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Tag: national assembly

  • Why National Assembly put of resumption

    More facts emerged on Monday about why the National Assembly will no longer reconvene this week as formerly planned.

    It was gathered that senators and House of Representatives members concluded that it was practicality impossible for the planned emergency session to hold and approve the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) budget in a single sitting.

    The leadership of the National Assembly had said after a meeting with the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu last week that the two chambers would reconvene today to consider and approve INEC budget and the revilement requested by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Yakubu also told reporters that he was assured that the budget for the 2019 election would be approved this week.

    A competent source however confirmed on Monday that the lawmakers will no longer reconvene in view of latest developments and the practicability of the resumption date.

    He noted that the thinking of many lawmakers was it to consider and approve Buhari’s request would take the National Assembly close to a month at the least.

    He said, “The request by President Muhammadu Buhari is not just a single line item that would just require a one day sitting.

    “The request has variety of committees that would be involved, including the Appropriations, Finance, INEC and other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

    Read Also: ‘Invasion of National Assembly bad’

    “It is different from a situation whereby the President is asking for an increase in the size of the budget through a change of benchmark.

    “The request by Mr. President is not something that can be done in one day. Even those who are pushing the agenda know it.”

    He insisted that the National Assembly cannot achieve anything even if it was reconvened in for one sitting “because the request has to be passed to the necessary committees and the committees have to meet with relevant MDAs for their input.

    He added, “Besides, there is another issue that has to do with the Constituency projects. The letter is requesting the lawmakers to remove funds from their constituency projects and use the same to fund INEC.

    “Remember that the Constituency projects are not one line items in the budget.

    “You can’t imagine how long it would take the Appropriations committees to sort out that issue with the MDAs.

    Another source noted that “Reconvening the National Assembly will not really work. It would mean that you want to keep the lawmakers around for the next one month, which defeats the idea of the annual recess.

    “The letter by the President is not just requesting for an increase in benchmark, which can be handledin one day through Senate or House resolution. Treating the letter by the President will take two to three weeks or even more weeks.”

    He said that that the logistics of securing a quorum of either the senate or the House was becoming more and more difficult as members are getting deep into their recess.

    He said, “Many of our colleagues have travelled for Hajj. Many are in their constituencies battling the challenges of re-election. If you check even with the APC right now, they can’t get up to 30 Senators and next week is Sallah, Arafat is on Monday and you will have holidays. A number of people have travelled. It is not practicable to reconvene now.”

  • National Assembly shut down: protesters defy rain to demand probe

    Hundreds of protesters led by the Campaign for Democracy and the coalition of civil society groups today trooped out to protest what they call an affront on the institution of democracy in Nigeria through last Tuesday’s siege on the  National Assembly by men of the Department of State Services (DSS)
    The protesters chanting SOLIDARITY and pro democracy songs marched through the Obafemi Awolowo Way Ikeja under heavy downpour,  to the Lagos state house of assembly.
    Speaking through their leaders, Comrade Olufemi Lawson of the Campaign for Democracy and Omotaje Saint Jericho, the protesters described the seige on the National Assembly by men of the department of stshut downate security service as an attack  on democracy and an attempt to force a civilian “coup” on the country and abort the peaceful Democratic institutions in the country. They asserted that the legislature is the only institution in the arms of government that distinguishes a democracy, from other forms of government,  as other arms of government are often in existence,  even in a military rule.
    They further said,  that just as in the days of the military rule, the civil society shall do all that is necessary in the interest of the defence of democracy and their protest will spread across the country to forestall any other attempt by any person or persons to challenge the Democratic institutions for selfish partisan reasons.
    The group asked acting President Yemi Osinbajo, to immediately constitute a judicial panel, to unravel the masterminds of the siege on the National Assembly and bring whosoever is found culpable to justice, without any delay.
    The groups called on all well meaning Nigerians and lover of democracy to come out and defend our nascent democracy and save it from the anti Democratic elements that has found themselves in power.

