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  • Akpabio: One year of Senate leadership

    Akpabio: One year of Senate leadership

    By Anietie Ekong

    On his inauguration on June 13, 2023 as the President of the 10th Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio had left no one in doubt that the 10th Assembly would work to promote the interest and wellbeing of the Nigerian people. He affirmed that his leadership shall be inclusive, that his shall be a servant-leadership and uncommon.

    In his inaugural speech, Senator Akpabio had boldly declared: “On my part, Distinguished Senators, I affirm that this leadership shall be yours. It shall be a servant-leadership; it shall be an uncommon leadership. To the Nigerian people, I say this: your dreams, your aspirations and your wellbeing will be at the heart of everything we will do in this Senate.

    “It is time now to go forward with the task set before us as a collective body – the promulgation of laws and enactments for the wellbeing and security of the country and as a check on the executive arm of the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in our oversight functions. Together, we shall reach and surpass the expectations of the Nigerian people regarding us, and our roles in building a better, safer, more inclusive, prosperous, efficient and ethical country,” he said.

    Indeed in the last one year, the Senate under the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio has demonstrated an uncommon zeal towards aligning with the goals and aspirations of the Nigerian people and has worked hard through motions, bills and resolutions in promoting the interest and welfare of the common people. The 10th Senate has been unwavering in its commitment to discharging its statutory roles of legislation, representation and oversight for the benefit of the Nigerian people. Under the leadership of Senator Akpabio, the 10th Senate has recorded commendable achievements that have contributed to the consolidation of Nigeria’s democratic process, and which calls for celebration.

    It is noteworthy that the election of the leadership of the 10th Assembly attracted nationwide interest. The campaigns were no less intense as the aspirants traversed the length and breadth of the country to solicit for support for their candidacy from traditional rulers to elder statesmen, from socio-political organizations to even religious leaders. It was as if the nation was going into another general election. The country was on edge simply for the election of the presiding officers of the legislature which had not drawn much interest from the general populace before then.  

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    However with the support of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Akpabio and Senator Barau Jubrin were elected the president and deputy president of the Senate respectively. The senators seem to have put their political differences behind and have forged ahead with an agenda to promote legislation that would bring succour to the Nigerian people.

    There is a general consensus among the senators across political divides that Senator Akpabio is a leader who listens to the voices of his colleagues and one who values their input, opinions and concerns to foster an atmosphere of inclusivity and collaboration. The senate’s unity behind Senator Akpabio reinforces the notion that he commands the respect and support of his fellow senators. A united Senate, working together towards a common goal, is crucial in achieving legislative objectives that benefit the Nigerian people.

    In identifying with the Nigerian people, the 10th Senate has devoted more time through bills and motions to what matters most to the Nigerian people: security and the economy. It is not a secret that Nigerians have faced tough times with the removal of fuel subsidy by the Tinubu administration. Even the president admits as much. The October Cadre Harmonise Analysis on food insecurity had projected that in 2024, Nigeria was expected to see about 26.5 million people grappling with high levels of food insecurity. But the government has worked very hard to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal and provide some succour to the Nigerian people.

    To ameliorate the hardship that Nigerians have faced, the senate had taken several measures to bring some relief to the citizenry. The legislature has had several interfaces with the economic team of the federal government to tackle the country’s poor economy, hunger, and depreciation of the value of the Naira. Part of the measures that the senate has adopted is the motion that urged the federal government to introduce food stamps as an interim measure to address food insecurity in the country.

    Food stamps are a supplemental nutrition assistance programme that provides food purchasing assistance for low and no-income people to help them maintain adequate nutrition and health. This measure is aimed at cushioning the resultant hardships and sufferings on the poor. Speaking on the motion which was proposed by the Chief Whip, Senator Ali Ndume, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau said, “The senate is open in acting on issues that will help all Nigerians. So the entire senate commends Ndume for this motion.”

    Closely linked with economic issues that the nation has faced, is the issue of insecurity across the country. As a responsive Assembly, the 10th Senate has not shied away from taking measures that can help improve the security situation in the country. It is generally accepted that insecurity in the country has affected food production as farmers can hardly access their farms for fear of being kidnapped or murdered. And the senate has been greatly concerned about this.

