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Tag: national assembly

  • Order of polls: Jonathan backs National Assembly

    Order of polls: Jonathan backs National Assembly

    The National Assembly has a strong supporter in ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on its decision re-ordering the sequence of the 2019 elections.

    Jonathan said the new arrangement was in order and would go a long way in ensuring that more quality people are elected at all levels.

    Majority of the members of the two chambers of the National Assembly want election into the Senate and the House of Representatives to come first next year and the presidential election last.

    “Holding presidential election first will affect the quality of persons that will emerge in other polls because of the bandwagon effect,” Jonathan said yesterday when he granted audience to the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Prince Uche Secondus,  and members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) at the Jonathan Foundation in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

    He said the decision of the Assembly will help in the election of quality persons into various positions.

    Jonathan made his feelings known

    A statement by the  PDP National Chairman’s spokesman, Mr.  Ike Abonyi, quoted  the former President as advising the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) to abide by the decision of the National Assembly.

    Jonathan asked the APC to see the proposed order of  elections “from national and patriotic interests since laws are not meant for persons in power at a particular time.”

    He said he is even looking forward to a time when presidential election in Nigeria will be conducted differently from the others.

    He was optimistic that the PDP will return to power in 2019, saying: “I believe that the PDP will return to power in 2019, if we continue to build confidence, especially as the ruling party has failed to meet up their promises and give hope to the people.

    “Propaganda may help you win election, but it can’t help you govern and that is what the APC has seen in the last 32 months.

    The  PDP National Chairman, Prince Secondus, had earlier  briefed the former President on the activities of the NWC since December when they were elected into office.

    Secondus said the new leadership is currently engaged in a number of activities aimed at rebranding and repositioning the party with a view to regaining power in 2019.

    He pleaded for Jonathan’s support and that of other leaders of the party.

    The PDP boss said the focus of the party is on youths and women, pointing out that the leadership will soon come up with a new programme on Generational Next.

    At a separate forum, the PDP National Chairman said that the party has no anointed candidate for any elective positions.

    Speaking at a special banquet hosted for the party leadership by Governor Henry Seriake Dickson in Yenagoa, Secondus said unlike other parties where leaders lord it over to the rest, the PDP derives its power direct from the people who really own the party.

    “In this party under my watch, there would be no preferred  aspirant for any position, in the spirit of our rebranding to rebuild, reposition and  regain power. We cannot afford not to present our best eleven in the contest, “ he said.

    Secondus also said the party remains open to all Nigerians because it belongs to them, not to any group or individual.

    He said the doors of the party remain open to members from all corners to come in because “all hands are needed to chase the APC out of our political life.

    “We welcome people returning to the party with open arms because the party belongs to them and we need all to be on board for the huge task of chasing away evil regime in our life.

    “We must unite to rescue this country from the APC who has come with vengeance against the people of Nigeria.”

    He said that given the damage done to Nigerians by the APC administration in the past 32 months, what awaits the party in 2019 would be a “Tsunami”.

    While commending the PDP governors for their exceptional performance in office, Secondus particularly singled out Governor Dickson for his innovations in office that had led to the transformation of the state in the last six years.

    Secondus revealed that the party was initiating a deliberate programme called Generational Next aimed at re-integrating the youths in the activities of the party with a view to transferring power.

  • Governors, National Assembly to interface on state police

    Governors, National Assembly to interface on state police

    The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) is to nominate a team from their members to interface with National Assembly over the creation of State Police.

    State governors and the federal parliament had agreed to allow states to have their police at the closing of a two-day summit last week on national security organised by the Senate.

    They had supported  Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo who stated at the opening of the event that state police was “the way to go.”

    The NGF meeting holding at the old Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja on Wednesday night will raise the team.

    Other issues on the agenda NGF’s  meeting was the Recovery of stamp duties and Improving Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) through harmonized motor registry/traffic management system by Dimensions Information Technology.

    The meeting which started around 9pm is presided over by the NGF Chairman and Zamfara State Governor, Abdulazeez Yari.

