The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Lawmakers

  • PDP governors, lawmakers give conditions to join APC

    PDP governors, lawmakers give conditions to join APC

    Barely five days after its registration, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is getting offers from some governors and members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and others who want to join the new party.

    The Progressive Governors, who are mostly members of the APC, will meet on August 13 in Lafia, Nasarawa State on how to open talks with their colleagues who are interested in coming over to the new party.

    The APC governors will also use the Lafia meeting to design plans for the Anambra governorship election, mass registration of new members and mobilisation of Nigerians for what the party stands for.

    But, preparatory to the session of the governors, the Interim National Executive Committee of APC will meet on Tuesday on the registration of the party by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the challenges ahead.

    The party has, however, sought INEC’s nod to retain its Interim Committee for six months to enable it stabilise.

    According to sources, some PDP governors and members of the National Assembly have approached the APC for some partnership and political collaboration, including joining the new party.

    It was gathered that the governors and National Assembly members believe that APC can offer more to Nigerians.

    It was learnt that the potential members of APC have tabled some terms which the Progressive Governors Forum will look into alongside the Interim National Executive Committee.

    The terms were not immediately known last night.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Having secured registration, the battle ahead has started in earnest. We have a job to unveil what APC means to the people and how Nigerians can buy into it.

    “The Progressive Governors Forum or APC governors will meet after Sallah on August 13 in Lafia, Nasarawa State on mobilisation and registration of members.

    “The Forum will also look at plans by some governors and National Assembly members from PDP and political leaders from other parties, who have opened talks on how to join APC.

    “The Forum will later pass its recommendations to the party leadership for more input and implementation.

    “We will certainly use the meeting to design a roadmap for the party because time is no longer on our side. We need mass registration of members. We have to mobilise Nigerians on our mission to salvage the nation’s democracy and economy.

    “We are according the Anambra State governorship election a priority, the Forum will discuss it.”

    APC leaders and governors are expected to come up with suggestions the constitution of a full-fledged National Executive Committee. APC has asked INEC to allow its Interim Committee to be in place for six months to stabilise the new party.

    “But the party leaders are tinkering with the idea of having APC’s statutory NEC in place after three months,” the source said.

    Meanwhile, there were indications that the Interim NEC will meet on Tuesday.

    Another source said: “The officers of the party will meet on Tuesday in Abuja for a post-registration session and the way forward.

    “The committee’s session will review the registration of the party by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) and the challenges ahead.”

  • Lawmakers insist Lloyd was tortured

    Lawmakers insist Lloyd was tortured

    •Release our son, his community cries out

    The pro-Amaechi lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday dismissed the claim by the Rivers Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, that the Leader of the Assembly, Chidi Lloyd, was not tortured in his custody.

    They asked the Force Headquarters, especially the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, to investigate what happened to the leader of Rivers Assembly, after he was moved from Abuja to Port Harcourt on Friday.

    Deputy Speaker Leyii Kwaneesaid in Port Harcourt yesterday said Mbu’s “insincere” defence was face-saving.

    Kwanee said: “We (26 pro-Amaechi lawmakers) call on the Force Headquarters, Abuja to investigate what happened on the arrival of Hon. Chidi Lloyd to Port Harcourt. It is not enough for the police in Abuja to say they treated him well.

    “Reports available to us show that Hon. Lloyd was treated with disrespect and his rights violated. The reports filtering from the custody are being digested, to enable a team of lawyers push the case to the ECOWAS Court, to enforce Hon. Lloyd’s fundamental human rights.

    “The idea of going to the International Court is based on the fear that Hon. Chidi Lloyd may not obtain justice in Nigeria, considering the powerful interests in the matter.

    “The torture meted to the House leader is a custodial crime, for which any police officer involved must be punished. The torture of Hon. Lloyd runs foul to the 1984 international convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.”

    The deputy leader also assured the family, friends and supporters of the Rivers Assembly’s leader that the House would leave no stone unturned to enforce and protect his fundamental human rights.

    Also yesterday, Chief and elders of Akpabu Community in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, the home town of Lloyd, condemned his detention.

    The Council of Chiefs, the Community Development Committee (CDC), youths and women of Akpabu called for his immediate release.

    They also warned that if anything happens to the lawmaker representing their constituency, the people of Akpabu and the Emohua constituency will be at war with the police and its agents.

    The community wondered why their son should be made a scapegoat in the crisis that engulfed the two factions at the Rivers State House of Assembly, pointing out that the House Leader acted in defence.

    The chairman of Akpabu Council of Chiefs, Chief Patrick Dike, called for his unconditional release.

