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Tag: inauguration

  • Kogi bites the wrong bullet on inauguration

    Kogi bites the wrong bullet on inauguration

    The headline of this piece is used guardedly in the sense that the ordinary Kogite is understandably not part of the charade of Wednesday’s inauguration of Yahaya Bello as the new Governor of Kogi State. As far as a large faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is concerned, both at the national and state levels, it is a pleasant duty to get Alhaji Bello, alias Fairplus, inaugurated as governor. The plot to make him inherit a victory that was not vacant, nor his, was hatched not by the governor-elect himself, but by a handful of men in Abuja who seemed to know more than the rest of Nigeria how the future would look like. Alhaji Bello is merely a pawn; he will remain a pawn until the courts put paid to his pretentiousness.

    But on inauguration day, Wednesday, the new governor will give a speech eulogising democracy and promising the starving and tormented indigenes of the state salvation from want, oppression, mediocrity and stagnation orchestrated by the departing Governor Idris Wada. The new governor will not talk about justice, fairness and equity, nor make any allusion to the distinguishing properties of personal character and integrity. Not being a deep person, nor yet a man of great character, he will be silent on the characteristics of a patriot. Alhaji Bello will muddle through on inauguration day with commonplace triteness and piffle.

    The injustice perpetrated in Kogi State will remain an albatross around the necks of the APC and the electoral body, INEC. INEC did not need to get a brief or advice from the Attorney General. They nonetheless stifled their conscience and embraced the Justice minister’s illogic. A big faction in the APC did not need to play politics with the Kogi election by plotting an electoral stalemate in a display of brazen power play within the party. But they did, for in their opinion, the consequences of the injustice of today  are tolerable to the humiliation and diminution they claim they would suffer should Kogi fall under the wing of someone outside their inner circle.

    After the courts will have done justice and reversed the nonsense hatched in the state in last year’s Kogi governorship election, the APC will still be left with its fratricidal factions, and the wounds caused by the machinations in the party will take a long time to heal. The injury is deep and gangrenous. It is clear that those who thought the APC was the harbinger of a truly national and liberal politics are gravely mistaken. The party has not overcome the bitter, divisive and parochial politics of the past, the kind that undermined previous republics and set one schizoid ethnic group against another. It is to the eternal dishonour of Kogi State that on its land were fired the first shots in the futile war projected to limit the growth, spread and endurance of the APC as a national party, in creed and ideology.

  • Tribunal rules on motions against Bello’s inauguration Monday

    Tribunal rules on motions against Bello’s inauguration Monday

    The Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Lokoja has fixed Monday for ruling on two separate motions seeking to stop the inauguration of Alhaji Yahaya Bello as governor on January 27.

    The two motions seeking an order of the tribunal to stop the inauguration were filed by counsel to Governor Idris Wada and PDP, Chief Chris Uche (SAN) and that of Labour Party, Reuben Egwuaba.

    The Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Halima Mohammed, fixed the date after listening to submissions and adoption of written addresses of the counsel to the two parties Friday.

    Uche said his motion on notice dated January 12 and filed on January 13 was supported by a 44-paragraph affidavit and 10 grounds

    In his own motion on notice, Egwuaba had averred that Bello was not qualified to participate in the supplementary election when he did.

    He said apart from his failure to participate in all the electoral processes preparatory to the governorship election, Bello breached the Electoral Act (2010) as amended, as he contested the supplementary election without a valid running mate.

    “Consequent upon nomination of Alhaji Yahaya Bello as replacement for Abubakar Audu, Hon. James Faleke, who was Audu’s running mate, withdrew and dissociated himself from participating in supplementary election as Bello’s running mate,” he argued.

    Joseph Daudu (SAN), counsel to the governor-elect, opposed the motion in his submission, strengthened by a 31-paragraph counter affidavit.

    He urged the tribunal to dismiss the motion on the ground that the tribunal was not constitutionally empowered to stop the swearing-in of a governor-elect.

    Counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Dr Alex Izinyon (SAN) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), Charles Edosomwan (SAN) also opposed the motion in their submissions.

     

  • Inauguration of Ibom airport’s second runway July 2016

    Inauguration of Ibom airport’s second runway July 2016

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel has said the second runway at the Ibom International Airport in Uyo, the state capital, will be inaugurated next July.

    The governor said his administration was working hard to make the state an investors’ haven.

    He said the state government was maximising the abundant economic resources in the state to create wealth and generate employment for the residents.

    Emmanuel addressed reporters at the Ibom International Airport in Uyo on arrival from Abuja.

    The governor said his frequent trips outside the state were meant to scout for investors, sign partnership agreements and get approvals for projects to be executed for his administration’s industrialisation plan.

    Emmanuel, who inspected the second runway for cargo planes, said it would be an alternative to addressing emergencies.

    The governor described the runway as an asset that would generate returns and enhance the licence of cargo operations in the airport.

     

     

  • Sultan, others in Ife for inauguration

    Sultan, others in Ife for inauguration

    Dignitaries have started arriving Ile-Ife for the inauguration of Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi as the 51st Ooni and the presentation of staff by Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

    Traditional rulers from the North and South, including the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, are in town.

    Congratulatory banners and billboards have flooded the ancient town; many of them are mounted at strategic locations.

    Security agents, including the police, the Department of State Security (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), have been drafted in the town.

    First Bank Managing Director, Bisi Onasanya yesterday inaugurated the multi-billion naira Ife Resorts at the Ife Toll Gate, Ajebandele on Ibadan Road.

    Onasanya said the project would transform the town’s economy.

    Oba Ogunwusi said the project was part of the new Ile-Ife he was determined to create during his reign.

    He said: “This is part of the new Ife. May we witness the new Ife of our dream.  This project is part of my call for Ile-Ife. May God make all our dreams totally possible.”

    The Ooni promised that the area would wear a new look  in the next three months.

    He said the project would be 10 times bigger than his Inagbe Grand Resort and Leisure, adding that it would be a beauty to behold.

    At the event were  Obasewa of Ife Chief John Agboola Odeyemi; Balogun of Ife Chief Bisi Omidiora; Adagba of Iyanfoworogi Oba Adebolu Fatunmise; President of Ife Development Board Prof. Muibi Opeloye and others.

    The Ooni promised the residents, a peaceful and progressive Ife during his reign.

  • Dogara defends creation of more committees at inauguration

    Dogara defends creation of more committees at inauguration

    •House Leader Gbajabiamila shuns event

    THOSE WHO RESIGNED COMMITTEES’ MEMBERSHIP

    • Garba Mohammed Datti (APC Kano) Chairman, Committee on Solid Minerals Development
    • Sunday Adepoju (APC Oyo), Deputy Chairman, Committee on Special Duties
    • Hassan Saleh (PDP Benue) Deputy Chairman, Committee on Local Content
    • Chika Adamu Deputy Chairman (APC NIGER), Committee on Legislative ComplianceHOUSE of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara yesterday inaugurated 96 committees in a special session. But, the session showed more of the division in the House than the unity.

      The face-off over distribution of Committee between Dogara and Majority Leader Femi Gbajabiamila came to a head yesterday as the latter shunned the inauguration of the committees.

      Gbajabiamila’s absence was conspicuous at the event witnessed by the Senate President Bukola Saraki, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachri David Lawal, former presiding and principal officers of the House, representatives of the Service Chiefs and former legislators among others.

      Gbajabiamila’s duty of presenting the opening remarks was taken over by the Deputy Majority Leader, Buba Jubril.

      However, after some goodwill messages and keynote address by former Deputy Speaker Chibudom Nwuche, the Speaker delivered his speech and defended the creation of additional committees.

      There were 89 standing committees in the Seventh House of Representaives which the Speaker raised penultimate week when he announced chairmen and deputies for 96 committees.

      Dogara yesterday downplayed public perception of ‘juicy and non-juicy committees’, saying all committees have equal importance.

