to assure Nigerians that we will perform above expectation in the Eighth Assembly”

    He said President Muhammadu Buhari ’’has started his anti-corruption crusade in all sectors of the economy and with time we shall have a positive result. President Buhari has come to serve the masses and not to enrich himself and we will give him our support to achieve his aim,“ the lawmaker said.

  • I never spent a kobo without approval of the House—Aregbesola

    The Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has disclosed that his government has never spent a dime without the approval of the State House of Assembly since he assumed office.

    Aregbesola made the disclosure while addressing a gathering during the Special Parliamentary Session organized by members of the House of Assembly in honour of the  Speaker, Hon. Najeem Salam, who turned 50.

    Aregbesola stated that his government has been conscious of the legislative roles in the running of the constitutionally designated duties of the government, stressing that the impact of the legislature can never be over emphasized towards the achievement of a sustainable democracy.

    Aregbesola who reacted to the recent petition allegedly written and forwarded to the House for investigation  by a sitting Judge of the State High Court, Justice Folahanmi Olamide Oloyede, where he was accused to have collected and mismanaged over N538billion  between 2010 to 2014, described it as unfortunate fabrication and baseless.

    While denying the allegation, he stated  that even if the state is earning five billion (N5billion) every month, it could not still accrue to such outrageous amount within the years in question.

    The governor noted that despite his high level of transparency and openness,  he could not believe that such hate statement could emanate from other arm of government who is part of the system and who by the virtue of her office is highly respected.

    He vowed that he would not be distracted or forced to deviate from the right path of fulfillment in spite of the current economic challenges ravaging the state and the country at large.

    According to him, the role of the legislative arm in a democratically elected government can never be over emphasized as most of the executive roles are hinged on the collective ratification and approval of the legislature, adding that in the eye of the law, nothing can be done without the approval of the members of the House of Assembly.

    He  explained that the roles of the legislature was not only limited to the approval of the appropriation bill from the executive but also has a prominent oversight functions and roles in ensuring that executive performs his statutory duties as expected in line with the constitution.

    Aregbesola said it is also the duty of the State House of Assembly having approved the implementation of a proposed appropriation bill or the proposed projects to be executed by the executive, to equally monitor it and ascertain that the approved fund is used for the said projects which his government has been successfully managed with the previous and current legislators.

    The governor said if anyone now feels that he or she at the comfort of his house can just petition the Governor without the requisite knowledge on the fact that it is not possible for the executive be it Governor, Commissioner, and other government parastatals and agencies, to implement any project whatsoever without the consent and approval of the House, he or she is just wasting his or her time and such petition will always amount to mere emotional disposition that can never be enforced by law.

    Governor Aregbesola lauded the resilience and doggedness of the state legislators for being forthright and unwavering in carrying out their constitutional duties since its inauguration, stressing that the House has been very cooperative, supportive and collaborative with his government.

    He  assured that the current economic crisis in the state would soon become a thing of the past as his government is working round the clock to make life more prosperous, meaningful, fulfilling, peaceful and abundant for the entire citizenry.

    Governor Aregbesola stated that the  parliamentary system of the government remained the best for Nigeria and other developing countries of the world, noting that it is the only system of government that concentrates all governmental powers in the hands of the legislature and as such, helping the financial management of the government because all the financial resources are concentrated on legislature for distribution and disbursement and whoever fails, either member of the parliament or the executive will definitely face the sanction of the parliament.

    He, however, described Speaker Najeem Salam as an epitome of humility, patience, tolerance, perseverance and God fearing.

    He therefore wished him more prosperous life on earth as he celebrates his golden jubilee, urging him not to deviate from good deeds, good work and as well be more committed and dedicated welfare of the people as part of his traits.

  • Ekiti PDP: A divided house

    Ekiti PDP: A divided house

    Ekiti State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is in a crisis. Two factions are fighting for the soul of the chapter. Reconciliation has hit the rocks. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA examines the issues that led to the protracted crisis and the way forward for the troubled party.

    A year after the controversial victory of Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose at the poll, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is in deep crisis. The war of attrition, according to observers, may weaken the platform, if reconciliation fails.

