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  • NASS Seige: Promoters are cowards, says Saraki, Dogara

    …Senate President vows not to resign

    …Praises Osinbajo for sack of DSS DG

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, on Wednesday said that Tuesday’s siege on the National Assembly was an act of cowardice by those seeking to illegally impeach him and Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

    Saraki also vowed not to resign his position because he was elected Senate President by majority of senators.

    This is contained in a joint statement delivered by Saraki at a press conference in Abuja.

    Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday barricaded the National Assembly gate preventing senators, House of Representatives members, assembly workers and journalists from having access to the Assembly Complex.

    The action of the security operatives, which they claimed was an “order from above” almost, degenerated to break down of law and order.

    Saraki at the crowded press conference with a battery of cameras insisted that the siege was an act of cowardice by those seeking to carry out an illegal impeachment of the leadership of the Senate in flagrant disregard of the law.

    He said that the promoters of the siege were people who seek control at all costs, by whatever means, never minding the injury to democratic norms.

    The Senate President noted that the siege was part of the manifestation of “a government within this government” which he alluded to about two years ago.

    He said that it is curious and beats his imagination how the head of a security agency could have authorized the brazen assault on the legislature that was witnessed on Tuesday.

    Saraki said that it was a matter of record that on Tuesday, lawmakers and staff of the National Assembly were prevented from entering the National Assembly Complex by heavily armed security agents of the DSS.

    He said that all entries to the Complex were blocked as early as 6.30 am.

    He noted that the National Assembly, the seat of democracy in the country, was under lockdown.

    The Senate President described the ensuing standoff, as “a show of shame that played itself out over several hours in full view of the country.”

    He noted that in no circumstances should the siege have taken place.

    Saraki said that Nigeria as a nation, “reaped the bitter fruits instantaneously, as evident in media images relayed around the world, images that shame us as a democratic nation.”

    He said, “We have to say that this is not about us – Abubakar Bukola Saraki or Yakubu Dogara as an individual. It is not about Ike Ekweremadu, nor is it about Yusuf Lasun.

    “We are speaking for my colleagues when I say that this is about the soul of Nigeria, what we represent as a country, (people) and our standing in the comity of nations.

    “This is a country where so much is expected of us, so many rungs of the ladder that we are supposed to have ascended as a nation.

    “Instead we are wallowing in impunity and illegal show of force, all of which retard our progress.

    “This is most disheartening. We don’t get any joy in saying: We said so. We don’t.

    “However, some of you may recall that about two years ago, I stated that there was a government within this government, to a purpose that was not in the interest of what the people voted for.

    “I said it then, and now, almost on a daily basis, we are seeing the manifestations of that government within a government.

    “It beats one’s imagination how the head of a security agency could have authorized the brazen assault on the legislature that we saw yesterday.

    “Only recently we saw in Benue how 8 members of the 30 members of State House of Assembly with the collaboration of security forces, DSS and police tried to impeach the Governor.

    “Despite the threat to our lives, we shall continue to fight impunity and injustice in this country.

    “Happily by the actions that Nigerians took on Tuesday, they demonstrated our strong resolve as a nation not to give ground to oppression.

    Read Also: Day of drama at National Assembly

    “The legislature, more than any other institution in this country, more than any other arm of government, represents the will of the people.

    “We are elected by the people, and an assault on the legislature is an assault on the people of Nigeria.

    “The forcible shutdown of the legislature was an unconscionable assault on a national institution, and thanks to all your efforts, the aggressors have been put to shame.

    “The resistance mounted by staff of the National Assembly, our colleagues in both chambers and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) who refused to leave the entrance of this Complex until the siege was broken, strengthens our faith in the people of this country.

    “The rain fell, the sun rose, but Nigerians stood their ground in defence of democracy.

    “With the strength of will demonstrated by everyone against unwarranted and unconstitutional militaristic might, the siege could not stand.

    “By this, we have shown that Nigerians can resist government within government in whatever guise, and this is humbling for us.

    “Those who sought to defend the attack on the National Assembly under our leadership for their selfish ends have further affirmed our belief in this country.

