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Tag: Lawmakers

  • Ikuforiji advises lawmakers

    The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, has advised in-coming lawmakers to be courageous.

    Ikuforiji , who was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Kolawole Taiwo, spoke at the opening of a five-day induction workshop for members-elect, which took place at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Festac, Lagos, yesterday.

    He said lawmaking is a serious business “where you take decisions daily ans history will judge you rightly if you take the right decision, but not taking a decision at all is bad.

    “We have taken some decisions for which we were sometimes crucified, for example the Okada law, but today people hail us for the reduction of accidents on our roads.”

    The theme of the workshop is “Legislating for the growth and development of Lagos State: Challenges, Frameworks and Mechanisms”.

    It was organised by the Assembly in conjunction with Messrs Development Animation Programme.

    Speaking in his welcome address, the Clerk of the Assembly, Ganiyu Abiru, said legislation is a serious business for serious minded people.

     

  • APC lawmakers for retreat

    APC lawmakers for retreat

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) will hold a two-day retreat for all its House of Representatives’ members-elect in Abuja today and tomorrow.

    In a statement in Abuja yesterday, its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the retreat will be held at the Rockview Hotel Wuse 2 area of the city.

    It urged the members-elect to arrive at the venue where accommodation arrangement has been made for them, by 6 p.m. today, adding that there will be a cocktail in their honour and party leaders at 8 p.m. same day.

    “The two-day retreat is part of efforts being undertaken by the party to ensure that the legislators hit the ground running for the benefit of Nigerians,” APC said.

  • A lawmaker’s jobs scheme for constituents

    A lawmaker’s jobs scheme for constituents

    Someone has disproved the notion that lawmakers cannot make much impact on their constituents because they do not have executive powers.

    The lawmakers representing Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Kingsley Ebenyi, has ameliorated the economic crunch in his constituency through a jobs scheme.

    Ebenyi, returned for a second term in the March 28, 2015 general election, was groomed as a lawmaker at the Enugu State House of Assembly where he was leader of the House before his posting as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain and the Vatican in 2004.

    He was subsequently elected member House of Representatives in 2011 where he further proved his desirability for re-election in 2015.

    •Some of the grinding machines donated
    •Some of the grinding machines donated

    Ambassador Ebenyi distributed 270 poverty alleviation items among his constituents that included over 50 pieces of Keke NAPEP, substantial quantities of wheelchairs, refrigerators, grinding machines, hair dryers, industrial fans, and power generating sets.

    That was not the first time the lawmaker distributed such economy driving implements. He also built communication cafes for rural dwellers in his constituency in addition to other essential provisions.

    Handing over the items to the lucky beneficiaries that emerged in the 23 ward of the constituency through balloting, Ebenyi appreciated the confidence reposed on him by his constituents, especially for giving him a second chance in the national assembly, promising that with his becoming a ranking member at the assembly, he would be able to afford more assistance to his people.

    He noted that it is his wish that the beneficiaries of the items will use it for the benefit of themselves, their families and for humanity.

    “What inspired me to embark on the project offer is the tremendous support I’ve been receiving from my people since 2011. The people have given me much and to whom much is given, much is expected,” he stated.

    Ambassador Ebenyi also noted that he is worried about the rate of poverty among the people and is praying for its reduction, adding that it was for the sake of reducing poverty among the people that made him embark on such projects.

    On the issue of roads infrastructure in his constituency, he said: “We have roads but it is not all the roads that are tarred and we are pleading with the federal government to complete the ones under construction such as the Obollo Afor-Ikem-Ehamufu-Nkalagu road. If they can do it, it will help alleviate the plight of the people in this locality.”

    Ebenyi urged his people to expect consolidation on the little gains he has made at the national assembly with their renewed mandate. “We have on-going projects and we expect to complete them before the expiration of this tenure and they should also expect more poverty alleviation projects,” he pledged.

    One of the beneficiaries of the distributed items, John Collins Okoh from Nike who is physically challenged said it was a great thing Ebenyi did by providing him with a wheel chair. “If this is what leadership is all about, remembering the down trodden like us, then there won’t be problem again,” said Okoh.

