The National Assembly is broke, unable to meet its financial needs, The Nation learnt yesterday.
Administrative responsibilities, such as payment of monthly salaries to lawmakers, their aides and members of staff, are not being met and the management is worried.
Legislators, their aides and civil servants are yet to be paid February salaries as at yesterday.
The January salary was paid two weeks into February. According to sources, the management borrowed from a bank to pay last month.
The salary issue is just one of the many problems facing the National Assembly.
The one that is biting the lawmakers most is the inability of the management to pay their usual quarterly allocation, which should have been paid in January.
Their displeasure over the non-payment of the allocation stem from the obvious fact that most of them were banking on it to fund the final phases of their election campaigns, leaving many to think that perhaps the executive deliberately withheld their funds as a punitive measure.
It was learnt that late last year and also early in January, the leadership of the National Assembly met with the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iwela, to resolve the financial crisis.
While not admitting that the nation was broke as was variously insinuated, the minister was said to have told her guests that her office would release only half of their quarterly allocation.
The National Assembly’s leadership, according to a source who was part of the meeting, but would not want to be named, turned down the offer, insisting that since the money had been appropriated and the minister claimed the nation was not broke, all and not part of the money should be released. This meeting took place at the Presidential Villa.
By the time the National Assembly’s leadership met with the Minister again last January, both parties finally agreed that the quarterly allocation would be paid in three installments, beginning from January.
This plan has been disrupted by the ministry, which paid only the January installment. Both the February and March payments that would have completed the agreed three installments are still pending.
This situation, according to insiders, has put many of the legislators in a precarious position as some of them are finding it difficult to meet up with commitments with banks where they have taken loans.
A source said the morale of most of the employees of the National Assembly Service Commission is at its lowest ebb with many of them struggling to transport themselves to work, their woes compounded by the recent fuel scarcity in Abuja.
The financial crisis in the Assembly has also brought about frequent power outages. Electricity bills and others, such as Internet, maintenance and other sundry bills are said to be over N1 billion, leaving the service providers with no option, but to disrupt services.
Construction giant Julius Berger recently pulled out of the maintenance arrangement it had with the Assembly. Several elevators in the complex have been faulty for several months.
The National Assembly on Friday allocated the sum of N6, 664, 642, 867 to sports in the country despite the sum of N10 billion jointly proposed by the National Sports Commission (NSC) to be able to cater well for the various programmes sports are facing this year.
The overall estimated Budget for sports in the country earlier submitted by the NSC, NFF and NIS was in the region of N10 billion but just 6 billion naira was allocated by the National Assembly with the breakdown as follows: The National Sports Commission got the largest share of N4, 942, 634, the Nigeria Football Federation got N1, 242, 523, 749 despite the fact that the NFF were expecting triple of that amount to be able to run its numerous national teams’ competitions including the Canada 2015 Women’s World Cup slated for June this year.
The NFF President Amaju Pinnick while reacting on the Budget allocation stated that his Federation has loaded assignment this year.
“2015 is fully packed with so many tournaments and qualifiers. Our Super Eagles will be taking part in both the Nations Cup and the World Cup qualifications just as the other national teams are expected to take part in other qualifying matches and competitions”, Pinnick lamented.
The Sports Minister Dr. Tammy Danagogo while defending his Federation’s reasons for seeking more funds which was earlier re-echoed by the Director General of the National Sports Commission Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye in his address to the Assembly said that many Nigerian athletes were scheduled to begin preparations for next year’s Olympic Games as well as other local sporting activities lined up by over 40 sports federations under the NSC.
There are many sporting activities as well as preparation for 2016 Olympic Games. A lot of successes were recorded in 2014 and we want to build on our previous achievements.
“When we talk about preparing athletes for sporting events, many things are involved. Equipment and preparation are two cardinal necessities. Take away any of them, it would be like not participating at all in any competition.
The NFF, NSC and NIS (Nigeria Institute of Sports) are expected back at the National Assembly on Monday after the Senate Committee and the House Committee on Sports have asked the three sports bodies to re-appear before them on Monday after the adjustments of their 2015 proposal to align with the total sports allocation already captured in the Budget allocation which was submitted earlier to the National Assembly this year.
For a democracy, the cost of lawmaking doesn’t have to be this princely
Report that the Federal Government would spend N8.35bn on the accommodation, housing and vehicle allowances of members of the in-coming eighth session of the National Assembly simply confirms the widely-held notion that our brand of democracy is indeed a money guzzler. The fact that this excludes the amount that would be spent on the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives (who already enjoy lavishly furnished apartments and ride in some of the exotic cars money can buy); as well as the political aides to the lawmakers, makes it much more so. What the political aides get depends on the recommendations of the National Assembly Commission and it would be worked out as soon as they are named by the legislators.
A breakdown of the N8.35bn shows that each senator is entitled to N4,052,800m for accommodation, representing 200 per cent of annual basic salary of N2,026,400.00; N6,079,200, representing 300 per cent of his annual basic salary for furniture and N8,105,600, representing 400 per cent of his annual basic salary as car loan. In all, the 107 senators would get N433,649,600 for accommodation, N650,474,400 for furniture allowance and N867,299,200 as vehicle loans. The eighth session of the National Assembly (NASS) resumes in June.
And to think that these are only some of the allowances the law makers are entitled to, aside their monthly salaries that pale into insignificance considering the other mouth-watering allowances that they smile to the bank with regularly. For instance, the lawmakers are also entitled to duty tour allowances and estacode allowances for their local and international travels. This excludes the quarterly allocation which runs into hundreds of millions!