    Those in attendance as at the time of filing this report were, governors of Bauchi, Mohammed Abubakar, Borno, Kashim Shettima, Kebbi, Atiku Bagudu, Kogi, Yahaya Bello, Kwara, Abdulfatah Ahmed, Jigawa, Ibrahim Hassan, Ondo, Rotimi Akeredolu, Kaduna, Nasir El-Rufai, Nasarawa, Tanko Al-makura, Kano, Abdullahi Ganduje, Edo,  Godwin Obaseki.

    The deputy governors in attendance are Benue, Benson Abounu, Ebonyi, Kelechi Igwe, Enugu, Cecelia Ezeilo, Plateau, Sonni Gwanle Tyoden, Osun, Titi Laoye-Tomori, Rivers, Ipalibo Banigo, Ogun, Yetunde Onanuga, Akwa Ibom, Moses Ekpo, Ekiti, Kolapo Olusola, Sokoto, Ahmed Aliyu,  and Lagos, Dr. Oluranti Adebule.

  • LG Polls: We won’t impose candidates – Ajimobi

    LG Polls: We won’t impose candidates – Ajimobi

    Gov. Abiola Ajimobi has assured members of the All Progressive Congress ( APC ) in the state that the party leadership would not impose candidates in the May 12 local government election.

    The governor made the disclosure on Tuesday in Iseyin at an empowerment programme organised by Sen. Abdulfatai Buhari (APC-Oyo North).

    He said that the party leadership in state would abide by the decision of the majority on the process to select party’s candidates.

    Some members of the party in the state had on Monday besieged the party’s state secretariat in Ibadan with placards, alleging plans by the leadership to impose candidates.

    “We won’t impose candidates for the forthcoming local government election. I am appealing to you at every local government council area to come together and work in unity so that we can present a common candidate.

    “There are types of primary election, which could be direct or indirect. The direct type allows party members to come together to choose, while the indirect allows the election through delegates.

    “I want you to talk to yourselves on your choice, I will be okay by your decision,” he said.

    Ajimobi lauded members of the senatorial district on the choice of Sen. Buhari as their representative, saying his qualities reflected in the standard of the empowerment programme he organised.

    Buhari, in his remarks, said that the effort was to ensure the people of the senatorial district benefit dividends of democracy.

    The lawmaker said it was the second of such empowerment programmes, apart from the various other projects executed in the district.

    He assured the people of quality representation, saying he been very active in the performance of his legislative duties in the upper chamber of the National Assembly.

    Among the items distributed were cars, motorcycles, refrigerators, sewing machines and other equipments.

    Meanwhile, the party in the state has warned aspirants against blackmail, noting that such would do nothing good to the party.

    The party gave the warning in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Olawale Sadare and made available to newsmen in Ibadan on Tuesday.

    It described the allegations of planned imposition of candidates as a figment of the imagination of the protesters and their sponsors.

    The party urged the public to regard it as cheap blackmail antics to cause unnecessary tension.

    “We are indeed embarrassed at the level which decorum was thrown into the air by these set of people, whom we identify as APC members in the state.

    “Peaceful and purposeful protests are some of the essentials of democracy, but when cheap blackmail is involved, it becomes condemnable.

    “The allegation of planned imposition of candidates is not only a hoax but also something that should not feature in the present scenario,” it stated.

    The APC said that its state executive committee led by Chief Akin Oke has earned itself a reputation for upholding the sanctity of internal democracy as enshrined in the party’s constitution.

    It said that the governor has also demonstrated personal commitment to the ideals of the party.

    According to the party, “the delay in the release of guidelines by the party was caused by the new development explained to all stakeholders by OYSIEC at a meeting last Wednesday.

    “The stakeholders meeting indicated that the recent delineation of wards exercise done in the state would be implemented at the May 12 poll.

    “The implication is that additional wards have been created but they have not been made public.

    “It then became imperative to wait on OYSIEC which had promised to release the map and necessary documents this week to guide all participating political parties.”