    “They attempted to execute an illegal impeachment of the leadership of the Senate without the backing of the law, but they faltered. We are confident that, together, we shall always defeat acts of unconstitutionality. The rule of law shall always prevail.”

    The Senate President thanked those who monitored the situation on radio, television and social media, voicing their outrage at the siege, “thereby sending a clear message to those that hatched the plot that the Nigerian public would not buy this act of gangsterism using instruments of state such as the DSS.”

    He also thanked the international community – particularly the European Union that visited the complex – and the international press, for their prompt reactions to the invasion of the National Assembly.

    Saraki singled out for special mention, Hon. Boma Goodhead, a member of the House of Representatives, spectacularly standing up to challenge DSS operatives.

    He said, “She looked a masked security operative in the eye and dared him to shoot. She let it be known that Nigerians would not stand for the barricade at the National Assembly, that we would not be cowed.

    “It was another pointer to what is possible in this country when women take their place in leadership.”

    The principled stance and defiant reactions to the ugly incident, he said, proved crucial to the failure of the plot.

    He said, “This is what we have been saying about the power of the people. The role of the people in defending democracy is paramount.”

    Saraki also thanked the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, “for his handling of the situation we were all confronted with yesterday (Tuesday).”

    Prof. Osinbajo’s “decisive action went a long way towards restoring confidence and the image of our country.”

    “It sent a powerful message – that the DSS cannot be recklessly deployed against institutions of our democracy.

    “The path of leadership is not by party, and we must commend it wherever it is found.

    “Mr. Acting President did the right thing. However, the damage control so far does not address the question of how this invasion was allowed to happen in the first place” Saraki said.

    Saraki said that they had it on good authority that the incident has been in the planning for months.

    He said, “How is it that such an atrocity was not prevented? How is it that the masterminds were not deterred? Very serious questions remain that can only be answered by a full investigation.

    “We call for an investigation, and we demand that all perpetrators are brought to book.

    “We owe it to ourselves to ensure that such a situation never occurs again.

    “Many agencies have abused their powers and acted outside the ambit of the law on occasion.

    “Where abuses occur, similar actions must be taken immediately and full investigation instituted.

    “We must say that when we fought for Change, we could not have envisaged a scenario such as unfolded yesterday (Tuesday) – an atmosphere where people cannot tolerate dissent, or mere differences of opinion as to the future of our dear country. This is not the Change we fought for.

    “We did not fight for instruments of state to be used to oppress Nigerians and their lawmakers. We know that we, certainly, did not fight just so the legislature could be undermined and subjected to this onslaught.

    “There are many lessons to be drawn from the ugly incident we all witnessed yesterday.

    “For one, government must ensure that security agencies remain neutral and act in line with the position of the constitution as well as their enabling laws.

    “Heads of agencies should be accountable, and those who step out of line must be held responsible for their actions. Enough with impunity. Enough with the reckless and senseless deployment of militaristic force. Enough.

    Saraki noted that in dark cloud, “we can see the silver lining, and that silver lining is the commitment of Nigerians to defending their hard-won democracy.”

    The Senate President assured that they were committed to doing their utmost as lawmakers to ensure that the responsibility and functionality of governance are met.

    He said, “Although we are on annual break, we are daily reviewing the situation and are alive to the responsibility to take action as necessary.

    “Unfortunately, yesterday’s (Tuesday’s) shutdown prevented us from meeting with INEC, as scheduled, to address their request.

    “We will continue to do all to ensure a smooth and successful 2019 election.

    “In the spirit of that we also appeal to Mr. President to sign the new 2018 Electoral Act Amendment Bill in line with his recommendations, which has been sent for his assent.”

    Saraki reiterate that neither myself, Deputy Senate President or Speaker belong to the class of politicians that are desperate to stay in power by al means and at all costs.

    According to him “The day, two thirds of our members feel they do not have confidence in our leadership, we will gracefully bow out.

    “I repeat again and again, this is not about us, but about respecting the constitution and the rule of law.”

    Asked if he would resign due to stringent demands for him to give way following his defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Saraki was categorical that he would not.

