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Tag: Ihedioha

  • Reps approve Buhari’s request for 15 Special Advisers

    Reps approve Buhari’s request for 15 Special Advisers

    The House of Representatives on Thursday approved the request of President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint 15 Special Advisers.

    The motion for the approval was moved by the Leader of the House, Hon. Mulikat Akande- Adeola.

    In the motion titled: ” Appointment, renumeration, etc. of Special Advisers to the President Pursuant to Section 151 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended,” the leader noted that Section 151 (1) of the 1999 Constitution enables the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to appoint any person as Special Adviser to assist him in the discharge of his function.

    She added: “That section 151 (2) of the Constitution empowers the National Assembly to, either by law or by resolution, prescribe the number of such Special Advisers, their renumeration and allowances. The President has requested the National Assembly to approve 15 Special Advisers to assist him in the performance of his functions.

    Akande- Adeola noted that the National Assembly had previously approved renumeration and allowances for the Special Advisers of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    She therefore urged that the House “approve 15 Special Advisers for the President who shall be paid renumeration and allowances enjoyed by previous holders of the office.”

    The motion was passed without any debate after the Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, called for a voice vote.

  • Don’t push Reps out of offices, says Ihedioha

    Don’t push Reps out of offices, says Ihedioha

    Acting Speaker Emeka Ihedioha has urged the management of the National Assembly not to stampede members of the 7th House out of their offices.

    In a memo to Senators and members, the management of the National Assembly asked them to vacate their offices by May 18 with the view to renovating all the offices ahead of the inauguration of the 8th Assembly.

    Speaking at plenary yesterday, Ihedioha urged the lawmakers to go about their legislative activities without intimidation, adding that he would meet with the Clerk of the National Assembly to find an amicable settlement to the problem brought about by the circular.

  • Reps shut down PIB over contentious clauses

    Reps shut down PIB over contentious clauses

    With just a few days to the end of the 7th Assembly, members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday suspended further consideration of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) due to the sectional line the consideration of the report appeared to take.

    The Chairman Committee of the Whole House, Emeka Ihedioha, halted further consideration of the report when he discovered that argument over some contentious clauses has taken on regional dimension.

    Ihedioha, who is also the Deputy Speaker of the House, mandated the ad hoc Committee to do further work on the contentious clauses to enable the House make informed decision when consecration resumes.

    Before then, members from the South and North were at variance over what percentage of national fund should go to certain projects in their areas.

    He said: “What we have seen on the floor is a political and emotional solution being put forward by members, but what we need is a technical solution.

    “What we must realize is that the import of the PIB is very critical to Nigerians because the National Assembly has been accused at various times for not passing the Bill.

    “So, we have to take our time to pass it and pass a bill that can stand the text of time. The committee should go back and involved technical people so that whatever we support at the end of the day will be in favour of Nigeria.

    “You have to come up with figures that can be defended by the House. If we go into voting now, it will only be political voting, but we have to be technically guided to be able to do the best for Nigeria.”

    Also on Tuesday, members of the House kicked against the consideration of a report clearing the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison Madueke, of any wrong doing in an alleged shady sale of seven oil blocs.

    The report which was put together by an ad hoc committee headed by the Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum, Upstream, Muraino Ajibola cleared Alison- Madueke of any misdeed in the transaction.

     

  • Ihedioha takes charge as Reps hold valedictory session

    Ihedioha takes charge as Reps hold valedictory session

    DEPUTY Speaker Emeka Ihedioha yesterday took charge of affairs as the Seventh House of Representatives held its valedictory session.

    This followed the resolve of the House to suspend Order ii Rule 9 of the House “to enable the Deputy Speaker perform the duties and functions of the Speaker for the remainder of the life of the 7th House of Representatives”.

    This is in accordance with Order VII, Rule 25 (1) of the Standing Orders of the House.

    The Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business Albert Sam-Tsokwa  and 21 other lawmakers, had moved a motion titled: “Suspension of Order ii Rule 9 of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives: Vacancy in the office of the Speaker”.

    Sam-Tsokwa noted that Tambuwal has been declared a governor-elect of Sokoto State and that he would be sworn in on May 29.

    “Tambuwal will cease to be a member of the House of Representatives and by extension,  Speaker of the House soon after taking the Oath of Office as the Governor of Sokoto State on May 29, thereby creating a vacancy in the office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives,” he said.

    Sam-Tsokwa said Order ii Rule 9 states that: “Whenever a vacancy has occurred in the office of the Speaker or Deputy Speaker during a session, the Clerk shall report same to the House at its next sitting, and the House shall either forthwith or at its next sitting, proceed to the election of a new Speaker in the manner herein before provided”.