    Keke NAPEP winner, Ekene Eriugo expressed happiness and prayed that he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains in power. “I am praying that His Excellency Ambassador Kingsley Ebenyi will become the President of Nigeria. I will try my best to make judicious use of the Keke and keep my promise to God,” said Eriugo.

  • Edo lawmakers adopt five-year term for AAU VC

    Edo lawmakers adopt five-year term for AAU VC

    A bill to amend the Law establishing Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma on the tenure of the Vice-Chancellor has passed second reading on the floor of the Edo State House of Assembly.

    Leading debate to amend the bill, the Majority Leader, Philip Shaibu, said the principal Law provided for a two term of four years.

    Shaibu said the amendment seeks to correct the principal Law by stipulating a five-year single tenure for the Vice-Chancellor of the Institution.

    “Mr. Speaker, the school is currently operating a five year single term against the two terms of four years provided for by the Law.  This amendment seeks to give a definite number of years as the tenure of the Vice Chancellor,” Shaibu said.

    Other Lawmakers supported the amendment, adding that, the amendment would correct the tension that arises in the contest for the position.

    The House therefore suspended Rules 20. 21, 42 and 48 to begin debate for the amendment of the bill.

  • Indigenes advise lawmakers on good representation

    Indigenes of Abuja have called on their representatives at the National Assembly to work towards impacting positively on the lives of the people who voted them into the political offices they are presently occupying.

    A community leader in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Daniel Yepwi lamented that indigenes have been left behind in terms of education, employment and job opportunities, which indigenes of other states are benefiting from their states.

    According to Yepwi, it is time members in the House of Representatives and the Senate use their political offices to attract empowerment and proper development to the six area councils in the territory.

    He said that lucrative vacancies and opportunities made to indigenous people of the FCT are being harnessed by other Nigerians from other states at the detriment of the natives.

    “People of the Niger Delta are enjoying today, because their leaders stood firm without compromising. It is time other area council chairmen start emulating AMAC chairman, Mr. Micah Jiba for scholarships he has given to our children to study postgraduate degrees abroad, with the promise to do more.

    “The incoming FCT Minister should avoid demolition of our ancestral houses because no nation thrives without a history. Nigerians and government met Gbagyi people here in the FCT and I wondered why every government will come and start demolishing our homes? While in countries like USA, Maryland there are still ancestral homes and buildings owned by the red Indians who still live there till today,” he said.

    The indigenes who congratulated the President elect Muhammadu Buhari further advised him to maintain his principles and integrity by making sure he appoints an indigene as a minister, appealing to the incoming government to carry the indigenes along and avoid any thing that will plunge the youths into crisis like the Niger Delta youths.

    “We want the incoming administration to dwell more on projects and programmes that will benefit us, not like the Bala Mohammed-led administration that uses the military to demolish and humiliate us in our land,” he said.

  • Lawmakers oppose removal of fuel subsidy

    Lawmakers oppose removal of fuel subsidy

    A motion seeking the removal of the fuel subsidy regime by the incoming administration was rejected on the floor of the House of Representatives yesterday.

    The motion, which was sponsored by a member, Sunday Karimi (Kogi/PDP) and was titled: “The recurring crisis of fuel subsidy” was rejected by his colleagues.

    According to the lawmaker, the only solution to the lingering nationwide fuel scarcity would be for the incoming administration of President-elect Muhammadu Buhari to muster the necessary political will to end the fuel subsidy regime.

    He said: “As we speak, PMS (Petroleum Motor Spirit) sells in most places at the rate of 120 and 150 naira depending on where it is available which is against the official pump price of N87.”

    The 2015 budget, which the House passed on April 23, 2015, had N145 billion subsidy in it. It include N100 billion was for subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or petrol, N45 billion for kerosene.

    The Deputy Leader, Leo Ogor (Delta/PDP), while supporting Karimi’s motion argued that the subsidy regime was draining the economy, adding that the huge funds being used for the fuel subsidy could be used for other important projects.

    “How long will we continue to spend money we don’t have? How long will we allow oil marketers hold us to ransom? When will our refineries work? The money that we spend on fuel subsidy can be channelled to other crucial areas,” he said.

    However, Hon. Osai Nicolas Osai (Delta/PDP) opposed the motion on the grounds that its timing was wrong and belated as the outstanding subsidy payment responsible for the fuel scarcity had been paid.