    NAN

  • Buhari greets Sen. Durojaiye at 85

    Buhari greets Sen. Durojaiye at 85

    President Muhammadu Buhari has joined members of the All Progressives Congress and the National Assembly to congratulate an exemplary leader, Sen. Olabiyi Durojaiye, on his 85th birthday.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, felicitated with family members, friends and professional colleagues of Otunba Durojaiye, whose patriotism, unwavering commitment to the strengthening of political institutions and promotion of inclusive governance continues to inspire both old and young leaders on the innate values of democracy.

    The President believed Durojaiye’s political philosophy of ensuring that all Nigerians must be given a chance to contribute and participate in the decision making processes that shape their lives, leaves a historical landmark of a responsive, forthright and broadminded leader.

    He also commended the senator for his contributions to the financial architecture of the country through working for many years in the Central Bank of Nigeria, and variously serving on the boards of the Federal Mortgage Bank and the Nigerian Industrial Development Bank, contributing to the restructuring and repositioning of the institutions.

    The President affirmed that Sen. Durojaiye’s efforts in fighting for the return of democracy in Nigeria from military rule, promotion of good governance, and entrenchment of the unassailable values of good education, discipline and hard work, remain glaring examples of his vision for a greater and united Nigeria.

    He prays that the almighty God will grant Otunba Durojaiye longer life, more wisdom and strength to continue serving the nation he loves so much.

     

  • Macron to address joint session of NASS in July

    Macron to address joint session of NASS in July

    A joint session of the National Assembly, is to be addressed by the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, when he visits Nigeria in early July, Ambassador of France to Nigeria Mr. Denys Gauer, has said.

    Gauer spoke during a visit to the Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon Yakubu Dogara, at the National Assembly Tuesday.

    President Macron has interest in the future and development of Nigeria, he said.

    According to him, Macron had worked in the French embassy in Abuja early in his career for six months some years ago and that whereas relations between the two countries in the last few years have centered on security, the French President hopes to use the visit to further deepen relations with Nigeria especially in areas such as youths, culture and creativity.

    Dogara in his response said that members of the Green Chamber and indeed the National Assembly will want to listen to the French President whom he described as “a man of our generation”.

    The Speaker further added: “He has brought a lot of youthful zest, dynamism charisma and appeal to French politics and we will want to yield the floor to him”

    Dogara while commending the French government for assisting Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists, pledged to give expeditious passage to all bilateral agreements that will be signed between Nigeria and France during Mr. Macron’s visit.

  • Tracka: Overview of 2017 Zonal Intervention Projects in Edo North Senatorial District

    Tracka: Overview of 2017 Zonal Intervention Projects in Edo North Senatorial District

    Tracka, a subset of BudgIT is a network of active citizens who track  implementation of public projects captured in the budget by giving feedback  and sensitizing community members  on the need to demand accountability from elected officials.

    Findings  on the  2017 Zonal intervention projects tracked by Moses Ilevbaoje,  BudgIT’s  Project tracking officer in Edo state, revealed that project line items in the budget nominated by the National Assembly members representing Edo North were mainly empowerment provisions. Also, detailed locations of projects were not specified in the budget, thus making it difficult for residents to track and demand for the implementation of projects.

    A total of N3.9 billion was allocated to Edo state for Zonal intervention projects Edo north got N2.4 billion out of the total amount of funds estimated and over N900 million  was earmarked for the execution of  empowerment projects.  It appears only a few of these development projects will be implemented at the end of the day due to lack of citizens’ awareness. Although letters were written and delivered to the senator Francis Alimikhena and House of Representatives members,  no response was available  as at the time of filing this story.

    Tracka is out to eradicate the culture of stomach infrastructure in Nigeria, that is why we take civic education to grassroots. In the past, there is a low level of citizens’ participation in governance; this has led to under development in the society. Our goal in Tracka is to bridge the gap between citizens and the government as we believe this  will enhance  citizens’ inclusion in the budget process and project implementations.

