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Tag: NASS

  • SMEDAN, NASS partner to register, fund one million SMEs

    SMEDAN, NASS partner to register, fund one million SMEs

    The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) is embarking on a strategic partnership with the Na​tional Assembly to undertake the registration, formalization, and provision of funding opportunities for one million small businesses across the country.

    This initiative is a crucial component of SMEDAN’s mission to foster prosperity through the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

    The Director General of the agency, Mr Charles Odii, gave the assurance at a meeting he facilitated between young members of the National Assembly, particularly the House of Representatives, and young entrepreneurs at the SMEDAN HQ, Idu, on Tuesday.

    During the event which also had in attendance the Minister of State for Youth, Ayodele Olawande, participants engaged in productive discussions, highlighting critical issues that small businesses face today. These discussions covered topics such as access to funding, regulatory challenges, and the need for better support and resources.

    In response, the Minister of State and young legislators shared their perspectives on how to address these issues through government action, affirming their commitment to partnering with SMEDAN to provide the institutional support required to facilitate access to market, finance, and capacity building.

    They also expressed their satisfaction with the agenda of the newly-appointed Director General, noting that his vast experience, despite his youthfulness, has enabled him to identify practical solutions to the challenges faced by small businesses in the country.

    As lawmakers, they pledged their support by considering budgetary allocations and potential legislative amendments to enhance and expand the opportunities accessible to SMEs.

    Read Also: LIRS shuts 34 companies over tax debt

    Some of the young lawmakers present at the event include Hon Bello El-Rufai, the member representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency; Hon Olamiju Alao Akala, the member representing Ogbomosho North/South/ Oriire Federal Constituency; Hon Ishaya David Lalu, the member representing Mangu/Bokkos Federal Constituency; Hon Uche Okonkwo, the member representing Idemili North/South Federal Constituency, among others.

    Led by the Director General, Mr. Charles Odii, the delegation conducted an inspection of the work hubs located at the agency’s headquarters. These hubs are outfitted with state-of-the-art facilities, including sewing and wood-cutting machines, available to small businesses to reduce their operational costs and improve the quality of their final products.

    Aisha Abubakar, a talented photographer running her own photography studio, Alpharoom, was among the young entrepreneurs present at the event. She expressed her appreciation for SMEDAN’s initiative, highlighting how it offered a unique opportunity for lawmakers, who shape the business environment, to gain firsthand insights into the challenges that hinder the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the country.

    The event concluded with an assurance of continued engagement between the two groups, with plans for working committees and regular meetings to ensure that the concerns raised at the event are addressed through concrete legislative actions.

    This collaboration holds the potential to pave the way for a brighter future for small businesses, with young entrepreneurs leading the way.

    It is anticipated that this encounter will lead to a more supportive legislative environment for small businesses and foster the growth of entrepreneurial ventures among the youth, ensuring a vibrant and dynamic small business landscape in the future.

    Later, a networking gathering took place on the rooftop terrace of SMEDAN’s headquarters, where young entrepreneurs had the opportunity to interact with high-ranking state officials and other key stakeholders.

  • NASS will reform Nigeria’s tax system, says Deputy Speaker Kalu

    NASS will reform Nigeria’s tax system, says Deputy Speaker Kalu

    The deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu has said that the parliament would work with the executive arm of government to ensure a comprehensive reform of the nation’s tax law and effectively eliminate multiple taxation in Nigeria.

    Speaking at the World Bank Fiscal Governance and Institutions Project (FGIP) Focus Group Discussion at the Federal Ministry of Finance, Abuja, Kalu said that the government was prepared to carry out fiscal reforms that directly address some of the most pressing issues in the tax system and overall fiscal policy.

    Kalu said that the commitment to reform is a testament to the dedication of the federal government towards achieving a more robust and equitable economic landscape.

    The deputy speaker noted that the National Assembly will take advantage of the constitutional amendment to introduce flexibility to the tax policy reforms.

    He said: “One of the paramount challenges we are currently addressing as a government, is the issue of tax multiplicity, a labyrinthine web of taxes that has placed undue burdens on both individuals and businesses.

    Read Also: Vice president Shettima to declare open two retreats for NASS leadership

    “Simplifying and rationalizing this system is imperative to alleviate the compliance burden and to foster an environment conducive to economic growth.

    “In parallel, we have recognized the necessity of modernizing revenue collection through automation. This strategic move enhances efficiency and, equally important, reduces opportunities for corruption and revenue leakage.