    The bone of contention is the alleged politics of exclusion and the marginalisation of some stakeholders by the governor. Many chieftains, including Tope Aluko, who worked tirelessly for Fayose’s return to power, have complained that the governor has sidelined them.  A source said that  when the governor reneged on his promise to make Aluko the Chief of Staff, trouble started in the party: “Everybody knows that, apart from God, another person that contributed majorly to Fayose’s victory at the PDP governorship primary was TKO (Aluko) and it was on that condition that he (Aluko) thought hewould become the Chief of Staff to the governor after Fayose might have been sworn into office,” the source added.

    However, another source said that Fayose deliberately reneged on his promise because Aluko’s popularity was soaring and the governor feared that he would be a competitor for political relevance.

    The two factions in Ekiti PDP are led by Idowu Faleye and Tunde Olatunde. The position of the chairman became vacant, following the election of the former Chairman, Makanjuola Ogundipe, as a member of the Southwest PDP Zonal Executive Committee. Faleye, a protégé of the governor,  has been operating from the Government House and abandoned the party secretariat for the Olatunde faction. Irked by Faleye’s recognition by Fayose, Olatunde at a news conference in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, alleged that Faleye’s name is not on the party register. But, Faleye fired back, saying that he is the authentic chairman. Olatunde enjoys the support of the party secretary, Aluko, and the auditor, Olanrewaju.

    Olatunde said: “I want to say emphatically that Faleye is only parading himself illegally as the State Chairman. He is a labour unionist and not recognised as the leader of our party. He is a chairman in the Government House .

    “Faleye is not a registered member of our party. The constitution stipulated certain conditions that you must meet before you can be a State Chairman of our party.

    “He is from Ido/Osi  Ward I that has produced the Youth leader. So, it is unconstitutional for a ward to produce two exco members and for a non-registered person to be elected an officer of a ward,  let alone a whole state.”

    Faleye has refuted Olatunde’s claim, saying he had been performing his official functions as the chairman, including leading state caucuses to meetings at the national level.

    He said: “We don’t need to join issues with them. They were not recognised at the last meeting held at the national secretariat.

    The Olatunde faction has appointed Dapo Adebisi as the new Deputy Chairman. He replaced the former Deputy Chairman, Hon. FemiBamisile, who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), shortly before last year’s governorship election.

    The State Working Committee (SWC) also removed an ally of  Fayose, Jackson Adebayo, as the Publicity Secretary.

    Adebayo was named by Faleye to replace Kola Oluwawole, who resigned to contest for a seat in the House of Assembly. Oluwawole won the Assembly poll and he was subsequently elected Speaker.

    The new Publicity Secretary is Michael Oladipo, who is from Erinmope Ward 1, Moba Local Government Area.

    Speaking shortly after the SWC meeting where the decisions were arrived at, Olatunde said the new appointees were recommended from their wards to fill the vacancies.

    Olatunde explained that Adebayo’s purported appointment by the faction loyal to the governor was “irregular and a flagrant violation of the PDP constitution.”

    Speaking on the validity of the action, Olatunde said the action was backed by Section 24(5) of the PDP constitution which states that a quorum for SWC shall be one-third of members drawn from the three senatorial districts and a simple majority shall pass any motion.

    When asked whether Fayose supported the appointment of the new appointees to party positions, Olatunde said that Section 47(6) of the PDP Constitution empowers the state executive to appoint new officers.

    The Section reads: “Where a vacancy occurs in any of the offices of the Party, the Executive Committee at the appropriate level shall appoint another person from the area or zone where the officer originated from, pending the conduct of election to fill the vacancy”.

    Olatunde added: “There is a difference between the government and the party. The party produces the gubernatorial candidate and the highest organ in the party is SEC.

    “The governor is a  (SEC) member while the state party chairman presides and from that simple illustration, that is the responsibility of the party. While the governor faces governance, the SWC runs the party.”

    When the crisis escalated, the party found was ejected from its secretariat at Ureje area, along Ikere Road. The owner of the building is the former party chairman, Chief Ropo Adesanya, who has defected to the APC. He is being owed N1.5 million, which is one year rent. The former chairman alleged that a dude cheque was issued to him by the PDP.

    The Ekiti PDP Elders’ Forum, led Senator Clement Awoyelu, has intervened in the crisis. But, the crisis assumed a new dimension when the forum threw its weight behind Faleye. Apart from passing a vote of confidence on Faleye, the elders accused the APC of fanning the embers of disunity in the ruling party.  the factional crisis rocking their party.