    The senate under the leadership of Senator Akpabio has had several engagements with security chiefs to stem the tide of insecurity across the country. Hardly any week passes without the issue of bringing improved security to the country would not dominate the order paper of the Senate plenary. The lawmakers have often expressed concern over the growing spate of killings, kidnapping and ransom payments, banditry, and other forms of criminality throughout the country.

     It is generally believed that insecurity is closely linked with illiteracy, unemployment, porous borders, proliferation of the country with small arms and light weapons, poor tactics in intelligence gathering, and non-compliance with the rule of law. This is why the senate has often called on the federal government to re-engineer the country’s security architecture to make it more responsive. 

    Due to the yearning of Nigerians, the senate has also been in the forefront of the advocacy for the establishment of the state police. According to Senator Akpabio, “We have a responsibility to collaborate with the executive and contribute our ideas to ensure that our constituents and ourselves, including our children, can sleep with their two eyes closed. Security is everybody’s business, and without security, we cannot have progress. We are determined to make laws and pass resolutions aimed at ensuring rapid progress of the country and the immediate improvement of the Nigerian economy. This will not be possible without a secured nation.”

    Just like many other Nigerians have felt, the poor state of roads in Nigeria has also been of concern to the 10th Senate. The outcome was the setting up of “an ad-hoc committee to come up with a compendium of all the affected federal roads and erosion sites across the country either awarded but abandoned by contractors or have not been awarded at all, to be forwarded to the executive arm for urgent intervention.” The committee travelled across the length and breadth of the country and it is expected that their findings and recommendations will lead to improve road network across the country.

    It is expected that with the support of his colleagues, the strength of his collaborative relationship with President Tinubu, and his avowed commitment to national development, Nigerians eagerly anticipate further positive impacts the 10thSenate will make in shaping the nation’s future.

    •Ekong, is Special Assistant (Media/Communication) to the President of the Senate.

  • Senate Leadership: Lawan, Ndume in last minutes lobby for support

    With the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari for a second four year term of office, all eyes are now focused on the National Assembly.

    The big question now is who emerges Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Ninth National Assembly.

    President Buhari is expected to issue the proclamation for the inauguration of the Ninth National Assembly any time this week, it was learnt.

    Findings showed that the two front line contenders for the Senate Presidency, Senator Ahmad Lawan and Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, have increased the tempo of their campaign and lobbying of their colleagues to clinch the exalted position.

    A competent source in Lawan’s camp told our reporter yesterday that “efforts of Lawan campaign organization to convince more senators and senators-elect to key into the Lawan for Senate President project, have been yielding tremendous results.”

    He referred to the open declaration of support for Lawan by Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senator, as a telling example.

    More PDP senators including a former governor from Abia State, he said, were warming up to declare support for Lawan this week.

    Read also: Senate Presidency: PDP senator declares support for Ahmad Lawan

    Ndume is also said to be “moving steadily” to get more senators on his side.

    A source close to the Borno South senator confirmed that Ndume held a close door meeting with Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje last week.

    Although the source refused to say the out come of the meeting, he described it as “strategic” and “not unconnected with Ndume’s move to gain the support of more senators.”

    Findings showed that the two front liners have stepped up their games, leaving no stone unturned in their bids to carry the day.

    Senator Goje was rumoured to be in the race for the Senate Presidency.

    However less than two weeks to the inauguration and election of the presiding officers of the National Assembly, the Gombe Central senator has not declared his intention to run for the position.

    The insinuation making the rounds is that Goje may have “quietly jettisoned the idea to go for the Senate Presidency.”

    It is not clear why Goje may wish to withdrew from the race.

    Speaking on the emergence of presiding officers of the Ninth Senate, Chairman, Senate Committee on Labour and Productivity, Senator Abu Ibrahim, said that it is unfair to say that President Muhammadu Buhari should not have interest in who becomes the next Senate President.

    Ibrahim said that it is in the interest of President Buhari to find someone he could work with harmoniously although he may not openly campaign for the person.

    He said that the President is not barred from making preference especially when the National needed competent leadership.

    The Katsina South Senator also said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) must come in to zone positions, which it had done.

    He added, “The issue of imposition is misunderstood. If someone is recommended, he must be elected by the senators on the floor. The only thing is that people have to subject themselves to the principles of their parties.

    “Anybody conniving with PDP should be expelled. The party has done everything for you, so you should be expelled.”