The absurdity of the emoluments is further exemplified by the wide gap between capital expenditure and recurrent. Between 1999 when the present democratic dispensation took off and 2010, a total of N712.8 billion went to the National Assembly for recurrent and capital expenditure from the annual budgets, excluding supplementary allocations within the period. In 2007, N48.76 billion was allocated to the assembly from a total federal budget of N2.39 trillion. It rose unreasonably to N106.6 billion, made up of N5.25 billion capital expenditure and N101 billion recurrent expenditure in the N3.1018 trillion 2009 package. In 2010, N154.205 billion out of N4.6 trillion 2010 federal budget was provided for the NASS, made up of N138.015 billion recurrent and N16.9 billion capital expenditure.
With this ballooning cost of governance we can rightly question the rigour that went into the formulation of the monetisation policy by the Obasanjo administration, especially considering that much of the NASS budget goes to recurrent expenditure. The monetisation policy was one of the measures taken to reduce the cost of governance, facilitate budgeting and budgetary control; minimise waste and abuse of public facilities, obtain savings for capital projects, promote a culture of discipline and maintenance, among others. The fear in some quarters that the objectives of the policy might be good but its implementation was likely to run into stormy waters has now been confirmed. Otherwise, we would not be spending so much on overheads in the NASS.
Beyond all of these, however, is something we have been running away from; and that is whether we need full-time law makers and if we do, must they be maintained by digging holes in the taxpayers pocket? In the First Republic, we had part time lawmakers and we still enjoyed quality debates and lawmaking. In many parts of the world, there is nothing extraordinary in being a law maker. Many lawmakers in Britain live in modest apartments and travel by some of the common means of transportation. There are no airs surrounding the position. We wonder why the reverse is the case in Nigeria.
It is annoying that the lawmakers’ proclivity for extravagance has continued unabated since the beginning of this dispensation. We recollect that the matter reared its ugly head in the early days of the dispensation when the NASS members awarded themselves outrageous furniture allowances which Nigerians protested against. With such insensitive allowances that are out of tune with the country’s economic reality it is not difficult to see why there are cut-throat battles for seats in the National Assembly as with other political offices in the land.
On Thursday, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, said the National Assembly had reduced its overhead in the 2015 budget by 25 percent in response to the economic realities in the country. Much as this is commendable, we are yet to know what impact this would have on the overall budget proposal, especially with regard to provision of infrastructure. What is required is not an arbitrary cut in budget but a holistic approach to see which of the loads the taxpayers are now carrying that should be shelved, not just by the NASS members but the entire government machinery.
The use of Nigerian languages as means of communication at the National Assembly and other official meetings and conferences will promote the country’s diverse cultures.
A socio-cultural group, Egbe Akomolede ati Asa Yoruba (Association of Teachers of Yoruba Language and Culture of Nigeria), Lagos State Chapter, made this known at the UNESCO’s World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.
Guest speaker at the event, Dr Ayinde Abimbola of the Faculty of Education, University of Lagos (UNILAG), emphasised that writing minutes of official meetings in indigenous languages would resurrect the dwindling beauty of Nigeria’s cultural diversity.
His words: “English must not always stand as lingua franca; government should make Yoruba language one of the languages to be used to write minutes at national meetings and conferences. Whoever wants to know the meaning of what is said or written in our local dialects should ask for a translation and provision would be made for that, just as the Kenyan writer, Ngugi wa Thiong’o, had done.”
The educationist faulted governments for the gradual depletion of Nigerian local dialects, advocating teaching of cultural values and norms of one’s dialect in schools as a criterion for gaining admission into tertiary institutions.
“How can indigenous language not be a compulsory subject in secondary schools? Even foreigners come into the country to learn our languages, which invariably include our culture and they also teach them in higher institutions abroad; yet they are not compulsory here. This is bad,” Abimbola lamented.
Abimbola also advised teachers of local languages and those who speak their dialect to learn more about their identity and top same with professional degrees to place themselves above others.
Another speaker, Mr Olasunkanmi Tela, wanted families to speak and embrace Yoruba language in their homes in order to pass the cultural values to their children. He advocated teaching culture and good character with Yoruba folklores and rhymes for language sustainability.
Chairperson of the Lagos State chapter of the Akomolede ati Asa Yoruba Association, Mrs Adebola Lawal, said: “People without language are animals, so we are happy that God has given us this language to train, educate, achieve and accomplish feats. For government to suddenly make the indigenous languages no longer compulsory for school certificate examinations, it means they do not see it as relevant anymore.
“It is the importance of the language that led to foreigners coming over to learn the language. Government is trying, but their best is not enough. So we want it to be used in public gatherings and official meetings so that our culture, which is our pride, would not die.”
Chairman of the Association for Alimosho Local Government, Lagos State, Mrs Rafikat Yusuf, said once a child understands his mother’s tongue, learning a second language becomes a lot easier.
When the next National Assembly is inaugurated after the elections, some prominent or controversial lawmakers would be missing at both the upper and lower chambers, reports Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan
IN more developed democracies, long serving legislators at all levels are highly craved for. Such is the respect for longevity in the membership of the hallowed chambers in countries like the United States of America (USA) and the United Kingdom, for instances, that ranking legislators, as they are called, are known to wield more powers, influence and respect than newcomers to the assemblies.
