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Tag: PDP caucus

  • APC Reps advise PDP Caucus to go to court

    THE All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus in the House of Representatives has advised the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart to approach the court over the impeachment saga in Benue State Assembly.

    In a statement yesterday, the House Leader  Femi Gbajabiamila said rather than blaming President Muhammadu Buhari over the issue, such a move will find support from the APC members.

    The statement reads: “While we agree that the purported impeachment of the Benue State Speaker by eight members cannot pass the smell test under the constitution, we find it strange and hyperbolic that the PDP caucus in the House in a knee jerk reaction will try to tie the President to same.

    “In tandem with our party, PDP has been screaming restructuring and federalism to high heavens and one wonders why the same party will now blame the activities of an independent state assembly on Mr. President.

    “As for the police, the matter is serious enough and one would expect the PDP members to immediately push for the reconvening of the House so as to probe the exact role played by the police. In legislative work, there are procedures to be followed.

    “We believe it is precipitous and not a proper understanding of the law and legislative procedure to say the PDP would stop the reconvening of the House and passage of the virement with their numbers as this requires only a simple majority. Something the APC has in abundance in the House.

    “It is more befuddling that there seems to be more misunderstanding of the required number to form a quorum. A quorum is 1/3rd of members again a number our party has in abundance.

    “Finally as legislators we believe in the constitutionally enshrined separation of powers and as such rather than look to the President, the PDP caucus should challenge the matter in court. We are sure it will be a slam dunk based on the prima facie facts before us.

  • Wike is apostle of peace, says Reps’ PDP caucus

    Wike is apostle of peace, says Reps’ PDP caucus

    The caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Representatives has backed the description of Rivers State Governors Nyesom Wike as an apostle of peace.

    The lawmakers noted that the award, which the state’s chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) conferred on the governor, was well deserved because the residents had been reaping the rewards of their electoral choice.

    Praising Wike for getting the Governor of the Year award from a national daily, the caucus, in a statement yesterday by its leader and Minority Leader Leo Ogor, also noted that Wike’s resilience was a source of encouragement for the revival of PDP.

    It reads: “In its announcement, the Rivers State chapter of CAN also drew attention to Governor Wike’s patriotic utterances and concerns for the protection of every citizen’s rights to life and religious liberty, including provision of effective security, which calms citizens’ anxieties.

    “The PDP Caucus in the House of Representatives heartily felicitate with …Wike, the irrepressible governor of Rivers State, for the well-deserved recognition and conferment with Peace award.

    “Indeed, the award of ‘Apostle of Peace’ granted to Governor Wike by the Rivers State chapter of CAN at the Civic Centre in Port Harcourt on Saturday,  February 11, is a clear conferment of honour to whom honour is due.

    “While our party, the PDP, is working to surmount internal challenges and the onslaught of vicious propaganda of the ruling party, Governor Wike has demonstrated such impactful resilience that ensures continuous progress and development for his people – even in the face of spiteful propaganda and nasty politics.

    “As King George V once said: ‘The highest of distinctions is service to others’ and Governor Wike has truly excelled.

    “We congratulate the people of Rivers State for having such a focused and determined leader with such passionate commitment to his development vision for a new Rivers State and the protection of every citizen’s right to life and religious liberty.

    “Ongoing and completed infrastructure and other projects in various parts of Rivers State are concrete realities that attest to the people-oriented disposition of Governor Wike. We salute him and the people of Rivers State as they continue to show that Nigeria’s propaganda chieftains have no real root in such a state.”

  • EFCC: PDP Caucus disowns senator

    EFCC: PDP Caucus disowns senator

    •‘N1tr allegation infantile’

    A fresh crisis has hit the Senate over a petition against the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, alleging diversion of N1trillion by the agency.

    The petition is being promoted by Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, believed to be an ally of the Senate President.

    But the PDP Caucus, to which Nwaoboshi belongs, yesterday opposed the probe of the allegation.