    Dike said: “The people of Akpabu community, who include the Chiefs, Elders, women and youths are calling on the Federal Government and the Nigeria Police to leave our son alone; we want him to be release immediately.

    “If anything happens to him, we will go to war, because in our tradition no one kills the son of the soil and go free. Chidi has empowered many youths in this community, including bringing infrastructural development in the area. This is to say that we are happy about his achievement and we are in support of hm. “

    Speaking on behalf of the youths of the area, the President of Concerned Citizen of Akpabu, Okechukwu Geoffrey, said the crisis in Rivers State will soon turn to ethnic war.

    “The pains of Chidi Lloyd in the recent crisis are the pains of the youths of Akapbu Community. I hope the President is aware that this crisis is heading to ethnic war.

    “With the great support of Chief Stephen Agi, Bright Nlerem and Robinson Amadi, we are confident that we are going monitor the movement of Hon. Lloyd in the hand of the Police. We are going to mobilise our youths to support him in court.”

     

  • Lawmakers and jumbo pay

    SIR: The remuneration of members of National Assembly has been a top secret since the inception of democracy in 1999. The management of National Assembly and the leadership of both chambers have consistently frustrated any effortsmade to ascertain the actual remuneration of members. Requests and efforts by civil society groups, spirited individuals and newspaper houses to bring to fore, the pay package of these people have continued to suffer setbacks,even after the passage of the Freedom of Information Act which made it compulsory for such information and others to be available at the public domain on request.

    Presently, the reason for withholding this vital information from the public is staring all of us in the face.The wind has blown and we have seen the hidden rump of the fowl. The Economist, a United Kingdom based weekly magazine, has revealed and adjudged members of the National Assembly to have received and still receive so much undeserved money as salaries and emoluments of 116 times more than the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per person and also more than legislators in developed and wealthier nations, thereby making Nigeria the most expensive democracy in the world.

    In the face of glaring abject poverty, dilapidated infrastructure and diseases to mention but a few, it is incredible and heart breaking to note that one single Senator and member House of Representatives takes home N61,330,560.00 and N48,195,647.00 annually respectively in both salaries and allowances. This is happening in a country where majority struggle to survive on less than one dollar per day.A country where a meager N18,000.00 minimum wage has become an unresolved issue in government/labour relations.

    People have seen that holding political offices as the easiest way to acquire illicit wealth. That was why politics has become a do-or-die-affair in Nigeria. In other climes, dog does not eat the bone hung on its neck. But the reverse is the case in Nigeria. If those expected to be ardent custodian of our national till will pillage it to suit their whims and caprices, the nation is doomed.

    Are we cursed or are we the cause of our misfortune and predicament?With little or no people oriented legislation to show, these people have dead consciences to have appropriated so much to themselves to the detriment of majority.

    Nigeria has consciously failed to measure up with other countries of the world in growth and advancement in human capital and infrastructural developments compared to her abundant natural and human resources because those in positions of authority have woefully failed to live up to their responsibilities. Nigeria has equally become one of the poorest nations in the world despite these huge resources obviously for lack of vision, selfishness and the high level of misplacements accorded priorities in the country. The question is who will save Nigeria?

    The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission is called upon to quickly review downward this undeserved jumbo salaries and allowances of members of National Assembly. The economy cannot sustain this legislative profligacy. When has the job of legislating in an air-conditioned chamber become more tedious than that of school teacher who is yet to receive the agreed N18000.00 minimum wage in many states of the federation?

    Finally, it is high time Nigeria considered Parliamentary system of government because it is more transparent and less expensive to run. Unfortunately, the same members of the National Assembly who are the drivers of constitution review and amendment initiative did not find it attractive for inclusion in the process.

     

    • Sunday Onyemaechi Eze

    Zaria, Kaduna State

     

  • Stop fighting Tukur tells Rivers lawmakers

    Stop fighting Tukur tells Rivers lawmakers

    •Blame Mbu, says NBA

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bamanga Tukur, has urged warring parties in Rivers State to sheathe their swords.

    Making the call in a statement by his media aide, Oliver Okpala, the chairman dismissed widespread reports that the party leadership fanned the crisis.

    Calling for sanity in the state Assembly, Tukur said it is the desire of the PDP that peace and sanity return to the state, adding that democracy cannot thrive in an atmosphere of violence and anarchy.

    He urged the lawmakers to avoid overheating the polity, saying the PDP remained a united political family and that no true member would like to pull down the family’s political structure and existence.

    The chairman further warned that a threat to peace in any part of the country is a threat to the peace and stability of the country.

    He appealed to Nigerians to join hands in ensuring that peace returns to the state.