    Awoyelu said: “We viewed Tunde Olatunde’s and Tope Aluko’s, actions and their group as an affront to the party’s authority; very treacherous and barbaric, suggesting that they are being financed by the APC and other external forces purposely to destabilize our party”.

    He added: “On the issue of cheque that was not honoured, that cheque was forged because the signature on the cheque was not the signature of the chairman.

    “This was a calculated attempt to embarrass the party because he (Adesanya) has left the party for the opposition (APC)”.

    On why Faleye has not been operating from the party secretariat, Awoyelu said that he (Faleye) comes there regularly.  “But, in certain situations, one needs to be security-conscious,” he added.

    On the position of the Olatunde faction that Faleye and the State Youth Leader are from the same ward, which is contrary to the party constitution, Awoyelu said the SWC does not have the final say on the issue, adding that the power is vested in the State Executive Committee (SEC).

    He explained that party elders have intervened by holding peace meetings with the two factions. He alleged that the Olatunde faction is not interested in the resolution of the crisis.

    He said: “Faleye remains the authentic chairman of the party and enjoys the backing of majority of members in all wards, council areas and senatorial districts.

    The Chairman of the Forum of 16 PDP Chairmen in the LGAs, Kola Lawal, said the body is in support of Faleye, maintaining that there was no place where a meeting was held to remove him (Faleye) from office.

    Last week, the Faleye faction, backed by heavy police security, stormed the party secretariat to pronounce the suspension of four SWC members in the Olatunde faction.

    The Secretary, Aluko, claimed that he was shot at close range as he led members of the Olatunde faction to take over the secretariat, shortly after the Faleye faction announced the suspension of four members of the State Working Committee (SWC) led by Olatunde.

    There was tension earlier in the day as policemen were mobilised to the party secretariat in 10 vehicles and an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC).

    They prepared ground for the arrival of the Faleye faction. The faction announced the suspension of Olatunde, Aluko, Mrs. Busola Oyebode, the State Women Leader; Tunji Olanrewaju, the State Auditor, and Femi Esan, Assistant Secretary.

    They are to be ‘tried’ by the Faleye faction for alleged anti-party activities by a disciplinary panel to be chaired by Commissioner for Local Government Kolapo Kolade. Other members of the panel are Babade Ige, Animasaun Bamidele, Mrs. Lanre Fajuyi, Smart Adebusuyi, Dele Ajibola and Kola Lawal

    But, the Olatunde faction later came to take over the secretariat about two hours after the Faleye faction had left.

    The riot policemen were later mobilized to the party secretariat at about 3.40 pm and there was shooting with the PDP scribe reportedly hit by gunshots.

    Aluko said: “I was shot at close range by policemen. As I was parking, they opened fire on me at about 3.40 pm.

    “I went there and the policemen were waiting for me and what followed was shooting.

    “My cloth was drenched in blood and I am receiving treatment as you speak with me. I went to the party secretariat because that is my office as the PDP secretary in the state.

    “I have taken care of myself, no shaking. I want you to tell Fayose that the war has started and Fayose cannot intimidate us.

    “We will never leave the party for Fayose or any other person. Tell him that the war has started and we are battle-ready and the people of the state will know the real members of the party”.

    The Police Public Relations Officer, Alberto Adeyemi, said that he was not aware of any shooting. He said: “Our men were their until they (PDP Chieftains) left and we are not aware of any other meeting held after they had left.

    “The DPO also told me that nobody had come to the station to complain that he was shot or any shooting incident took place”.

    The resolution of the faction loyal to Fayose to take disciplinary action against the five was read by its spokesman, Adebayo.

    But, Aluko described the action as a breach of the party’s constitution, saying that it was null and void.

    Aluko explained that  the State SWC was constituted by  14 members, wondering where Idowu Faleye-led faction had got the quorum to suspend them.

    “Nobody can push me out of PDP. I have invested and sweated so much to build the party. But if the party is heading to implosion , then I will take my destiny in my own hands, because nobody has right to my happiness more than myself.

    “PDP is being run in line with the constitution of the party. If this is the case, it came to me as a shock that the party could come up with this action through Jackson Adebayo and Idowu Faleye, who have been suspended by the authentic PDP leaders.

    “Though, we owe it a duty to respect the NWC, but for suspended Chairman to do that was a deliberate attempt to destroy the party, is rather frightening, embarrassing and also disturbing”, Aluko stated.