  • National Assembly ‘ll keep defending democracy, says Senate president

    SENATE President Bukola Saraki yesterday reiterated the resolve and commitment of the Eighth Senate and the National Assembly to keep protecting and defending the nation’s fledgling democracy.

    Saraki, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu, in Abuja, spoke when the chairmen and leaders of 45 registered political parties visited him at the National Assembly.

    He told the party leaders, led by Democratic United Party (DUP) National Chairman Chief Perry Okpara, that as direct representatives of the people, lawmakers would keep playing their role to ensure that the rule of law is followed and that human rights are respected.

    Saraki said: “I thank you for taking out time to be with us here today. Thank you for the solidarity message and we truly appreciate it as it encourages us to further do what we are doing to defend democracy in our great country.

    “The big thank you goes to all Nigerians that stood with us and have come to support us here in the National Assembly because in supporting us, you are supporting our democracy.

    “We will continue to defend it. We will continue to ensure that there is respect for the rule of law and that due process is followed across the country.

    He was optimistic that the perpetrators of the recent siege on the National Assembly have learnt their lesson from the wide condemnation that has continued to trail their action.

    Okpara told the Senate President that the visit was to show their solidarity with the National Assembly leadership for standing up in defence of democracy in the face of the recent siege to the complex by Department of State Services (DSS) operatives.

    He condemned the DSS siege and declared that as national leaders of political parties, “we cannot sit by and watch our country slide into the Hobbesian state of anarchy, where life has become short, brutish and lawless”.

     

  • ‘Invasion of National Assembly bad’

    An aspirant for the House of Representatives from  Idemili North & South constituency of Anambra State, Uche Annie-Okonkwo, has condemned the invasion of the National Assembly by operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS).

    Annie-Okonkwo, in a statement yesterday, said the DSS must apologise to Nigerians and ensure such never repeat itself.

    He said: “There are behaviours that are not just unacceptable, but pointedly so grievous and completely abhorrent. No worse act can be this abhorrent, than the rehearsed anarchy rendered in dark hoods by the DSS upon this often harassed totem of our democracy. In fact, it was an absurd theatre with no sense, too dense, with neither mirth nor rhyme.

    ”Together for Everybody—working for everyone” teamwork advocacy to facilitate Nigerian youths to take better charge of their governance arena, I was transfixed with shock when my supporters that are working so hard for me, drew my attention to what was then happening at the National Assembly, a house I ask them to vote me into and urge even more to aspire to. That was too much institutional thuggery and a debasement difficult to contain.

    ”Yes, it was good news that the architect of this script was sacked expressly, possibly even under house arrest for a prosecution that should be equally express, I therefore advise and dare to demand, that for those who my aspiration inspire, and the goodwill of mentors I draw from, an apology from the DSS is not just expedient but a healthy disinfectant  to isolate the act as personal, not a routine duty protocol.”

     

  • National Assembly reconvenes next Tuesday

    The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Yussuff Lasun, has announced that the National Assembly will reconvene on Tuesday, August 14.

    According to him, the presidential budget request to fund INEC’s operations for the 2019 polls will be the primary agenda.

     

    Details later…

  • NASS Invasion: EU worried, wants security agencies to be neutral

    The European Union (EU) have expressed concern over the recent invasion of the National Assembly by heavily armed men in hoods.

    EU stressed the importance of the law enforcement agencies staying neutral, while advocating for independence of institutions in line with the constitutional provisions.

    In a statement from the EU embassy in Abuja, the EU Heads of Mission also posited that the coming 2019 general elections are vital for the country’s peace and stability.

    The statement reads: “Heads of Missions have noted with concern recent examples of interference in the democratic process by law enforcement services – the most recent case being the barring of access to the National Assembly on August 7.

    Read Also: NASS committed to credible elections in 2019 – Dogara

    “The EU is fully committed to supporting democracy in Nigeria, and it commends the Federal Government’s swift action to protect the independence of the National Assembly as a critical pillar of democracy.

