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Tag: Ike Ekweremadu

  • Police siege: I depend on God – Ekweremadu

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, on Monday assured his supporters that his current travails in the hands of the Federal Government would end in praise, saying he had absolute faith in God as he had done nothing wrong to warrant the continued harassment by the security agencies and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

    A statement by his media aide, uche Anichukwu, said that Ekweremadu stated this when the Archbishop of Enugu Province, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma, led a delegation of clergies of Enugu Diocese of the Church on a solidarity visit to his Enugu residence Sunday evening.

    Ekweremadu said: “When people say they are not sure there is God, I say, ‘Come, let me tell you my story; when I finish my story, you will know whether there is God or not’. My story is one of those that establish actually that there is God. So, what you are seeing now will also pass because there is no battle that God cannot fight for me.

    “There have been several attempts to remove me as the Deputy President of the Senate, but, I am not worried because it is God that gives power and it is only Him that can take it.

    Ekweremadu recalled that he had never been in a position to manage public finances or award contracts all through his political career.

    Read Also: EFCC invites Ekweremadu again over assets

    “I have been a town union president, Chairman of a local government, Chief of Staff and Secretary to the State Government, Senator since 2003, Vice Chairmen and Chairman of several committees, Deputy President of the Senate since 2007, and I have been Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament before I became the Speaker. Today, I am a Member of the Global Parliament for Tolerance and Peace. In all of these, I have never managed government resources or finances or being in a position to give contracts or receive contracts.

    “When I was local government chairman, I allowed the Secretary of the Council to run the affairs when it comes to giving contracts. When I was Secretary to the Enugu State Government, I refused to be part of the tenders board because of things like these.

    “When I became the Deputy President of the Senate in 2007, there was something they used to call the Body of Principal Officers that awarded contracts. I told the President of the Senate that we had to stop it and let the National Assembly Management deal with contracts, and that if it was to continue, I was not going to part of it. He saw my point and agreed with me.

    “All the oil and election probes they have done in Nigeria, nobody can mention my name. The money they pay me for my services has always been enough for me. If you have any proof that I stole government money, I challenge you to come out and say it. I have never ever even been in a position to do that.

    “So, when Justice Innocent Umezulike and his cohorts wrote a petition to the EFCC that I was given money to go and develop the South East zone and I used it to buy 32 properties, I laughed at them because nobody gives you money to go and develop your house let alone developing a zone. Nobody has ever given me money to do any contract.

    “So, my hands are clean. But if the EFCC wants me to come and answer that, I am prepared to answer any call from anybody as a responsible citizen.

    “Even at that, I will continue to advocate justice, rule of law, and equity”.

    Ekweremadu said he had no personal quarrel with anyone, wondering why the desperation to annihilate him politically.

    “In all my statements, my position on things that have happened in Nigeria, I have always meant the best for Nigeria. I have never for once, personally attacked anybody, including the President.

    “I have been worried about the security situation and the injustice that is accompanying the programmes of the government. Those are the issues I have always addressed and I have tried to be as objective as possible.

    “So, why the government or its agencies or the party that is in power feels that I am a threat is what I don’t understand. For as long as you are in government, you are supposed to be democratic.

    “I don’t have one personal problem with anybody, but because of my position on some of these things, people have tried to kill me. About 2015, there was an assassination attempt on my life and up till now, nobody has investigated that matter”, he added.

  • Ekweremadu arrive Enugu, condemns incessant killings

    Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu on Friday expressed dismay over the incessant killing going in Nigeria, saying he wants a peaceful country where people can go about their businesses without molestation.

    Ekweremadu, who was a former Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, spoke yesterday when thousands of his supporters trooped out to receive him in Enugu on Friday evening after the alleged siege of his residence by some security operatives in Abuja.

    He expressed displeasure that people have continued to lose their lives in many parts of the country, stressing that he wanted a situation where people will be free to do their business

    He frowned at disobedience to court orders and rule of of law in the country, insisting that Dialogue remains a part of democracy.

    Ekweremadu, who represents Enugu West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, said it was unfortunate that those of them who want the right thing to be done were being molested.

    Read Also: Ekweremadu gives details of EFCC, Police siege to residence

    He however vowed that he would continue to struggle for the right things to be done despite the persecution and expressed hope that at the end they will emerge victories.

