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Tag: Ike Ekweremadu

  • Constituents to Ekweremadu: We’ll decide when you should retire from Senate

    The people of Enugu West Senatorial Zone have rejected the decision by the deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu not to return to the senate in 2023.

    They said that they have the final say whether their representative will return to the Senate in 2023 or not.

    Ekweremadu had last weekend during his birthday celebration in Enugu declared that he would not be contesting for the Senate position again having been re-elected for the fifth time.

    But the in a statement issued on the matter his constituents said, “in truth, His Excellency, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu is a man of history whose destiny is intertwined with the yearning and aspirations of his people. In real term, we, his people have the final say on where he goes to on our behalf in 2023.”

    Under the aegis of Concerned Citizens of Enugu West Senatorial District the statement was signed by Hon Alex Ogbonna, Rt. S.K.E Udeh Okoye, Hon. Chigozie Akalusi, Hon Donatus Uzogbado, Hon. Ralp Onovo, Hon Mike Chukwu and Hon. Princess Chioma Chiaha.

    They pointed that Ekweremadu has a right to his opinions, “but we, his people, have the final word, as always, in his political decisions, now and in the future.

    “Sen. Prof. Ike Ekweremadu, Ph.D, CFR, Deputy Senate President during his 57th birthday celebration recently in Enugu State to the effect that he will not be seeking re-election into the Senate come 2023.

    “While our respect and admiration for the Distinguished Senator remains unshaken, we are minded to state that Senator Ike Ekweremadu is a product of our collective mandate and to that extent answerable to his constituents in all matters relating to his services to our people; including his decisions concerning his political future in 2023.

    “As a people, we reserve the right to determine where Sen. Ike Ekweremadu’s services are most suitable for the overall interest of our people. At the appropriate time, we will decide if we are best served by his continued stay in the Senate or otherwise.

    Read Also: Senate exit: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Ortom, extol Mark

    “We are certain that in his meteoric rise to prominence in Nigeria and the world at large, he has had little or no control in determining his choice of service to his people. For instance, it was members of his age grade in Mpu that collectively decided to entrust him with the chairmanship of the age grade at a time he least expected it at the tender age of 10.

    “The same is true about the decision of the entire Mpu community to elect him as the President-General of the Town Union. His election as the Executive Chairman of Aninri LG was also the outcome of the collective decision of the Leaders of Thought of Aninri LGA.

    “His becoming the Chief of Staff to former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani and later the Secretary to the Enugu State Government was also a fortuitous interplay of forces involving the former governor and other major stakeholders in Enugu State at that time who wanted him to serve in such capacities.

    “The same is true of his election into the Senate in 2003, which was a collective decision of the people of Enugu-West. Of significance is the fact that in his recent re-election into the Senate for a record 5th term, the decision was not his but a collective resolve of the people of Enugu-West who themselves bought the nomination form for him.

    “We also make bold to state that his emergence as the Deputy Senate President for a record third term was not of his own volition but by the collective approval of his colleagues in the Senate who saw in him an uncommon trait and capacity to serve in that position.

    “In essence, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu’s political trajectory could be likened to the wind, which you can hear but cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. In the same vein, no one can actually explain how Ike Ekweremadu got to where he is today; but one thing that is certain is that he did not ascend to any of the aforementioned positions by his own volition or decision but by the Will of God and the consent of his people.

    “Thus far, we are satisfied with his stewardship since he emerged on our political horizon as a leader. He has represented us effectively and has attracted numerous democracy dividends to our people.

    “We, therefore, charge him to raise the bar on his performance in the 9th Senate, which will soon be inaugurated and keep the flag of his illustrious performance aloft. Presently, let us concentrate on the task ahead essentially because we know that emerging events will define our preferences in 2023.”

  • I won’t run for Senate again, says Ekweremadu

    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu on Sunday declared that he would not seek re-election into the Senate in 2023.