    “The EU reiterates the importance of all law enforcement services staying neutral and ensuring that independent institutions can operate in line with their constitutional mandates, free from interference and intimidation.

    “The upcoming general elections in 2019 are vital in ensuring national stability, peace and prosperity for all Nigerians. It is for the Nigerian people to decide the outcome of the elections, and the EU calls upon all stakeholders in Nigeria to play their part so that voters can make their decision through a free, fair, credible and peaceful election process. ”

     

     

     

  • Executive, Legislature feud undermining democracy – Aremu

    Labour Leader and governorship aspirant of the Labour Party in Kwara State, Comrade Issa Aremu has said that conflicts between the National Assembly and the Executive arm of government is capable of undermining good governance and democracy in the country.

    Aremu said rather than engage in brinkmanship; both the legislators and the executives must embrace statesmanship as a precondition for sustainable democratic process in Nigeria.

    Read Also:Senate invasion, injury to Nigeria’s democracy – Aremu

    Aremu who is a member of the National Executive Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress said Nigeria’s uninterrupted democracy in the last 20 years needed quality people who would stand for fundamental state principles of good governance as contained in 1999 constitution in place of what he called “politicians desperate for immediate pursuit of power and money”.

    Reacting to recent drama at the National Assembly, Comrade Aremu said the survival of the “smartest politicians” must give way to the survival of democratic process in Nigeria.

    He said democratic forces who fought for democracy must not allow the democratic process undermined by “selfishness and cheap carpet crossing”, adding that it was time Nigeria implemented the resolutions of 2014 conference with reference to code of conduct for political parties, political party office holders on carpet crossing.

    He said section 68 (8) of the Nigerian Constitution (as amended), should be further amended to “indicate that any elected official, executive or legislative, who carpet-cross, regardless of the reasons for such, shall automatically forfeit their seat. Such officials are however, free to contest for the position or indeed any other position on the basis of their new political party.

    Meanwhile, former governor of Kaduna state, Alhaji Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa has endorsed Comrade Issa Aremu for the post of governorship of Kwara state citing his commitment to struggle for social justice and development in Nigeria. Speaking when Aremu visited him, Musa said “I support Comrade Aremu 99 per cent. I would have supported him 100 per cent if he runs on PRP. But Labour Party he chooses is part of progressive families committed to socialist transformation of Nigeria”.

    Comrade Aremu disclosed that he was inspired by the progressive record of Alhaji Balarabe as the first executive governor of Kaduna state adding that “am an ideological and political son of Alhaji Balarabe Musa right from my university days”.

    Earlier the President of NUTWN, Comrade John Adaji had disclosed that the 40th anniversary of the Union would hold from Tuesday 16th to Thursday 18th October 2018. Activities include Anniversary Rallies, Lectures, Exhibitions, fashion parade and gala nite/Anniversary Awards in major textile cities of Kano, Kaduna and Lagos. National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers (NUTGWN) is one of the registered twenty-nine industrial unions, which came into existence after the amalgamation of scores of house unions in 1978.

  • National Assembly to reconvene for INEC’s budget

    The leadership of the two chambers of the National Assembly may have resolved to reconvene the feral legislature next week, to consider the N242 billion budget proposal for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the conduct of the 2019 general elections.

    This was disclosed on Wednesday by the chairman of the INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu shortly after a closed door meeting with the leadership of the two chambers of the federal legislature.

    Speaking earlier at the opening session of the meeting, Prof Yakubu said unless something is done urgently, INEC might miss the six-month window for the procurement of certain tools and equipment required for the conduct of the election.

    According to him, to meet up with the six-month window, the required funds should be in the commission’s coffers by August 15, a day that the six months will start counting before the date for the first round of election.

    The INEC chair further explained that of the N242 billion budget proposal, N164 billion was urgently needed by August 15, to enable the commission purchase the first batch of tools and equipment.