    He said that he was duly elected by members not because he was a member of the APC.

    Saraki said, “I was not given the seat of the Senate President. I was elected by members. Secondly, according our Constitution, it says members of the National Assembly who are elected can elect their leaders. It does not say you have to come from a political party.”

  • Day of drama at National Assembly

    It was all drama and confusion at the National Assembly yesterday. Holidaying lawmakers, who showed up at the sprawling complex had a hectic time going into their offices, with Department of State Services (DSS) men blocking their way, GBADE OGUNWALE ONYEDI OJIABOR, VICTOR OLUWASEGUN and DELE ANOFI report.

    FOR hours yesterday, a dark pall enveloped the National Assembly. Masked security operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) took over the complex.

    It was a day after the leadership of the legislature announced a meeting of principal officers of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The meeting was scheduled for 12 pm.

    It was to be followed with another one with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof Mahmood Yakubu. But, as early as 7am, all entry points into the National Assembly complex had been taken over by security personnel.

    For over an hour, they prevented people, among them lawmakers, management and staff of the National Assembly and journalists covering the assembly – from accessing their offices. Not even visitors were spared.  Some journalists who attempted to pictorially record the development had their gadgets seized by the hooded DSS operatives. Some of their gadgets were returned to their owners back intact. But, a few others got their phones and recording equipment damaged. There were several alternations and stand-offs with the security operatives as some of the lawmakers attempted to force their way into their offices.

    After about one hour, security was a bit relaxed and the people were allowed in after due scrutiny. The main lobby, located directly in front of the Senate Chambers became a meeting point. Chairs were fetched from adjoining halls for the lawmakers to take their seats.

    The upper chamber had been locked, since the lawmakers proceeded on recess from July 25 to resume September 25. The senators that assembled at the lobby were mostly the ones loyal to the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki. They were about 47 in number. They were joined by some House of Representatives members.

    News had filtered in the previous day, that some senators of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), led by the Senate Majority Leader, Ahmed Lawan, had hatched a plot to impeach Saraki and the Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu. Saraki’s sin, according to the Lawan group, was his decision to retain his seat after defecting to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). As the pro-Saraki senators gathered at the lobby of the National Assembly, the Lawan camp was said to be meeting at a secret location somewhere at the Asokoro District in the capital city.

    After sitting for hours, some of the lawmakers started showing signs of fatigue, with a few of them dozing off on their seats. By 1pm, hunger set in. But, controversial Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West) had a solution. He had ordered for snacks and soft drinks for the famished lawmakers as refreshments.

    The camp became livelier as they devoured the refreshment and washed it down with bottles of soft drinks. A few of them actually came prepared as they came with bottles of wine – alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

    Throwing banters at one another, Senator Albert Akpan (PDP, Akwa Ibom) told his colleagues that he was tired of being holed up at the lobby. Facing Melaye, Akpan said jokingly: “Look, I am tired o, and I am going to defect”. Meaning he would abandon the Saraki group for the Lawan camp. Quickly, Melaye removed Akpan’s pair of shoes, saying: “Oya, let me see how you can leave without your shoes”. Melaye then handed the pair of shoes to Senator Peter Nwaoboshi (Delta) who quickly went to hide them. Then Melaye teased Akpan: “We can’t allow you to defect like your former boss”, ostensibly referring to Senator Godswill Akpabio, who had just resigned his position as Minority Leader after announcing his defection to the ruling APC.

    Then out of the blues, news filtered in about the sack of the DSS Director- General, Lawal Musa Daura. The initial reaction among many of the senators at the lobby was that of disbelief. “It can’t be true”, some of them declared. But, the confirmation soon came that Acting President Yemi Osinbajo actually signed Daura’s sack letter.

    The news brought some relief to the pro-Saraki senators who were waiting at the lobby, in anticipation of the long awaited “offensive” from the Lawan group. The DSS operatives who had taken position at different points started converging in groups of twos and threes. They were discussing in whispers with disbelief in their countenance.