Consequently, whenever a ranking legislator, for any reason, is unable to return to his or her seat for a new session, there is usually much hoopla from not only the people he or she represents, but even among the generality of the populace, usually because the lawmaker in question would be sorely missed for certain contributions he or she is known for.
While Britain can boast of the likes of Sirs Alan Williams and Peter Tapsell who both spent over 50 years as parliamentarians, in the United States, names like Robert Bryd, who spent 51 years, five months and 26 days in the Congress and late Senator Edward M. Kennedy, who spent 46 years, nine months and 30 days as a congressman, are constant reminders of how much longevity is respected in that country.
In Nigeria, perhaps partly due to the many years of military intervention in politics, such records are far-fetched. Save for Senators David Mark from Benue State and Bello Gwarzo from Kano State, who had both spent 15 years as Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, our senate cannot boast of such longevity mentioned above.
In the House of Representatives, Farouk Lawan (Peoples Democratic Party [PDP], Kano), Bashir Adamu and Safianu Taura (PDP, Jigawa), Nicholas Mutu (PDP, Delta) and Monsuru Alao Owolabi (All Progressives Congress [APC], Lagos) are the only ones who have been in the House since 1999.
And as the eight session of the National Assembly is expected to be ushered in later this year, precisely in June, there are strong indications that a good number of the current federal legislators would not be returning to their current seats at the hallowed chambers.
Some of the lawmakers who would not be returning to the National Assembly in 2015 will be doing so either because they lost out in the primary elections of their political parties or are currently seeking elections into the gubernatorial offices of their states. There are also a few who voluntarily refused to seek a return to the hallowed chambers for one reason or the other.
A critical look at the list of lawmakers who would be missing when the eight session opens revealed some prominent legislators whose supporters said had contributed immensely to the growth of the National Assembly during their stay at the two legislative houses.
Perhaps, this explains the worry of political analysts over what they called the worrisome rate of turn-over in our parliament. According to Dr. Sam Aigbe of Liberty House, “it is not in the best interest of parliamentary practice to have new comers replacing legislators at every election. Such development will not help in enriching the parliament.”
However, with party primaries concluded and candidates, old and new alike, already out there seeking the mandates of the people in their various constituencies to be elected as lawmakers, The Nation takes a look at some of the National Assembly members who would be missing when the eight session resumes in June.
THE BIG FLOPS
Victor Ndoma-Egba
One big name on the list of senators that would be missing is Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, Cross River Central. Ndoma-Egba, the current Majority Leader in the Senate, is serving out his third term in the parliament. He was defeated at the primaries by another federal legislator, Hon. Owan Enoh, currently a member of the House of Representatives.
Nenadi Usman
Senator Nenadi Usman, a one-time Finance Minister, was a very strong voice of the people of embattled Southern Kaduna in the Senate. She constantly brought the plight of the people to the attention of the rest of the country. She lost to Danjuma Laah by six votes in the PDP primaries.
Ita Enang
Senator Solomon Ita Enang, who represents Akwa Ibom North East, like all other Senators from his state, will not be coming back to the National Assembly. A very vocal and resourceful lawmaker, Enang, who was in the lower House for two terms before coming to the senate, would be greatly missed. He lost to Obong Bassey Albert.
Mathew Nwagwu
Senator Mathew Nwagwu, who is the chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, is another big flop. A former Ambassador before coming to the senate in 2011, his loss at the primaries has been put down to his old age which many say worked against him. He was defeated by a much younger Athan Achonu in the contest for the Okigwe Senatorial District ticket in Imo State.
Uche Chukwumerije
Another member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Mao Ohuabunwa, stopped the fourth term ambition of Senator Uche Chukwumerije, currently the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education. Chukwumerije represents Abia North Senatorial District in the senate.
Odion Ugbesia
Another big loss to the National Assembly is Senator Odion Ugbesia who represents Edo Central in the Senate on the platform of the PDP. He was defeated at the primaries by Clifford Ordia, a little known politician in his native Edo State. He chairs the Senate Committee on Trade and Investment.
Domingo Obende
Also from Edo State, Senator Domingo Obende, representing Edo North in the Senate, will not be returning as he lost to Francis Alimekhena at the APC primaries. Remembered for sponsoring the Anti-Same Sex Bill, which has already been signed into law by President Goodluck Jonathan, Obende’s senatorial ambition was scuttled by members of his party.
Friday Itulah
A former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Itulah lost at the primaries for Esan East/Esan West Federal Constituency. The highly respected Itulah was defeated by little known Sergius Ogun in the battle for the PDP ticket. He would be remembered for his punctuality at the sittings.
Babatunde Adejare
Hon. Babatunde Adejare, a medical doctor turned politician and APC member from Lagos State, is another big surprise. He lost his ticket to Taofeek Adaranijo, a younger politician. He will be remembered for his probing questions on national issues.
THE GUBER ASPIRANTS
Ayogu Eze
Currently representing Enugu North Senatorial District under the platform of the PDP, Senator Ayogu Eze would also not be returning to the Senate on the grounds that he sought election as PDP gubernatorial candidate for Enugu State. He would not be in the governorship race either because he failed to get the ticket.
Ganiu Solomon
Senator Ganiu Solomon, who represents Lagos West in the senate, would not be returning because he contested for the Lagos State gubernatorial ticket on the platform of APC and failed. He was replaced by Hon. Solomon Adeola, a member of the House of Representatives, as the party’s senatorial candidate in the district.