    He said: “I disagree with this motion, because it is coming very late and standing on a very weak premise. The issue involved has to do with subsidy payment.

    “The Minister of Finance and marketers were in a meeting, which ended yesterday (Monday) and that matter has been resolved. So, the House would be wasting resources and energy in trying to dabble into this matter.”

    The motion was defeated when put to a vote by the Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, who presided.

    Reacting over the failed motion, Karimi expressed disappointment that other members deliberately refused to see its reasonability.

    “My colleagues misunderstood the intention of the motion. The intention is that we should not say because this current administration is winding down, we should abandon our responsibility to the Nigerian people who are suffering now.

    “The motion was thrown out because they felt that I am trying to shift the blame of this crisis on to the next administration, which was not the intention of the motion.

    “My take was that there’s need to uncover the scam in the subsidy claims because this is something that we have been paying for years; yet we have all seen how this is turning out.

    “On the sustainability of fuel subsidy, I will advise the incoming government to show courage and abolish it because it has failed to achieve whatever purpose it was meant for.

    “Meanwhile, this government should not abandon Nigerians to their fate on this crisis by resolving the crisis as soon as possible.”

     

     

  • Confusion in Enugu as nine lawmakers sack Speaker

    Confusion in Enugu as nine lawmakers sack Speaker

    •Faction moves against Chime•’Governor unaware of plot’

    There was tension yesterday at the Enugu State House of Assembly, as the lawmakers broke into two factions— one for Governor Sullivan Chime and the other plotting against him.

    The anti-Chime group, led by Speaker Eugene Odoh, has 14 members and in the majority.

    Deputy Speaker Chime Oji  is leading eight members backing Chime. They claimed to have sacked the speaker.

    The two groups sat early yesterday, with the anti-Chime group sitting at 6:20 am, for less than 30 minutes.

    Those for Chime sat at 7:05 am, for about 45 minutes.

    In their brief sitting, the anti-Chime group, led by Odoh, began the process of Chime’s impeachment for allegedly forging the N12 billion 2012 Supplementary Budget.

    The notice was signed by 14 members, including the Speaker.

    The Clerk, Christopher Chukwurah, who was absent at the sitting, was directed to serve the notice on the governor.

    Oji,  who recently won the  Enugu North/South seat; Emeka  Ogbuabor and Deputy House Leader  John Kevin Ukwuta were suspended for alleged anti-House activities

    The Speaker and the 13 others entered the legislative chamber at 6:20 am and forcefully sat after the police had barred them from the House.

    The lawmakers complained that the governor was using some of their colleagues to disrupt the House for refusing to approve the N11 billion loan he requested.

    But at 7:05 am. the Deputy Speaker and seven others, including the Deputy Governor-elect, Cecilia Ezeilo, entered the chamber.

    The clerk attended the sitting, which elected Chinedu Nwamba as Speaker to replace Odo.

    A member, Joseph Agbo Ugwumba, Enugu East Rural, later joined them.

    Deputy leader John Kevin Ukwuta  moved a motion that Johnbull Nwagu, who was suspended be recalled. Chinedu Nwamba seconded the motion.

    The Chime group, however, lifted the suspension on Nwagu for misconduct and invited him to join the group, bringing their number to nine.

    Ukwuta moved another motion for the suspension of Odoh and six others; Anichukwu Nwankwo, Okechukwu Nwoke, Paul Ogbe, Nze Michael Onyeze, Theresa Egbo, Chika Eneh and SKE Udo-Okoye.

    The motion was approved by the nine members.

    The principal officers among those suspended were stripped of their positions and benefits.

    Ukwuta moved for their positions to be filled and nominated Chinedu Nwamba, representing Nsukka East, as Speaker.

    The motion was approved and Nwamba sworn in as Speaker of the G-9.

    Nwamba thanked the group for the confidence reposed in him.

    The group also elected Donatus Uzoagbado (Oji River) as leader and Emeka Ogbuabo as chief whip.

    Ukwuta told the lawmakers of the letter written by the Attorney General Anthony Ani, informing them they had no powers to probe the State Universal Basic Education (ENSUBEB).

    He said the freezing of the account of the ENSUBEB was erroneously done and should be lifted.