    “Furthermore, we are in the process of streamlining the multitude of revenue-collecting agencies as government. This streamlining initiative aims to improve coordination and, crucially, reduce duplicity in tax administration, ultimately making our system more efficient, transparent, and accountable.

    “In the realm of tax legislation which is actually one of your objectives to get the buy-in of the legislators, there are promising opportunities to introduce comprehensive reform bills that encompass a wide spectrum of objectives, including simplification, modernization, and consolidation of tax laws.

    “These reforms hold the potential to bring about increased clarity and efficiency, benefiting both taxpayers and tax administrators.

    “We must consider how tax legislation can be strategically crafted to stimulate economic growth which I know is your dream while maintaining fairness and equity within the tax system.

    “This entails a thorough examination of tax incentives, deductions, and credits to ensure they align with our overarching development goals.

    “Consolidating tax codes by merging related provisions into one comprehensive law is another avenue to make the tax system more accessible and comprehensible for all stakeholders involved.

    “Within the ongoing constitutional amendment process, we intend to explore opportunities to amend pertinent sections that will provide greater flexibility for fiscal and tax policy reforms.

    He further stated: “This may involve decentralizing certain tax powers, centralizing others (as exemplified by the inclusion of Value Added Tax (VAT) on the Exclusive Legislative List), or introducing mechanisms for the automatic adjustment of tax rates based on economic indicators.

    “Our tireless endeavours in the realm of tax and fiscal policy, led by President Bola Tinubu, signify a significant transition towards a more efficient, equitable, and investment-friendly environment. As legislators, we shoulder the responsibility of shaping the future of our nation’s fiscal landscape.

    “By simplifying tax-related bills, motions, and constitutional alteration bills in a manner that fosters economic growth and streamlines our tax system, we can collectively contribute to the sustainable development and prosperity of Nigeria. Let us persistently work together to advance these critical reforms for the betterment of all Nigerians.”

  • Why LG autonomy bill must be retransmitted to NASS, group reveals

    Why LG autonomy bill must be retransmitted to NASS, group reveals

    A civil rights group, Social Action, has appealed to the President Bola Tinubu-led federal government to re-transmit the Local Government Autonomy bill to the National Assembly (NASS) for speedy passage.

    The group made the appeal at the end of a one-day citizen’s and government consultative dialogue on inclusive budgeting for effective service delivery, held in Ugbolokposo, Uvwie council area of Delta state.

    It also urged governors across the 36 states to “support” the drive for Local Government autonomy to FasTrack development in the hinterlands.

    Parts of a communiqué issued at the end of the dialogue reads thus: “We call on the federal Government under the new administration to retransmit local government autonomy bill by the National Assembly

    “We also call on the governors of the states to support local government autonomy as it is the only way to ensure that resources and development get to the rural and far-reached areas of Nigeria”.

    The one-day programme saw deliberations among stakeholders also advised Local Government Councils across the country to have functional websites with clear communication channels such as e-mail addresses and phone numbers to enable reach to relevant authorities.

    Read Also: NASS expresses worry over killings of innocent Nigerians

    Earlier, the Senior Project Officer of Social Action, Prince Edegbuo, called on council authorities to get new development ideas that would directly affect communities.

    He said this can be done through the use of community needs assessment and inclusive and open budgeting processes.

    Edegbuo added that the dialogue was organised to enlighten stakeholders on critical questions they should be asking as it relates to the budgetary allocations in their local, as well as state governments as spent by their leaders.

  • NASS expresses worry over killings of innocent Nigerians

    NASS expresses worry over killings of innocent Nigerians

    Members of the House of Representatives adhoc committee investigating the murder of some vigilante operatives in Eke Community in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, have decried the spate of killings in the country.

    The lawmakers said that the National Assembly is worried by the way and manner the lives of Nigerians are being wasted on a daily basis in the country.

    Speaking at the Government House Enugu, when the members of the committee paid a working visit to the governor, Peter Mbah, to brief him of their mission, the chairman of the committee, Abdulraheem Sanni Egidi, expressed displeasure with the way the Nigerian soldiers killed some vigilante groups who were responding to distress call on banditry and kidnapping, adding that they were on a fact-finding assignment in the state.

    The committee expressed its resolve to unravel the reasons behind the unlawful killings of the indigenes by soldiers at Eke in Udi LGA.