    However, in Edo North Senatorial district, the following projects were monitored at different locations across the respective local government area:

    Sensitization/training and strategic empowerment of youths and human right advocacy, Etsako West and Etsako East LGA, Edo North senatorial district, Edo state for N150 million.

    Sensitization and strategic empowerment on the right of people living with HIV/AIDs in Etsako East LGA, Edo North senatorial district, Edo state for N130 million.

    Strategic empowerment of youths in Owan East/Owan West federal constituency,  provision of tricycles, motorcycles, gen-sets, sewing machines etc for N80 million.

    Advocacy and sensitization on the rights of children and women in Etsako East LGA, Edo North senatorial district, Edo state for N100 million.

    Some of the challenges uncovered during the tracking of projects in Edo state include lack of citizens inclusion and needs assessment by members of the national assembly.  Also, members of the   communities  visited by the Tracka team expressed displeasure over project implementation in  previous years.

    For residents of Ojavun, a community in Owan East Local government area; development has led to anguish, as the elected representatives do not carry them along. A resident who spoke with the Tracka team at a town hall meeting revealed that they have little or no idea about constituency projects. They have the erroneous belief that lawmakers use personal funds to finance projects in the community.

    One of the community chief also lamented to the team, saying it would be better for the legislature to nominate developmental projects such as schools, water and hospitals which would have a direct impact on the lives of people in the community. 

    In conclusion, the Tracka team encouraged members of the community to engage their representatives at the National Assembly. They wrote a letter to the designated agency ministry of water resources, Office of the secretary of the federation, ministry of trade and productivity etc., requesting an update on the 2017 zonal intervention projects implementation. Tracka will ensure to follow up on the implementation of these projects in the respective communities and give feedback to the public.

  • Ex- Nigeria Airways pensioners protest delay in payment of severance benefits

    Ex- Nigeria Airways pensioners protest delay in payment of severance benefits

    …Passengers miss flight over traffic disruption

    Former workers and pensioners of liquidated national carrier –  Nigeria Airways Limited on Tuesday staged a protest at the Lagos Airport over the delay by the Ministry of Finance in paying their N45 billion severance benefit.

    The former workers and pensioners numbering over one hundred blocked the busy Airport Road disrupting vehicular traffic.

    They marched from the Skypower Catering Company premises, one of the subsidiaries of the liquidated former carrier opposite the Nigeria Air Force Base to the section of the road leading into the General Aviation Terminal (GAT).

    Singing solidarity songs they carried placards with inscriptions conveying their plight.

    Policemen attached to the airport were on hand to prevent break down of law and order.

    The blockage of the road, forced many passengers to get on motor bikes otherwise known as Okada , so avoid missing their flight.

    The ex – workers said they were disappointed that despite approval by the Federal Executive Council, seven months ago, the Ministry of Finance is yet to release their money.

    The ex-staff carried placards with different inscriptions principally targeted at the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun whom they accused of being insensitive to their plight for refusing to release their entitlements.

    The placards read: ” Mrs Kemi Adeosun: Do not delay this payment further, It is a crime against humanity, Madam MOF: Did you misappropriate our pension money?, Kemi Adeosun, We demand immediate payment of our pensions, Mrs. Adeosun: Enough of the Rigmarole- pay us Now, Mrs. Adeosun: Your actions and inactions are man’s inhumanity to man and so on. They also chanted solidarity songs and echoing the name of the minister at intervals.

    Chairman, Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Nigeria Airways Branch, Comrade Sam Nzene said the protest became necessary as he alleged that the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun was playing politics with their money.

    He explained that last year after the approval for payment was given, they were told that the ministry was ready to pay but were being delayed by the National Assembly as they were waiting for them to give the go ahead.

    Comrade Nzene added that to their surprise after a visit and discussions with the National Assembly, it was the Ministry that was dilly dally on the matter.