    Tukur assured party members of openness and transparency in both the coming national convention and Southwest congress, the dates for which have become a subject of controversy.

    “The leadership of the party will take practical steps to ensure that the forthcoming convention and congresses of the party will be an epitome of transparent and credible elections, in line with the party’s avowed creed for internal democracy.

    “The leadership of the party will not have any hand in deciding who wins at the congresses or the special national convention, since it is going to be transparent, free, credible and fair.

    “Any candidate who wins must have done so on his or her own merit, performance and service to the party.

    “Those to be members of the new National Working Committee will emerge from due process and will be those the delegates will choose at the congresses and the special convention.

    “The national chairman or the leadership have no special or anointed candidate for any position,” the statement added.

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Port Harcourt Branch, has stated that the Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, should be blamed for the deepening crisis in the state.

    NBA, through the branch Chairman, Lawrence Oko-Jaja, yesterday urged the people to embrace peace, rather than allowing Rivers to gradually slide towards anarchy and lawlessness.

    A non-partisan pressure group, Ekere Ikwerre, also admonished politicians to shun violence and resolve their differences amicably, in the interest of the state.

    The lawyers said: “The force, brigandage and thuggery in an attempt by five lawmakers to dislodge the leadership of the House, which turned to a macabre theatre of war, will continue to jolt the psyche of the people for a long time.

    “The disgraceful and regrettable incident would not have occurred, if the police were alive to their responsibilities of protecting life and property.”

  • Governors draw battle line with NASS over immunity, LG autonomy

    Governors draw battle line with NASS over immunity, LG autonomy

    •Say lawmakers members are entertaining themselves on immunity, SIEC, Joint Account

     

    The 36 state governors are up for a battle with the National Assembly over the plot by the federal legislators to expunge the immunity clause for the President and the state chief executives from the constitution.

    It is one battle the governors are determined to fight together, their bitter acrimony over who heads the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) notwithstanding.

    They are also rolling out the tanks to resist the NASS plan to give financial autonomy to the local governments in the amendment to the 1999 Constitution.

    Governor Rotimi Amaechi, the Chairman of the NGF and Governor Jonah Jang- led faction of the forum are united on their offensive and have resolved to mobilise their Houses of Assembly against some of the proposals.

    A Southwest governor said, “There is no issue of faction on some of these proposals that we are rejecting. We have a common position against removal of immunity clause, autonomy for Local Government Areas, abrogation of State Independent National Electoral Commission and LG Joint Accounts,” he explained, adding: “Some of these proposed amendments do not take into account the fact that Nigeria is operating Federalism.

    “Even the two chambers have disagreed on these proposals; they have to go to a Joint Session to harmonize their positions.”

    The governor suggested that even if the National Assembly members force through the proposed amendments, they would be knocked out by the state assemblies.

    His words: “The National Assembly proposals are not final going by the provision of Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution.

    “After the debate at the National Assembly, the battle will shift to the states because there must be concurrence of at least two-thirds of state Houses of Assembly.

    “So, we are waiting for the National Assembly but they cannot have their way on some of these proposals.”

    Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution says: “An Act of the National Assembly for the alteration of this constitution, not being an Act to which Section 8 of this Constitution, applies, shall not be passed in either House of the National Assembly unless the proposal is supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds majority of all the members of that House and approved by resolution of the Houses of Assembly of not less than two-thirds of all the states.”

    A Northeast governor said: “Irrespective of our split over the NGF poll, we will not accept some of these amendments. What is the business of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with Local Government poll at the state level?

    “Some of us are already following debates at the National Assembly and we have opened up discussions with our state Houses of Assembly on why certain amendments cannot be accepted.

    “The amendments they have proposed are at variance with the memorandum of the Nigeria Governors Forum to the National Assembly Committee on Constitution Review.

    A governor in the North Central said: “I think the National Assembly should concentrate on how to ensure true Federalism in the country than focusing on how to whittle down the often-mouthed powers of the governors.

    “The centre is too powerful, too rich and over-bearing. We need to give more resources to the states to be able to accelerate the nation’s development.

    “I have been expecting that the National Assembly will put police on concurrent list so that states can have their own police system.”

    A North-West governor said: “The proposal on removal of immunity clause is dead on arrival. With immunity, governors are being suspended like school boys. You can imagine how some powerful government officials would deal with any ‘errant’ governor.

    “Assuming that there is no immunity for governors, Governor Rotimi Amaechi would have been arrested by now on flimsy excuses. We will move against all these proposals on immunity, SIEC, state/LG joint account, and so on.”