    Read Also: Coalition tasks NASS on mayoralty status for FCT

    According to him, “following a motion moved by a member representing Ezeagu/Udi federal constituency,  Sunday Cyriacus Umeha, to investigate the “gruesome murder of some Nigerians by soldiers in the state on the 29th of June, 2023”, the House of Representatives resolved to embark on a fact-finding mission.

    “The House considering this as a matter of urgent public interest as it affects the lives of Nigerians, resolved to set up this ad hoc committee to among other things; investigate what actually happened on that fateful day, and punish those found culpable; visit the victims critically lying at the hospital, and families of the deceased, and urge the National Emergency Management Agency to provide relief materials to the victims of the gunshots.

    “The National Assembly is worried by the way and manner the lives of Nigerians are being wasted on a daily basis, and resolved to end this by whichever means possible”, he said.

    Egidi used the opportunity to commend Governor Mbah, for the support his administration has been giving the security agencies in his efforts to protect the lives and property of the citizens, and rid the state of crime.

    He noted that the governor has shown resolve in combatting criminality and ensuring the “protection of lives and properties of the people” by providing adequate support in cash and kind to the security agencies to complement the efforts of the federal government.

    Governor Mbah, who was represented by the deputy governor of the state, Ifeanyi Ossai, extolled the resilient spirit of the committee for being proactive in their response to the plight of Nigerians, adding that the state government would give them maximum support and protection as they discharged their duties.

    While condemning the unfortunate loss of lives, the governor called on the committee to discharge their duties without partiality, urging them to listen to all sides, including witnesses, before drawing their conclusions.

  • We will perform better than eighth NASS — Gbajabiamila

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, on Sunday said Nigerians should expect better service delivery from the ninth National Assembly.

    Gbajabiamila gave the commitment in Lagos while speaking at a reception dinner organised for him by the state government.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the dinner was attended by prominent personalities including Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau State.

    National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; a former governor of Ogun State, Chief Segun Osoba; and a former governor of Oyo State, Sen. Abiola Ajumobi, were also among those present.

    Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, were with Gbajabiamila to receive guests at the dinner.

    The Speaker said though the eighth National Assembly did its best, Nigerians expected the ninth one to surpass the achievements of the last assembly.

    He promised that the new assembly would do better than the eighth assembly and would meet the expectations of Nigerians.

    The speaker said the new assembly, particularly the House of Representatives, would do things differently to get better results.

    Gbajabiamila assured Nigerians that the new House would make hard work and commitment its watchwords in order to meet the aspirations of Nigerians.

    ”There is so much work to be done but little time to do it.We are going to work hard, we are going to do things differently.

    ”We can’t do a thing over and over again and get a different result. The ninth assembly is going to do things differently for the good of Nigerians.

    ”The eighth assembly did its best, but we will do better. We will do our best in the service in the service of the country.

    ”We started with a slogan nation-building is a joint task, it cannot be done by one person. The ninth assembly would work for the good of the country.

    ”We will put into practical terms the meaning of leadership; we are not just going to talk the talk, but we are going to walk the talk,” he said.

    Read Also: 9th Assembly: Can Lawan, Gbajabiamila deliver ‘change’?

    Gbajabiamila promised to be the speaker of all and not that of any particular region or state.

    He thanked the people of Lagos for electing him for a record fifth term in the House of Representatives, saying he would not take their support for granted.

    The speaker also thanked his family members and his colleagues in the House of Representatives for their consistent support.

    He said he was indebted to Tinubu for inspiring him politically and helping to nurture his career.

    Gbajabiamila said without Tinubu, he would not have gotten to where he was.

    The speaker said he found the narrative before the House leadership election that a vote him was giving the Speakership to Tinubu very ridiculous.

    He said those peddling that were doing so out of ignorance, as Tinubu only wanted the good of the country.

    Gbajabiamila thanked the state government for the reception dinner, saying he felt really loved by the gesture.

    Speaking, Sanwo-Olu described Gbajabiamila as a very cerebral and competent lawmaker.

    He said the state was proud to see him emerge as the Speaker of the ninth House of Representatives.

    The governor, while congratulating Gbajabiamila, said people expected so much from him.

    He urged him to use his office to better the lot of the people.

    NAN reports that the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Ahmed Wase; Rep. Abdulmumin Jibrin and other members of the lower chamber spoke in turns, highlighting the leadership qualities of Gbajabiamila.