    He said the period between the vacancy  and the life of the House was barely four days and urged his colleagues to suspend the Order.

    The motion was adopted overwhelmingly by members without debate.

    Also a motion was moved for the admittance of past principal officers of the House, this also included the Service Chiefs, the NSCDC, the Police hierarchy and members of the National Assembly Service Commission amongst others.

    The plenary saw leaders of caucuses in the House delivering their valedictory speeches.

    The leader of the Southeast Caucus, Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi, leader of the Northeast Caucus Jerry Manwe,  Nicholas Ossai (South South)and Haman Pategi (North Central)addressed the House. Opeyemi Bamidele spoke for the Southwest. Bashir Adamu spoke Northwest.

    They all spoke glowingly of the seventh assembly and Tambuwal as its Speaker, particularly for his predilection to act for the benefit of the Nigerian masses.

    Minority Leader Femi Gbajabiamila said though Tambuwal’s jokes and backslapping would be missed, but his astuteness with which he carried out his responsibilities would endure forever.

    Bamidele said the Nigerian masses found their voice under the seventh House because the House was privileged to have a Speaker that had a scientific understanding of issues affecting the masses.

    Deputy Leader Leo Ogor, who went down memory lane, said the opposition provided a vibrant platform that ensured robust examination of national issues.

    Former Speaker Gmail Na’Aba spoke on behalf of former Speakers while Abdul Ningi, Deputy Senate Leader, spoke for the Senate.

    Both leaders hailed the resolute dispositions of Tambuwal in steering the House without scandal for four years.

    The valedictory session also saw a member, Andulrahman Terab from Borno State defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to All progressives Congress (AP).

    After Tambuwal’s address, the House adjourned to resume plenary next Tuesday when the members would be presented with Certificate of Participation.

  • Election Tribunal: Ihedioha vows to reclaim mandate

    Election Tribunal: Ihedioha vows to reclaim mandate

    Lead counsel to honourable Emeka Ihedioha, the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) governorship candidate in Imo state, Chief Mike Ahamba (SAN) Wednesday vowed to reclaim the mandate of his client using every avenue within the ambits of the law.

    Ahamba who stated this during the inaugural sitting of the governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Owerri insisted that his client will get justice and be declared the winner at the end of the sitting or have the election nullified for a fresh one.

    According to him, “our target is to return Emeka Ihedioha to the Government House or in alternative to have the election nullified, we pray we don’t miss both, we are ready for the attitude of the respondents to prevent the hearings”.

    However, the Chairman of the election Petition Tribunal, Justice David Wyom in his inaugural speech warned the parties against abusive words as well as restricting the visitation of the Panel by all parties concerned in the election.

    While disclosing that the Panel has just one hundred and eighty days to conclude on the election matters, he also warned the parties involved to avoid acts capable of delaying proceedings in any matter as the Panel he noted, is committed to a speedy judgment.

    “It is also pertinent in our view, to use this opportunity to warn that this tribunal will not tolerate any act from any quarters, capable of compromising any or all its members, the staff of the secretariat or appearing to impugn its integrity,” he stated.

    Meanwhile, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Chukwuma Machukwu Umeh has expressed confidence in the panel delivering justice at the end of the sitting.

  • Ihedioha insists on Wednesday for PIB debate

    Ihedioha insists on Wednesday for PIB debate

    The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, has said debate on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) must commence Wednesday.

    Iheadioha, who presided over the House plenary Tuesday, urged his colleagues to prepare for clause-by-clause consideration of the bill.

    His insistence stemmed from complaints by some lawmakers who claimed they were not in possession document.

    There were fears that the Bill which has suffered several delays may not passed before the 7th Assembly completes its tenure next month.

    Ihedioha reminded his colleagues that announcement on the PIB debate was made last to enable members pick up their copies.

     

     

  • Reps to consider PIB, says Deputy Speaker Ihedioha

    Reps to consider PIB, says Deputy Speaker Ihedioha

    THE House of Representatives will consider the passage of the much-awaited Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) when members meet for plenary this week.

    Already, copies of the bill  have been distributed to all members to study an get ready for clause-by-clause consideration of the legislation.

    Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha broke the news to reporters after he led a delegation on a condolence visit to the Minority Whip of the

    House, Samson Osagie, at Urhokuosa, Uhunmwode, Edo State.

    The minority whip’s father, Pa Samson Osagie Imarhiagbe Ogbewe, has just passed on.

    Ihedioha said:  “I think it will be most unfair for anybody to insinuate that the House is not working on the PIB. We have slated it for passage and we have mentioned it and we said we have to accomplish it before the end of this Assembly.