    “This is the third protest, we have been doing this since last year, even on December 19, last year, there was a protest in the Ministry of Finance when we shut down the place for  five hours and at the end of the day, they were called into a meeting and told that the National Assembly was holding our payment. This is the seventh month now after the FEC approved this payment”

    “Well, we went to National Assembly, we wrote to the senate president, we were told that there was nothing of the Nigeria Airways in the National Assembly that they have approved the money government sent to them for settlement of debts owed to civil servants and pensioners and contractors that these monies have been approved and released”.

    Comrade Nzene said many of their members have died while waiting for their pay package, adding early this year three of their members died.

    Also speaking, president, Aviation Union Grand Alliance, Comrade Lookman  Animashaun said they were tired of the bulk passing and insisted that the Minister of Finance should tell them why the payment was delaying.

    He noted that army pensioners have started collecting their benefits from the N2.7 trillion approved by the FEC and asked what was  delaying the payment of N45 billion accruing to them.

    “They are paying the salary arrears of army pensioners and contractors, were did they get money to pay those two, they should let us know, so to us, nothing is in the National Assembly because we have combed everywhere in the National Assembly, we have gone to the clerk, senate committee on aviation, appropriation, on pensioners, they said there was nothing like that and whatever they need to approve, they have done and that is why they are paying the other two components, the minister should come out and tell what the position is”.

    Three of the protesting staff collapsed during the protest and were immediately revived and taken away.

    Some families members of the ex-staff whose father/mother have died came clad in black clothes to show their support for the protest.

    Some of the placards read: ‘Adeosun: Enough of the rigmarole, pay us Now’, Mrs. Adeosun: Your actions and inactions are man’s inhumanity to man’, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun: Do not delay this payment further; it is a crime against humanity’, ‘Kemi Adeosun, we demand immediate payment of our pensions’ etc.

    However, he said findings showed that it was the ministry that is withholding the payment.

    It would be recalled that in September 2017, the minister of state for aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika announced the approval of N45 billion severance package for the Nigeria Airways workers.

    Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, September 20 after the weekly federal executive council meeting, Sirika said the minister of finance, Adeosun, had been instructed to put the machinery in place for payment of the workers.

    “I’m happy to announce that Mr. President has approved N45 billion which has been confirmed to be the entitlements of these workers and Ministry of Finance has been instructed to pay the money. The ministry wrote…that they have received the instruction to pay these workers, and therefore, they are setting up the modalities to pay.

    “You should know it won’t be paid through my ministry before somebody will say I take some of it. It will be paid by the ministry of finance through a process, and that process will commence very soon,’’ he said.

  • Why we want to rearrange election order, says Ekweremadu

    Why we want to rearrange election order, says Ekweremadu

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Monday said that the National Assembly wants rearrangement of the order of election to help voters to judge each candidate on his or her own merit at each level of election.

    Ekweremadu said that the rearrangement of the order of election as passed by the House of Representatives, if adopted by the Conference Committee of both Houses, would no doubt help the electorate to make up their minds on each candidate seeking their votes at each level of election.

    He also assured that legislative work on the Electoral Act and the Constitution amendment would be concluded in a matter of weeks.

    Ekweremadu was said to have stated this when he received a delegation of the British High Commission in Nigeria led by the High Commissioner, Mr. Paul Arkwright.

    A statement by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Deputy Senate President, Uche Anichukwu said that Ekweremadu expressed gratitude to the British Government for always showing interest in state of the Nigerian union and her democracy.

    It said that Ekweremadu noted that concluding the amendments to the Electoral Act and Constitution amendment was top on the priority list of the 8th National Assembly to ensure better governance and smooth elections in 2019.

    The Deputy Senate President was quoted to have said: “The 2019 election is very important to Nigeria. The amendments to the Electoral Act and the Constitution all form part of the ongoing electoral reform to continue to improve on the quality of our elections.

    “In the previous amendment, a timeframe was set for the determination of election petitions. Now we are working on setting a timeframe for pre-election matters. In the previous amendments, we also created a window for direct and indirect primary by political parties.

    “In the current amendment, we want to make more elaborate provisions regarding direct party primaries for political parties that may wish to adopt it to ensure greater fairness, transparency, and internal democracy in choosing their flag bearers.