     

  • Plateau lawmaker revives infrastructure

    Plateau lawmaker revives infrastructure

    A lawmaker in Plateau State, Hon Clark Dabwan representing Mangu South constituency at the state House of Assembly, has lifted the spirits of his constituents.

    After noting the extent of infrastructural decay in the area he responded with practical help. When he visited, he brought with him building materials including bundles of roofing sheets to rehabilitate some dilapidated facilities there. He also knew exactly which facilities needed urgent attention.

    It was a pleasant surprise gift to the people.

    Dabwan is the Speaker of the House, serving his second term.

    He presented the items to his constituents at the palace of the district head, Magajin Gari Mangu Mr Michael Hirse.

    There, he told them his mission was provide the materials so that the community could fix some of its run-down structures. He also spoke of his appreciation of the support the people have given him.

    The speaker said: “I have only come back with these items as a mark of my appreciation to my people. It is my own way of saying thank you for the confidence reposed in me and the mandate you gave me to represent you at the Plateau State House of Assembly.

    “As your spokesman in the House, I have tried as much as possible to present your needs to the state government. While some of our needs in this community [have been] solved by the state government, some others are already receiving government attention as indicated in the 2013 appropriation Act. But I feel it is necessary to make my own personal contribution in appreciation of the mandate you gave me.

    “To show my appreciation, I have come with 35 bundles of aluminum roofing sheets, 10 of them will be for Alohom community for the roofing of theirs primary school, the remaining 25 bundles of roofing sheets should be used for the renovation of the maternity clinic in Mangu.

    “I will make funds available for the purchase of wood for the roofing as well as for other relevant materials and to take care of labour. This maternity clinic is very dear to my heart and I will want the project completed in 30 days from now.

    “The people of Lahir village, I was told, are also contributing money for electrification project of their community. I have here a cash sum of N150,000 as my personal contribution to their electricity project.

    ”Most importantly I will not forget my party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on which platform I was elected; I have here a station wagon Peugeot car to assist them in carrying out party functions.”

    Hon Dabwan asked the people of his constituency to continue to support the redemptive government of Governor Jonah David Jang so that the community will continue to benefit from the administration.

    Chair of the management committee of Mangu Local Government Area, Hon Isa Shikven who witnessed the presentation, said, in his remarks, that the local government and the people were proud of the Speaker.

    Hon. Shaken said: “Our representative at the House of Assembly has not only represented us well; he is heading the legislative arm of government in the state. This is why we are so proud of him.

    “The Speaker has no official powers to allocate projects but he is already doing that in his personal capacity, in an effort to put a smile on the faces of his constituents; we will ever remain grateful.”

    The Magajin Gari Mangu (District Head) who received the building materials on behalf of the community, expressed his gratitude . He said the items will go along way in alleviating the suffering of the people particularly at the maternity clinic.

     

  • Lawmakers seek completion of

    Some lawmakers in the Anambra State House of Assembly have called for the completion of the Obizi Water Scheme in the state.

    The members told newsmen in Awka that the completion had become necessary to make potable water available in the state especially in Aguata Local Government Area

    Mr Ikem Uzoezie, a member representing Aguata I State Constituency, said the completion would also alleviate the sufferings of the people in the area.

    He said that the inferno at Ekwulobia market last week, which destroyed over N700 million worth of property, could have been averted.

    According to him, it was difficult for the traders and inhabitants of town to access water to fight the fire.

    “It is unfortunate that the fire service in Aguata could not save the situation. People around had to battle it with or without water.

    “We wonder why the Obizi Water Scheme which is expected to provide water in the market is not ready. If it is ready what happened on that day could have been avoided.

    “If you look at the damage done by the fire we must have lost over N700 million and this would have been saved if we had access to water supply.”

    The member representing Aguata II Constituency, Mr Ikechukwu Umeh, who is also the House Committee Chairman on Commerce and Industry, described the fire incident in the market as “unfortunate’’.

    “This is very unfortunate and we have contacted the Emergency Management Agency in Anambra on a possible way out.

    “We should have a functional fire service in Aguata and I would reach the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on the incident,’’ he stated.

     

  • Leaking roof forces Imo lawmakers out of office

    Members of the Imo State House of Assembly have abandoned their offices, following the sacking of their offices by the rains.

    The roof of the Assembly complex can no longer stand the pounding rains as a sizeable portion has caved in.

    Aside from the putrid smell emanating from wet carpets and books, the offices and lobby are no longer accessible.

    This may be responsible for the Assembly’s skeletal sitting lately.

    The Speaker’s office and the chamber are not affected but may be flooded as the rains intensify.

