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Tag: Ovie Omo-Agege

  • Omo-Agege: Urhobo nation, Delta APC Condemn Senate

    Pass Vote of Confidence on Senator

    The Urhobo nation and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta state have described Thursday’s suspension of the Senator representing Delta Central District as political intimidation and an attempt to rob them of their voice at the centre.

    Stating this consensus at a gathering of Urhobo people and supporters of the APC in Ughelli, the headquarters of Ughelli North council area of Delta on Saturday, the chairman of the APC in Delta Central, Olorogun Adelabu Bodjor, also said that the Urhobo people would stand with their senator all the way.

    The Senate had on Thursday suspended Senator Omo-Agege for his opposition to the elections reordering move of some of his colleagues and being part of the Parliamentary Support Group (PSG), a group known to be in support of President Muhammadu Buhari’s interest.

    But in reaction to the Senate’s decision, Bodjor said that the Urhobo people had strongly condemned the suspension of the Senator, adding that it will not in any way deter or dampen his resolve to provide quality representation to his people and promote the interest of the nation in the National Assembly.

    He said: “The incidence that took place in the National Assembly and the suspension of the Distinguished Senator representing the Urhobo people in the National Assembly, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has again called to question the affairs of the Nigerian Senate. Our Distinguished Senator has been providing quality representation to the people of Delta Central and we are proud of him.

    “By suspending him, if the Senate leadership thinks that it will deter him, then they are wrong.  The Urhobo nation is solidly behind him, we believe in him and we will give him all our support at any time and any day in this whole process.  We therefore pass a vote of confidence on the distinguished Senator, Senator Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege.  We still believe that he will bounce back better and stronger than his distractors in the National Assembly.

    “But we want to say here and very emphatically, that Urhobo nation would never tolerate any act of political intimidation and threat to our Senator whom we overwhelmingly voted for to represent us in the National Assembly.  The primary responsibility of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege in the National Assembly is to provide quality representation to the people of Delta Central and attract the dividends of democracy to the Urhobo people and that he has been doing excellently well since we cast our votes for him to the Senate.

    “We therefore use this medium to call on our Distinguished Senator never to despair because he has the backing of the entire Urhobo people who voted him to the National Assembly to represent us and not to represent some individuals in the National Assembly.  He is there to represent the interest of the

    Urhobo nation and not the interest of a very few persons in the National Assembly who feel their election is to feed themselves and the members of their immediate family negating the interest of the nation.”

    Olorogun Bodjor also took a swipe at the APC Senators in the National Assembly, adding that “it is a shame that the party has the leadership of the National Assembly but it has decided to stand the morals of good leadership on its head and has also decided to take the party that brought them to power on a roller-coaster.

    “We call on the national leadership of the party to call the members of the party at the National Assembly to order before they take the party down the cliff hanger.  The national lawmakers got the mandate of the people of Nigeria to make enduring laws that will better the lot of Nigerians and the future generation of our children in general.  They were not voted for go and feather their own nests and engage in selfish activities to the detriment of good governance for the entire Nigerian people”

    Highpoint of the occasion was the passing of overwhelming vote of confidence on Senator Ovie Omo-Agege by the Urhobo people.

     

  • Court refuses to stop Omo-Agege’s suspension

    A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has rejected an application filed by the Senator representing Delta Central,  Ovie Omo-Agege, requesting the court to stop his suspension by the Senate.

    Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, in an ex-parte ruling on April 11, a copy of which The Nation sighted on Thursday, declined the Senator’s prayer to order parties to maintain status quo by suspending all actions concerning the issues raised in the suit.

    On getting wind of his impending suspension, Omo-Agege had on April 3, filed the ex-parte application seeking among others, an order that “all further proceedings against him in respect of the allegations referred to the 1st defendant’s (Senate’s) Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition” be halted pending the hearing and determination of his main suit.

    He asked the court to order parties to the main suit earlier filed on March 26 “not to consider, act on or give effect to any recommendation, resolution or decision of the Senate’s Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition.”

    Listed as defendants are the Senate, its President, Bukola Saraki, and the Attorney-General of the Federation,  Abubakar Malami (SAN).

    Omo-Agege’s lawyer, E.R. Emukpoeuo, while moving the ex -parte application, prayed the court to grant the order directing parties to maintain the status quo.

    But, in his ruling, Justice Dimgba said he could not grant such orders without hearing from the defendants “in the interest of maintaining the balance of power between the judicial and the legislative organs of government.”

     

     

  • Suspension: Omo-Agege appeals for calm

    Senator representing Delta Central, Ovie Omo-Agege, yesterday appealed for calm over his suspension by the upper chamber.

    Hours after the Senate handed 90 legislative day suspension, Omo-Agege released a four paragraph statement on his suspension.