    They had received the news of the sack of their boss. They started milling around in a secluded area of the lobby, apparently discussing what to do. A few minutes after, they started leaving the National Assembly complex the same way they came.

    The police then resumed their official duties as security personnel attached to the legislative complex. Instantly, the mood at the lobby swung from melancholy to a joyous one. By 2.47pm, Saraki walked in to a tumultuous reception. Looking triumphant and resplendent in his grey-flowing gown, he was welcomed with a loud ovation and chants of Oloye, Oloye by the entire assemblage of lawmakers and workers.

    After acknowledging cheers for about 15 minutes, he left the lobby and made his way out of the complex. At this point, it was obvious that the siege was over. The lawmakers started dispersing one after the other. And the day’s job was done.

    Mayhem averted at law chamber

    THERE was confusion in the National Assembly yesterday. Some lawmakers, who had adjourned on July 25 till September 25, showed up at the sprawling complex on a day when only principal officers were invited to a ‘crucial meeting’.

    Drama started at about 6.30am when armed and masked personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS) operatives barricaded the National Assembly’s second gate.

    The operatives initially denied senators and House of Representatives members access into their offices within the National Assembly Complex.

    The lawmakers were only allowed in when a House member Oboma Goodhead (Rivers) challenged the operative and dared them to shoot her.

    Like the Rivers lawmaker, all early comers into the National Assembly were prevented from entering the complex.

    The arrival of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators compounded the tensed situation. The PDP senators appeared to have prepared to do battle with whoever stood in their way.

    Two of the early arrivals –  Senators Rafiu Ibrahim (Kwara South) and Dino Melaye (Kogi West) – were prominent loyalists of Dr. Bukola Saraki, who has been under to relinquish the Senate President’s position, following his defection to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    They were seen making frantic phone calls.

    Ibrahim and Melaye went straight to keep watch over the door leading to Senate chamber in an apparent move to prevent entry into the chamber.

    By 10:00am, the situation became more charged as unconfirmed information began to fly around that some lawmakers were plotting to remove Saraki and his deputy Ike Ekweremadu for office.

    Senator Ben Murray Bruce later emerged in the foyer from where he and his colleagues were keeping vigil at the Senate chamber door to tell reporters that they were waiting for former Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, to lead the invasion of the National Assembly.

    Bruce noted that they were informed that Akpabio was allegedly mobilised to lead those who planned to invade the National Assembly to impeach Saraki and Ekweremadu.

    “We are waiting for Akpabio. He should hurry up as time is of essence. Akpabio should come we are waiting for him,” Bruce insisted.

    The Bayelsa senator, who also described the situation as a coup added: “This is the worst coup I have ever seen. President Buhari should fire all the people involved in this coup. The sacked DSS DG was just made a scape goat. He was sacrificed for the interest of others.”

    By 12. 35pm, Deputy Speaker, Yusuff Lasun had a brief chat with the security operatives and he was allowed to drive into the Assembly complex. He was the first to be allowed to drive into the complex.

    Other lawmakers were asked to leave their vehicles outside the complex gate.

    Lasun spent about 10 minutes inside the complex and came out to address reporters.

    He said that the meeting of the leadership of the National Assembly could not hold due to the siege on the complex by men of the DSS and the Nigeria Police Force.

    The deputy speaker, however, denied knowledge of any plot to impeach the senate president and his deputy.

    He explained that the leadership meeting was called off as he made his way through the gate.

    Lasun further said that it will be impossible to impeach Saraki without following the due process.

    He also saw no wrong in the convergence of his colleagues on the lobby of the White House that housed the two chambers of the National Assembly, saying it was their own way of defending the nation’s democracy.

    Lasun said: “The meeting has been called off now. Until I got here this afternoon, I didn’t know there are others issues. I have come here specifically for the meeting of the leadership of the National Assembly.

    “I got the message through text message that the meeting scheduled for 12pm has been called off. For our colleagues that are keeping vigil in the lobby of the chambers, I won’t say more than that is the only way they feel they can defend our democracy. There is nothing negative about it because there can never be a National Assembly if there are no legislators.

    “Everybody read it on the pages of newspapers but don’t forget, this is the normal time for our annual recess and so, we have not done anything unusual.