Solomon Ewuga
With his inability to secure the PDP gubernatorial ticket of Nasarawa State, Senator Solomon Ewuga, who represents Nasarawa North Senatorial District, will not be returning to the Senate next year and he would not be contesting in the governorship race either. Ewuga had defected from the APC to the PDP in pursuit of the party’s gubernatorial ticket.
Aisha Alhassan
Senator Aisha Alhasan was one of the 13 senators who defected to the APC in the Senate last year. But her failed gubernatorial bid on the platform of the APC put paid to any hope of her returning as a Senator after her current term.
Ifeanyi Okowa
Another prominent legislator who is not returning to the senate is Senator Ifeanyi Okowa who represents Delta South Senatorial District at the senate. He sought and won election as PDP gubernatorial candidate for Delta State. A one-time council chairman who has been commissioner thrice before emerging as Secretary to the State Government, SSG in 2009, Okowa will slug it out with other governorship candidates to decide his next political position.
Nkechi Nwogu
She represents Abia Central Senatorial District at the Senate but outspoken Senator Nkechi Nwogu will not be returning to her seat next session on account of her failed governorship aspiration. She is a two-term member of the Senate and respected for her outspoken nature.
Abubbakar Yar’Adua
Senator Abubakar Yar’Adua from Katsina State is another lawmaker who would not be returning to the hallowed chamber for the next session on account of his governorship ambition. The Katsina-born lawmaker would be missed for his precise submissions.
Gyang Pwajok
Senator Gyang Pwajok is now the governorship candidate of the PDP in Plateau State. The party has nominated Governor Jonah Jang as its candidate for the senatorial position in the next election. Pwajok, a new member of the National Assembly has not stayed long enough to make much impact but he would be missing when the Senate is inaugurated after election.
Simeon Ajibola
Following his surprise and controversial emergence as the PDP governorship candidate in Kwara State, erudite Senator Simeon Ajibola will not be returning to the senate for the eight session. He would be missed by his colleagues for his very frank talks.
Chris Anyanwu
Senator Chris Anyanwu, who represents Imo East Senatorial Districtat the senate was one of the five contestants for the Imo State PDP gubernatorial ticket. Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, emerged winner of the highly controversial election. Consequently, Anyanwu has lost both her current senate seat and the governorship position she sought.
Benedict Ayade
Like Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, respected Senator Benedict Ayade made good of his governorship dream as he won the ticket to run for Cross River governorship slot. Ayade, a professor of microbiology, represents Cross River North Senatorial District and is vice chairman, Senate Committee on Ecology and Environment. He would be missed by the media for his readiness to offer insights into happenings in the National Assembly.
Aminu Tambuwal
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal is one of the great miss of the next legislative session. The erudite politician, respected by his colleagues for his nationalistic approach to issues, is now the governorship candidate of the APC in Sokoto State. He would surely be missed greatly.
Emmanuel Jime
Hon. Emmanuel Jime, representing, Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency of Benue State, would not be back to the House next session because he contested for the Benue gubernatorial ticket of the APC but lost.
Ibrahim Gusau
Dr. Ibrahim Gusau, a communications technology expert, is another highly respected legislator from Zamfara State. He won’t be coming back to the House following his successful governorship aspiration. He would be flying the PDP gubernatorial ticket for Zamfara State.
Dakuku Peterside
Hon. Dakuku Peterside is another lucky legislator. He is now the gubernatorial candidate of APC in Rivers State and as such, won’t be returning to the House. He represents Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency in the House currently. A vocal legislator, he would be remembered for his firmness during debates.
Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi
Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is now the candidate of the PDP for Enugu gubernatorial elections. He picked the ticket in spite of opposition from Governor Sullivan Chime. Ugwuanyi, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Marine Transport won’t be returning to the House.
VICTIMS OF ZONING
Patrick Ikhariale
Hon. Patrick Ikhariale, a two term legislator, currently represents Esan Central/ West/Igueben Federal Constituency of Edo State but lost the ticket to the politics of zoning. In spite of his efforts to get the PDP ticket, he lost to Joe Edionwele, largely on the strength of the argument that it is the turn of the areas in the constituency, other than his, to produce the candidate.
Nkoyo Toyo
Hon. Nkoyo Toyo is a PDP legislator representing Calabar/Udokpani Federal Constituency of Cross River State. She is former Nigerian ambassador to Ethiopia and founder of Gender and Development Action-GADA. She lost the return ticket to zoning politics in the state.
Pat Asadu
Hon. Pat Asadu, a member of the PDP from Enugu State, is another victim of zoning. A two term lawmaker, his attempt to secure return ticket back to the House failed when he lost at the primaries due to arguments that another area of the constituency should produce the next legislator.
Ogoriba Warman
The ambition of Hon. Ogoriba Warman was also consumed by the zoning policy. The two term lawmaker representing Yenagoa/Opokuma Federal Constituency of Bayelsa State had to give way to a fresh candidate to fly the banner of the PDP in the next election.
THOSE WHO SURRENDERED
Babafemi Ojudu
For reasons he is still keeping to himself, journalist turned politician, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, refused to seek re-election into the senate in spite of the fact that he is just a one term lawmaker. His critics however alleged that he may have surrendered because of the emergence of Governor Ayo Fayose.
Akpan Etuk
Also allegedly scared into surrendering his seat at the senate is Senator Akpan Etuk. The tough talking legislator, after months of vowing not to step down for Governor Godswill Akpabio who badly wants to be in the next session, ate the humble pie at the last minute and backed out of the race. Consequently, he would not be returning to the senate.