    The caucus made its position known in a statement signed by the Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, Sen. Phillip Aduda (FCT), Sen. Emmanuel Bwacha (Taraba) and Senator Abiodun Olujimi (Ekiti).

    The statement said: “It has come to the notice of the PDP leadership in the Senate that the Senate Committee on Public Petitions would begin a public hearing on Wednesday, 26th of August 2015 and the Committee has invited the Chairman of EFCC to appear before it.

    “The PDP leadership in the Senate is not against any committee of the Senate performing its oversight duties and or functions but we feel that this is not the appropriate time to embark on this most important assignment, particularly since this same action was mooted and has failed at previous plenary session.

    “We therefore urge the committee to suspend its public hearing on this particular matter until further notice.

    “The PDP Senate leadership reassures the Nigerian public of its support for the war against corruption by the Federal Government of Nigeria but hastens to add that such fight against corruption should be total and not selective.

    “Nigerians need peace at this period of economic challenges precipitated by the falling oil prices and actions that will overheat the polity and generate unnecessary friction between the Executive and the Legislature should be guided.”

    The intending probe of Lamorde caused a split among senators.

    A Senator said: “The so-called petition came through an ambush procedure because it did not follow due process.

    “If there is any petition, it ought to be sent to the President of the Senate and not an individual senator.

    “We are suspecting that some people are trying to use the Senate to settle scores. This is not the type of process we voted for on June 9.”

    Another senator said: “It is an abuse of the Senate rules after the same plot had failed at a previous plenary of the Senate. Certainly, some fifth columnists are at work.”

    The EFCC yesterday described the allegations against Lamorde as “infantile” and “fabricated”.

    It said the EFCC since its inception had not earned up to N1trillion.

    A statement by the commission’s Head, Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said: “The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to a report captioned, Alleged N1tn diversion: Senate to probe Lamorde’s alleged diversion of N1tn, which appeared in a newspaper of Monday August 24, 2015 containing salacious claims of corruption against the person of the chairman of the Commission, Ibrahim Lamorde.

    “The EFCC should ordinarily not dignify the publication with a response as the motives of the promoters and their media allies are to impugn the integrity of the EFCC boss with fabricated stories of corruption.

    “However the Commission is constrained to respond, to expose the motive behind the sinister plot.

    “In the first instance, claims of a N1trillion corruption in the EFCC is infantile and assaults the sensibilities of all reasonable stakeholders in the anti- corruption fight.

    “Even if the EFCC had not returned a kobo of recovered assets in its 12 years existence in addition to the yearly appropriated funds from the federation account, it will be nowhere near a trillion naira.

    “This clearly exposes the mission of the so called petitioner as nothing more than mischief, designed to smear Lamorde.

    ”More sinister is the discovery that the so-called petition did not follow the procedure for consideration by the Senate. It was sent, not to the Senate but to a member, Senate Peter Nwaoboshi, a first term senator from Delta North.

    “Under the Senate rules, petitions meant for consideration by the red chamber are sent to the Senate, not to a member of the Senate.

    “Also, petitions meant for the Senate are tabled at the plenary, before they are referred to the relevant committees for further consideration. In this instance, the Senate has been on recess and there is no evidence that the so called petition was considered at plenary and referred to any committee.

    “The EFCC as an agency that is founded on transparency is not afraid of any ‘probe’ or request for information regarding its activities by individuals, groups or organs of government; so far as such requests followed due process of law.

    “The EFCC under Lamorde did not need the prompting of anyone, when it commissioned a reputable international audit firm, KPMG, to carry out comprehensive audit of exhibits and forfeited assets of the Commission from 2003 to date.

    “The report of the audit will be made public once it is ready. Were the Commission to be jittery about its records, it would not have embarked on such audit.

    “The EFCC however warns that those who peddle false information with the intent to mislead should be reminded that there is a subsisting law on false information and the consequence for violation is grave.

