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Tag: NASS

  • Recess: NASS postpones resumption to Oct. 9

    The National Assembly has rescheduled resumption from its annual recess from Sept. 25 to Oct. 9.

    This is contained in a statement by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Mr Mohammed Omolori on Sunday.

    Omolori explained that the postponement was due to activities of primary elections by political parties.

    He said, “this is to inform all Distinguished senators and Honourable members that resumption of plenary session earlier scheduled for Tuesday, 25th September, has been postponed to Tuesday 9th October due to activities of primaries of political parties.

    Read Also: Buhari arrives New York ahead of UNGA73

    “All distinguished senators and honourable members are expected to resume plenary session by 10 a.m. on the 9th of October, please.”

    The national assembly proceeded on its annual vacation on July 24 and was expected to resume on Sept. 25.

  • Fighting Corruption: Obono-Obla led panel gaining grounds against all odds

    Like a popular saying goes, ‘no amount of cleansing or bathing can change the spots on a leopard’s skin. So also to say that ‘integrity’ either positioned in front of a mirror or placed on a binocular cannot be dented. It is not a gainsaying to assert that in Nigeria today, our democracy is at risk judging the scourge of corruption practice by its citizenry in all strata which seems to grow bigger than the society itself, but however, concerted effort by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to quell or bring the scourge to the barest minimum has become an antidote that should not be swept under the carpet.

    Looking at the current events happenings in our legislative houses including both public and private sectors of the economy is an obvious fact that corruption with its hydra-headed characteristic is ever fighting back in a war the current administration has set all strategy to conquer. More so, the presidency having made the corruption fight a priority is also battling with a counter effort from within the polity and the corrupt suspects who either see no reason to comply to the good effort of the government to bring sanity to our polity or myopic to the reality of the truth about integrity pursuit of the administration.

    In the heat of all these, one man who has stood his ground to instill and uphold the pursuit of integrity in the nation is Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, the chairman of the special investigative panel, SPIP. The Presidential Panel chaired by Chief Okoi Obono-Obla was set up in pursuant to the Recovery of Public Property (Special Provisions) Act-Cap R4, LFN, 2004; an extant law for the investigation of the assets of any public officer who is alleged to have been engaged in corrupt practices, unjust enrichment of himself or any other person who has abused his office or has in any way breached the Code of Conduct for Public Officers contained in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Ever since Chief Obono-Obla became the chairman of the panel, his private life has been in the beam light by the alleged corrupt ones who has done much to either paint his image black or indict him in any unforeseen circumstance. One of it been the prying to know the authenticity of his secondary school result certificate after he has gone through series of academic pursuit to a doctorate degree level and the alleged wrongful utilization of public funds. All these according to findings are calculated attempt to silence the sterling quality of Chief Okoi Obono-Obla who has vowed to bring to book all public officers who have corruptly enriched themselves.

    However, these allegations and counter-attack on the person of Chief Okoi Obono-Obla with some findings about his life both in and out has positioned him in a true beam to ascertain whether truly he deserves the integrity accolade. Besides, these have unprecedentedly promoted Chief Obono-Obla as a paradox of justice and anti-corruption crusader in the eyes of majority of the citizenry. Despite efforts by the corrupt people to blackmail and victimize his person, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla has imprinted a mark in the anal of history as a dedicated crusader that believes so much in corrupt-free society.

    In the words of Elder Charles Ogban-Ntasi, Chief coordinator, Reclaim Our Democracy Nigeria (RODEN), in his write-up on SPIP vs NASS, he said; “Right now, our democracy is at risk. We have a National Assembly who would rather have their way on all fronts or else throw tantrums like a little child disallowed from playing with an unsafe toy. Current events in our legislative houses, if not checked would on day take the heart out of our country. We are therefore not surprised when the House committee investigating the Special  Presidential Investigative Panel for the recovery of Public property fell into the temptation of transcending the proper limits of a legislative inquiry and going on a fishing expedition to various institutions ostensibly to ascertain whether O/Level statement of result presented to the University of Jos and purportedly issued  by Mary Knoll College, Ogoja in the 80s to Chief Okoi Obono-Obla was altered or forged by him.” Chief Ogban-Ntasi queried to know the hidden motive at the bottom of the congressional investigations of the SPIP, prompting inquiry into Obono-Obla’s WASC result which according to him, appears irrelevant to the legislative investigations.