A Bill for an Act to establish the National Assembly Budget and Research Office (NABRO) was yesterday read for a second time in the Senate.
This followed the consideration of the Bill entitled: “A Bill for an Act to establish an Independent National Assembly Budget and Research Office which shall provide the National Assembly with objective, timely and non-partisan analysis needed for economic and budget decisions and other related matters 2015.”
Deputy Senate Leader, Abdul Ningi, in his lead debate, said legislature was the casualty in every military interregnum and therefore in dire need of institutional capacity and manpower development.
Of the three arms of government in the nation, he said the legislature has the lowest cumulative institutional age and capacity.
Ningi added: “You would also agree with me that appropriation is a special function of the parliament as provided for in Sections 80 and 81 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
“Consequently, legislators, being representatives of the people in whose hands the control of public funds lies, need to be well-informed not only by executive justifications of its proposals, but from other independent and credible sources backed by law.
“In other words, the work of appropriating for the nation by the National Assembly would be enhanced if the National Assembly has an alternative source of information other than from the Executive.”
The Senators unanimously voted in support of the Bill to be read for the second time when the question was put by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the plenary.
The Federal Government has budgeted N40 billion for Constituency Projects aside from the N150 billion funneled to the National Assembly in 2015.
According the details of the 2015 budget under the Service Wide Vote, a special intervention/constituency projects item to be jointly approved by the National Assembly and the Federal Ministry of Finance will receive N40 billion in the new financial year.
The Federal Government has also indicated its intention to go ahead with its nuclear programme next year. Pursuant to this, the government has voted N1.5 billion as seed money in the 2015 budget to finance “the implementation of Nigeria’s nuclear power programme.”
Also contained in the details of the budget proposal is another N1billion budgeted as matching grant for the “safe school initiative” programme; N750, 000, 000 for the rehabilitation of existing 23 federal secretariats in the states of the federation; N300million for the establishment of resident defense section at the Embassy of Nigeria, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and N1billion for the construction of federal secretariat in Ekiti State.
The sum of N474, 533, 276 has been planned for consultancy, survey and short term studies; N7, 005, 000, 000 for refunds to states for federal roads projects and N4.5million to cover sinking fund for retiring future matured bonds.
All these are contained in the Service Wide Vote of the Federal Ministry of Finance which has over a trillion naira to tinker with in the new year.
Communications and advocacy will take N427million; N1, 561, 772, 918 will got to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) special projects; N9, 376, 044, 922 on Special Intervention MDGs 1; N4, 216, 074, 449 on Special Intervention MDGs 2 and N20million on Sinking Fund for infrastructural development.
For adjustments to capital costs, over N2billion has been budgeted in 2015 while the Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Limited (NELMCO) will get N6billion for its functions in the same year.
Funding of Galaxy Backbone infrastructure will take N2.5billion; Bulk traders N5.43billion; Special initiative for women participation in agriculture, water, sport, communication technology, etc N1.5billion; Job creation, Youwin programme N6billion; Payment for maturing domestic bonds N7.5billion; Government integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) N500million; and the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) N3billion.
In 2015, the National Planning Commission (infrastructure master plan) is expected to receive N300million; Housing Mortgage Institutions N1billion; Sports Development N1.5billion; Counterpart funding including global fund/for health N1.5billion; Capital Development of national institute for legislative studies (NILS) also of the National Assembly N2billion.
Payment of local contractors’ debts get N3billion; the Federal Initiative for the North East (pilot counterpart funding contribution) will get N5billion; Refund to special accounts N10billion; Development Finance Institutions (DFI) N4billion; the 2011 election violence and civil disturbances got N3.7billion; Quick wins-completion of 2008 & 2009 projects- N527,259,306; Conditional grants and social safety nets for (MDGs)- N35,284,192,766; and Support to UNDP millennium campaign programme Nigeria in Africa/African parliamentarian programme-N5billion.
The Presidential Amnesty Programme Reintegration of transformed ex-militants will be smiling to bank with N35.4billio; the Presidential Amnesty Programme: Reintegration/Transition safety allowances for 3,642 ex-militants (3rd phase) will also receive N546.3billion; while the Presidential Amnesty Programmes: operational cost for the new year will pocket N3.6billion. Next year, an allocation has also been made for Contingency to receive N15billion and Recurrent Adjustment N3.09billion.
•National Assembly should pass the new bill to boost the anti-corruption war
That Nigeria is merely paying lip service to anti-corruption is evident in the fact that it still relies on its Audit Ordinance Act of 1956. Without doubt, the Act, 58 years down the line, has outlived its usefulness. It is sad that effort to repeal the law through the proposed Audit Act, 2014 is still stalled at the National Assembly.
Indeed, the Auditor-General of the Federation (AGOF), Mr. Samuel Ukura, is so worried that he had to make a passionate appeal for the quick passage of the bill into law. Ukura, who spoke through Mrs. Florence Dibiaezue, Head of the AGOF’s Press and Public Relations Unit, observed that the existing audit law in Nigeria was defective and so cannot effectively support the fight against corruption. He therefore called on Nigerians to support the passage of the new audit bill.
As he noted, the bill, when passed unto law, “will strengthen the powers of the auditor-general’s office, detach it from the Presidency and establish the Audit Service Commission … The passage of the Audit Bill 2014 will boost the fight against corruption”. He noted rightly that the growth and sustenance of the country’s economy are tied to the effectiveness and autonomy of the nation’s audit office, and that the current Audit Act is not only defective but also unsuitable at this time.