    The fourth term senator said that God had been kind to him, raising him to address enormous challenges faced by his people.

    A statement by his media aide, Uche Anichukwu, said that the Deputy Senate President spoke at an event to mark his 57th birthday and to appreciate God and his constituents for his re-election and triumphs.

    Ekweremadu recalled how he became the chairman of his age grade association at age 10 and served as President-General of Mpu Town Union, pioneer elected Chairman of Aninri LGA, Chief of Staff of Enugu Government House, Secretary to Enugu State Government, fourth term Senator, third term Deputy President of the Senate and the first Nigerian Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament”.

    He, however, observed that it had not been all rosy as he had also faced serious political challenges and persecutions.

    Read also: Senate exit: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Ortom, extol Mark

    Ekweremadu said: “We are assembled here today to mark the awesomeness of God in my life and to thank you all for standing by me over yet another year of trauma in my politics, including the attempt on my life and lives of my family members, the assault on my liberty, and all the evil designs of the evil people in our society against my person and politics.

    “I have been through the valleys of the shadow of death. I have been scorched and bruised for my political beliefs and determination to defend the principles of democracy and uphold justice for every segment of this nation.

    “Indeed, without the almightiness of God and your fidelity, I would not have been here to acknowledge the triumph of God’s grace over the evil intensions of wicked souls in high and low places of our society”.

    Ekweremadu expressed happiness over the developments his representation had brought to his people.

    “My life and political odyssey are products of divine grace working through destiny helpers like you, for I know where I am coming from. I also know how far the Almighty God has brought me.

    “I have also looked back on the last 16 years, which I have represented Enugu West as their Senator and I can only thank God for our accomplishments.

    “I have tried to count our blessings. I have tried to name them one by one. I must confess that I am truly surprised at what the Lord has done for us.

    “Our road infrastructure has improved remarkably. The Awka-Ugwuoba-Oji River-Nachi-Udi-9th Mile-Abor-Ukehe-Opi Road, which is our latest intervention in this regard, has just been awarded.

    “We have made progress in electricity and water supply to our various communities.

    “We have built, rebuilt, and we are still building and rebuilding schools, churches, health and civic centres, among others.

    “Our human capital development projects are on the upward trajectory. We have assisted several of our young people with employment in public service.

    “Through the Ikeoha Foundation, we have supported 3,843 undergraduates with bursary awards, 87 with full scholarship, while over 12,155 women and youth have received basic education courtesy of Ikeoha Foundation Adult Literacy Programme,” he told his constituents.

  • Senate exit: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Ortom, extol Mark

    Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, Governor Samuel Ortom, on Sunday paid glowing tribute to the former Senate President, Senator David Mark for his meritorious service to his constituents and the country, as the latter exits from the Senate after 20 years.

    In their separate goodwill messages to Senator Mark at a thanksgiving mass at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Otukpo, Benue State, Saraki, Ekweremadu, Ortom and others described Mark as an icon and patriotic leader in the contemporary Nigeria.

    A statement by the media assistant to David Mark, Paul Mumeh, said that the thanksgiving was to mark former Senate President’s exit from the Senate after 20 years.

    It said that specifically, Saraki noted that his predecessor has set a record as the longest serving Senator since 1999, the longest serving President of the Senate and referred to him as an officer and a gentleman.

    He said: “Senator Mark was our own equivalent of the US Senators Robert C. Byrd (51 years, five months, 26 days), Daniel K. Inouye (49 years, 11 months and 15 days) Strom Thurmond (47 years, five months, eight days), Ted Kennedy (46years, nine months, 19 days and Patrick J. Leahy (44years) in terms of institutional memory that he embodies”.

    Saraki acknowledged that Senator Mark remains a stabilizing force in or out of the chamber pointing out that he remains relevant even when he left the position of the primus inter pares in the Senate.

    According to Saraki, “while Senator Mark’s record in the Senate remains unbeaten, it is necessary to mention that he is a bridge builder and consummate politician. My colleagues and I in the Eight Senate, appreciate his humility, brilliance and patriotism”.