    Yakubu said the INEC would make do with the initial N164 billion, while awaiting the remaining N78 million that would be processed later through a supplementary budget.

    The INEC chair observed that this would be the first time since 1999 that the commission’s election budget would be subjected to scrutiny by the National Assembly.

    He stated that in all the previous election circles, the commission used to get its funds on time for preparations and execution of its mandate.

    While tabling the N242 billion INEC budget proposal before the legislature two weeks ago, President Muhammadu Buhari had requested the lawmakers to vire N164 billion of the estimate from funds already allocated to members’ constituency projects in the 2018 national budget.

    It’s however unclear whether the lawmakers would be considering the INEC budget along the template suggested by the President.

    Speaking earlier, the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, said the proposal from the President had not been acted upon by the Senate, stressing that the President’s letter conveying the proposal was only read to senators on the floor.

    Sating that the document has yet to be referred to the appropriate standing committees of the Senate, Saraki said the leadership of the legislature would ensure that the matter gets resolved by next week.

    On his part, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, said INEC’s budget ought not be presented through a “fire brigade” approach.

    According to him, every Nigerian knew that the general elections would be coming up in February 2019 and so provisions for the INEC’s election budget ought to have been submitted alongside the 2019 national budget proposal.

    The National Assembly leadership has yet to pick a definite date for the lawmakers to return to their duty posts for the purpose of addressing the matter.

    The federal legislature had seen on its annual vacation since July 24 and expected to resume on September 25.

    Spokesman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) National Chaorman Rotimi Oyekanmi also yesterday said the number of registered parties may rise to 85 from 68 before the elections.

    He said: “Yes. There are 68 registered political parties at the moment and we have over 130 applications from associations seeking registration as political parties. Our projection is that we might end up with between 80 and 85 political parties before the 2019 general elections.”

    He said out of this figure, 74 have failed the initial assessment of the suitability of their names and logos while 62 have passed the initial assessment. Nine (9) associations have undergone verification of their offices and proposed  leadership while 16 are either awaiting verification or yet to supply supporting documents.

    The INEC chief spokesman said despite the powers granted the commission by the electoral Act, it will be difficult to check the menace without the involvement of all the stakeholders.

    According to him, “Indeed, Section 124 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) identifies “Bribery and Conspiracy” as an offence and those who contravene it are liable upon conviction to 12 months imprisonment or a fine of N500,000 or both. However, INEC does not have the power to arrest offenders. But INEC wants all stakeholders to get involved in tackling this Voter Buying and Selling phenomenon. In any case, it is not a new thing, it only seems to be getting worse. Indeed, it is a threat to our democracy but it should not be INEC’s responsibility alone to tackle it.”

  • 2019: INEC meets NASS leadership over budget 

    The controversy surrounding the passage of the budget of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2019 general elections may soon be over, it was learnt.

    Prof. Mahmood Yakubu led INEC management Wednesday met with the leadership of the National Assembly, where the budget issue was discussed.

    Besides, the commission has no other source of funding for the 2019 election, which makes it imperative for the quick passage of the budget.

    Read Also:Kashamu counters PDP, tells INEC, Police to disregard PDP expulsion

    Confirming the meeting to our correspondent Wednesday vie email, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi stated that the meeting between the management of INEC and the leadership of the NASS was fruitful.

    He also hinted of the possibility of a quick resolution of the issue.

    He stated, “Only today, the INEC Chairman led a team to brief the leadership of both the House of Representatives and the Senate on the election budget. It was a productive meeting. INEC has enjoyed a very cordial relationship with the National Assembly and we are hopeful that the budget issues will be resolved soon.

    “INEC does not have any other source of funding than the federal budget. The Commission is confident that the budget issues will soon be resolved.”

    Oyekanmi also confirm the possibility of knew political parties springing up before the 2019 general election.

    There are 68 registered political parties in the country as of today, this he however said may go up to between 80-85.