    “I don’t know the agenda for this afternoon’s meeting but with the situation on ground now, you all know that a meeting can never be peacefully held.”

    When asked if APC senators are plotting to impeach the Senate President, he denied any knowledge of such plot, saying: “I’m not aware of any plot. I am an APC member and I’m not aware of any plot to impeach the Senate President.

    “However, don’t forget that it is difficult to impeach an officer of the National Assembly because no matter the method you are going to use, you need two third of the members and not two third of sitting members but two third of the totality of the numbers of the legislators before you can impeach.”

    On his own, Melaye said that what happened at the Assembly Complex yesterday was a civilian coup and vowed that PDP senators were determined to continue to stand up for democracy.

    The Kogi West senator claimed that those behind the impeachment plot planned to import a mace from Nasarawa State House of Assembly.

    There was a report that the senators opposed to the national assembly leadership were articulating their position at a popular hotel within Abuja.

    Banks and other businesses in the complex were closed till evening. Vehicles of lawmakers clogged at the entrance of the complex and hundreds of staff and visitors milled around the various gates, barricaded DSS vehicles. There were very few police personnel.

    The Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Mohammed Sani Omolori, was also denied entry into the complex. He was denied access by security operatives.

    However, having found that the operatives might be under strict instructions from above, Omolori, who contacted someone on the phone. He was told that he could go in.

    “How can I go in when my staff are not allowed. Who am I going to work with?”  He asked the person on the other end. After several minutes of muted conversation, the CNA turned back towards his car.

    Before entering his vehicle, he had a word with the Chairman of the staff union, Ahmed Bature, whom he told to calm the workers down. He entered his car and left after spending less than 15 minutes within the complex.

    Bature thereafter addressed the few workers at the gate briefly. He told them to calm down, that those who might want to wait behind could do so but advised that since the CNA had left, it would be better to watch developments from their homes.

    The senate president who was billed to address the press today, walked into the National Assembly lobby around 3.40pm.

    He walked into the warm embrace of his loyalists and sat with them at the lobby for few minutes before heading for his office.

    As at last night, 49 senators had signed a register in what appeared to be a vote of confidence on Saraki.

    Senator Biodun Olujimi (Ekiti South) coordinated the signing of the vote of confidence register. She was assisted by Ibrahim.

     

  • NBA describes invasion of National Assembly as threat to democracy

    …Cautions against use of security agencies to settle political scores

     

    The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) has added its voice to the general condemnation of Tuesday’s invasion of the National Assembly by security personnel.

    NBA, in a statement by its President, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), described the action by the security personnel as unconstitutional and constituting as grave threat to democracy.

    Read Also:Saraki storms National Assembly

    Part of the statement reads: “The Nigerian Bar Association condemns this brazen and blatant act of the security personnel and demands the immediate withdrawal of these personnel.

    “This action is unconstitutional and poses a threat to our democracy. We call on the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) to immediately call the security forces to order.

    “The Nigerian Bar Association condemns, in the strongest terms the attempt, by the government or any faction of the political class to drag the Nigerian security forces into their ongoing political bickering and manoeuvres, totally unrelated to their responsibilities of governance for which they were elected.

    “We call on the military, the Nigeria Police, Department of State Security and all other security agencies not to engage in any unconstitutional operations or allow themselves to be dragged into partisan political activities directly or indirectly.

    “We want to remind the heads of these security agencies that there is sufficient framework under domestic and international law to hold them accountable for illegal and unconstitutional operational use of security personnel.

    “The Nigerian Bar Association will continue to monitor the current situation and will not hesitate to take further and more drastic action in defence of Nigerian democracy should this call remain unheeded.”

  • Osinbajo condemns takeover of the National Assembly

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, has described the unauthorized takeover of the National Assembly complex on Tuesday as a gross violation of constitutional order, rule of law and all acceptable notions of law and order.

    In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Laolu Akande, Osinbajo said that the unlawful act which was done without the knowledge of the Presidency is condemnable and completely unacceptable.