     

  • Senate leadership: APC governors step in

    Determined to avert a crisis in the 9th National Assembly, All Progressives Congress (APC) governors have waded into the row over choice of principal officers, especially the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    The race for Senate President is being hotly contested by the Senate Leader, Dr. Ahmad Lawan; the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Sen. Danjuma Goje, and a former Senate Leader, Sen. Ali Ndume.

    A team raised by the governors may this week hold talks with Goje, who is rated as the favourite of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).

    The governors are stepping in following speculations that Goje may declare his ambition for the coveted seat this week.

    According to a source, the APC governors are worried about the danger of the lawmakers elected on the platform of their party going into the Senate and the House divided on June 6.

    It was also learnt that the governors do not want the PDP to take advantage of any fresh crisis in APC to ‘hijack’ the National Assembly’s leadership.

    The governors decided to prevail on aspirants for principal offices to defer to President Muhammadu Buhari, especially on the choices of Dr. Ahmad Lawan for the Senate President and Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila as Speaker.

    A top source said: “The APC governors have chosen to rally around the President to resolve issues surrounding the election of principal officers. They said it is obvious that the party cannot handle the tension alone.

    “The main agenda is to ensure that our new members in the National Assembly go for inauguration in a more united manner. The governors do not want the party to play into the hands of the PDP this time around.

    “As part of the first leg of consultations by the governors, a team is expected to meet with Goje this week to seek his understanding.

    “This is a follow up to a similar meeting between the President and Goje, which was brokered by Governor Nasir el-Rufai.”

    On how the intervention will affect other aspirants, the source, who asked not to be named, said: “The intervention will trickle down. The governors will meet with other aspirants like Sen. Ndume, and those seeking to vie for office of the Speaker.

    “We have got to a stage that we need to put the interest of our government above personal interest.”

    The APC leadership is believed to have reached out to Goje, but  there has not been any commitment by him.

    Another source added: “Goje has not said yes or no on his purported ambition. But we have reached out to him. Some ex-governors have also met with him on the need to work with the President and the party.”

    Meanwhile, the APC has debunked insinuations that it will force senators-elect and House members-elect to sign an undertaking on the choice of principal officers.

    It was gathered that some lawmakers from the opposition were flying the kite to create a crisis in the APC caucuses in both chambers.

    “There is nothing like that, we are not going to blackmail our lawmakers and tie them down. We do not have any reasons to be doubting ourselves, “a high-ranking party leader said.

    When contacted, the National Publicity Secretary of APC, Mr. Lanre Issa-Onilu, said the party was confident that majority of the lawmakers are committed to its interest.

    He said: “ Majority of the newly-elected members of the National Assembly are committed and they share our worldview of being progressive.

    “We are certain they will work with the party in the interest of our government so that we can deliver our promises to Nigerians.”

  • Senator eyes Ekweremadu’s seat

    More Senators are indicating their intentions to battle for leadership positions ahead of the inauguration of the ninth Senate in June.

    One such new entrant in the race for leadership position in the upper chamber is the Senator representing Kano South, Kabiru Gaye.

    The APC Kano South Senator yesterday told reporters of his intention to gun for the position of Deputy Senate President of the ninth Senate.

    Gaya, a sitting Senator and Chairman Senate Committee on Works, wants to take over from incumbent DSP, Senator Ike Ekweremadu.

    The former governor of Kano State declared his intention to go for the Senate top job shortly after collecting his certificate of return as Senator-elect for Kano South.

    He told reporters at the International Conference Center, Abuja venue of the issuance of the Certificate of Return to Senators-elect that his aspiration is driven by mass appeal for him to go for the job by his colleagues.

    He also expressed a burning desire to serve in the leadership position of the ninth Senate having returned to the upper chamber for the fourth time unbroken.

    Gaya said, “I thank the Almighty Allah who granted me the grace of being elected into the Senate for the fourth time.

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    “As regards the leadership composition of the 9th Senate, majority of my colleagues are mounting pressure on me to run for the position of Deputy Senate President. I want to use this opportunity to announce that I’m running for the position being one of the most ranking Senators in the 9th Senate.”

    He however gave a caveat that his ambition for the exalted position will be subject to the determination and approval of the All Progressives Congress and the presidency.

    The aspiration of Gaya who hails from the North West geo-political zone may alter the permutations being made for the Senate leadership positions.

    If Gaya emerges Deputy Senate President, it may be difficult to also retain the Senate Presidency in the North.