    The statement signed on his behalf by his Senior legislative Aide, Prince Afe Duku read in part:

    “We owe our people a responsibility to address concerns arising from today’s proceedings in the Senate as they relate to the Most Distinguished Senator Ovie Omo-Agege. Our first duty is to appeal for calm and we hereby do so trusting that there is no insurmountable challenge before us. There is adequate capacity to address the now widely reported “suspension” matter.

    “As already well-known by many, the issues acted upon today by the Senate are pending before a court of competent jurisdiction and therefore subjudice. It is the Senate’s view that the issues be withdrawn from court for an amicable resolution to hold. Until a resolution is reached, it is better to respect the court processes by not commenting on them.

    “Also, we note that as part of the resolution of the issues, the Senate President, Distinguished Senator Bukola Saraki ruled that the Parliamentary Support Group, PSG, (Senate) for President Muhammadu Buhari should be disbanded. This should be a matter for the over 50 members of PSG to decide, possibly with President Buhari on whose behalf they openly work as Distinguished Senators of the Federal Republic.

    “In the circumstance, we appeal for calm and assure that as a fervent believer in the rule of law, our Senator is in positive spirit. He deeply respects the institution of the senate and his good friends in the senate. He will never undermine them. He remains an ardent supporter of Mr. President’s agenda for a better nation for all and will continue to work assiduously for his re-election.”

    Meanwhile a source close to the leadership of the Senate said that Omo-Agege’s suspension had nothing to do with order of elections.

    He told our reporter that the suspension was primarily about Omo-Agege’s “filing a case a case in court after he had apologized to the Senate.”

    He added that the unsolicited apology was an admission of guilt.

    He noted that ‘Omo-Agege through his conduct and utterances was becoming a divisive element in the Senate which is not good for the institution of the Senate.”

                                                                                                                                                     

  • Pro-Buhari comment: Senate rejects Omo-Agege’s apology

    Pro-Buhari comment: Senate rejects Omo-Agege’s apology

    In what appeared an about turn, Senator  Ovie Omo-Agege, yesterday tendered an unreserved apology to the Senate for alleged “offensive” comments against the upper chamber.

    Senator Omo-Agege in a subdued voice owned up that he over shot his bounds by claiming at a media briefing that the amended Electoral Act which reordered election sequence in the country was targeted at President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The Senate on Tuesday referred the matter to its committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions for investigation following the adoption of a motion by Senator Dino Melaye on the matter.

    Melaye prayed the Senate to refer the matter to the committee for investigation claiming that Omo-Agege’s comments impinged onthe integrity of the Senate.

    The Kogi West senator also said that Omo-Agege misled and incited Nigerians against the Senate by making unsubstantiated comments on reordered of election sequence.

    Omo-Agege said,” Yesterday (Tuesday), I was not here (Senate chamber). My colleague and my brother, Senator Dino Melaye brought a motion under Privileges which is in Order14 & 15 of the Senate Standing Rules.

    “Mr. President, I rose as a consequent on the debate on the sequence of elections in the Electoral Act amendment which was passed last week Wednesday.

    “In the course of that debate and subsequent upon that, I addressed the media at he Press Centre.

    “I made certain remarks during that interview which my attention has been drawn to. The comments are offensive, not just to Senator Dino Melaye, but to the entire Senate.

    “I rise to apologise to the leadership and the entire Senate for those remarks. I take back whatever I said. Thank you Mr. President.”

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu who presided over the plenary commended Omo-Agege for being courageous to apologise for what he said.

    Ekweremadu said, “He came under Order 53. In my view, it takes a lot of courage to do this. It takes a lot of courage to say I am sorry.

    “The matter has already been referred to the committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions. I urge the committee to quickly look into it so that we can have the report as quickly as possible. Then we will take a decision. Is that the wish of the Senate?”

    The Senators yelled “yes” as Ekweremadu promptly hit the gavel.

    An insider said that Omo-Agege acted promptly to apologise “because he risked indefinite suspension after appearing at the Ethics committee.”

    According to the insider, “Omo-Agege knew that he has shot himself on the foot. He knew that his case is a done deal. Whether his apology will be enough to mitigate his punishment for willfully impinging on the integrity of the Senate is what I cannot tell you at this point in time. You just wait and see.”

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi told reporters that immunity on the floor of the Senate does not cover lies.

    Abdullahi said that senators who addressed reporters after the adoption of the conference report on reordering of election sequence peddled falsehood.

    He noted that the Senate did not believe in witch hunting any body “but today one of our colleagues rising under Order 43 owned up that his misfired.”

    Abdullahi added,”If anybody feels strongly about any issue, there are procedures and processes to go about it but let your personal interest not hinder or impinge on the collective interest of the Senate.”

  • Election sequence: Omo-Agege begs Senate over ‘offensive’ comments

    In what appeared like a volt-face, the Senator representing Delta Central, Ovie Omo-Agege, on Wednesday tendered an unreserved apology to the Senate over alleged “offensive” comments against the upper legislative chamber.