    The lawmaker thanked his supporters for their solidarity, saying that he decided to come home to show himself to his supporters for them to know that he is still alive, adding that he was grateful to Apex Igbo Social Organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo for their support.

    The Enugu State Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Alex Ogbonna  had while addressing newsmen appealed to government to allow opposition to function because we are in a Democracy.

    He expressed dismay that Ekweremadu and others were being persecuted because they are doing the right, adding that “We have gathered here in solidarity, We are with him, he is doing what he is supposed  to do” he stated.

  • Ekweremadu gives details of EFCC, Police siege to residence

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, on Wednesday gave detailed account of the siege to his Abuja residence by men of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other the security agencies.

    The Enugu west senator warned that the country’s democracy was “seriously on the decline.”

    A statement by his media aide, Uche Anichukwu, said that Ekweremadu spoke when Senators paid him a solidarity visit in their numbers and across party lines at his Apo Legislative Quarters residence.

    It quoted Ekweremadu to have said, “On Tuesday morning, some people laid siege to my house. They left at about 12:20pm after spending about six and half hours.

    “We anticipated that a number of our colleagues in All Progressives Congress (APC) would defect and join People’s Democratic Party (PDP). In anticipation of that, the APC leadership had tried to stop them. When that didn’t happen, the first thing they did was invite President of the Senate to come to the Police. They believed that once the President of the Senate goes to the Police, I would be the one to preside and probably give effect to the letter of defection.

    “In anticipation of that, the Police, EFCC, and other security agencies came together, about 200 of them, to stop me from going to the National Assembly.  They said I should come to the EFCC to give explanation over the things I was accused of. I agreed to follow them even though there was no prior invitation, but they were not eager to let me go to answer the invitation.

    “The plan was to stop me and the President of the Senate from going to the National Assembly today. Unfortunately for them, the President of the Senate was already at the Senate to preside over the plenary session”.

    Read Also: I was not invited by police, EFCC – Ekweremadu

    “This is not good for democracy. We must respect the law, respect institutions because that is the only way we can make progress as a nation. This is total embarrassment to our nation. I hope this will not happen again”.

    Ekweremadu expressed worries for the nation’s democracy, saying: “I am very worried. This is a decline in our democracy. I want to call on the media and Nigerians to stand up for Nigeria and ensure we save our democracy. This is a dangerous development. The whole world expects Nigeria to lead in democracy in Africa. We need to make progress and show the world that Nigerians are indeed leaders in every aspect of life.

    “This is my official quarters. Invading my official quarters is like an invasion of an aspect of the National Assembly. When you invade the National Assembly, you are invading the temple of democracy. That is exactly what has happened today. This is a major assault on democracy. This is not the type of attitude we should be encouraging. The principal thing in a democracy is dialogue, discussion, and networking, not through threats. We need to have a rethink”.

    Ekweremadu said whoever advised the executive on the siege to his residence and that of the President of Senate was an enemy of both the current administration and the nation’s democracy.

    “Those advising the President should advise him correctly.  As a result of this occurrence, Senate had to go on recess when there are outstanding issues to attend to. Nigerians are loosing. Whoever is behind this is not a good friend of Nigeria”, he reiterated.

    The Senator urged Nigerians to stand firm in defence of democracy.

    “Nigerians should, please, stand against this type of impunity. We must remain strong to be able to reverse this type of impunity so that justice will be upheld through the rule of law and respect for human rights”, he added.

    Ekweremadu, who was full of praise for Nigerians and Senators also said: “I want to thank my colleague senators, I feel very honoured that when they didn’t see me in the chambers today and, hearing what had happened, they adopted a motion demanding that the siege be lifted immediately and they also came here across party lines to show solidarity and support.

    “I thank the Nigerian public, who showed support and solidarity towards me. I am aware that Nigerian youth also rose to the occasion. I want to thank the media, the young people of Nigeria, the Peoples’ Democratic Party too, for their support and solidarity. I understand there is outrage in Enugu. I thank my people.

    “I just want to say that this is democracy in action. This is the power of the people”.