    “We are also working to lift the restrictions on the use of electronic voting by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. That way, it will be up to the election management body to determine if it is sufficiently prepared to deploy electronic voting or when to adopt electronic voting.”

    He said, “The bottom line is that the Conference Committees on both the Electoral Act and Constitution Amendment are meeting separately this week to conclude work on the entire amendments to ensure a smoother and more credible electoral processes as well as promote good governance of the country.”

    It said that the British High Commissioner, Mr. Arkwright, noted that they came to see Ekweremadu on political developments, especially as it concerned the prospects for the People’s Democratic Party and legislative activities of the National Assembly.

    “The legislative programme, which you have in the Senate and the National Assembly, the changes to the electoral laws are also important to us”, Arkwright was quoted to have said.

  • PDP will win the 2019 Presidential election – Wike

    PDP will win the 2019 Presidential election – Wike

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) will win the Presidential election  in 2019 because Nigerians yearn for the return of pro-people leadership.

    The governor declared  that though the APC Federal Government and electoral officials are plotting to subvert the will of the people, they will be resisted by Nigerians.

    He spoke in  Asaba on Sunday night during the meeting of the National Working Committee and PDP Governors Forum.

    According to Governor Wike, if democratic principles are respected, those pretending to be seeking a second term after a woeful performance would have declined  contesting elections. 

    “We are going to win the Presidency in 2019. We take it for granted  that we have won our governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly seats”, he said.

    He said at present, PDP Governors are orphans in Abuja, hence the need to take over leadership at Federal  level

    The governor added: “Frankly speaking, If Nigeria is a country where democracy is democracy, so many wont talk about  contesting election. Because  first of all you need to tell the people what you have done for  them. 

    “What will they come to tell Delta people that they have done in the area? Nothing. What is their confidence? What will they say they have done in the Niger Delta?

    “What they don’t understand is that we are more prepared now than in the past. Anybody who thinks that he can come and rig us out, will fail.”

    Governor Wike said that the fight against corruption  must include the  struggle  for the promotion of a credible democratic electoral process. 

    He said: “Part of corruption that we must fight is the corruption of stealing people’s mandate. That is the biggest corruption. 

    “When we get that right, other things will fall in place.  It is corruption when you don’t allow those who have won to be declared as winners. “

    He regretted that Nigeria goes to smaller countries to observe how elections are conducted, but are unable to conduct credible polls.

    The governor said that no matter the antics of the APC Federal Government, Nigerians will insist on credible polls in 2019.

  • NASS committed to providing adequate funding for security agencies – Wamakko

    NASS committed to providing adequate funding for security agencies – Wamakko

    Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, representing Sokoto North Senatorial District, says the National Assembly is fully committed to providing adequate funding for all the nation’s security agencies.

    This is contained in a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Bashir Rabe Mani and issued to newsmen in Sokoto on Monday. 

    The statement said that, Senator Wamakko spoke in Sokoto on Sunday when the Officers and Men of the State Command of the Peace Corps of Nigeria  led by their new Commander, Sani Balarabe, paid him a courtesy call. 

    Senator Wamakko stated that, the gesture will enable the security agencies to be properly staffed and equipped.

    This, he noted,  will bolster the security of lives and property,  as well as motivate their Officers and Men to be well motivated to put in their best in the discharge of their duties. 

    Senator Wamakko further stressed the need for interagency cooperation amongst the security agencies in the country. 

    He also urged the Officers and Men of the Command to shun extortion, intimidation, indiscriminate arrests and detention of innocent residents of the state. 

    ” This is the only way the command can remain relevant,  while the people will have confidence in its officers and men , ” he added. 

    The Commander,  Sani Balarabe had earlier commended Senator Wamakko for his relentless efforts to ensure the sustainable peace, unity and even socioeconomic development of Sokoto State and beyond. 

    Balarabe also described Senator Wamakko as a Father to all the people of the state, pledging to live above board in the discharge of their duty.