    NAN

  • NASS: PDP leaders, others move to back Lawan, Gbajabiamila

    Some leaders of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are reaching out to newly elected or re-elected federal legislators from the party and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ensure a rancour free election of principal officers of the 9th National Assembly.

    The concerned PDP leaders, according to sources, are keen on persuading their fellow party members to shelve any idea of opposing   the preferred choices of the majority APC during the election of Senate President and Speaker of House of Representatives.

    Involved in the initiative are serving and newly elected governors, returning and outgoing senators as well as other chieftains of the opposition party.

    “To many of them, it is time for the PDP to drop the toga of a party that is seen as disrupting governance through unnecessary opposition to the executive,” one of the sources told The Nation.

    Also said to be working behind the scene for a peaceful take-off of the 9th national assembly are some non- political Nigerians.

    Another well- placed source said: “I can tell you that the current leadership of the national assembly as well as the national leadership of the PDP, have at various times, played host to prominent Nigerians, traditional rulers and elder statesmen, as well as retired military top brass to talk on the need for a peaceful inauguration of the next assembly.”

    The Nation reliably gathered that the decision of some PDP members-elect to openly endorse the candidacy of Femi Gabjabiamila as their preferred choice for the Speakership last week was a fall out of the efforts of the party leaders involved in the call for the party to play a more matured brand of opposition in the next dispensation.

    Some of the PDP legislators who endorsed Gbajabiamila, it was learnt did so with the support of their political godfathers.

    Continuing, the source said: “Currently, PDP leaders across the country are divided over how the party should approach the forthcoming dispensation. While we still have those who want our federal legislators to keep the APC government on its toes through very critical engagement in the chambers, there are now those who think otherwise, and the camp of the latter group is growing by the day.

    “Their argument is that if the party is to return to its winning ways and be taken serious by Nigerians, it must not be seen as a party which delights in stalling governance.

    “Many of them feel  it is undemocratic for the PDP to seek to prevent the majority party from forming the leadership of the national assembly through very unconventional methods like infiltrating the ranks of the ruling party and encouraging its members to disobey its directives.

    “That way, we are also encouraging disloyal acts within our own party. So, those in this school of thought are talking to party leaders and federal legislators on the need for us to change our approach as a party, and I think their efforts are yielding fruits.

    “I need not tell you about PDP lawmakers-elect who endorsed APC’s Gbajabiamila during the week. You can see that many of them are well known loyalists of prominent PDP leaders including serving and former governors as well as national leaders and Board of Trustee members.

    “That is enough to tell you that the PDP is now open to truce. It is left to the ruling party to take the fullest advantage of the trend and do more to accommodate our members-elect in the scheme of thing as the 9th assembly opens.

    “It is not a new or strange thing. Governments of national unity are formed all over the world. What should be important is the need for a better executive-legislature relationship nest time,” the source, a serving senator said.

    The Nation also gathered that efforts are on for a possible open endorsement of Senator Ahmed Lawan by some PDP senators-elect in the coming weeks. According to our source, talks are currently on between the two camps on how the opposition party will be accommodated in the 9th assembly with juicy committee and other pecks to ensure that the next senate is more harmonious than in the outgoing 8th senate.

    “Nobody is desirous of a rubber stamp senate but we all must own up that the nation lost more than it gained from the many face-offs we witnessed in this current dispensation,” the source argued.

    Consequent upon these developments, both Lawan and Gbajabiamila are said to be enjoying the support of many PDP leaders ahead of the inauguration of the 9th national assembly.

    “The laid out plan of those involved is to ensure that PDP members-elect do not stage any plot that will backfire and create fresh acrimony in the national assembly after the inauguration. They have been talking to all the stakeholders and I am sure they are supporting the APC choices for the positions. That is the more I can tell you,” another source said.

    Efforts to reach the PDP spokesperson, Kola Ologbodiyan on the matter proved abortive as calls to his lines were not going through.

    A text message sent to him remained un-replied till press time.

    However, a member of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) from the Southwest, who said he was not authorized to comment and sought anonymity, told our correspondent that the party’s leadership was  aware of the moves of the concerned chieftains and has expressed its opposition to their approach.

    “We are aware and we have told them they are going about politics the wrong way,” he said.

    “It is not for us to seek truce with the APC. It is the APC that should extend the olive branch.

    “More so, we are still at the tribunal seeking the retrieval of our mandate. How can we then seek to work with them?