  • Senate to EFCC, Police: Vacate Ekweremadu’s residence

    The Senate on Tuesday resolved to ask operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and police laying siege to the residence of Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, to vacate residence without further delay.

    The upper chamber said that the security operatives must allow Ekweremadu to enjoy his constitutional rights as a free citizen of the country.

    The resolution followed the adoption of a motion by Senator Chukwuka Utazi (Enugu North)

    Utazi told the Senate that the siege on Ekweremadu’s residence by security operatives was a violation of his right to move freely.

    He said, “This morning I left Enugu for Abuja to attend today’s sitting.

    “Half way into the airport, I received a distress call from the aides working with the Deputy Senate President that his residence and the entire street had been cordoned off and nobody can move out of the house.

    “As I am talking the people of Enugu State resident in Abuja have moved to Ekweremadu’s residence and they are there shouting in the rain for his release.

    “What offence has he committed that would warrant his wife and children to be denied freedom to go about their duties.

    “People are worried. We want to know what he has done.

    “Some people told me that they heard some people wanted to defect today and because of that they don’t want him to come to the sitting.

    “I also heard that they don’t want the senate president to come so that both presiding officers will not be here but thank God that the Senate President is in this place.”

    Utazi prayed the Senate to demand that Ekweremadu’s residence be immediately vacated.

    Senator Samuel Anyanwu (Imo East) who seconded the motion noted that the occupation of Ekweremadu’s residence was a threat to democracy.

    He said, “I was with Ekweremadu on Tuesday and there was no notice from the Police. I wonder why his house is under siege today.

    “If he is wanted they should invite him and he will respond.

    Read Also: Enugu community hails Ekweremadu’s representation

    “There will be tomorrow. No matter the intimidation my confidence in you and Ekweremadu is renewed and we must protect this institution.”

    Senator Emmanuel Bwacha (Taraba South)who also supported the motion said that the development was not only a threat on democracy but the unity of the country.

    He said, “It is with a heavy heart I rise to contribute to this. This is not only threat to democracy but the unity of the country and we need to thread with caution. What is happening has never happened.

    “When I heard of the siege I became afraid

    “We need prayers and we have to stand up as statesmen. “It is about the institution and the matter is beyond political party but the threat on democracy.

    “I advise that security operatives should know that they are meant to protect us and no country has used violence to settle matters.

    “We can pack our things and go and those trying to dent the image of the president should be careful.”

    Before the adoption of the motion Saraki noted that there was also a siege to his house at the early hours of Tuesday.

    The Senate President said that he was meant to report to the Police due to the invitation to answer to alleged involvement in a robbery case in Offa some months ago but he could not do so.

    Saraki said that there would not have been Senate plenary if he had gone to the Police, due to the fact that Ekweremadu was prevented from leaving his house.

    He said, “Ekweremadu cannot come out for no fault of his and by the plan I wouldn’t have been here as well.

    “It was the intervention of Almighty God that I am here today.

    “The deputy senate president called me that he was blocked from coming out. Even my convoy was blocked.”

    Chairman, South East Senate Caucus, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe also cried out over the dawn siege on the residences of and Ekweremadu by the police and the DSS operatives.

    Abaribe who called on “Well-meaning Nigerians and the International community for interventions to save our democracy,” said the country is fast cascading to tyranny and fascism.

    He said, “This dangerous route is unprecedented in modern democracy. It is a sinister plot to throw the country back to the dark age of military dictatorship. Too bad for our unity as a country.”

    Abaribe warned that silence in this circumstance, could sound a death knell on the already challenged unity of Nigeria.

    He said, “This is the time to speak up against the directorship and tyranny of executive arm of government against the parliament.

    “The legislature is the universally acclaimed bastion and symbol of democracy, so attacking this hallowed institution signals the end to our chequered match to enduring democracy.”

    Also a statement entitled “EFCC, Police, lay siege to Ekweremadu’s residence…No going in or out” said that the Apo Legislative Quarters residence of the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, is currently under the siege of men of the Nigeria Police Force and the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    It said that “With the Senate President Bukola Saraki, expected to report to the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Nigeria Police Force in Guzappe Abuja, this Tuesday morning, Senator Ekweremadu is expected to preside over plenary.