    We may be fair to say that despite all the antics of the corrupt minds to blackmail the chairman of the SPIP, the present administration’s effort to fight corruption is still ongoing to actualise its agenda. With the establishments of various Anti-Corruption Graft Agencies that include the Economic and Financial Crime Commission EFCC, Independent and Corrupt Practices Commission ICPC, The Special Presidential Investigative Panel for Recovery of Public Properties SPIP, Code of Conduct Bureau to mention but few, the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has done much to put in place strategies and polices to block loopholes and leakages through which unscrupulous officials use to siphon public funds.

    Much as we may agree that corruption cannot be wiped out in the society in a day, concerted effort by the government in empowering the anti-corruption graft agencies is yielding result despite strong oppositions. The SPIP panel can boast of some achievements in exhuming the rots of some political office holders without bias. Perhaps, the stir which has sent signal in the homes of some yet to unravel corrupt officials ignites the attack on the person of Panel chair, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla.  However, the Nigeria Change Agenda of President Buhari’s administration has also made remarkable efforts in repositioning the economy with the massive recovery of looted funds. One of such recoveries is the sum $322.5 recovered from the estate of the former Military head of State, late General Sanni Abacha in Switzerland and the subsequent distribution of some of the fund to the poorest and most vulnerable Nigerians.

    Besides, the economy is bouncing back with the return of some foreign companies to the land. Recently, Volkswagen AG announced that it is set to resume assembling of its vehicles in Nigeria in a bid to foster sales in Africa. These also include the return of the National Air Carrier, Nigeria Air that is set to start operation by December, 2018 among others. Undoubtedly, all strata of society must share the responsibility for contain corruption.

    Having mirrored all need to contain corruption and rebrand Nigeria in the eyes of the international community, Nigerians must look inward and sanitise their conscience to join the change agenda of the federal government in fighting corruption in the country.  However, the change agents like in the person of Chief Okoi Obono-Obla will always stand tall despite all odds to mar his good personal intention, commitment and nationalistic cause to reposition the country’s image.

  • 2019: NASS recommends funding INEC budget from Service Wide Votes

    The National Assembly Joint Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) has recommended the sourcing of funds for 2019 General Elections from Service Wide Votes.

    Chairman of the committee, Sen. Suleiman Nazif, made this known at the committee meeting on Thursday in Abuja.

    He said that the suggestion for the budget to be vired from the Service Wide Votes under the Special Intervention Programme (Recurrent) was to ease consideration and avoid increasing the size of the 2018 Expenditure Framework.

    Nazif also disclosed that the committee reviewed the INEC Budget from N143.5 billion to N143.3 billion, explaining that the committee reduced some line items in the budget by N200 Budget.

    He said that N50 million was deducted from N587 million for grassroots enlightenment forum and outreach activities in local government areas.

    He explained that the deduction was made in view of the fact that political parties were already involved in sensitization.

    The chairman also said that N71 million was deducted from N471 million meant for production and airing of election jingles.

    He said the National Orientation Agency and Ministry of Information were already doing that, adding that INEC did not have to burden itself with that.

    He further said that N50 million was deducted from N300 million meant for training of Continuous Voter Registration officials, adding that the training was already captured in the 2018 Budget.

    Nazif also said that N29 million was deducted from N359 million meant for monitoring of the general elections for regulatory compliance.

    According to him, the deduction was made because arrangement on monitoring has been concluded, adding that compliance was assured.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that INEC had adjusted its budget for 2019 elections from N189 billion to N143 billion in line with recommendation of the National Assembly.

    Following adjustment of the budget, Nazif, told newsmen that a sub-committee had been set up to look at the proposal and to point out any area of infraction to the committee.

    The committee had on Aug. 27, recommended N143 billion for approval for the commission’s preparation ahead of the general elections.

    This was in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s request on July 11 when he sought the legislators’ approval of N242 billion for the elections.

    Specifically, he said that N164.10 billion of the funds was urgently needed to enable INEC to commence preparations for the elections, while the balance of N78.34 billon would be provided for in 2019 Budget.

    The President had in his letter of request explained that the urgently needed N164 billion would be allocated as follows: INEC, N143.51 billion; Office of National Security Adviser, N3.86 billion and Department of State Services (DSS), N2.90 billion.

    Others are Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, N1.85 billion; Nigeria Police Force, N11.46 billion and Nigeria Immigration Service, N530.1million.

    The Senate Committee on INEC had on Aug. 16, queried the commission for presenting a budgetary proposal of N189 billion for the elections, saying it was at variance with the president’s for the polls.