    “The unfortunate part is that they are misleading some of our members-elect ahead of the inauguration of the next national assembly. I am sure we will soon make a public statement on this.”

     

  • NASS appropriates special fund for cervical, breast, prostate cancers, says Tejuoso

    The 8th National Assembly has appropriated money for the support and financing of treatment by people suffering from cervical, breast and prostate cancers.

    The special fund would come under Catastrophic Health Fund to support the financing of the three top range of cancers in Nigeria.

    The fund will be available only for those deemed poor and vulnerable.

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Senator Lanre Tejuoso, made this known to reporters during free medical fair in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital yesterday.

    Tejuoso, who is the Senator representing Ogun Central Senatorial District, added that the Senate passed the remarkable laws for the very first time in the history of Nigeria.

    The senator, who was represented by his media aide, Toba Ogunremi, said the impactful laws were passed under his leadership of Health Committee of the 8th National Assembly.

    He noted that he is also responsible for the law passage of the Pharmacy Act and Non Communicable Diseases.

    He maintained that the Eighth Assembly of which he has been part of, appropriated for the first time the BHCPF in the 2018 appropriation

    He said: “It is important to emphasize that this was not included in the appropriation estimates submitted to the National Assembly in 2018.

    ”I want to tell you that the National Assembly is in the final process of passing the legislative framework that will make Health Insurance mandatory in Nigeria.”

    He noted that the Federal Capital Territory, health insurance and SPHCDA are also included.

    According to him, the National Assembly revised the PCN Act to support task shifting endeavors and also to promote private investments in the pharma sector.

    He said: “Sustained financing for immunization and nutrition, for the first time in the history of Nigeria, has a USD250M financing to address stunting and counterpart funding for UNICEF for RUTF fully paid.”

    He lamented the inadequate physicians employed in both public and private health facilities, saying that according to ”the World Health Organisation (WHO), the ideal requirement in doctor-patient ratio should be one doctor to 600 patients; but it is pathetic that one doctor presently attends to more than 6,000 patients in this country”.

     

  • Imposed NASS leadership will fail, Dogara declares

    Speaker of House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, on Monday said the leadership of the ninth National Assembly should be allowed to emerge from elected parliamentarians.

    Dogara said that any leadership that is forced on the National Assembly will fail.

    The Speaker spoke in Abuja at the ongoing induction of Senators-elect and House of Representatives members-elect of the ninth National Assembly.

    He noted a situation where “leadership is forced and literally driven down the throat of elected members had never endured in the National Assembly.”

    He advised Senators-elect and House of Representatives members-elect to look out for those who have thrown themselves into the race to see who will aggregate their aspirations better.

    The least legislators could afford in the National Assembly, he said, is crisis on account of the leadership selection process.

    “I hope we will learn from history,” Dogara noted that leadership imposed on the National Assembly has never worked.

    Dogara said: “Well, I guess that it is not a subject matter you may want just to offer an advice on because we are all parliamentarians those that have been elected, we will be here for four years to serve the people. Leadership is always something that emerges from people.

    “Some of us that have been a bit old in the field, we know how that is done.

    “My advice is that we stay calm to understand the people going in for these positions of leadership in the National Assembly.

    “At the end of the day we are praying that we have those leaders who will be able to sustain what we have done in the Eight Assembly or even surpass what we have done. We don’t want leadership that will take us back.

    Read Also: Speaker: Dogara fingered inplot against Gbajabiamila

    “We have made a lot of mileage and we hope that we will be able to get the kind of leadership that will build on the achievements of this Assembly which is unparalleled in our legislative history.

    “I will advise members to actually look out for those who have thrown themselves into the race to see who is it that will aggregate their aspirations better and then will be able to surpass the record of this Assembly.”

    On the role of party in the emergence of leadership at the National Assembly he said: “Well, I’m not here to dictate to parties, the parties have their manifestoes, the way to do their businesses but one thing I have said and if you followed the business during this induction, it is always better to allow the leadership to emerge from the people.

    “Where leadership has been forced upon the people, the history in the National Assembly, and in fact, the history of Nigeria, it has never endured.

    “The least we could afford in the National Assembly is crisis on account of the leadership selection process.

    “So who ever a party is sponsoring and supporting, they should make sure they have the backing of the legislature so that they (legislators) accept it because they own the process and they own the leadership.