    When our reporter visited the complex, the dilapidated structure was deserted.

    The ground floor of the two-storey building has been taken over by flood and to access the offices on the second and third floor, one has to wade through the ankle- deep flood.

    A source described the situation as embarrassing and a reproach to the institution.

    The source said the funds appropriated for the renovation of the complex may have been diverted.

    “Most of the lawmakers have relocated their offices outside the Assembly premises but still hold their sittings in the flooded chambers,” he said.

    The Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Acho Ihim, could not be reached for comments.

  • Mark: lawmakers, executive not competing

    Senate President David Mark yesterday said the National Assembly is not competing with the Executive Arm of Government.

    He said: “When we ask questions about the implementation of the budget, we are merely exercising our constitutional powers of appropriation and oversight.”

    Speaking in Abuja at a workshop for civil society organisations and Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) on Budget Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting, Mark said Section 88(2b) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, states that “subject to the provision of this constitution, each House of the National Assembly shall have power by resolution to expose corruption, inefficiency or waste in the execution or administration of laws within its legislative competence and in the disbursement or administration of funds appropriated by it”.

    Mark said: “Our roles in budgeting should not be misunderstood to mean meddling with the functions of the Executive.

    “We represent the people and we owe it a duty to let them know what is going on.”

    The Senate President said the 1999 Constitution, as amended, is clear on the functions of each arm of the government and the principle of separation of powers should be respected at all times.

    He urged civil society groups to make accuracy their watchword in budget monitoring, evaluation and reporting.

    Mark said democracy, accountability and the rule of law would be enhanced, if their reports are independent and unbiased.

    Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information and Media Enyinnaya Abaribe urged the Executive to see lawmakers as partners in the initiation and implementation of policies and programmes.

    He said this is necessary to avoid conflict or communication gaps.

    The Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Senator Anthony Manzo, said the synergy between lawmakers and civil society groups has become an important avenue for getting the opinion of the people on issues.

     

  • Rivers PDP Chair suspends Speaker, 26 lawmakers

    The new Rivers Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Felix Obuah, has suspended 27 of the 32 members of the state assembly from the party, including the speaker, for insubordination.

    Obuah announced the suspension to newsmen in Port Harcourt on Monday, saying the members did not comply with the party’s directive on dissolution of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that on April 22, the assembly suspended the Obio/Akpor Council chairman, his deputy and the 17 councillors for alleged reckless spending of public funds.

    The assembly said that the allegations were made by the Obio/Akpor stakeholders from the 17 wards of the local government area.

    It explained that the petition was weighty and required a thorough investigation which would require the suspension of the accused for proper investigation to take place.

    The assembly said that the suspension was pending the outcome of the investigation.

    The party chairman said that the party issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the assembly to rescind the order on dissolution of the Obio/Akpor council but “it was flagrantly disobeyed.’’

    Obuah said:  “the party hereby suspended all the 27 members of the House of Assembly that carried out such action while their matter is referred to Disciplinary Committee for further action.’’

    On the grounding of the Rivers Government aircraft, the chairman said that the party “views with grave concern the unfolding facts surrounding the ownership of the purported aircraft“.

    Obuah said that the party would not fold its arms and allow “monumental“ fraud to be perpetrated in the state.

    He alleged that from the records available and statements credited to the Acting Director General of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the aircraft was not bought by the government.

    Obuah said the records showed that the Aircraft Bombardier B.D 700, Global Express aircraft with registration No. 5N5N65 RS, was owned by Utah Limited States of America.

    He said that the aircraft registration showed that it was owned by Bank of Utah Trustee of Salt Lake City, Utah Limited States of America.

    The chairman said that the aircraft was operated illegally as its clearance approval expired on April 2 and had since been operating in violation of the rules of civil aviation authorities.

    “It is unacceptable and embarrassing to our great party that public funds are hopelessly mismanaged; as a result these questions must be answered by the Rivers State Government.

    “Where is the aircraft, purportedly bought with the Rivers State funds and tax payers’ money?

    “Where have the billions of naira taken from the coffers of the Rivers State Government gone to and for what purpose was it appropriated and where is it diverted?“ Obuah asked.

    He said the state government should give a copious explanation concerning the  funds spent on the aircraft or  face disciplinary action from the party.

    Obuah said that the PDP government led by President Goodluck Jonathan had zero tolerance for corruption and that the state PDP would also not condone such .

    He, however, directed all party members in the state to be totally loyal to the new state executive council and warned that the party would not hesitate to deal with deviants.

    Obuah warned members of the party to refrain from making unsavory and unguarded utterances that were inimical to peace and development in the party. (NAN)