    Front runners for the position of Senate Presidency of the ninth Senate include Senators Ahmed Lawan (APC Yobe North), Mohammed Ali Ndume (APC Borno South) and Mohammed Danjuma Goje (APC Gombe Central) and Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa West).

    Out of the four front liners, Lawan looks good to get the Senate top most position going by his track records and standing in the APC.

    The Senate leadership race is however very much open as other Senators are said to be warming up to take a shot at the position.

    Some other Senators and Senators-elect spoken to at the Certificate of Return collection venue were of the view that the APC leadership and the Presidency will give direction on the contentious issue.

    Senator-elect Adedayo Adeyeye (APC Ekiti South) noted that to avoid the leadership crisis that overwhelmed the 8th Senate, the APC national leadership should do the needful by providing the required direction for the majority party in the Senate to follow.

    Another Senator-elect, Bamidele Opeyemi (APC Ekiti Central) was sure that the APC leadership will effectively manage the process for effective leadership of the ninth Senate.

    He said, “The calibre and character of personalities elected for the 9th Senate are very solid and promising for the country but leadership is key. This very reason why the leadership of the ruling party must manage well, whatever process, it’s going to use for the emergence of leadership at both chambers this time around.

    “Once this is done, the party and in particular, the National Assembly and the presidency will be on the same page on development-driven bills sponsorship, policy formulations and approvals.”

    Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (APC Niger North) on his own, said that the necessary lessons to be learnt from the leadership tussle in the 8th Senate had been learnt.

    Abdullahi was optimistic that the loose ends in the leadership selection process of the ninth Senate would be tightened by the APC leadership.

    He said, “I was a key player in the leadership configuration of the 8th Senate and the attendant crises that followed. As one of the 43 returnees, the lessons learnt will be used to prevent the mistakes of the past from happening.”

  • Akpabio to Saraki: Senate leadership must change

    The calm that reigned in the Senate since its return from recess last week was shattered yesterday.

    Senator Godswill Akpabio called for the reconstitution and restructuring of the upper chamber — in line with the numerical strength of parties. “The majority must always preside over the minority,” he said.

    He threatened to stop contributing in plenary unless his desired change is carried out.

    Akpabio (Akwa Ibom North West) spoke at a news conference after yesterday’s plenary during which he was temporarily barred from making contributions by Senate President Bukola Saraki.

    Akpabio, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and resigned as the minority leader, said the Senate president should follow suit after Saraki’s defection to the PDP from APC.

    He added that while the minority should have its say, the majority should have its way for peace to prevail.

    The Senate, he insisted, must be properly constituted and senators must sit according to political parties.

    “You cannot have 10 senators presiding over the affairs of 80 senators and expect peace to reign,” Akpabio said.

    He went on: “On the other side, having me move from the PDP to the APC, I think it is a jolly good movement and I am excited that I have a much greater opportunity to relate directly with the government and not my voice to be heard from a partisan point of view.

    “Being part of the ruling party now, whatever advice or contributions I will make will not be looked at with suspicion. They will now know that I am saying it from a patriotic point of view and for the fact that I want things to work better.

    “I moved in national interest. I saw a kind of slight towards disorder, where many of my colleagues saw defection as a weapon against the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “I don’t believe that we should bring a government into being without supporting that government to succeed. If the administration slides and Nigeria slides into anarchy, it is our children that will suffer. I moved to stabilise the polity.

    “I moved from PDP to APC, to make sure that this government works before election. It should not be all about election; it should be first about Nigeria. Let others also move in national interest.

    “I did not just move like that, I was a (Minority) Leader in the Senate. I resigned my position in order to show that, yes, I meant business. Let others who also have positions in the Senate who wish to also cross carpet from one political party to another also resign their positions and take a cue from what Godswill Akpabio did.

    “There is the need for us to restructure the Senate. Behind where I sat today, my very good friend, distinguished Senator Shittu; it was after the little noise in the Senate that he told me that he was now in the PDP and I said ‘why are you sitting here?’

    “Don’t you think there is the need for us to restructure the Senate? PDP will sit on a side, APGA will sit where they are supposed to, and the ruling party, which still forms the majority, will still sit where they are supposed to sit.

    ”The leadership should be restructured in a way that the majority can have their way and the minority will have their say. That is the practice all over modern democracies.