      His words: “Some commentators have decried the large number of committees as being unwieldy and not cost effective. This criticism, even though, apparently well-intentioned, misses the point.

      “Experience gained from the operation of committees since 1999, shows that some committees’ functions and mandates are very wide indeed and cannot be effectively supervised and over sighted by a single committee.

      “For instance, the House split the Committee on Education into two, namely: Basic Education and Services and Tertiary Education and Services.

      “The old Committee on Education had a mandate to oversight the budget and policy issues of the following institutions – 104 unity schools; 22 federal colleges of education; 36 federal universities and 24 federal polytechnics.

      “There is no way a single Committee can adequately oversight all these agencies with House members also attending to other issues in Plenary Sessions, like lawmaking and other representational responsibilities.

      “For instance, the United States (U.S.) Congress has about 22 standing and select committees but about 100 sub-committees.

      “This reasoning also informed the splitting of other committees, like Health which has about 150 institutions. Agriculture Committee was also split for the same reason. There is merit sometimes in setting up specific committees to handle specific problems.”

      He said the reasons given above informed the creation of the new committee on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Refugees, and Initiatives on the Northeast.

      Dogara reiterated further that the multiplicity of committees was to check corruption and impunity in government, saying, “undoubtedly the legislature remains the only institution with appropriate constitutional and statutory powers to check the executive arm and ensure that it discharges its mandate to the full benefit of all Nigerians”.

      He said, there was nothing like juicy committee, as all committees have equal importance.

      Dogara said: “The media has been awash with how some members got ‘juicy committees’ and some didn’t. Let me use this opportunity to restate that there is nothing like juicy committee or non-juicy committee. I personally do not understand what is meant by that.

      “If it means opportunity to contribute, we can assure you that every member of a committee would enjoy ample and equal opportunity.

      “Every committee of the House is very important and is designed to handle specific functions for the House and on behalf of the Nigerian people who elected us.”

      Saraki, who was given a rousing ovation before and after reading his goodwill speech, assured Nigerians of the readiness of the lawmakers to discharge their responsibilities with diligence.

      He noted that it is incumbent on the lawmakers to find solutions to the nation’s plethora of challenges.

      The Senate President said: “As the highest law-making body in the country, we have a huge task ahead of us, to find answers to our numerous problems.

      “The committee system is the veritable tool that helps to organize the most important works including considering, shaping, and passing our laws. They remain the most potent system for oversight and therefore anti-corruption.

      “In this vein therefore, may I enjoin the new committees to operate above board. This has become necessary as we seek to re-engineer our economy and introduce a new regime of openness, efficiency, probity and institutional integrity.

      “We cannot afford to fail Nigerians. Our citizens have demanded for change and we must give it to them through cooperation and diligence. The legislative agendas of both chambers converge in so many ways, I wish to use this opportunity to also solicit that we speedily dispatch issues for which we have consensus and reduce the time taken to pass critical legislation before us.”

      The Chief Whip, Ado Doguwa, admitted the existence of a wide crack in the House.

      In his vote of thanks, the lawmaker pledged solidarity of the nine principal officers to the Speaker’s leadership.

      “We stand by what you have done. We stand by the position of the leadership. Nine of us are religiously behind you Mr. Speaker,” he said.

      Responding to a question on the absence of the House Leader, the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Media & Publicity, Jonathan Gaza, said: “I do not know why he was absent, but I believe it was for a good cause.”

      He described Gbajabiamila’s absence as unfortunate and added that the country should be bigger than one.

      His words: “Time has been wasted on several things…when you walk into that Chamber; it’s not about party anymore. We swore allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not to our respective parties. It is therefore about the progress of Nigeria. The wheel of governance is spinning and Nigeria would begin its upward move.”

      Speaking for all chairmen and deputies at the close of the event, Abdulmumin Jibrin, who is the chairman, House Committee on Appropriations, prayed for patience for Dogara.