    “They took over the entire vicinity before 6am. There is no going in or coming out. Meanwhile, there was no prior invitation to the Senator by any of the security agencies or the EFCC.”

    The statement was signed by the Special Adviser (Media) to Deputy Senate President, Uche Anichukwu.

    Meanwhile, the Senate adjourned plenary till September 28, 2018 to enable senators proceeds on their annual vacation.

  • Atiku deplores persecution of NASS leadership

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has deplored the siege on the homes of the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, early Tuesday morning.

    Describing the development as troubling and unsettling, Atiku said no democratic nation ought to treat the leadership of its parliament like common criminals in the course of a political disagreement.

    In a statement issued by his media office, the ex- Vice President recalled that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was the beneficiary of defection by Saraki and others in 2013 when they defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the party.

    The statement said: “I also remind them that their electoral victory, which they have so badly mismanaged today, would not have been possible without the Senate President.

    “Power is transient and is also a trust that should only be used for the good and advancement of the people one leads and not for the persecution of real and imagined political opponents.

    “I therefore call for the lifting of the sieges on the persons and homes of Senate President, Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, by security forces.

    “I remind President Muhammadu Buhari of his public words of solidarity to Senator Saraki after his ordeal of malicious prosecution, which thankfully was brought to a halt by the Supreme Court and I urge him to live up to those words today and always.”

  • Uproar in Senate over Buhari’s appointments

    *** Southeast senators kick against alleged marginalisation

     

    There was uproar in the Senate on Thursday over alleged lopsided appointments by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Proceedings were held up for over 30 minutes as senators mostly of the Southeast extraction took the floor to convince their colleagues that “a grave injustice had been done to the zone in the spread and headship of federal agencies and parastatals.”

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, spearheaded the protest when he drew attention to what he called “unacceptable nominations for the leadership of some agencies.”

    Ekweremadu was particularly peeved when Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, read a communication by President Buhari on the nomination for appointment of Chairman and members of the Governing Board of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA).

    The nominees have a former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Deputy Governor, Mr.Tunde Lemo, as Chairman of the board.

    Other nominees for the board included “ Engr. Nurudeen Abdulrahman Rafindadi (managing director), Buba Silas Abdullahi, Babangana, Mohammed Aji, Engr. Shehu Usman Abdullahi, Loratta Ngozichukwu Aniagolu, Mujaidu Stanley Dako and Vincent Oladapo Kolawale, as executive directors.

    Ekweremadu said that the Senate should not continue to allow skewed appointments to escape its scrutiny and sanction.

    Citing Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which deals with Federal Character Principles, Ekweremadu said that the constitutional provision is clear on how appointments should be shared in the federation to accommodate every section of the country to ensure equity and fairness.

    Ekweremadu said: “I want to draw the attention of this Senate to the provisions of Section 14 (3) of our constitution.

    It says: ‘The composition of the government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few states or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that government or any of its agencies’.

    “I don’t have problem with any part of Nigeria. But I have problem with the way government is directing its appointments. Over the last two to three weeks, Sir, we have had cause to either discuss this FERMA that has been announced today or the NDIC or AMCON or FCSC.

    “The heads of all these parastatals have come from one particular part of Nigeria and this is completely unfair. We can’t sit in this Senate and allow that to go on.

    “So, I believe that we need to point it out to the federal executive to ensure that every part of Nigeria is represented in the running of Nigeria. This is completely unacceptable to me, Sir.

    “I am talking of the leadership of these agencies. The leadership of these agencies, all of them have come from one part of Nigeria”.

    Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan promptly faulted the observation of Ekweremadu.

    Lawan (Yobe North) said that Ekweremadu picked only FERMA appointment in exclusion of the general picture of appointments.

    Insisting that the President has been fair in all ramifications, Lawan said the general picture of appointments should be considered to get a clearer spread of nominations and appointments.

    He said that a holistic consideration of appointments should be conducted.

    Ekweremadu interjected and noted that he was talking particularly about the leadership of the appointments made by the President which he said continued to tilt in favour of a particular area of the country.

    He said that fairness demanded that all sections of the country must be given a sense of belonging both in appointments and other affairs of the country.

    Tension soared in the chamber as members took ethnic and regional lines.