    Oyekanmi who was responding to a question on the possibility of emergence of new political parties ahead of next year’s poll said, “Yes. There are 68 registered political parties at the moment and we have over 130 applications from associations seeking registration as political parties. Our projection is that we might end up with between 80 and 85 political parties before the 2019 general elections.”

    Prof. Yakubu had in a recent briefing hinted that the commission was processing 136 request from associations seeking registration as political parties.

    He said out of this figure, 74 have failed the initial assessment of the suitability of their names and logos while 62 have passed the initial assessment. Nine (9) associations have undergone verification of their offices and proposed leadership while 16 are either awaiting verification or yet to supply supporting documents.

    On the ruling of a Federal High Court in Abuja calling for the arrest of the commission’s chairman, the media aide to INEC boss said the commission will not be joining words with the presiding Judge.

    He however stated that the commission had appealed the earlier ruling.

    “The Commission will not join issues with the Hon. Justice Pam. However, the INEC Chairman had already filed an appeal against his previous ruling and the Court’s attention was drawn to this fact,” he stated.

    A Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice Pam on Wednesday  ordered the Inspector General of Police to arrest and produce INEC chairman in Court on August 14, 2018.

    On the latest issue of vote buying, he said despite the powers granted the commission by the electoral Act, it will be difficult to check the menace without the involvement of all the stakeholders.

    According to him, “Indeed, Section 124 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) identifies “Bribery and Conspiracy” as an offence and those who contravene it are liable upon conviction to 12 months imprisonment or a fine of N500,000 or both. However, INEC does not have the power to arrest offenders. But INEC wants all stakeholders to get involved in tackling this Voter Buying and Selling phenomenon. In any case, it is not a new thing, it only seems to be getting worse. Indeed, it is a threat to our democracy but it should not be INEC’s responsibility alone to tackle it.”

     

  • DSS intervention saved planned violence in NASS, says APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that the intervention of security operatives prevented what could have led to a planned violence which could have led to possible deaths, injuries and destruction of property in the National Assembly on Tuesday.

    Acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Yekini Nabena said in a statement that the Senate President, Bukola Saraki mobilized thugs to the National Assembly that would have foment violence in the legislative chamber all in a bid to stop his impeachment.

    Read Also:DSS boss Daura fired

    He said it was curious that only PDP lawmakers were present at the National Assembly as early as 7.00am while those they accused of plotting to impeach the senate President were busy holding their meeting at a different location outside the assembly.

    The statement reads: “Following Tuesday’s incident at the National Assembly, our investigations have now uncovered the sinister plot hatched by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki to foment violence in the legislative chamber all in a bid to stop his impeachment.

    “Our investigations uncovered and noted “the timely intervention of the security operatives forestalled the planned violence which could have led to possible deaths, injuries and destruction of property in the National Assembly on Tuesday.

    “Why did the Senate President mobilise thugs to the National Assembly who almost lynched Hon. E.J. Agbonayinma, the only APC federal lawmaker present but for the timely intervention of security operatives.

    “Why did the Senate President reconvene the National Assembly? Ostensibly as a pre-emptive move to frustrate federal lawmakers move to impeach him. Is it not curious that only Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) federal lawmakers were present in their numbers-some as early as 7am, while the majority APC federal lawmakers were elsewhere holding a caucus meeting on the state of the nation.

    “We call on security agencies and relevant bodies to as a matter of urgency probe these findings and take all necessary and legitimate action to stop these illegalities which pose a direct and ominous threat to our democracy.

    “As espoused in our earlier statement, whilst our contention with the leadership of the National Assembly as currently constituted is a matter of public record, we still believe that the legislature as an independent arm of government must be allowed free reign for vibrant contestation of ideas and values amongst its members within the context of their constitutional mandate and for the benefit of the Nigerian people.

    “Finally, we reiterate our call for the Senate President to resign from the position immediately as he no longer has the moral and legitimate ground to occupy that position as a member of the minority PDP. Going by the popular axiom, ‘the majority will have their way, but the minority will have their say”.