    Read Also: Osinbajo sacks DSS boss

    “By this statement, Professor Osinbajo is consequently assuring Nigerians that all persons within the law enforcement apparatus who participated in this travesty will be identified and subjected to appropriate disciplinary action,” he stated.

  • Unusual security cordon at N’Assembly

    An unusual security blanket was thrown around the National Assembly Complex in Abuja on Tuesday by men of the Department of State Security (DSS).

    The National Assembly staff, legislative aides and journalists who arrived the complex before 7:00 a.m. met stern-faced operatives of the DSS who disallowed entry into the premises.

    Shortly before 8:00 a.m. when The Nation visited the National Assembly Complex, about 20 policemen were at the outer gate, with only very few bearing their usual AK-47 rifles.

    However, at the second gate, the situation was entirely different as nine masked and gun-wielding DSS operatives dressed in black fatigues along with several other unarmed DSS personnel in suits and regular clothing firmly stopped people from going to the complex.

    The armed men who also had black face masks and hand gloves carried the standard IMI Tavor Tar-21 assault rifle produced by Israeli military industries.

    Three Ford Ranger SUVs without number plates were also packed in front of the gate ostensibly to disallow anyone from driving in.

    A young man who was making a video recording with his mobile phone stopped immediately he was threatened by one of the masked DSS personnel who pointed and warned: “If I catch that your phone now, I go march am.”

    Initially, everyone, including senators and members of the House of Representatives were barred from entering the complex but at about 8:00 a.m., 47-year old Hon. Boma Goodhead who is a sister to militant leader, Asari Dokubo defied the gun-toting security operatives and became the first lawmaker to enter the complex.

    After the entry of Goodhead, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member representing the Asalga/Akulga Federal Constituency in Rivers state, several senators and House of Representatives members such as Teejay Yusuf from Kogi State, Kingsley Chinda from Rivers State, Agbedi Frederick from Bayelsa State, Razaq Atunwa from Kwara State and Joseph Akinlaja from Ondo State came in.

    Senators who gained entry at 8:15 a.m. included Senators Ben Murray Bruce, Ubale Shittu, Isa Hamma Misau , Biodun Olujimi and Rafiu Ibtrahm .

    All of them walked in through the second gate with their Identification Cards (IDs) on their chests while their SUVs and other exotic cars were parked outside the gate unlike the usual practice where they drive straight to their respective chambers.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Why National Assembly must reconvene now, by Presidency

    The Senior Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang, at the weekend urged the National Assembly to reconvene to consider “urgent matters of national importance” pending before it.

    Among these are the approval of a supplementary budget to fund the 2018 budget and the virement request by President Muhammadu Buhari to enable the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) begin preparations for the 2019 polls.

    Also pending is the clearance for appointments into critical positions.

    Enang warned that the lawmakers’ holiday, which began on July 24 to end on September 5, might stall the allocation of funds to critical sectors of governance and the economy.

    Speaking in Lagos, he listed the pending key appointments as those in Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and Code of Conduct Bureau, among others.

    Senate President Bukola Saraki announced the adjournment at plenary the day he read  letters of defection by some senators following a motion on the alleged siege to his and Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu’s houses by security operatives.

    The House of Representatives also went on recess same day after reading letters of defection by some lawmakers.

    Enang noted that although the lawmakers planned their vacation to coincide with the school holidays so that members can spend time with their children, there were exceptional grounds for the holiday calendar to be adjusted.

    He said: “In fairness to the National Assembly, they scheduled to consider these matters on the 24th, 25th and 25th of July, i.e. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, but certain unforeseen events happened that they had to adjourn. Therefore, they did not deliberately keep these matters and went away.

    “The matters include virements, settlement of appointments, supplementary budget, borrowing plan, INEC fund and so on.

    “I want to say that we are appealing to the National Assembly, that we accept that it was not intended by them that the country should suffer. They had made plans to approve this before the exigency that made them to adjourn, but I want to appeal to them, that they should please consider reconvening for the purpose of considering these urgent matters which are capable of making the government not perform and deliver on time.”