    Shouts of “yes, no, yes, no” echoed in the chamber.

    Saraki who appeared to have sensed danger, described the matter at issue as “very sensitive” to be considered on its face value.

    He said that the chamber should mandate the committee on Federal Character to scrutinise and present a report on federal appointments on Tuesday to enable the Senate take a position.

    Senators, he said, should wait for the report to be better informed especially when Ekweremadu came under Point of Order.

    Saraki reminded the chamber that he merely read a communication from Mr. President and has not referred it to any committee.

    Hardly had Saraki concluded when the Senator representing Enugu North, Chukwuka Utazi raised another Point of Order on privilege.

    Utazi who also harped on fairness and equity in the country was cut short by Saraki on the ground that the issue he was talking about had already been ruled upon.

    The presentation of the request of President Buhari for the confirmation of nominees for appointment as chairman and commissioners for the Federal Civil Service Commission who had Dr. Bello Tukur Ingawa (Katsina) as proposed chairman did not help matters.

    Other proposed members of the commission included Moses Musa Ngbale (Adamawa), Waziri Umara Ngurno (Borno), Bello Mahmoud Babura (Jigawa), Ahmed M. Sarna (Kebbi), Iyabode Odulate-Yusuf (Ogun), Shehu Umar Danyaya (Niger), Fatai Newton Adebayo (Oyo), Ejoh Michael Chikwumemeka (Anambra), Joe Philip Poroma (Rivers), Ibrahim Mohammed (Kaduna), Aminu Dio Sheidu (Kogi) and Simon Etim (Akwa Ibom).

    The senator representing Abia North, Mao Ohuabunwa, moved that consideration and screening of the nominees for the Federal Civil Service Commission should be suspended pending the submission of the report of the Federal Character committee on appointments.

    Ohuabunwa insisted that suspension of the screening of the nominees should allow the Senate to take proper cognizance of the leadership and spread of appointments made by the president.

    Some of his colleagues attempted to shout him down but Ohuabunwa insisted on being heard.

    “As a comrade, I can shout louder but shouting is not the issue. We are talking of the important issue of fairness and equity in this country. I move that the consideration and screening of the nominees be suspended to allow us to receive the report of the Federal Character committee,” Ohuabunwa said.

    Utazi who supported the prayer for suspension of the screening of the nominees said that “every thing should be kept in abeyance until the submission of the report.

    Saraki insisted that the Federal Character committee had already been mandated to submit a report on Tuesday.

    Senator Obinna Ogba (Ebonyi central) said that the issue should not be swept under the carpet.

    He noted that it is curious that certain states have continued to be favoured in appointments to the disadvantage of others particularly Ebonyi State.

    Saraki asked Ogba to hold his peace until the report of the committee is received.

  • Ekweremadu congratulates Ugwuanyi, Saraki on S\Court victories

    The Deputy President of the Senate, Mr Ike Ekweremadu, has congratulated Enugu State Governor, Mr Ifeanyi Uwuanyi, on his victory at the Supreme Court on Friday.

    Ugwuanyi was having a legal battle with Sen. Ayogu Eze over election primaries of the People’s Democratic Party ( PDP ) for the 2015 governorship poll in Enugu State.

    Ekweremadu said that Ugwuanyi was an agent of peace and development in Enugu.

    On the victory, he said, “this is victory, not just for Gov. Ugwuanyi, but more importantly, a victory for peace, equitable development and unusual transformation in Enugu State.

    “I believe it is a motivation for the governor to do more and a veritable launch pad into the 2019 general elections for the PDP in the state.

    “It is instructive that the three senatorial districts of Enugu State have already endorsed him unanimously for a second term in office because he has justified our decision in electing him in 2015.”

    Read Also: Ekweremadu to lawyers: help sustain democracy

    Ekweremadu also congratulated President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, on the apex court’s unanimous decision, dismissing the assets declaration charges against him before the Code of Conduct Tribunal ( CCT ).

    He described the verdict as “victory for the legislature and democracy’’.

    Ekweremadu said: “I salute the courage of the Supreme Court jurists.

    “This decision has no doubt strengthened faith in the Judiciary as a sanctuary of justice and defender of rule of law.