    He maintained that up till now, Faleye has not been properly registered as a PDP member in his ward, having defected from Labour Party (LP) where he ran for the House of Represetatives seat for Ekiti North Federal Constituency 2 in the 2011 general elections.

    Aluko added : “How can eleven members be suspended  in the SWC? Only the State Executive Committee, acting on the directive of  the NWC, can do that. If anybody think the best way to save the party is by illegal suspension, I won’t be part of that game.

    “Since we assumed office, we have worked hard to win so many elections. We were the one that put Governor Ayodele Fayose on that seat. I was the State Agent in the last governorship poll .

    “I can still not recollect where the meeting was held to ratify our suspension. It was just a decision of Faleye and his faction”.

    Aluko contended that the Publicity Secretary of the party , Mr Olisa Metuh, could not have issued the statement that purportedly suspended them because he has scheduled a peace meeting for next this week.

    Party members are wondering why a party, which won the last year’s poll,  could be so enmeshed in a protracted crisis, barely a year after.

    To observers, history is merely repeating itself in the Ekiti PDP. During Fayose’s first term,the PDP also suffered from factional crisis. A faction known as “Egbe Majeobaje” or “Authentic PDP” broke away due to irreconcilable differences with Fayose.

    The party did not recover from the crisis, until the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) clampdown and the wind of impeachment blew the administration away.

    A party member said: “I am afraid if this matter is not resolved, history may repeat itself as any party that finds itself in power in Ekiti goes into opposition at the next election and I hope we are not laying that foundation with the latest needless crisis.”

  • No more faction in the House, say Dogara, Gbajabiamila

    No more faction in the House, say Dogara, Gbajabiamila

    House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara has said the Eighth House is set to work for Nigerians.

    He said lawmakers in the lower chamber knew that Nigerians were tired of the prolonged face – off over leadership in the House.

    Dogara spoke yesterday at the conclusion of a meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus on Wednesday night. The meeting ended about 12.15am yesterday.

    He said: “There are no more factions in the House. What we have today is a group of lawmakers loyal to the House leadership and our great party.

    “It is only in unity that we can positively contribute to the change we all worked for and move Nigeria forward towards our desired dream of a greater nation”.

    He also said the Southeast geo-political zone, which was not represented in the new leadership because it has first-time lawmakers would be taken care of.

    “We are working on that to see how the zone will be compensated,” he added.

    Majority Leader Femi Gbajabiamila said the division in the House was over.

    He assured that those perceived to have lost out, especially the Southeast, would be compensated.

    “There are no longer factions in the House; whatever happened earlier is now behind us and we are ready to serve Nigerians to the best of our ability. It is not right to play the ethnicity or regional card for now but they will be compensated.”

    Abiodun Faleke (Lagos) said:  “We are no longer fighting as you can see; we are now ready to work with other legislators and move our country forward.”

    Abdulmunin Jibrin (Kano) said: “This meeting has healed all wounds. There is nobody here that is nursing any anger or ill-feelings any longer.”

  • Leadership crisis: House denies plot to bar Loyalists’ Group

    •Adhoc committee warns‘erring members’

    THE House of Representatives has denied alleged plans to bar some key members of the Loyalists Group from entering the chamber today.

    In a statement by Abdulrazak Namdas yesterday, the House maintained that it was the right and freedom of every member to attend plenary, committee meetings and access their offices without any hindrance.

    The statement said there was never a time the leadership considered blocking members from the National Assembly.

    “The allegations can best be described as baseless, unfounded and figment of their imagination.

    “Members are hereby advise to, in accordance with relevant provisions of the House Rules, Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act, and the Code of Conduct of the House, conduct themselves with decorum and in a manner deserving of honourable members of the House, during plenary, committee meetings and other legislative engagements in the House.

    “Similarly, the members alleged that the leadership was trying to truncate President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade.

    “We find this allegation as uncharitable and unbecoming of a House member. The Speaker Yakubu Dogara’s record of incorruptibility endeared him to the members, which culminated in his election as Speaker on June 9th.

    “One of the first major decisions taken by the leadership was to draft the Legislative Agenda, which is primarily aimed at blocking revenue leakages, introduce anti-graft legislations and help the government in its drive to restructure the country.

    “We advise the members who lost out in the election of presiding and principal officers to emulate those who have accepted the olive branch extended to them by Mr. Speaker in the interest of peace, and stability of the House,” the statement said.

    It urged the citizens to ignore the allegations, saying they were “baseless and unfortunate”.