    Enang noted that if the supplementary budget was not passed, “the money that is intended to enable INEC to prepare for the 2019 election will not be released and the virement that is supposed to enable funds to be available to other sectors of the economy will not be available and, so, budget cannot really start performing.

    “We are appealing to Senate leadership and all caucuses of the National Assembly to see this as a clarion call for the good of the nation.

    “As the Liason Officer between National Assembly and the Federal Government, I know it is not the intention of the lawmakers to make Nigerians suffer.

    “We are not compelling them; we are appealing to them. As a liason officer between the Presidency and the NASS, my duty is to make sure that both arms stay together and work in harmony.”

    On lawmakers defections, Enang explained that it had nothing to do with the performance of President Muhammadu Buhari and that the issues for defection were personal and domestic to the political actors.

    He said the defections were no sign that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was divided.

    Enang said: “There is no division in the All Progressives Congress that is known to law and there is no division along the line, R APC was generated to justify the action of the defectors.”

    According to him, the defections are perennial and usually happen in election when where politicians look for platforms to achieve their aspirations.

    “In all the defections, they have maintained that they do not have problems with the Federal Government.

    ‘There is too much competition within the major political parties. Politicians study the platforms and would not want to be where they may not get the tickets, especially for those seeking re-election.

    “Some need automatic tickets, but their parties may say no.

    “Defections are not a sign of anything to worry about in a political party. None of the defectors is complaining about executive treatment of their people, but about winning nominations.”

  • 2019: Defections won’t stop Buhari’s victory – Tony Momoh

    A former Minister of Information, Chief Tony Momoh, on Friday said the exit of some bigwigs from the All Progressives Congress (APC) would not stop President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election in 2019.

    Momoh, also an APC chieftain, expressed the view in a telephone interview our reporter in Lagos.

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Sen. Dino Melaye , Sen. Bernabas Gemade were some members of National Assembly that dumped the APC for the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) in recent days.

    Read Also:Buhari ‘not bothered’ about defections in APC

    Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto, Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue and Gov. Abdul Fatah Ahmed of Kwara had also left with many of their state houses of assembly members to the PDP.

    The Publicity Secretary of APC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, who is political godson of Saraki had also left the party for PDP.

    Momoh said while the defectors might get substantial votes for their new party in their respective areas, Buhari would still win in their domains.

    The former minister said Buhari got more votes than most of the defectors in their respective zones and states, and the same thing would happen in the next election.

    He said that the president had done well as a leader, and Nigerians would show appreciation and re-elect him.

    “I do not think the defection would stop the President from winning in the next election.

    “I will not say that it will not affect the votes of the president; votes are about people, and now that some people have left, it will have some impact.

    “But I do not think that the impact will be such that it would stop the president from winning.

    “Come to think, the president got more votes more than the defectors in their senatorial zones and states mostly in the North in 2015.

    “Overall he got 15million votes in the election. Now that he is president who has performed well, he will get more votes mostly in the South-South and South-East.

    “He has delivered great projects in these two regions which did not really vote for him in 2018.

    “The votes the president will get in these regions will make up much more for the very few votes he might lose to defections in the North,” he said.

    Momoh said APC should not lose sleep over the defection, as Buhari would record his biggest win ever in 2019.

    The former minister said the president had not disappointed Nigerians on the three-pronged promises of security, corruption and economy on which he campaigned.

    He said the second term of the president would enable him to consolidate on his present achievements.

  • 2019: Speaker urges Nigerians to ensure credible elections

     Mr Chikwendu Kalu, the Speaker, Abia House of Assembly, has cautioned Nigerians not to undermine free, fair and credible elections in 2019 in order to sustain democracy.

    Kalu gave this warning in an interview with newsmen in Umuahia on Friday.

    According to him, Nigeria is bigger than any individual; therefore, the national interest must be of paramount importance.

    The speaker called for ethical rebirth and attitudinal change among Nigerians in enhancing the much desired transformation of the nation’s economy.

    “As far as I’m concerned, there is the need to work around our attitudes and ethics; it is about laws, and our attitudes.