    “It has, once again, distinguished the judiciary as the bastion of democracy and last hope of the oppressed.”

    He added that it was victory, “not only for the President of the Senate, but for the National Assembly, our democracy and every Nigerian, who stood up against all forms of political intimidation, high-handedness and impunity.

    “I salute the President of the Senate for his resilience, courage and undying commitment to the immutable democratic principles of the rule of law and separation of powers as well as the integrity and independence of the legislature.”

  • Insecurity: More will die unless, Ekweremadu warns

    Life of the poor cheaper than peanuts and Gala – Sani

     

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, on Monday raised the alarm over the escalating killings and insecurity in the country.

    Ekweremadu warned that more lives would be lost unless the country’s security architecture was reorganised.

    This is contained in a statement by Ekweremadu’s media aide, Uche Anichukwu, on the recent killings in Plateau State, which had left scores dead.

    It said that Ekweremadu decried the reluctance of the nation’s leaders to tinker with the nation’s security structure, despite glaring lapses.

    It said that the Senator spoke after decorating his newly promoted security aides, Mr. Uchenna Igwebuike and Edward Utuh, with their new ranks of Superintendent of Police (SP) and Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), respectively.

    It said that Ekweremadu commended the Nigeria Police for the recent promotion exercise, noting that such would motivate the personnel to give their best.

    On the killings in Jos, it quoted Ekweremadu to have said: “It is really unfortunate because our country is a nation where the leaders have refused to learn from the mistakes and missteps of the past.

    “For many years now, some of us have been consistent about the need to descentralise our security architecture; and so long as we are not doing that, we are going to get exactly the same result.

    “It pains me that innocent people, who voted us into power to protect their lives and property are losing their lives and their property because we have refused to take the correct steps.

    “The sad news is not only that many people have died, but also that more people will die unless we take the right steps of putting the right security architecture in place.

    “There is no way you will have a federation like Nigeria as big as it is, with all the diversities, and continue to operate a centralised policing and expect it to work.  It will never work and it is a major problem.

    “So, it is sad that this is happening. But, as I said, the real tragedy is that this Plateau incident is not going to be last because we refuse to be corrected”.

    Read Also: Ekweremadu to lawyers: help sustain democracy

    It said that Ekweremadu reasoned that the Government of Plateau State would be in the best position to protect the citizens if it had its own police outfit.

    “I want to call on the Federal Government and the leaders of this country again for us to, for once, decide to protect the lives and property of those we are leading because that is the primary purpose of government.

    “I appeal to the Federal Government to have a rethink on the issue of restructuring, especially the ones relevant to the security of lives and property.

    “The only way to do that is for all of us to sit down and agree to, within a space of the next two or three months, amend the constitution to enable the component units of this country to have their own security architecture, namely the police.

    “If the people of Plateau are empowered under the constitution to have their police, then you can place the blame squarely on the governor because he will have the responsibility to recruit sufficient police personnel to protect the people.

    “Right now, the responsibility is that of the Federal Government. There is little or nothing the governor can do about it.

    “I sympathize with the people of Plateau State, especially the communities, which lost their loved ones. However, I will continue to sound even like a broken record until the correct thing is done,” Ekweremadu said.

    The Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, on his own said that the recent mass Killings in Plateau State stands unreservedly condemned.

    Sani noted that “it is tragic and most unfortunate that people are being killed every day in Nigeria while the interest and the attention of the ruling political establishment is more in power and politics of the 2019 elections.”

    The vocal senator lamented that while the governors danced and sang at Eagle Squaire, “the lives of the governed are wasted and the blood of the governed was soaking the territory they administer.”

    He said added, “Enough blood has been spilled in Nigeria to touch the conscience of people in power, if at all humanity matters.

    “In Nigeria today life of the poor is cheaper than peanuts and gala. We have become a nation in perpetual mourning and funeral service.

    “Until the ruling political elites raise the value of the life of the underprivileged to equal that of the powerful and the privileged, the systemic wastage of the lives of the poor will remain unabated.

    “The nation has lost its sense of outrage and we are tragically spreading red carpets and beating the drums of praises to leaders who woefully failed in their responsibilities.

    “My deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. May their souls Rest In Peace.”