    “As we speak, copies of the Bill for consideration have been distributed to all members of the House to enable them study it so that they can make inputs. This week, we invite all Nigerians to join us as we take the clause-by-clause consideration of the bill because we believe that the passage will do the Nigerian economy and the petroleum industry a lot of good.”

    He denied that the 7th Assembly did not tackle corruption, stressing that the members did their best in exposing the menace where necessary.

    Ihedioha said: “It is most unfair for anybody to indicate that we have not done anything about corruption. First, the leadership of the House and the 7th Assembly have discharged itself as a House that lead by example. We have led the House transparently and we have open our books for anybody or individual to appreciate how we have ran the affairs of the house and that is why in the 7th Assembly, there is no banana pills.

    “We also have done everything that we can to expose corrupt practices by any branch of government and by any member of the society.

    “We have done all we need to do and we have asked the Executive to do its own part. If the Executive fails to do its own part, that is not the responsibility of the House and it’s not an indictment of the legislature. We have exposed corruption where necessary.”

  • Ihedioha, Mulikat, Ogor celebrate Tambuwal’s guber victory

    Ihedioha, Mulikat, Ogor celebrate Tambuwal’s guber victory

    It was a pleasant surprise for the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal Tuesday as he entered the National Assembly.

    He was met with singing and drumming by members and staff of the parliament.

    Amongst those that were in the office of the Speaker in the White House section of the Complex to felicitate with him were the Deputy Speaker of the House, Emeka Ihedioha, the Majority Leader, Mulikat Akande- Adeola and her deputy Leo Ogor.

    Members sang and danced while the staff members drummed.

    Shouts of “Sai Tambuwal, Sai Buhari! rent the air as the Speaker entered the office.

    There was a general air of conviviality in the atmosphere as over twenty members cutting across party lines were present.

    Tambuwal during the Saturday April 11 gubernatorial and State Houses of Assembly elections was declared the Governor- elect of Sokoto State.

  • ‘Presenting Imo PDP flag to Ihedioha futile’

    A former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives candidate in Owerri Federal Constituency, Mr. Ben Onyechere, has decried the handing over of the Imo PDP governorship flag to House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha.

    He described it as “futile and an aberration.”

    Onyechere said in a statement that the decision to give the flag to Ihedioha “cannot hold water because it is a negation of the democratic and legal processes recognised by the constitution.

    “That attempt only seeks to undermine the sensibilities of the electorate and to ignore the institution of the judiciary, which possesses the power to adjudicate on matters that suffocate and infringe on the rights of the people to freely exercise their choice of leaders because the time of impunity and imposition is in the past.”

  • Ihedioha slams Araraume for flagging off governorship campaign

    Ihedioha slams Araraume for flagging off governorship campaign

    The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State, Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha, yesterday condemned in strong terms the recent road show staged by Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, who is laying claim to the same PDP governorship ticket.

    Ihedioha in a statement signed by his Campaign Director, Chief Chris Okewulonu, cautioned the former Senator to “immediately put an end to these ill-advised activities that are inimical to the electoral successes of our great party in Imo State and clearly injurious to the prevailing peace in the state”.

    According to the statement, “our attention has been drawn to the unfortunate road show along the streets of Owerri by people who are not indigenes of Imo State by Senator Ifeanyi Araraume one of the governorship aspirants who contested the December 8, 2014 party primaries which Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha won and purporting himself as new governorship candidate of our party (PDP).

    “This false claim and regrettable action of Senator  Ifeanyi Araraume has no doubt bemused our party faithful and Imo people in general. One therefore, wonders if they are deliberate campaign, designed to provoke the PDP family in Imo State to engage in violence which could jeopardize the expected electoral success of the PDP in the forthcoming 2015 elections.

     “It is also regrettable that the APC led Imo State Government is already celebrating this unwarranted conduct of Senator Araraume over the airwaves”.

     The statement further added, “it is noteworthy that these condemnable activities of Chief Godwin Ifeanyi Araraume are contrary to sections 58 (1) a, b, c, f, h, i and j of the constitution of our great party (PDP). It is being aimed at causing disaffection among members of the party; promoting fractionalization of the PDP family in Imo State and unauthorized publicity of disputes within the Party.

    “The State Working Committee (SWC) led by the Imo State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie as well as the National Working Committee (NWC) being the relevant authorities of our great party had severally issued statements affirming Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha as the winner of the governorship primaries and governorship candidate of our great party for the 2015 elections.

     “As our brother and compatriot, we harbour no malice but enjoin Senator Araraume to see good reason as a party man and discontinue these ill-advised activities, inimical to the electoral successes of our great party in Imo State and clearly injurious to the prevailing peace of Imo State”.