    This was because, though Buhari had in his letter requested for N189 billion for the 2019 elections, he said that N143 billion was urgently needed by INEC to begin preparations for the polls.

    The money is expected to be vired from the 2018 Budget, especially from the N587 billion, which the president said was inserted by the lawmakers into the budget, raising it from N8.6 trillion to 9.12 trillion.(NAN)

  • 2019 Elections: NASS finally approves N143bn

    – Removes funds for media, monitoring and Grassroots enlightenment

     

    The National Assembly joint committee on the Independence National Electoral Commission on Thursday gave a harmonized final figure on the budget of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

    The joint committee after considering the initial request of N143,512,529,455.00, by the INEC approved the sum of N143,312,256,955,13 for the first tranche of the 2019 general election.

    A total of N200,272,500.00 was removed from Media production and airing of of election jingles, Conduct of training for continuous voters registration officials.

    Others left out by the lawmakers are: Monitoring of the 2019 general election for regulatory compliance and local government Grassroots Enlightenment forums and outreach activities.

    The chairman of the joint committee Senator Suleiman Nazif who was at the briefing with his House of Representatives counterpart Hon. Aisha Dukku in a press briefing yesterday said the request would be forwarded to the leadership of the National Assembly and the appropriation committees for further impute.

    His words:

    “The joint committee considered the request by Mr. president for the first component of the election budget of N143,512,529,455.00 to be vired under the 2018 budget due to reasons of financial constraints established in the Presidential communication to the National Assembly, while the second component of N45, 695, 015,438.00 is expected to be funded by 2019 budget, also as requested by Mr.President.

    ” Importantly, both the request of Mr. president and INEC submission to the committee marked the total package for the 2019 general election at N189,207,544,893.00.

    “Therefore the committee remains available at all times to consider any further request from the presidency for the second component of the N45, 695, 015,438.00 for the general election .

    Read Also: Buhari departs for China Friday to attend FOCAC

    “Subsequently,after signifying a reduction of N200,272, 500.00. These reductions covers item nos 64,74,125and 167 respectively. Therefore , the received figure of M143,312,256,955,13 as reached is the recommendation of the of the Joint committee that will be forwarded to both the leadership and appropriation committee. For further legislative consideration.

    “In furtherance, the committee is suggesting to the leadership of the National Assembly and the committee on Appropriation to source the funding of this budget through virement from other service-wide vote under the special intervention programme, ( Recurrent ) to ease consideration to avoid increase in the size of the 2018 expenditure framework.”

    The lawmaker said all contentious issues on the INEC budget has been resolved.

    “Nigerians can be rest assured INEC is effectively positioned to provide for Nigerians free, fair, and credible election devoid of unnecessary contentions and hitches.“

  • 2019: Group asks NASS to pass INEC budget

    The Independent Service Delivery Monitoring Group (ISDMG), on Friday asked the National Assembly to pass the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) budget without further delay.

    The group said that the delay in passing the INEC budget may jeopardise the preparations for the 2019 elections.

    A communiqué issued at the end of a one-day round-table meeting on the 2019 Election Budget Empasse held in Abuja, the group warned that all forms of intrigues and politics associated with the budget should cease immediately in national interest.

    The stakeholders drawn from different interests who cover the Civil Society, the political class, the media and citizens among others, condemned in strong term, the use of thugs and some security personnel to harass citizens and INEC officials.

    The group and frowned at the disruption of elections saying that the development portrays country in bad light before the international community.

    The ISDMG faulted the delay in submission of the INEC budget by the Presidency, since the budget was said to have been submitted to it since January, 2018 by the commission.

    The group noted the controversy trailing the INEC budget was unacceptable and unnecessary especially since the Executive ought to have submitted the budget to the National Assembly long before now.

    In a communiqué which was signed by Dr. Chima Amadi, ISDMG, Faith Nwadishi, Centre for Transparency Advocacy, Abdul Mahmud ,Public Interest Lawyers League,Comrade Sheriff Mulade, Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, among others, the group urged INEC to continue to be proactive by submitting their budget proposal in good time in a transparent and open manner.

    The group also recommended an urgent need to review the appropriation process especially when it involves the needs of INEC knowing the importance and role the Commission plays in the stabilisation of our democracy

    “We note the hard fact that the INEC budget is not like contracts that can be hidden from public purview as activities of INEC are open and easily verifiable by citizens, stakeholders and in fact, any interested party, ” the group said.