If anything, we ought to have amended the Audit Act to suit the expenditure pattern of government, especially with the discovery of oil and “the global advancement in the use of technology”. We also align with Ukura’s position that when passed into law, the bill would place Nigeria in the comity of nations that are genuinely fighting corruption; enhance the country’s image by ensuring accountability and transparency in the conduct of government business; align the office of the Auditor-General of the Federation with international best practices and empower the National Assembly to appoint independent auditors to audit the financial statement of the OAGF as well as give the AGF the power to audit public monies in private organisations and bodies.
Of particular importance is the fact that the audit law, when passed, would enhance the already bad image of the country by ensuring accountability and transparency in the conduct of government business, as well as bring the office of the Auditor-General for the Federation with international best practices as already highlighted by the AGF.
It goes without saying that the audit system, as we have it today, is not immune to corrupt and sharp practices. There are cases of auditors colluding with companies, corporations, banks and other public or private establishments in writing their audit reports where cases of misappropriation of funds by management and officials are overlooked and passed as “bad debts”. This is where the innovation of the bill empowering the AGF to also audit public monies in private organisations or bodies is praiseworthy. A country like ours battling corruption sure needs an effective audit system.
We specially commend the AGF for his courage in pushing forward an amendment that would detach the office of the AGF from that of the Presidency. For its importance and advantages, the National Assembly would be doing the nation a good service by quickly passing the bill to enable the country deal with the notorious problems of corruption, lack of accountability and transparency in the audit system.
There were sighs of relief Tuesday morning as legislators and workers resumed at work at the National Assembly in Abuja without being confronted by gun- welding and hooded security operatives.
The Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal and his aides drove into the complex at about 10.10am without police escorts.
The Speaker’s convoy was not stopped for security search.
There was apprehension that armed operatives might invade the National Assembly complex like they did on November 20 when attempts were made to stop the Speaker from gaining entrance into the complex.
The lawmakers were to converge for a special session to consider President Goodluck Jonathan’s request for extension of emergency rule in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States.
Some lawmakers had to scale the NASS gate and were tear-gassed by the police following the blockade of the gate.
However, against all expectations, the National Assembly complex was devoid of external security operatives, hooded or armed.
The comprehensive stop and search conducted by hooded Department of State Services (DSS) was also non-existent as the combined team of NASS Police personnel and Sergeant At Arm were seen conducting the searches.
Meanwhile there was no mention of the contentious Petroleum Industry Bill or a revisit of the Emergency on the Order paper for Tuesday.
It was however gathered that the Emergency rule debate might come up under Message from the President which is item number four on the Order paper.
The All Progressive Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday held primaries to select candidates for the National Assembly seats. Our reporters across the country report on the outcome of the elections.
KADUNA PDP SENATE
Nenadi loses return bid, as Makarfi, Aruwa win PDP ticket
Serving Senator from the Southern Kaduna Senatorial district of Kaduna State, Esther Nenadi Usman has lost the bid to return to the National Assembly.
Senator Nenadi lost in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s Senatorial primaries held at Kafanchan on Sunday.
Results from the area shows that Senator Nenadi lost the election to Dr. John Danjuma Laah who pulled 129 votes as against Nenadi’s 123 votes.
The other aspirant in the race is Joseph Gumbari who had 70 votes.
Danjuma Laah is a traditional title holder, Shettima Kagoro and prominent business mogul in Southern Kaduna who has employed many youths.
Meanwhile, Senator Ahmed Makarfi representing Kaduna North Senatorial zone won the primary unopposed.
Senator Makarfi who is presently the Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance is to face either Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed or Suleiman Hunkuyi of the All Progressive Congress.
In the Kaduna Central zone which is currently occupied by APC’s General Sani Saleh, a one time Senator, Ahmed Mukhtar Aruwa is to be the flag bearer of the PDP.
Aruwa who polled 156 votes defeated two other aspirants, Ahmadu Inuwa and Talatu Shehu who scored 113 and 28 votes respectively.
No Senate primary conducted for Ogun Central – PDP
The Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in Ogun State has said that no primary has been conducted to pick its Senatorial candidate for the Ogun Central,.
The party urged the public to discountenance any information to the contrary.
The Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Mr Waliu Oladipupo, told The Nation that there is no winner yet as no primary has been conducted.
Oladipupo said primary was planned for Sunday but later postponed till Tuesday, this week, to ensure peaceful, free and fair exercise.
EKITI PDP SENATE
Arise, two Senators defeated
Aspirants believed to be favoured by Governor Ayo Fayose won the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives and senatorial primaries conducted at the weekend in Ekiti State.
At the Ekiti North senatorial primary election held in Ido-Ekiti on Sunday, former House of Representatives member, Mr. Duro Faseyi defeated former Senator Ayo Arise to win the ticket.
Faseyi who represented Ekiti North 2 Federal Constituency in the Green Chamber between 2003 and 2011 is an ally of Fayose.
Former Deputy Governor, Mrs. Abiodun Olujimi, won the Ekiti South senatorial primary conducted in Ikere-Ekiti beating the former Senator who represented the zone between 2007 and 2011, Chief Sola Akinyede to the ticket.
Olujimi, who until recently, a board member of the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) was deputy governor to Fayose between October 2005 and October 2006.