    “The Nigerian society is not disciplined. We don’t obey the laws made for ourselves. The earlier we play by the rules of the law, the better for us in 2019,” he said.

    Kalu expressed worry about the inability of the executive to implement the laws made by the legislature, saying that it had hindered the progress of the country.

    Read Also: Why I declared early for 2019 elections —Buhari

    On the spate of killings, the speaker said the present security architecture was not strong enough to guarantee the safety of Nigerians.

    “That is why we are clamoring for the establishment of state police. I think it has passed the second reading in the National Assembly,” he said.

    On the wave of defection among the political parties, Kalu said it had nothing to do with political parties; rather it is about Nigerians exercising their freedom of expression and association.

    He said he foresaw a situation, where Nigerians would in this regard; vote out some politicians they felt had not done well in 2019.

    The speaker also called on the people of Abia to support Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu for his second term bid in 2019.

    He said the governor had performed well in the state, and would do more, if given the necessary support.

     

    NAN

  • AGF overpaid FIRS, DPR by N837bn in 2016 – OAuGF

    The recent report of the year 2016 Federal Government Financial Statement submitted by the Auditor General for the Federation, Mr. Anthony Ayine, to the National Assembly has revealed discrepancies in the amount payable to the Federal Inland Revenue Service ( FIRS) and Department of Petroleum Resources ( DPR).

    The whooping amount of N837,082,637.24 was paid in lump sum to the Federal Inland Revenue Service ( FIRS) and Development of Petroleum Resources ( DPR).

    The Report said:” Our examination of the Accountant-General’s Transcript and FAAC figures revealed that the FIRS and DPR were over paid cost of collection in the month August 2016 in the amounts of N305,922,200.48 and N531,160,436.78 respectively totaling N837,082,637.24.

    “It was observed that what was captured in the Accountant-General’s Transcript as payments for the month of August for FIRS and DPR as cost of collection differs from what FAAC approved in the FAAC file.

    “It is expected that only figures approved by FAAC are to be paid by the Accountant-General of the Federation. The difference resulted in overpayments of N837,082,637.24 by the Accountant-General to the two collecting agencies.”

    Read Also: NNPC, DPR to explain zero collection of revenue – AuGF

    Statutorily, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) receives 4% of the monthly revenue as its cost of collection. Also, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) receives 4% of monthly revenue it generates from Royalties on crude oil and gas concessions, rentals, gas flaring penalties, among others.

    Also, concerning the maintenance of excess crude oil/ppt/royalty account without legal authority, the report by the OAGF has shown that the Excess Crude Account (ECA), revealed that a sum of N361,230,422,517.15 was deducted from total Oil and Gas revenue collected before the balance was paid to the Federation Account.

    The report said: “Examination of records and documents presented to the Audit Team in respect of the Excess Crude Account (ECA), revealed that a sum of N361,230,422,517.15 summarized below and classified as PPT/Royalty was deducted from total Oil and Gas revenue collected before the balance was paid to the Federation Account.

    “These deductions would appear to contravene the provisions of Section 162 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 which states as amended.

  • Sani backs APC reconciliation, says I remain APC Member

    Senator representing Kaduna Central in the National Assembly, Sen. Shehu Sani on Thursday said he was confident in the ability of the party leadership to resolve all the issues pervading the party.

    The Senator who is one of those widely reported to be planning to dump the party however said he remains a member of the party.

    Read Also:APC will remain focused – Oshiomhole

    Speaking after a meeting with the party national chairman as part of reconciliation efforts, Sani threw his weight behind the ongoing reconciliation efforts undertaken by the Party’s National Executive led by the National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.

    “We are confident that the new leadership of the Party has the capacity the ability to address these injustices. In the words of Frantz Fanon, ‘We revolt because we cannot breathe’. So we revolted against the Party was run because it is suffocating us. Now we have a new surgeon who is doing everything possible to put it back on track. That is why we give him the benefit of doubt that the problem can be solved.” Sani said.

    Asked about his Party membership status, Sen. Shehu Sani retorted: “If I am here, I am an APC member. If I am not an APC member, you will not see me at the Party’s National Secretariat”