    It commended the openness of the budget process and urge INEC to continue with the practice.

    The group noted that this should be encouraged while insisting that Nigerians should support INEC as it strives within the ambits of integrity to conduct credible, free and fair elections in country.

    Read Also: Diezani ‘bribe’: INEC chiefs seek case transfer

    The group said: “That suspension of elections where there are infringements and security breaches as was done in the Rivers State constituency bye-election to protect lives and property and the integrity of the electoral process and elections should now be the norm.

    “All perpetrators of election violence must be severely punished according to the law to serve as

    deterrent to others.

    “The allegations of budget padding draw from mischief or an inadequate appreciation of the issues involved, therefore we recommend that all parties should strive to verify issues and INEC should operate an open door policy for these clarification.

    “We recommend also that stakeholders should utilize the quarterly stakeholders dialogue by the INEC Chairman to seek for information and clarify issues.

    ” We condemn the actions of the police and other security agencies that were used by unscrupulous politicians to disrupt the elections thereby putting the lives of INEC staff and citizens in danger.

    “This is bizarre, shameful, embarrassing, disgraceful and condemnable. We however, commend INEC for taking quick measures to suspend the election so as to protect the integrity of the election.“

  • 2019 Elections: Group appeals to NASS to pass INEC budget

    The Independent Service Delivery Monitoring Group has called on the National Assembly to expedite action on the passage of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) budget.

    The group in a communiqué issued on Thursday and signed by its Executive Director, Dr Chima Amadi, at the end of one-day roundtable held in Abuja, said any delay might “jeopardise” the preparations for the 2019 general elections.

    Other signatories to the communique were Ms Faith Nwadishi, Centre for Transparency Advocacy; Mr Abdul Mahmud, Public Interest Lawyers League; Mr Sheriff Mulade, Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, among others.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that President Muhammadu Buhari had in a letter dated July 11, requested Senate’s approval of N242.45 billion for the 2019 General Elections.

    The sum of N189.21 billion was earmarked for INEC.

    The group warned that all forms of intrigues and politics associated with the budget should cease immediately for national interest and good.

    Read also: INEC Budget: NASS cannot reconvene now -Saraki, Dogara

    The group faulted the delay of the INEC budget by the Executive, which was submitted to it since Jan. 2018 by the commission.

    According to the group , the logjam regarding the INEC Budget is unacceptable and unnecessary as the Executive ought to have submitted the budget to the National Assembly long before now.

    It urged INEC to continue to be proactive by submitting their budget proposal in good time in a transparent and open manner.

    The group also recommended an urgent review of the appropriation process, especially when it involves the needs of INEC knowing the importance and role the Commission plays in the stabilisation of Nigeria’s democracy.

    “We note the hard fact that the INEC budget is not like contracts that can be hidden from public purview as activities of INEC are open and easily verifiable by citizens, stakeholders, and in fact, any interested party.

    “That suspension of elections where there are infringements and security breaches as was done in the Rivers state constituency by-election to protect lives and property and the integrity of the electoral process and elections should now be the norm.

    “All perpetrators of election violence must be severely punished according to the law to serve as deterrent to others.

    “The allegations of budget padding draws from mischief or an inadequate appreciation of the issues involved, therefore, we recommend that all parties should strive to verify issues and INEC should operate an open door policy for these clarification.

    “We recommend also that stakeholders should utilise the quarterly stakeholders dialogue by the INEC Chairman to seek for information and clarify issues.”

    The stakeholders, drawn from different interests that cover the Civil Society, the political class, the media and citizens among others, condemned in strong term, the use of thugs and and security personnel to harass citizens and INEC officials.

    ” We condemn the actions of the Police and other security agencies that were used by politicians to disrupt the elections thereby putting the lives of INEC staff and citizens in danger.

    “This is bizarre, shameful, embarrassing, disgraceful and condemnable. We, however, commend INEC for taking quick measures to suspend the election so as to protect the integrity of the election .”(NAN)

  • N189bn election budget: NASS keeps INEC waiting again

    For the third time running,the National Assembly yesterday deferred its final decision on the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC’s) N189.2 billion budget proposal for the conduct of next year’s elections.

    The National Assembly joint committee yesterday put on hold further consideration on the proposal after its members  failed to resolve some grey areas in the proposal.