    In his tribute, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ekweremadu underscored the leadership qualities of Senator Mark and added “your place of honour as a fine, perceptive, detribalized, patriotic, astute leader and a true democrat is unarguable and unshakable.

    Besides leading the National Assembly to break the jinx of constitutional amendments and the successful electoral reforms, Ekweremadu added “your capacity as a wise, experienced, patriotic and true statesman manifested at a very trying time in the Nation’s history when you guided the National Assembly to invoke the Doctrine of Necessity to steer the country away from palpable constitutional crisis“.

    Read Also: Naira remains stable at parallel market

    Governor Samuel Ortom, in his remarks, noted: “your quality representation and indefatigable leadership in the Senate brought stability to the system and added enormous value to democracy.

    “I am proud to identify with you for your selfless services to the State and the nation as well as providing mentorship to upcoming leaders”.

    An elated Senator Mark expressed appreciation to his people for the opportunity to serve, promising to continue to work for peace and unity of Nigeria.

    It said that in his homily, the Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, Most Reverend Kenneth Odeh described Senator Mark as an icon of inestimable value saying that his contributions to the development of Nigeria cannot be wished away.

    Reverend Odeh urged Nigerian politicians to emulate Senator Mark’s selfless service to the country.

     

  • 9th NASS: Our challenges have no party, tribe or religion, says Ekweremadu

    Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has said that the ninth National Assembly would rise above political, religious, and ethnic divides to address the myriads of challenges facing Nigeria.

    Ekweremadu spoke at a dinner to mark the end of the orientation programme organised for the members-elect of the incoming National Assembly in Abuja.

    The Enugu West lawmaker, who described the National Assembly as a microcosm of Nigeria, observed that bringing together the members-elect from across the country had not only helped them to garner basic legislative knowledge but also to familiarise with one another and better appreciate the peculiar challenges faced by various parts of the country.

    Ekweremadu said: “After elections comes the onerous business of governance and I am greatly encouraged by the enthusiasm and determination of Distinguished Senator and Honourable Members-elect to rise above narrow politics.

    Read Also: Ekweremadu donates classroom to Hausa community

    “It gladdens the heart that Members-elect are aware that once sworn-in as Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic, we are bound by our oath of office and House Rules to always act in the overall interest of the sovereignty, integrity, solidarity, well-being, and prosperity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We are bound by these instruments to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “We may all have come in different vehicles as represented by our various political parties but poverty and hunger faced by the masses of Nigeria have no political party.

    “We may profess different religions, but the insecurity taking high tolls on our people has no religion.

    “Therefore, it is imperative and we are indeed inclined to work as a team for the peace, justice, equity, and national prosperity, irrespective of political leanings and diversities.

    “Ours is a call to service, a call to deliver democracy dividends, a call to meet the expectations of our people and a call to ensure that the government of Nigeria works for the people of Nigeria and I have no doubt whatsoever that we will deliver on our mandates.”

  • Election peaceful in Enugu

    The Presidential and National Assembly Elections have been adjudged the best held so far in Enugu.

    No ugly incident was reported in any part of the state.

    The turnout of voters was high and impressive and the security provided was also impressive.

    Although the military were also involved, they were nowhere close to the polling stations. They only mounted obstacles on major roads and risked suspected vehicles.

    Except for isolated cases of shortage of ballot papers and result sheets, no serious complaint was recorded.

    House of Representative member for Aninri/Awgu/Oji River, Hon Toby Okechukwu expressed satisfaction with the arrangements.

    The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, was also positive on the conduct of the election.

    Although he frowned at the minor shortcomings in some centres, he said it was too early to predict the outcome. Ekweremadu is seeking his fifth tenure in the Senate on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    His All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart, Juliet Ibekaku-Nwagwu, however, complained of discrepancies in some local councils.