    Emeka Ogbuabo seconded the motion, saying the House erred by freezing the account of the board, as the petition against the board chairman was not properly handled.

    At 7: 50 am, the House adjourned and factional Speaker Nwamba directed security to ensure that nobody was allowed into the Assembly.

    But the state government said yesterday it was unaware of the impeachment plot against Governor Chime.

    The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Chukwudi Achife, in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, described the action of the 14-member faction, led by Odoh, as “null and void.”

    According to him, the state government was still trying to come to terms with the realities of a change in the leadership of the House.

    He said: “What we should be talking about is the new leadership of the House and not what the old one did.

    “The process is perpetrated by those leaving the government on May 29 and that is why they are furious.

    “No impeachment notice has been served on the governor; we must get that straight.”

     

     

     

     

     

  • Masquerades represent lawmakers in my community-Mbanefo

    Masquerades represent lawmakers in my community-Mbanefo

    Prolific Nigerian artist, Emmah Mbanefo, no doubt is among the many Nigerian artists who are known for their exceptional works. He has made significant contributions in the field of visual arts in Nigeria and beyond.

    His artistic works revolves specifically around Igbo themes and symbolic mystery which provide a guide for artists. Beyond the Igbo titles of his works, the meaning behind it is equally of interest and it cut across everyone, with fascinating messages which no one can ignore.

    Mbanefo’s use of masquerades and Igbo titles to communicate his thoughts can be attributed to his Onitsha, Anambra origin. He said: “Masquerades represent lawmakers in my community where I come from. They make law and they repel it. Masquerades served as legislative, the judiciary and the executive arm of government in many communities in Nigeria before the coming of the white-man,” he said.

    No wonder this sculptor and painter most time uses masquerade to convey his messages which invokes mixed feelings of fear and peace. He keeps revisiting the ancestral linage of Onitsha people, as well as contemporary issues in Nigeria with his work.

    In May, 2014, he exhibited about 60 works in a solo art exhibition of paintings and sculptors titled: Wood Hood; at the National Museum, Lagos. “What could Wood Hood mean? The clause “out of the wood” means free at last, of trouble and danger. Perhaps, independent and emancipated, Wood Hood is directly the opposite, both “danger and “trouble” are of a foundation (cause) whose superstructure (effects) are far from goodness.

    “Wood Hood is a sequel to my first solo art exhibition “Ambivalence;” that which makes man intrinsically human, not good, not bad but both. Wood Hood searches for the good, the spirit of humanity.”

    Explaining the titles of his works he said: “Itokili: this refers to being caged in the world of the living. The victim is highly vulnerable and humility could be the panacea. Humility is such a frail and dedicated thing that, anyone who dares to think that he has it, proves by that single thought that he has it not.” Other titles you will come across whenever you see his works are: Akpali: An admirable quality, Oche Igele: An achiever’s seat, Oso-Ogoli: Spiritual race, Anasi: First wife, Otanke: Spy, etc.

    He went to the Federal Polytechnic Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria and worked briefly as a teacher before he established a workshop; Destiny Art Studio in Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria. Mbanefor later turned the studio to educational context, taking on a number of apprentices, including ceramic artist, Ato Arinze. He is planning to have a solo show towards the end of the year.

    He was influenced according to him “by encounters with artists such as the late sculptor Okpu Eze, Pro Ben Enwonwu and Iraboh Emokpae.  He majored in Art Education and earned certificate of participation in Art Law, Element of Management, and Insurance for Artist, Principles and Practice of Copyrights and Trademarks with certificate in Creative Enterprise.

  • PDP lawmakers to Ekiti CJ: Don’t constitute impeachment panel

    PDP lawmakers to Ekiti CJ: Don’t constitute impeachment panel

    The seven Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers in the Ekiti State House of Assembly have called on the Chief Judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, not to constitute a seven-man panel to investigate Governor Ayo Fayose on alleged gross misconduct.

    The nineteen All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers led by Speaker Adewale Omirin had on Thursday at a special sitting held at Mary Hills Boys High School, Ado-Ekiti passed a resolution directing the Chief Judge to set up the panel.