     

  • We’ve not endorsed any Speakership aspirant – PDP Caucus

    The Peoples Democratic Party caucus in the House of Representatives on Monday said it has not endorsed any Speakership aspirant.

    Leader of the caucus, Hon. Leo Ogor, in a chat with journalists, said out of those aspiring to become the speaker of the 8th House, the caucus had not endorse any candidate.

    He said they would elect a Speaker based on transparency, accountability and impeccable integrity.

    Ahead of the June 6 inauguration of the 8th Assembly, six lawmakers are vying for the country’s number four position.

    They are – Hon Femi Gbajabiamila (APC, Lagos) who is presently the Minority Leader, Hon. Yakubu Dogara (APC, Bauchi); Hon. Pally Iriase (APC, Edo) and Hon. Abdulmunmin Jibrin (APC, Kano).

    Others are – Burka Goni (APC, Yobe) and Hon. Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno).

    Ogor said: “There is nothing like endorsing anybody for Christ sake. First and foremost, you know I am a returnee and I lead the caucus in the House at the moment. I will tell you that there we have not heard any meeting with Dogara neither have we start discussing anything with him.

    “We are going to elect a Speaker that is going to be based on transparency, accountability and a Speaker we know definitely well that we will speak for all of us. We cannot sit down and automatically endorse somebody. It is not done that way.

    “Let me also point to one funny thing in the House. They don’t want a scenario where somebody dictates for them. You saw what happened during the Tambuwal era. It is not different. So my appeal is to allow the House choose the candidate so that we don’t end up picking a wrong candidate out of annoyance.”

  • ‘We can reconvene House without Tambuwal’s consent’

    ‘We can reconvene House without Tambuwal’s consent’

    THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caucus in the House of Representatives said yesterday that the House could reconvene without the approval of the Speaker, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

    The Deputy Leader of the House, Leo Ogor, made the declaration yesterday while reacting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) House caucus last Monday’s statement on the alleged plot by the PDP to reconvene the House before December 3.

    Ogor said Order 5, Rule 18 of the House Standing Orders bestows the power to reconvene the House on leaders of the political parties in the House.

    He added that “Tambuwal cannot be a judge in his own case.”

    The deputy leader, whose position was at variance with that of the APC caucus, cautioned that it was wrong for the APC caucus to assume that the PDP and APC are the only parties in the Green Chamber.

    The lawmaker said in accordance with House Rules, leaders of political parties in the House could request reopening of the House without Tambuwal’s agreement.

    He, however, stated that because the matter was before the court, the House members would wait until the case was concluded.

    The lawmaker, who said he has not been served the court order stopping the House from reopening, said: “We can reconvene the House if we so desire. I’ve not been served the court order. So, I’m not aware of it.

    Ogor however said the issue to be thrashed when the House reconvenes was not that of impeachment, but defection.

  • Jonathan, PDP caucus meet at Villa

    Jonathan, PDP caucus meet at Villa

    President Goodluck Jonathan met last night behind closed-doors with caucus members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the State House, Abuja.

    At the meeting were the Vice President, Namadi Sambo, Senate President, David Mark, Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba and Deputy Senate Leader, Abdul Ningi.

    Governors at the meeting, which started by 8:37pm, were Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Jonah Jang (Plateau), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom) and Theodore Orji (Abia).

    Others at the meeting were the PDP Chairman, Adamu Muazu, PDP Deputy National Chairman, Uche Secondus, former PDP Chairman, Ahmadu Ali, PDP Board of Trustee (BoT) Secretary, Walid Jibril.

    Also at the meeting were the Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Rufai Alkali, PDP National Women Leader, Kema Chikwe, Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, and Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke.

    The meeting was still ongoing at press time.

    The party’s BoT meeting will also hold at the Presidential Villa today ahead of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting slated for Thursday at the PDP National Headquarters, Abuja.