    But a chieftain of the APC and the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, Osita Okechukwu expressed satisfaction in the conduct of the election.

    He said it was an indication of Buhari’s administration’s commitment to the development of an enduring democracy for Nigeria.

    Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr.Balarabe Suleiman, said he was satisfied with security arrangement in the ongoing Presidential and National Assembly elections.

  • Senate orders probe of frequent burglary cases in NASS

    The Senate on Thursday expressed concern over frequent cases of burglary in the National Assembly complex.

    The upper chamber said that reports of upsurge in theft cases have not only become embarrassing but completely unacceptable.

    This followed Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s report of the invasion of her office by burglars.

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu who presided, condemned the invasion of Senator Tinubu’s office and described it as shameful.

    Ekweremadu who added that the occurrence was worrisome especially in the build-up to the February elections, told his colleagues about a former senator who parked his car close to the assembly complex for some banking transaction only to come back to find his car burgled.

    The Deputy Senate President said that he learnt that the office of a member of the House of Representatives was also burgled while the National Assembly was on break.

    He mandated the Senate committee on Services to team up with National Assembly management to investigate the development and report back within two weeks.

    Senator Tinubu in her Point of Order drew the attention of her colleagues to the invasion of her office by unknown persons.

    The Lagos central senator said that she no longer feels safe in her office since the incidence took place.

    She requested a comprehensive investigation into the case as well as the replacement of items stolen by the hoodlums as soon as possible.

    She said: “I want to report an incident that happened in my office while we were on holiday during the Christmas break.

    “The Senate is aware that we closed for the break on Thursday the 21st day of December 2018. However, my office had been closed from 7th December as I had constituency engagements and town hall meetings scheduled for the period.

    “On Wednesday, 9th January 2019, my staff upon resumption noticed some anomalies in the organisation and setup of the office prompting an inspection.

    “It was discovered that one HP laptop computer, CCTV camera box, one Smile internet device and copies of the laws of the federation had been carted away.

    “Subsequently, a report was lodged at the police post of the National Assembly.

    “ I’m requesting two things from the Senate, the leadership of the Senate to direct that volumes one to 14 of the laws of the federation and CCT box carted away be replaced.

    “Also the Senate should thoroughly investigate the matter and security arrangement of the National Assembly to ensure safety and property.

    Read Also: Senate refer nominations into N/East Development Commission Board

    “This time, the occurrence is something that is worrisome. One, this is the time we are all going for election, right now I don’t feel safe in my office because when things happen and no tangible action is being taken, you begin they wonder.”

    Ekweremadu further blamed the development on the management of the National Assembly.

    He noted that despite millions spent on security in the National Assembly, cases of theft were still being reported day by day.

    “I don’t think it is an isolated case. A former colleague came to do a transaction in the National Assembly, he left car and when he came back the car was broken into and money removed.

    “He parked the car close to one of the buildings and he thought it was easy to detect.

    “He reported to the management and they tried to look at the CCTV but it was not working. It is an embarrassment for all of us.

    “I want to appeal to the management to live up to their expectations. We can’t be talking about replacing the books until they have concluded investigation,” he said.

    Last year, cars belonging to some workers and journalists were burgled by hoodlums.

    Batteries and other valuable items were stolen. The cars were parked inside the National Assembly complex.

  • Withdraw charges against CJN, Ekweremadu urges FG

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, on Monday urged the Federal Government to immediately withdraw the charges against the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, and also apologise to the nation’s judiciary.

    In a series of posts on his social media handles, @iamekweremadu, in the early hours of Monday, Ekweremadu, described the charges as extremely dangerous for the nation’s democracy.

    He emphasised “the need to eschew every form of intimidation against other arms of government, especially their leadership, to enable them play their constitutional roles in the overall interest of the nation.”

    The Deputy Senate President noted that the integrity of the Nigerian judiciary remained intact despite obvious constraints.