    They predicated their action on Section 101 of the 1999 Constitution which gives them the permission to hold a sitting of the House in any public building in the state capital if their lives are endangered in the House of Assembly

    But the PDP lawmakers led by factional Speaker Dele Olugbemi dissociated themselves from the impeachment plot urging Justice Daramola to discountenance the resolution of the majority lawmakers.

    Addressing a news conference in Ado-Ekiti on Friday, Olugbemi accused Omirin of impersonating him saying the latter had ceased to be Speaker when he was ‘impeached’ by seven PDP lawmakers on November 20 last year.

    He urged the CJ not to act on the letter written by the majority APC lawmakers describing the letter as “impersonation and usurpation of his power”.

    Olugbemi said himself and the Clerk of the House, Tola Esan had earlier written the CJ on April 4 to refute a letter from the Office of the Speaker leveling allegations of gross misconduct against Fayose.

    He revealed that he had written to the authorities of the Nigeria Police Force and Department of State Services seeking their assistance to arrest Omirin for impersonation and forgery of Speaker’s letterhead.

    Olugbemi maintained that he remains the ‘authentic Speaker’ that enjoys the paraphernalia of office saying Olugbemi had since been stripped of the powers of Speaker after his ‘impeachment’.

    The leader of the PDP faction insisted that the only legitimate place to hold any valid spitting is the hallowed chambers of the House of Assembly adding that the letter written to the CJ by the majority lawmakers was null and void.

    Besides, Olugbemi argued that the seven PDP Assembly members enjoy the support and working relationship of the Clerk unlike their APC counterparts.

    He said:  “Sequel to our previous correspondence to the Chief Judge of Elkiti State Judiciary dated 4th April, 2015, the Clerk and I have again cause to write to the Chief Judge, refuting a letter  purportedly written from my office for the CJ to set up an investigative panel  in relation to an impeachment Notice, which allegedly emanated from my office.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, I wish to categorically state here that the said letter directing the CJ of the Ekiti State judiciary to constitute an investigative panel did not emanate from Ekiti State House of Assembly.

    “We never wrote any letter to the CJ directing him to constitute an investigative panel, neither was the House involved in any impeachment proceeding against executive Governor of our dear State.

    “In furtherance refutation of the ongoing brigandage, I wish to State that the former Speaker, Hon Adewale Omirin was duly removed as the Speaker on 20th November , 2014 and his removal paved way for my legitimate emergence as the new Speaker of the Assembly.

    “In prove of my incumbency and control of the Assembly, I have here with me, the Clerk of the House without whom no legitimate sitting of the House can take place, I also have here the Sergeants-At-Arms and the entire retinue of the staff and the Assembly and the mace of the House.

    “I have also sent a copy of the letter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmoud Mohammed , the Director of Department of State Security Service, Mr Sam Tamuno and the Commissioner of Police, so that they can assist with the apprehension of this impostor and his cohorts  before they cause breakdown of law and order “.

    He also claimed that his security has not been withdrawn, contrary to insinuation in town that such had been effected by the police and DSS.

  • Impeachment: Ekiti Assembly writes chief Judge

    Impeachment: Ekiti Assembly writes chief Judge

    Ekiti State House of Assembly has written to the State Chief Judge‎. Mr. Justice Ayodeji Daramola, asking him to set up a panel to investigate allegations raised in the impeachment notice to Governor Ayodele Fayose.

    At a special sitting held at M‎ary Hills Boys High School, Ado-Ekiti, on Thursday, the lawmakers said they relied on Section 101 of the 1999 Constitution as amended  which empowers the Assembly to regulate their sittings, including sitting in a public building within the state capital if conditions exist in the hallowed chamber that endanger members’ lives.

    Majority Leader, Churchill Adedipe, Irepodun/Ifelodun Constituency One, explained that the sitting ought to have taken place in the hallowed chamber on April 7, 2015‎ but members were waylaid by thugs who mounted roadblock and threatening their lives with dangerous weapons, thereby making them to abandon going to the Assembly.

    Relying on Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), Adedipe moved the motion empowering the Chief Judge to set up the panel.

    His motion was seconded by the Deputy Speaker, Adetunji Orisalade, representing Ido/Osi Constituency Two.

    After debates, the lawmakers in a unanimous vote supported the motion‎ directing the chief judge to set up the panel.

    The House adjourned to the next legislative day.