     

  • Ekweremadu hails Super Eagles on victory over Iceland

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, on Friday congratulated the Super Eagles of Nigeria on their victory over Iceland in their second group game at the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Russia.

    Ekweremadu in a statement by his media aide, Uche Anichukwu, said the Eagles manifested the true Nigerian spirit, noting, however, that they should not relent, but bring out the best in them in order to book a place in the round of 16.

    “I congratulate the Super Eagles on this resounding victory. I am happy that they overcame their demoralizing loss to Croatia and a disappointing first half against Iceland to give Nigerians and Africans something to cheer.

    Read Also: Ekweremadu to lawyers: help sustain democracy

    “However, we are obviously not in the round of 16 yet. The Super Eagles should rather see this superlative win as a motivation to fly over a wounded and demystified Argentine team. The Super Eagles can do it.  They understand the Argentine team, having confronted them in previous World Cup events and also beating them in the friendly ahead of the mundial”, Ekweremadu said.

    He urged Nigerians to continue to support and pray for the team.

  • Senators trade tackles over confirmation of INEC nominees

    …Confirms Festus Okoye as National Electoral Commissioner

     

    There was uneasy Wednesday in the Senate over the confirmation of nominees for appointment for the position of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) resident commissioners.

    This followed the consideration of the report of the Committee on INEC on the screening of nominees for confirmation as Resident Electoral Commissioners.

    Chairman of the committee, Senator Suleiman Nazif (Bauchi North) presented the report of the committee for the consideration of the Senate.

    Trouble started with the recommendation that the nominee from Zamfara State, Ahmad Bello Mahmaud, should be rejected.

    Senator Kabiru Marafa (Zamfara Central) openly accused the screening committee of being heavy compromised to return uncomplimentary comments on Mahmud.

    Marafa insisted that he has it on good authority that the committee was compromised to turn down the nomination of Mahmud.

    He challenged the chairman of the committee to provide the affidavit in support of the petition it claimed to have received against Mahmud.

    Marafa said, “I have evidence that the committee was heavily compromised to write its report. The committee should tender the affidavit in support of the petition it claimed that was written against the nominee.”

    Read Also:Senate faults claim of ‘insubordination’ as cause of rising insecurity

    The Zamfara Central senator said that the state governor, Abdul Azeeze Yari, was behind the attempt to deny the nominee confirmation.

    He noted that contrary to the insinuation that Mahmud was not from Zamfara State, the nominee was born and bred in the state.

    Senator James Manager (Delta South) threw his weight behind Marafa.

    Manager said that as far as he was concerned, the report was incomplete.

    Before Manager could continue, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, raised a point of Order to the effect that it was unparliamentary to input improper motive against any senator.

    Ekweremadu quoted relevant sections of the standing rule of the Senate to buttress his point.

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki, agreed and ruled Marafa out of order.

    Saraki asked Marafa to withdraw the “offensive” comments as well as to apologise to Nazif.

    Marafa reluctantly withdrew his comments but refused to apologize to Nazif.

    Deputy Senate Leader, Bala Ibn Na’Allah, said that Marafa should not only withdraw his comments that the committee was comprised but also apologize to the committee chairman in his “own interest).

    Na’ Allah reminded Marafa that everything done in the chamber was being recorded.

    Marafa stood his ground and said that he was not prepared to apologize to anybody.

    It was anti-climax for the committee when Saraki put the question.

    The nomination of Mahmud was unanimously adopted by the senate.

    Saraki put the nomination to question for the second time.

    The result was a resounding ‘aye”

    The Senate President had no option than to rule that the “ayes had it”

    There was jubilation in the chamber as some senators rushed to Marafa to congratulate him for his tenacity in ensuring that the nomination of Mahmud was confirmed.

    The confirmation of the nomination of Mahmud as Resident Electoral Commissioner came after two rejections by the Senate.

    The nomination was earlier rejected on the basis of petition that he was from Sokoto State and not Zamfara State.

    Apart from Mahmud, the Senate also confirmed Mr. Monday Udo Tom from Akwa Ibom State and Attahiru Madami from Niger State as Resident Electoral commissioners.

    It also confirmed the nomination of Festus Okoye from Imo State as National Electoral Commissioner representing South East geo Political Zone.