    Read Also: Onnoghen: Ohanaeze to FG, stop heating the Polity

    He said: “I consider the charges against the Chief Justice of Nigeria, His Lordship, Justice Walter Onnoghen, as ill-advised and dangerous, especially after similar attempts at the leadership of the National Assembly failed.

    “This is extremely dangerous for democracy and can only divide the country further as well as alienate us as country very low in upholding the rule of law and independence of the judiciary.

    “I advise the Attorney General of the Federation to immediately withdraw the charges and apologise to the judiciary. We certainly can’t travel this road”.

  • 2019: Ekweremadu urges Nigerians to embrace Christlike virtues

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, on Monday urged Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of love, fairness, selfless service, and commitment to public good as exemplified by Christ in order to ensure hitch-free conduct of the 2019 general elections.

    Ekweremadu who made the call in his goodwill message to Nigerians at Christmas, explained that the National Assembly had amended the constitution to quicken the dispensation of justice in pre-election disputes.

    He said: “The forthcoming general election is critical for the survival and deepening of democracy in Nigeria. So, I believe that embracing the Christlike virtues of love, peace, fairness, and selfless service to fatherland is key to eschewing the desperation and pursuit of narrow interests that fuel vote-buying, intimidation, and other electoral manipulations that in turn trigger electoral violence.

    Read Also: Atiku yet to convince, placate Ekweremadu

    “Slow pace of justice delivery has been an incentive for ills. Therefore, just as we amended the Constitution in 2010 to prescribe a time frame for the conclusion of election petitions, the current National Assembly has further amended Section 285 of the Constitution to set time frames for the conclusion of pre-election disputes such as issues arising from primary elections. The President has also assented to this particular amendment to make it part of our Constitution.

    “Going forward, every pre-election matter must be filed not later than 14 days from the date of the occurrence of the event, decision or action complained of in the suit.

    “Judgement shall be delivered within 180 days of institution of the suit

    “An appeal from a pre-election matter shall be heard and disposed within 60 days.

    “That way, every aggrieved persons can rest assured that they don’t have to wait forever again to get justice. Every wrong done before or during elections will now be remedied speedily”.

    Ekweremadu wished Nigerians a merry Christmas, urging them to also continue to pray for the country.

  • ‘Ekweremadu not on any travel ban list’

    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu is not included in any travel ban list, the Special Adviser to the Deputy Senate on media, Uche Anichukwu has said.

    Anichukwu, in a statement, said the clarification became necessary following misleading report that Ekweremadu has been barred from traveling out of the country on the request of the Special Presidential Investigative Panel on Recovery of Public Property.

    The statement reads: “The attention of the Office of the Deputy President of the Senate has been drawn to a misleading report that Senator Ike Ekweremadu’s has been barred from traveling out of the country on the request of the Special Presidential Investigative Panel on the Recovery of Public Property.

    “For purpose of clarification and emphasis, the Office wishes to restate that Ekweremadu is not in court with the Panel or any other government agency over any corruption case.

    “He was rather sued by the SPIP on the grounds that he, in the Panel’s words, allegedly “neglected to declare” his assets “in the manner prescribed by the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property”.

    “Ekweremadu’s position is that the Constitution demands every public officer to declare his or her assets to the Code of Conduct Bureau every four years, a provision he had since fulfilled, hence his refusal to fill fresh asset declaration forms forwarded to him by the Panel contrary to the Constitution.

    “It is also his position that the Public Property Special Provisions Act, CAP R4 LFN, 2004, otherwise known as Decree No 3, 1984, which the Panel relied on to charge public officials to court has become obsolete and power to investigate non-asset declaration is now vested in the Code of Conduct Bureau by the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Therefore, only the Code of Conduct Bureau can receive asset declaration forms from public officers.

    “The Court of Appeal recently gave a judicial imprimatur to this when it ruled in a similar matter that the SPIP has no prosecutorial powers whatsoever, hence the Panel is acting ultra vires.