      He said: “We will pray that God almighty increase your patience and humility even when it is tested. May God almighty increase your courage to always stand to the truth and for what is right. May God almighty guide you, protect you and increase your wisdom as you continue to preside over the affairs of this House. You are Speaker ordained by God and He alone will continue to protect you and us until the end of these four years and beyond.”

      There was a rash of resignations by members who were uncomfortable with the constitution of the committees prior to yesterday’s inauguration.

      The Deputy Minority Whip in the Seventh House and a member of the APC, Garba Mohammed Datti, was the first to resign as Chairman, House Committee on Solid Minerals Development.

      He was followed by Sunday Adepoju (APC Oyo), who resigned as deputy chairman, Committee on Special Duties.

      Another member from Benue State, Hassan Saleh (PDP) formerly communicated his rejection of the deputy chairmanship of the Committee on Local Content to the Speaker.

      Also Chika Adamu resigned his committee position as deputy chairman of the House Committee on Legislative Compliance.

  • Colourful inauguration for Plateau council chiefs

    Colourful inauguration for Plateau council chiefs

    Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong has inaugurated the third tier of government in the state. And what a colourful event it was. Various segments of the state population cast aside all religious and tribal differences to usher in the new local government area chairmen in style.

    Since the governor took over power on May 29, the appointment of council leadership was his first major official duty. The inauguration took on a carnival atmosphere.

    Governor Lalong said, “We are gathered here today to witness the swearing-in of Management Committee Chairmen as well as the formal inauguration of Management Councils for the 17 Local Government Areas in the state.

    He said, “It became a matter of necessity for the government to dissolve the local government executive and legislative arms after an assessment of the operations of the councils within the provision of the law, which leaves much to be desired in government expectation of leadership at that level.

    “As a responsible government committed to reducing the sufferings of our people, we have satisfied in our estimation the requirement of law, conscience and the expectations of the people of Plateau in our actions. Our Government for the purpose of emphasis will not fold her hands and watch those who are called to the highest threshold of accountability in leadership become unaccountable in public service to the mandate given to them.

    “As a new government, we are confronted with the challenge of paucity of funds in the midst of security concerns, myriad of social welfare and developmental challenges needing immediate attention, for which we are resolute on delivering on them in our quest, to restore Plateau to her glorious days and position of pride in the comity of States.”

    The governor told the new council chiefs, “Your selection as Management Committee Chairmen and that of your other members is a product of a broad spectrum consultation, so that you are conscious of the expectation of the people and morally under the burden of conscience to deliver on the expectation of the citizenry. We are on a Rescue Mission and now as a part of the team, you are under mandate to provide purposeful leadership in line with our policy trust of revamping the economy, sustaining peace and security, ensuring prosperity through good governance which is the hallmark of development; within the duration of your service.

    “You should therefore see this appointment as an opportunity to drive the needed change the people at the grassroots yearn for and for which you are under obligation to deliver.”

    A cultural group from Mangu
    A cultural group from Mangu

    As soon as the swearing-in ended, the people exploded into festivities, each of the 17 local councils displaying their cultural riches in honour of each of the newly inaugurated chairmen.

    The carnival later moved to the residence of the various chairmen or some location chosen by the new leaders. Some of those outdoor locations included the Solomon Lar Amusement Park, Rayfiled Resort, Plateau Hotels and Rock Garden, among others.

  • Oyo Assembly for inauguration

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi will tomorrow inaugurate the eighth Assembly.

    A statement by the Permanent Secretary/Clerk of the House of Assembly, Deacon Gbola Akinyanju, said the inauguration will hold at the House of Assembly , Secretariat, lbadan.

    The statement called on  the newly elected lawmakers to be punctual.

    “All invited guests are enjoined to be on their seats at the appropriate time.”

  • Lagos Assembly for inauguration

    •Obasa to emerge Speaker

    The inauguration of the eighth Lagos State House of Assembly will take place today as members have finally agreed on the leadership.