    At issue were the differences in modalities between the estimates sent to the legislature by President Muhammadu Buhari and the version submitted to the lawmakers by the INEC, even though the figures were the same.

    Buhari  had requested immediate approval  for  N143 billion, while the remaining N45 billion be  processed with the 2019 annual budget.

    But in its own proposal, the INEC asked for  the N189.2 billion in one fell swoop, a request that raised dissenting voices among the lawmakers.

    Budget and National Planning Minister Udo Udoma, who made a presentation to the committee, aligned with the position of the INEC.

    Apparently mindful of the delay in the passage of the yearly national budget, Udoma argued that shifting the processing of the N45 billion to the 2019 budget might put the INEC in a tight corner.

    For instance, the 2018 budget was passed in May, just as it was in the two preceding years.

    If the INEC has to wait for the balance until the passage of next year’s budget,it may never come until after the elections.

    The minister explained that   the N189.2 billion request, as presented by the President, was to be vired from funds already appropriated for some projects in the 2018 budget.

    He was, however, quick to clarify that such virement would not affect the N100 billion already allocated to constituency projects of National Assembly members.

    But the lawmakers were divided on whether to isolate the N143 billion meant for the INEC from the N45 billion meant for the various security agencies for election duties.

    The affected security agencies include the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Immigration Service.

    Some of the legislators argued that the processing of the budget proposal for the security agencies was outside the committee’s mandate, opting to refer that aspect to the Security Committee of the two chambers of the legislature.

    But some others canvassed that it should be accommodated in the ongoing process because the N45 billion budget for security was part of election expenses.

    Another area of disagreement was the source of funding for the N189.2 billion with the lawmakers sharply divided over the matter.

    In the course of deliberations, some of the committee members said the source of funding should be left to the Appropriation Committee of the National Assembly to decide.

    In his letter to the National Assembly, President Buhari had raised issues about source of funding for the entire election budget, reason why he requested that only N143 billion be processed for now.

    Relying on the President’s position, the lawmakers pointed out that processing the N189 billion at this point would overshoot the 2018 national budget, as passed by the legislature and assented to by the President.

    At every point the Chairman of the INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, was given the opportunity to make his contribution, he kept reeling out the deadline for the first round of elections in the commission’s timetable by counting the days, hours, minutes and seconds.

    At a point, some of the committee members jocularly said they were being intimidated by the INEC boss’ time count.

    The meeting resolved that  the committee should  limit its consideration to the N143 billion the President tabled before the legislature for immediate action.

    It also decided  to commence deliberation on the N45 billion for the security agencies as promptly as the President presents that request to them, even before the end of the year.

    On this note, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the INEC, Senator Suleiman Nazif, adjourned the session indefinitely.

    Also addressing the joint committee yesterday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate),Mr. Ita Enang, has expressed concern over the National Assembly’s silence on Buhari’s request for consideration of security agencies’ budgets ahead of the 2019 elections.

    Enang, said the focus had been on the INEC Budget.

    He sought to know why the 2019 election budgets for the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Security Services (DSS), Nigeria Immigration Service(NIS) and National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) as well as National Security Adviser (NSA) were not being considered.

    “My concern is that much is being said about the INEC budget. Mr President also submitted budgets for the office of the NSA, DSS, Immigration, Police and NSCDC.

    “These are budgets relating to the conduct of the 2019 elections and all I have heard and noticed emphasised is the budget of the INEC.

    “So, I just want to raise the question whether the other budgets have no problem and would be passed with the budget of the INEC or whether it will be considered later by your committee or another committee.”

    Enang said that there would be challenges in the conduct of the elections, if the budgets of the security agencies were not considered.

    His words:”If we pass the INEC budget now and do not pass the other related budgets, we will still have problem.

    “I plead that as this is considered, we should be able to consider the other budgets. ”

    Responding, the Chairman, Senate Committee Chairman on the INEC, Suleiman Nazif, said the committee was only concerned with the INEC budget.

    “This committee is essentially involved with INEC,” he said.

    “The budgets of the other agencies will be handled by another committee. Ours is the INEC.”

    Apart from the N189.2billion budget proposal for the INEC, government also earmarked  N4.3 billion for the Office of the Security Adviser, N12.21 billion for DSS and N3.6 billion for Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. The Nigeria Police Force got a proposal of N30.5 billion, while N2.6 billion was earmarked for Nigeria Immigration Service.