Another former House of Representatives member, Mrs. Fatimat Raji-Rasaki, beat former Senator Bode Ola and former General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Obafemi Adewale to win the PDP senatorial ticket for Ekiti Central senatorial district at the primary held in Ado-Ekiti.
The result did not go down well with delegate from Ijero axis of the senatorial district who are pushing for Adewale’s candidacy since the area has not produced a senator since 1999 unlike Efon, Ado-Ekiti/Irepodun/Ifelodun and Ekiti West which had done so in the past.
All the three senatorial candidates of the PDP are allies of Fayose
This is the first time in the history of the state that a party would produce two female senatorial candidates.
In the House of Representatives primaries, aspirants enjoying the backing of Fayose swept to victory.
Those who won include three former council chairmen who served during Fayose’s first tenure in office.
They are former Chairman of Ido/Osi Local Government, Chief Thaddeus Aina who clinched the PDP ticket for Ekiti North 2 Federal Constituency and former Chairman of Ikole Local Government, Mr. Kehinde Agboola who was declared winner of the ticket for Ekiti North 1 Federal Constituency.
Former Chairman of Gbonyin Local Government, Mr. Akin Awodumila, was returned winner of Ekiti South 2 Federal Constituency while Mr. Segun Adekola won in Ekiti South 1.
The result from Ekiti Central 1 returned Mr, Ayodeji Oladimeji as winner while to the PDP ticket for Ekiti Central 2 was one by Mr. Olamide Oni.
In reaction to his loss in the Ekiti North senatorial primary poll, Arise who is not in good terms with Fayose said he was worried about the turn of events in Ekiti PDP.
BENUE PDP SENATE
Mark emerges PDP’s candidate for Benue South
Senate President David Mark is to fly the flag of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Benue South Senatorial race.
His emergency followed the withdrawal of his opponent, Chief Mike Onoja from the race during the National Assembly primaries in the Senatorial District according to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Senate President, Kola Ologbondiyan, in Abuja.
Mark polled 384 votes.
His only challenger, Chief Onoja, had shortly before the commencement of voting exercise withdrew from the race citing, “interest and unity of the Idoma nation” as part of his reasons.
OYO APC REPS
Lam’s son in, Arisekola’s son out
Though the eldest son of a former Oyo State Governor, Alh. Lam Adesina, lost the governorship ticket to the incumbent, Abiola Ajimobi, his younger brother, Adedapo Lam-Adesina, was among those who picked the All Progressives Congress (APC) tickets for the House of Representatives in Sunday’s primary in Oyo State.
Adedapo, who is currently the Commissioner for the Ministry of Industry, Applied Science and Technology in the state, defeated other aspirants to pick the ticket for Ibadan North East/South East Federal Constituency. He polled 449 out of the 610 votes cast.
The incumbent lawmaker representing Ibadan North West/South West Constituency, Hon. Saheed Fijabi also scored the highest votes to retain the ticket. He scored 180 votes to beat Kola Ajadi, who polled 179 votes.
But Umar Farouk, who is a son of the late business mogul, AbdulAzeez Arisekola Alao lost to the incumbent, Hon. Abiodun Awoleye.
Awoleye polled 140 votes to beat Farouk who scored 114, Idris Lapade, 73, Amoo, one vote, Adetona, two and Esan, six votes.
In Lagelu/Akinyele Federal Constituency, a member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Temitope Olatoye (aka Sugar) won the ticket unopposed. Mathew Abioye also picked the ticket in Surulere/Ogo Oluwa Constituency unopposed.
The current Commissioner for Environment and Habitat, Mr Jide Adewale won the Oluyole Federal Constituency ticket while Sunday Adepoju defeated others to pick the ticket for Iddo/Ibarapa East.
ABIA PDP SENATE
Orji, Abaribe, Ohuabunwa emerge winners
Abia state Governor , Chief Theodore Orji has won PDP Senatorial ticket for Abia Central.
Senator Enyii Abaribe and Mao Ohuabunwa also won the tickets for Abia South and Abia North respectively.
Announcing the result of the primary held at the Umuahia stadium, the returning officer, Chief Ndidi Okereke said that Governor Orji scored a total of 221 votes to emerge winner.
In Aba, the chairman of the electoral panel for Abia South Hon James Ochunkwo, announced that Senator Abaribe polled 169 votes to beat his closet rival, Mr Princewill Ojeh with two votes.
Mao Ohuabunwa a former member of the House of Representatives in the primary held at the Ohafia local government secretariat beat his closet rival, Chief David Ogba Onuoha by 103 to 67 vote, while the incumbent, Senator Uche Chukwumereije came a distant third with 21 votes.
Former governor of the Ebonyi state, Dr Sam Egwu on Sunday emerged the PDP Senatorial candidate for Ebonyi North Senatlrial zone.
He had a total delegates votes of 194 to beat the former Minister of Power, Chief Goddy Ogbaga in the primaries conducted by the Chief Joseph Onwe faction of the party.
A former state Chairman of the party, Chief Obinna Ogba also emerged as the flag bearer of the party for Ebonyi Central senatorial zone.
For Ebonyi South, the incumbent Senator Sunny Ogbuoji emerged victorious.
Speaking after his declaration as the winner for Ebonyi North, Chief Sam Egwu thanked the delegates for voting him and assured the people of the Ebonyi North zone that he will not disappoint the zone if he eventually makes it to the senate.
The primaries to elect candidates that will fly the party’s ticket during the 2015 general election was peacefully conducted across the three zones of the state.