    The inauguration, which was earlier scheduled for last Thursday, was postponed because of members’ inability to agree on a consensus speaker-candidate.

    This was finally resolved at the weekend with the endorsement of the principal officers as agreed to by the members in a meeting with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday.

    The lawmaker from Agege 1 constituency, Mudashiru Obasa, is tipped to emerge as speaker; he is a fourth term lawmaker.

    Other principal officers are: Wasiu Ehilokun (Lagos Island 1) as Deputy Speaker; Sanai Agunbiade (Ikorodu 1) as Majority Leader; Rotimi Abiru (Shomolu 2), Chief Whip; Olumuyiwa Jimoh (Apapa 2) Deputy Majority Leader and Mrs. Omotayo Oduntan (Alimosho 2) as Deputy Whip.

    With the latest development the only position left to be filled now is that of the Minority Leader, which is to be occupied by one of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member.

  • The Inauguration and other stories

    THE nation was in festive mood last Friday, which was observed as  public holiday to mark Democracy Day. It was Democracy Day with a difference – it was also Inauguration Day for President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. Everything went well on the occasion, with dignitaries coming from different parts of the world. It was a day of glory and honour for Nigeria, especially the president. Twenty-nine states also held similar ceremonies for elected and reelected governors.

    But the focus, understandably,  was on Abuja – the seat of government. Being the engine of governance, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) buzzed with activities. Facilities were stretched to meet the needs of the visiting dignitaries. Such events are celebrated worldwide since they are not an everyday thing. They come once in a while. In Nigeria’s case, it is once every four years. A Presidential Inauguration, beyond being celebrated with fanfare, should be an occasion of deep reflection for the leader being sworn.

    When he looks into the faces of those gathered, what does he? What is on his mind? Will he meet the people’s expectations? Will he change the fortune of his country for good? Will the world come to respect his country because of his leadership? How will he be remembered after his tenure? It is a moment of truth for any discerning leader,  who wishes to leave his mark in office. Unfortunately, many leaders look at the  ceremonial side of the inauguration and not the business side of it – governance – which the event is all about.

    Those who know that they are called to serve toe that path right from that event. They chart the path of their government and do all they can to follow it. What is the essence of promising, in your inaugural speech, to fight corruption, only for you to end up embracing the malaise. Inauguration is not all about merrymaking. Where many leaders miss it is when they see their inauguration as a jamboree – an occasion to wine and dine and forget why they sought the people’s mandate in the first place.

    It is about a week now since President Buhari took the oath and promised in his inaugural speech not to let Nigerians down. He spoke like a statesman. ”At home”, he said, ”we face enormous challenges. Insecurity, pervasive corruption, the hitherto unending and seemingly impossible fuel and power shortages are the immediate concerns. We are going to tackle them head on. Nigerians will not regret that they have entrusted national responsibility to us. We must not succumb to hopelessness and defeatism. We can fix our problems.”

    Yes, Mr President, we can fix our problems and Nigerians are eagerly waiting for you to lead the way. By now, after almost one week in the saddle, you must have an idea about the magnitude of our problems. We have heard you speak and your speech gives us hope that very soon all will be well with us again. We know that Rome was not built in a day, so we do not expect you to solve all our problems in the twinkling of an eye. But you know your countrymen too well – they are an impatient lot.

    Already, they have started talking that by now, you should have appointed your key officers, such as, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief of Staff (CoS)  and National Security Adviser (NSA). These, they argue, are some of the principal officers that would drive your administration. Without the SGF, especially, nothing can move in government. The SGF is central to the running of government. He has to issue memoranda and generate letters on your behalf for your key appointees. So, for now without the appointment of such a key officer, many things have to wait.

    You also talked about security. But Mr President, Boko Haram seems not to have heard you. The group has continued to unleash mayhem in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, which is the epicentre of its dastardly activities. You cannot afford to allow Boko Haram to take you for a ride, just as it did to the Jonathan administration. You situated the Boko Haram problem when you described it as ”a typical example of small fires causing large fires”. We left the Boko Haram insurgency to fester by our inaction. Under your administration, we expect things to change.