  • Presidency, NASS should concentrate on governance – ACF

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) on Thursday told the executive and legislative arms government to end their crisis and concentrate on delivery of good governance to Nigerians.

    ACF said the lingering crisis between the Executive and the National Assembly is not only avoidable but also very embarrassing.

    The body added that the feud has nothing to do with issues of real concern to ordinary Nigerians.

    Rising from its quarterly National Executive Council (NEC) meeting presided over by the Acting Chairman of the Forum, Alhaji Musa Liman Kwande, ACF said the crisis has affected governance, the polity and growth of Nigeria’s nascent democracy.

    A communique issued at the end of the meeting and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, said “both the Executive and the NASS members are in place in order to deliver on the promise of democracy and not to engage in unnecessary flexing of muscles that have nothing to do with real issues of real concern to real ordinary Nigerians.”

    “ACF therefore appeals to both the Presidency and the NASS leadership to sheath their swords and put the interests of Nigeria above all other pecuniary considerations.”

    On the recent blockade of the NASS by men of the Department of State Security (DSS), the communique said ACF condemned in strong terms the siege on the citadel of democracy by the agency.

    The Forum said the actions of the DSS run contrary to democratic tenets and reeks of intolerance.

    It applauded the actions taken by the Federal Government and urged it to thoroughly investigate the immediate and remote causes of the NASS blockade in order to unveil the truth and sanction all those found culpable no matter their status both within and without the service.

     

     

  • INEC budget: It’s unfortunate NASS failed to reconvene – APC lawmakers

    Leaders of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in the National Assembly said on Tuesday the lawmakers’ failure to reconvene for debate on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) 2019 election budget would spark constitutional crisis in the country

    Speaking at a meeting with the members of the National Working Committee of the party in Abuja, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yussuf Lasun, Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan and the Majority Leader in the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, said presiding officers must reconvene the National Assembly immediately to avoid any form of sabotage for the party.

    However, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, was absent at the meeting.

    Lasun said it was unfortunate that the National Assembly could not reconvene on Tuesday as earlier agreed by the presiding officers.

    He said: “I am not particularly happy that we are not able to reconvene the National Assembly today (Tuesday) because we decided few days back that we are going to seat and consider those items that are very important and may likely hamper the function of INEC and other programs without which the implementation of the capital component of the 2018 budget would have been slightly difficult.”

    Lawan said the APC Senate Caucus and the House Caucus would continue working towards averting constitutional crisis by ensuring that the National Assembly reconvened and pass the INEC budget.

     

  • Methodist Church condemns invasion of NASS by DSS personnel

    Methodist Church Nigeria (MCN) has condemned in its entirety the recent invasion of the premises of the National Assembly by masked personnel of the Department of State Service (DSS).

    This is even as the church commended the Federal Government for acting promptly in holding accountable those that were involved in the invasion.

    The Methodist Church’s position was contained in a communiqué issued after her 46th/11th biennial conference held in Aba, Abia State from August 6 to 13, 2018 under the leadership of her Prelate, His Eminence, Dr. Samuel C.K Uche JP.

    The Conference with the theme, “Strive for peace and Holiness without which no person can see God”, examined the state of the nation and the church and in view of the NASS invasion said MCN as a church would always want upheld the separation of powers as enshrined in 1999 constitution.

    MCN said it wholeheartedly supports the restructuring of the country as a necessary tool to practice true Federalism which will allow states to  tap from resources available to them and make an agreed contribution to the federal government.

    On security, the communiqué stated, “Life is sacred and must be protected; Methodist Church Nigeria therefore condemns in strong terms the mindless killing of citizens and wanton destruction of properties at different regions of the nation especially in the North Central, North West and North East”.

    As a way of curbing insecurity in the country, the communiqué advocated for creation of state police under the command of state governor who is the Chief Security Officer of the state.

    The communiqué recommended that instead of building cattle ranches for Fulani herdsmen across the country, that ranches be built for all cattle farmers in their home states. “Cattle colonies or grazing fields should not be used as a means of colonization, religious proselytising and forceful acquisition of ancestral lands of other people”.

    “We at the same time commend the Federal Government for the establishments of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps which is a fall out of state of insecurity. The Church at this time calls for proper handling of the welfare and security of those living in these camps”.

    While commending the Federal Government on the financial autonomy granted the local governments as it will enhance grass root development and prompt payment of workers’ salaries.

    The communiqué said that MCN will continue to pray for civil servants and politicians for them to join hands to lead the nation to the Promised Land.