    “It is further recalled that the Federal High Court Abuja at the November 8, 2018 hearing on the matter declined the Panel’s request to order the Senator’s arrest since the Senator is already challenging the Panel’s legality.

    “So, whereas the excesses and smear tactics of the SPIP is not in doubt, the report is considered false and misleading, especially since our interaction with those concerned indicated that the only medium that listed Ekweremdu and was subsequently copied by some online platforms, confirmed that the reporter was neither given nor saw any list that contains Ekweremadu’s name.”

     

  • Non-payment of salary: Workers shutdown National Assembly

    Members of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Tuesday made good their threat to disrupt activities at the National Assembly.

    The workers in their numbers shutdown the National Assembly over alleged non-payment of salary and other allowances

    The two chambers of the National Assembly were barricaded by the plea cards bearing workers as they stopped Senators and House of Representatives members from accessing their offices.

    Read Also:Buhari approves enhanced salary structure for Police

    Principal Officers, including Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, Speaker House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and his deputy Lasun Yusuff, were not left out.

    Some of the protesting workers took over the National Assembly lobby chanting solidarity songs as they displayed their numerous plea cards with various inscriptions.

    Others mocked Senators and House of Representatives members as they staged a fake parliamentary session with one of them bearing the mace.

    The workers had at the weekend threatened to picket the National Assembly over claim of non-payment of salary and allowances.

    The Clerk to the National Assembly, Mohammed Sani-Omolori, however insisted that the protest was uncalled for especially when the demands of the workers were being treated.

    The workers vowed to continue the protest until Sani Omolori was removed from office.

    They claimed that efforts to explore dialogue with the management failed to yield expected result.

    They also claimed that since Sani-Omolori came on board, 28% increase of Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS) which was captured in 2018 budget has not been paid.

    “The money has been released alongside other releases, and we ask where is our allowance?”

    “We will not rest on CONLESS until we receive alert. Omolori must go,” the workers chanted.

    PASAN issued a statement at the weekend to alert the National Assembly management of its planned protest scheduled for three days beginning from Tuesday (today).

    Some of the plea cards read “Pass our condition of service bill; CONLESS is not tied to 2018 budget; give us our CONLESS; bank loans are killing; No alert no sitting; Stop Omolori now before he stops Nigeria democracy, Omolori must go; We are not slaves.”

    When Saraki succeeded in paving his way to address the protesting workers, he assured them that the leadership of the National Assembly would meet management to resolve issues at stake.

    Saraki also assured that the two chambers would take steps to fast track the passage of the Condition of Service for National Assembly bill.

    The Senate President pleaded with the workers to call off their protest as their demands would be met.

    Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan, said that the protest was not against the leadership of the National Assembly but against the management.

    Sani-Omolori on his part said: “It is a matter that has been on for some time now and we have tried to explain to them; we approved salary increase for them which was captured in 2018 budget but as it is today, it is a common knowledge that the level of implementation of the 2018 budget, especially the new addition to the National Assembly, which has not been implemented – that is where we had hoped that the addition would be paid.

    “So, to the extent that the money has not been released there is no way we can make the payment.

    “We told them it is wrong and we tried to prevail on them to try to see through things in the correct way. As a matter of fact, I wrote a letter to them and I also had series of formal and informal consultations with their leadership up till yesterday (Monday) to make them back out of what is clearly an act that is not in tune with their own rules.

    Asked if he is worried by the action of the workers, Omolori said: “I am worried that in an institution that you think people should be able to look at things properly and then they are not looking at it that way that is why I am worried.

    “I still insist that they need to be a bit patient with the system. Like I said, in my reply to them; in an unprecedented manner, the presiding officers acceded, without hesitation to their requests for this increment. It was bargained with them and they captured it in the budget.

    “So, how is it in their (lawmakers) powers, if the money is not released? And in any case, the reality on the ground is that it is not only the National Assembly that is suffering from non-release of funds. That is the reality of the Nigerian situation. So, I think we all have to be patient.”