    You hit the nail on the head when you noted that ”through official bungling, negligence, complacency or collusion, Boko Haram became a terrifying force, taking tens of thousands of lives and capturing towns and villages covering swathes of Nigerian sovereign territory. Boko Haram is a mindless, godless group that is far away from Islam as one can think of”. Again, you were right on target when you said : ”But, we cannot claim to have defeated Boko Haram without rescuing the Chibok girls and all other innocent persons held hostage by the insurgents”.

    With your meetings with the security chiefs in the last two days, the public’s hope is that soon the girls will be rescued and Boko Haram will become history. Boko Haram will not just disappear from the face of the earth by your say so; it has to be fought to the ground because it has become used to having things its own way. Since your coming, the insurgents have struck about three times now in Maiduguri. They know what they are doing – it is all to test your will.

    The people are waiting to see how you will take on Boko Haram beyond moving the military Command and Control Centre (CCC) from Abuja to Maiduguri. As laudable as the directive is, it cannot on its own  stop the Boko Haram insurgency. The military must continue to pound the insurgents until they give themselves up. In doing this, we will be walking a tightrope because the Chibok girls are in their custody. Boko Haram will surely want to use the girls as chips to get out of trouble. Boko Haram, as you rightly noted, is not only our security challenge. There is robbery; there is kidnapping; there is vandalism of pipelines, cables and other public property.

    Before your inauguration last Friday, getting fuel to buy was war. It still is. Where it is available, it sells for between N120 and N150 where as the official pump price is N87 per litre. The people are groaning, especially low income earners and small business owners. We have never had it this bad with fuel supply not even during the famous June 12 crisis. It is early days yet in your administration, but the people are already wondering what you are doing about the problem. ‘’Is this how we will continue even under the Buhari administration?’’ they wonder.  Electricity supply is worse. Fela was mild in his assessment of the power supply situation years ago compared to what we are experiencing today. According to the legendary musician, ‘’he go light small; he go light gan. If he no go, he go come; If he no come, he go go. These days, he no dey come at all, not to talk of whether he go come small or gan.  Nigerians cannot wait to see an improvement in power supply, which they believe, will lead to the revamping of the economy.

  • Mark: hoodlums attacked me on way to Buhari’s inauguration

    Mark: hoodlums attacked me on way to Buhari’s inauguration

    •’It’s backward for senators to be elected governors’   •Senate applauds Buhari, Jonathan for peaceful handover

    Senate President David Mark yesterday said he was attacked by hoodlums last Friday on his way to the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Mark said the hoodlums damaged the windscreen of his vehicle. He also condemned senators who vacated their seats for the position of governor.

    He said that after being a senator “we should look up and not look backward. But if some of our colleagues in order to make sacrifice decided to become governors, it should be seen as sacrifice; that is alright.”

    The Senate also congratulated Buhari, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and former President Goodluck Jonathan for a successful handover of government.

    This followed a motion by Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba and 107 other Senators entitled “Congratulations to President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR and others.”

    Ndoma-Egba, in his lead debate, noted the successful handover of government and the inauguration of Buhari and Osinbajo.

    He also noted the successful inauguration of some National Assembly members as governors.

    He listed the National Assembly members inaugurated as governors to include Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto); Governor Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta State); Senator Benedict Ayade (Cross River State), Senator Bindo Jibrilla (Adamawa), Senator Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi) and Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu).

    Ndoma-Egba said the Senate identified with the Buhari government and the state governments under the leadership of “our colleagues  in the National Assembly in their attempts to actualise the legitimate yearnings of our people for a greater country in all spheres of social-political and economic life.”

    Mark noted that for the first time in the political history of the country, the presidential election result was not contested at the tribunal.

    He added: “It is not just enough to congratulate Buhari, we have to congratulate the former President Jonathan who willingly conceded defeat and followed it up with a phone call. We should congratulate Buhari, former President and every Nigerian.”