AKWA IBOM PDP SENATE, REPS
Akpabio wins Senatorial ticket
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio has won the PDP ticket for the Ikot Ekpene senatorial district in the state.
With 423 votes, Akpabio floored two other opponents, Hon Ekperikpe Ekpo and Chief Inibehe Okorie who had none.
Incumbent Senator Etok withdrew from the race 30 minutes before the commencement of voting.
The Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Sam Ikon, was among 10 aspirants chosen to fly the party’s flag in next year’s House of Representative election in the state.
In elections conducted in the 10 federal constituencies in the state delegates on Saturday, Mrs. Owodai Ekpotai also became the only woman to receive the party’s nomination as she beat others to clinch the
ticket for Eket Federal Constituency.
Others who got the party’s nomination include Mr. Mike Eyong for Uyo, Nse Ekpeyong for Oron, Emmanuel Akpan for Ikot Ekpene and Dr. Henry Henry for Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency.
Meanwhile, a parallel congress convened by some aggrieved PDP delegates from Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency has elected a former member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Patty Ineme as the
party’s candidate for next year’s House of Representatives election.
OGUN PDP SENATE
Kashamu wins PDP tickets
Chairman, Organising and Mobilisation Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Prince Buruji Kashamu has emerged winners of their party’s Senate tickets for Ogun East and Ogun Central.
In Ijebu Ode, venue of the PDP Senate primaries, Kashamu contested against two other aspirants, Taiwo Akintan and Dayo Oriola, while former governor Gbenga Daniel withdrew from the race earlier.
Kashamu polled 365 votes to clinch the ticket, Oriola got four votes while Akintan scored zero vote.
But the primary for Ogun Central which was postponed till Tuesday following alleged violence at the venue, was later reportedly conducted on Saturday with wife of Chief Edwin Clark, Bisola Sodipo – Clark said to have won.
An official of the party however denied that the postponed primary held.
Senate Committee Chairman on Maritime Transport, Senator Zaynab Abdulkadir Kure on Saturday defeated the immediate past state chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Abdulraham Enagi to clinch the party’s ticket for Niger South Senatorial district.
She won by 328 votes while Enagi had eight votes .
In Niger East Senatorial primary, the State governor Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu emerged victorious. He defeated Alhaji Adamu Idris Kuta with 281 votes against 86 votes to emerge the party standard bearer for Niger zone B senatorial election in 2015.
The only candidate for Niger North senatorial zone, Honourable Halidu Agwara, a one time chairman, Agwara local government was returned unopposed.
Former member of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Yinusa Yahaya has emerged the Kwara North Senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Alhaji Yahaya polled 108 votes to beat his closest rival, Manzuma Mommoh who polled 101 votes at the primaries conducted in Bode-Saadu, Moro local government area of the state.
Former security adviser to former governor Bukola Saraki, Alhaji Yinka Aluko won the Kwara central ticket, polling 83 votes. His opponent and businessman, Alhaji Abdulrahaman Abdulrazak garnered 81 votes.
In Kwara south, veteran politician and 2011 Kwara south senatorial candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Lola Ashiru beat four others to emerge as the flag bearer of the party. Mr. Ashiru, an architect polled 132 votes
PLATEAU PDP SENATE
Jang, Dariye emerge winners
Plateau State governor, Jonah Jang has won the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) ticket for Plateau North Senatorial primaries held on Sunday.
Gov Jang polled 273 votes to defeat his closest and only opponent, Ambassador Ibrahim Kassai who had 18 votes.
In Plateau Central Senatorial Zone, incumbent Senator Joshua Dariye got the majority votes from the 262 .
Dariye polled 104, Hon Emmanuel Goar had 46 votes, Alexander Molwus, 84 votes and Satti Gogwim 12 votes.
Speaker of the Kwara state House of Assembly, Razak Atunwa and former minister of state for Health, Princess Funke Adedoyin on Saturday emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s National Assembly candidates for the 2015 general elections.
Atunwa and Adedoyin are to represent Asa/Ilorin West and Irepodun/Isin/Oke-Ero in Kwara state.
The Speaker who was the sole candidate polled 1,545 votes to emerge the flag bearer of the party in the primary supervised by the INEC officials and five Man team of the APC from the National Headquarters led by Chief. Harry Osha.
Other members of the House of Reps that were returned unopposed include the House Reps Committee chair on media, Alhaji Zakari Mohammed representing Kaiama/Baruten and Ahman Patigi representing Edu/Patigi/Moro federal constituencies.
Other APC House of Reps candidates are a serving member of the state House of Assembly and Commissioner for Works and Transport, Tope Olayonu and Dr Abubakar Kaninke. They are to represent Offa/Oyun/Ifel
EDO APC REPS , PDP SENATE
Ex-NLC VP wins APC Rep ticket , Senator looses seat
All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries in Edo Central was successfully conducted on Sunday across the district.
Mr Irabor Onikolease, a former Vice President of the NLC won the Esan North East/ Esan South East Federal Constituency.
He defeated the state commissioner of Energy and Water Resources, Mr Chris Ebare to clench the ticket.
The Senate Vice Chairman on Commerce, Mr Odion Ugbesia on Sunday lost his bid to return to the senate.
Ugbesia who is the senator representing Edo Central lost to his opponent, Mr Cliffors Ordia by 141 votes to 62 votes.
Ugbesia who is of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has been a senator since 2007.