    Omo-Agege in a subdued voice owned up that he overshot his bounds by claiming at a media briefing that the amended Electoral Act which reordered the election sequence in the country was targeted at President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The Senate had on Tuesday referred the matter to its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions for investigation following the adoption of a motion by Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West) on the matter.

    Melaye prayed the Senate to refer the matter to the committee for investigation, claiming that Omo-Agege’s comments impinged on the integrity of the Senate.

    The Kogi West senator also said Omo-Agege misled and incited Nigerians against the Senate by making unsubstantiated comments on the election sequence.

    Omo-Agege said:” Yesterday (Tuesday), I was not here (Senate chamber). My colleague and my brother, Senator Dino Melaye, brought a motion under Privileges which is in Order14 & 15 of the Senate Standing Rules.

    “Mr. President, I rose as a consequent on the debate on the sequence of elections in the Electoral Act amendment which was passed last week Wednesday.

    “In the course of that debate and subsequent upon that, I addressed the media at the Press Centre.

    “I made certain remarks during that interview which my attention has been drawn to. The comments are offensive, not just to Senator Dino Melaye, but to the entire Senate.

    “I rise to apologise to the leadership and the entire Senate for those remarks. I take back whatever I said. Thank you Mr. President.”

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the plenary commended Omo-Agege for being courageous to apologise for what he said.

    Ekweremadu said: “He came under Order 53. In my view, it takes a lot of courage to do this. It takes a lot of courage to say I am sorry.”

     

  • Senate proposes five –year sentence for sexual harassment in schools

    A bill which prescribes five-year jail term for lecturers that engage in sexual relationship with students was passed for first reading in the Senate on Wednesday.

    The bill, sponsored by Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege (Labour-Delta Central) and co-sponsored by 46 other senators, seeks to completely prohibit any form of sexual relationship between lecturers and their students, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    Briefing journalists after plenary, Omo-Agege said the nation’s institutions of higher learning must be sanitised to rid them of lecturers who saw female students as “prize’.”

    According to him, when the bill is passed and signed into law, any lecturer found guilty will be liable to a jail term of up to five years but not less than two years with no option of fine.

    “When passed into law, it makes it a criminal offence for any educator in a university, polytechnic or any other tertiary educational institution to violate or exploit the student-lecturer fiduciary relationship for sexual pleasures.

    “The bill imposes stiff penalties on offenders in its overall objective of providing tighter statutory protection for students against sexual hostility and all forms of sexual harassment in tertiary schools.

    “The bill provides a compulsory five-year jail term for lecturers who sexually harass students.

    “When passed into law, vice chancellors of universities, rectors of polytechnics and other chief executives of institutions of higher learning will go to jail for two years if they fail to act within a week on complaints of sexual harassment made by students.

    “The bill expressly allows sexually harassed students, their parents or guardians to seek civil remedies in damages against sexual predator lecturers before or after their successful criminal prosecution by the state,” Omo- Agege said.

  • I’ve no problem with Uduaghan, says Omo-Agege

    I’ve no problem with Uduaghan, says Omo-Agege

    The former Secretary to the Delta State Government, Ovie Omo-Agege, has said he enjoys a robust relationship with Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.

    Omo-Agege said he once had political differences with the governor but noted that they settled at a reconciliation meeting last year.

    “I have bad news for those who believe that the governor can never handover to me because I am not on good terms with him.

    “It is true that we had political differences in the past but we have reconciled and since then I enjoy a very robust relationship with him to build our party and state.”

    He spoke at Olomoro and Emede, Isoko South Local Government during his visits to a renowned scholar, Dr. Idodo Umeh and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Tom Egbuwoku, in furtherance of his consultation on his governorship aspiration.

    Omo-Agege recalled that he conceived the idea to become governor in 2006.

    “This is the time I believe that my candidacy will be embraced by all Deltans.”

     

  • I’ve no problem with Uduaghan, says Omo-Agege

    I’ve no problem with Uduaghan, says Omo-Agege

    The former Secretary to the Delta State Government, Ovie Omo-Agege, has said he enjoys a robust relationship with Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.

    Omo-Agege said he once had political differences with the governor but noted that they settled at a reconciliation meeting last year.

    “I have bad news for those who believe that the governor can never handover to me because I am not on good terms with him.

    “It is true that we had political differences in the past but we have reconciled and since then I enjoy a very robust relationship with him to build our party and state.”

    He spoke at Olomoro and Emede, Isoko South Local Government during his visits to a renowned scholar, Dr. Idodo Umeh and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Tom Egbuwoku, in furtherance of his consultation on his governorship aspiration.

    Omo-Agege recalled that he conceived the idea to become governor in 2006.

    “This is the time I believe that my candidacy will be embraced by all Deltans.”