    But the House  Adhoc Committee on Code of Conduct said sanction awaits unruly lawmakers that might want to disrupt procedures in the House.

    A statement by its Chairman, Aminu Shehu Shagari, warned that there were laid down procedures for addressing grievances in the House that aggrieved members could explore.

    The statement reads: “The committee will no longer tolerate any unruly behaviour by any member of the House, no matter how highly placed.

    “The House will deal decisively with any member who violates the rules, disrupts plenary, or is found wanting of misconduct and other sundry offences.

    “Members are admonished to demonstrate high standards of ethics consistent with the important role of lawmaking and the Eighth Assembly Legislative Agenda, which places emphasis on the wellbeing of the people”.

  • Why I won’t move into my new house, by Pasuma

    Why I won’t move into my new house, by Pasuma

    Fuji musician Alabi Pasuma has been criticised by his fans for still living in a rented apartment. The artiste has said that he is not bothered by the comments.

    He says he has just completed his house around OPIC on the popular Lagos/Ibadan Expressway but he is yet to move in. He won’t vacate his present house in Omole Estate on the outskirts of Lagos because the new surrounding is not yet well developed.

    “It’s true I have finished my house in OPIC area as you said but because that place hasn’t developed, I just have to pause, pending the time the area will be developed. Everything is completed to taste; nothing is left to be done to make it habitable.

    “I just decided that when the area is full, I will move in. Also, I have got another one I am building in Omole here. I think that one would have been completed by the time I celebrate my birthday in November this year. That’s my prayer,” he said.

    Pasuma who has also been active in the hip hop scene since early 90s hinted his fans that he will be releasing a hip hop album. He has since dropped over four hip hop songs including a collaboration with Mavin Records first lady Tiwa Savage.

  • Fight in the House

    •Members must resolve that never again would such recur

    The parliament is a constitutional hotbed for controversies and disagreements. This is because, it is a platform to superimpose ideas and contest for the appropriation of the resources of the state. But it is not a boxing ring or a wrestling corner. The fights in parliament are usually between ideas, not between parliamentarians. So, the brawl at the 8th House of Representatives over leadership positions was an aberration. Coming at the beginning of their tenure, it is an ill-wind that blows nobody any good, and the members must forestall a recurrence.

    We understand that emotions are part of human physiology, and when the stakes are high, it occasionally runs over. But were the issues in contention high on parliamentary stakes? The answer is an emphatic No. It had nothing to do with the security and welfare of the people. The tussle was with regards to the selection of the principal officers of the House, with the Speaker and his clique accused of trying to impose their personal agenda on their party.

    We condemn such a brazen attempt by the House leadership, and urge the contending parties to reach an amicable resolution. Considering that political parties are a democratic vehicle, the leadership of the House who are members of the ruling party ought to engage the party leadership, to hammer out a consensus; instead of bringing their dirty laundry before Nigerians. Indeed, we are surprised that despite the provisions of the constitution and the House rules over the selection of the House Majority Leader, Deputy Majority Leader, Majority Whip and Deputy Majority Whip; the Speaker, his deputy and their supporters are seeking to supplant their party leaders over that issue.

    The manifest indiscipline exhibited by members of the House of Representatives, like virus, also mutated at the Benue State House of Assembly. There, a member of the majority party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in violation of extant laws, chose to break ranks with his colleagues, by crossing over to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The members, instead of arresting the aberration through the instruments of the court, chose to take matters into their hands, as they engaged in scuffles, in the same manners as mere touts would do.

    In the two instances, the Houses which just resumed after their inauguration beat a quick retreat into a forced recess. While they are at their un-earned holidays, members will no doubt continue to receive salaries and allowances for services that have not been rendered. We are also worried that in the House of Representatives, there was an attempt to forcefully take away the Mace, the symbol of authority of the parliament. As shown on television, the members aggregated around the Mace, with the contending parties each pulling for its control. What is unknown is who had the interest to forcefully take the Mace out of the chambers.

    With the national parliament embroiled in controversy, apparently from lack of party discipline, it is important to remind the members of their promises at the election that propelled them to power. So, the ruling party members in the National Assembly must wake up to their responsibilities, unless of course, they want to end their political career at their present altars. But even if that is the case, the long-suffering Nigerians already pushed to the wall by the past governments, may now choose to push back, at grave consequences for our dear nation.