    “That way, it will be good but in a situation it is forced, literally driven down the throat, in most cases it doesn’t augur well.

    “Even in the Senate it doesn’t augur well. In the House of Representatives too, it doesn’t augur well too.

    “You are journalists, you should be able to dig into the archive and you will be able to find specific cases.”

    Senator Ali Ndume said that the National Assembly is drifting and has been privatised to some extents.

    He noted that when positions have been zoned, members of the zones should be allowed to choose among themselves.

    Ndume also said that a situation where the presiding officer rules out a member who has contribution to make should be reconsidered.

    Dogara laughed and noted that since Ndume is running for the Senate President, if he gets it he will know where the shoe pinches.

    Dogara said: “If you become the Senate President, you will like to exercise such power because I know you very well.

    “Certain unwritten rules are applied by the presiding officer to stabilise the chamber.

    “If a member raises point of order, the presiding officer may even tell him to approach the chair.”

  • NASS: Igbo won’t beg for positions, says Iwuanyanwu

    Prominent Igbo leader and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has said that the Southeast region will not be subjected to begging for the position of President of the Senate or Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    Iwuanyanwu, who spoke with The Nation in Owerri, the Imo State capital, argued that it is the right of the Southeast to produce the Senate President as a major stakeholder in the Nigerian project.

    This, he said, was after the North and the South West have emerged President and Vice President respectively.

    According to him, the current arrangement in the sharing of principal offices in the National Assembly by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is to further undermine the Igbo as one the three major tribes that make up the country.

    He observed the Igbo have made great contributions in the development and unity of the nation and should not be treated with levity at all times.

    His words: “The Southeast will not beg for the position of the Senate President or Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    “Igbo are not fools, Igbo have talented people. We have no doubt in our mind that we are being marginalised.

    “Let me tell other parts of Nigeria how the Igbo feel about issues, Igbo feel they are part of the success of Nigeria right from the time this country was founded.

    Read Also: Cut NASS salaries; no VAT hike

    “The Igbo have done better than most tribes in Nigeria, Igbo have distributed their resources across the nation.

    “Right now the Igbo are very unhappy. We have been pushed to a point of contempt and ridicule.

    “There are some people in this country who just ridicule us, some even say that the Igbo have been sacked from this country.

    “Take for instance the issue of the railway, none passed through Igboland and this is being financed with a loan that all of us will repay”.

    Iwuanyanwu also disclosed that the Igbo do not have anything against President Muhammadu Buhari as insinuated.

    According to him: “The Igbo have nothing against Buhari at all but a fundamental mistake was made in 2015 when a son of the Eastern region, Goodluck Jonathan was running for a second term. The Igbo felt he needed a second term but that does not mean that they hated Bubari in anyway”.

  • APC chieftain to Saraki, Dogara: stay off selection of NASS leaders

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Yekini Nabena has asked Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara to stay awayfrom the processes leading to the emergence of the leadership of the 9th Assembly.

    Nabena told newsmen in Abuja that the APC has learnt its lessons from the outgoing Assembly when those he described as impostors took over the leadership of the legislature, frustrating efforts of the Buhari government to effect positive change in the country.

    The APC chieftain who is also the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC said the decision of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) on the selection and zoning of principal offices in the incoming 9th National Assembly is supreme and must be respected by the party’s legislative caucus and opposition federal lawmakers.

    He said “The APC has learnt its lesson from the outgoing National Assembly when impostors masquerading as party men sabotaged our party and hijacked our mandate. Affliction shall not rise up the second time.

    Read Also: Saraki, PDP ploting to hijack Ninth National Assembly, Nabena alleges

    “The efforts by the Adams Oshiomhole leadership of the party are commendable in achieving a fair selection and zoning arrangement that appeals to a greater section of the party stakeholders.

    “APC is the overwhelmingly majority party in the National Assembly and has a legitimate right to make its choices on the selection and zoning of principal offices. The APC family is in agreement on the party’s supremacy and the PDP and other opposition parties should focus on their minority positions.”

    He stressed that outgoing Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker Yakubu Dogara and the PDP NASS caucus has been moving from pillar to post to frustrate the plan of APC by through a hidden evil plot to interfere in the emergence of incoming National Assembly leaders.

    “We are aware of the scheming by Saraki, Dogara and the PDP caucus to interfere with the emergence of the incoming National Assembly leadership. Their plans are bound to fail as the APC is a strong party with unity of purpose,” Nabena said.