    “You cannot have a political party with 10 members, another with 80 members, and the 10 members will now produce the leadership.

    “Does it happen anywhere in the world? Nigeria is not different. We are running a democracy. That is what I meant when I said I would speak when the Senate is well restructured and reconstituted.”

    During plenary, there was commotion for over 30 minutes.

    It all started with a Point of Order raised by Senator Bassey Albert Akpan.

    Akpan (PDP, Akwa Ibom North East) raised Order 43, which deals with personal explanation under which a senator is allowed to speak about himself and his constituents.

    The Akwa Ibom North East lawmaker informed his colleagues about a looming crisis in Akwa Ibom State.

    He claimed that the APC in the state was plotting to unleash mayhem that would possibly lead to the cancellation of the governorship election in 2019.

    He alleged that the APC wanted to instigate the cancellation of the governorship election to deploy “federal might” to cause a change of leadership in the state.

    Saraki ruled that the information given by Akpan was “well noted”.

    Akpabio, who appeared to be agitated by Akpan’s information, was angling to respond

    Saraki asked Akpabio to go to his seat before he could be recognised to speak.

    The Senate President said Akpabio could not speak from a seat that is not his.

    Saraki added that there was no microphone where Akpabio sat.

    Saraki said: “Nobody is trying to prevent Senator Akpabio from speaking.

    “All I said is that Senator Akpabio should go and sit where there is a microphone and he will be allowed to speak.

     

    “It has never happened in this chamber that a senator is allowed to speak where there is no microphone.”

    Senate Leader Ahmed Lawan reminded Saraki that there was no formal sitting arrangement in the chamber.

    He said that Akpabio had the right to speak from where he was since the leadership of the chamber had failed to ensure a formal sitting arrangement.

    Lawan noted that he had raised the issue of a formal sitting arrangement with the Senate President without the expected result.

    The Senate Leader, who insisted that the chamber must be guided by its rules, added that “we must have a sitting arrangement”.

    Lawan said there had been movements across party lines, with the possibility that more people would still move as they deemed fit.

    Saraki said the Clerk to the Senate, Nelson Ayewo, was directed to allocate seats to senators.

    The Senate President said he believed that the new sitting arrangement would be completed next week.

    As the exchange of words between Saraki and Lawan continued, Akpabio was visibly angry  where he sat.

    He insisted on being allowed to speak. Saraki stood his ground that Akpabio should go to his seat before he could be allowed to speak.

    Senator Dino Melaye attempted to shout Akpabio down.

    Akpabio got irritated and was also shouting on top of his voice. There was confusion as other senators joined the fray.

    Attempts to calm frayed nerves failed.

    Lawan moved to confer with Saraki, apparently on the way forward.

    Saraki explained that his position was that Akpabio should go to a seat with a microphone.

    He said Lawan was not fair to him by insinuating that he did not want Akpabio to speak.

    Lawan said the APC must not be discriminated against on the floor of the Senate.

    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu raised Order 11(1)(2).

    Ekweremadu said every senator had the right to speak for himself and the people he represents.

    Senators Mohammed Ali Ndume (APC) and Kabiru Marafa (APC) began to shout on top of their voices.

    Ekweremadu was forced to sit down.

    Akpabio took the floor and said the seat on which he sat was allocated to him by the Senate Clerk.

    He added that the embarrassment he received was uncalled for.

    Saraki disagreed and asked the Clerk to confirm if he allocated the seat to Akpabio.

    The Clerk said when Akpabio requested to sit on the seat, he informed him that there was no microphone on the seat.

    Ayewo said Akpabio insisted on sitting there.

    He said he had no choice than to allow Akpabio to sit where he wanted.

    After Ayewo’s explanation, Saraki gave Akpabio the floor to speak.

    The former governor of Akwa Ibom State promptly demanded an apology “for the unwarranted embarrassment I received today”.

    He added that even the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) apologised to Nigerians.

    Akpabio concluded: “Until the Senate sitting arrangement is properly constituted, I rest my case.”

  • ‘I’m ready for Senate leadership’

    Oyo State House of Assembly Speaker Mrs. Monsurat Sunmonu has said she is ready to serve in any leadership position in the Eighth Senate.

    Mrs. Sunmonu won the National Assembly election to represent Oyo Central.

    She said with her experience in the House of Assembly in the last four years, she has much to contribute to the Senate in any leadership position.

    A statement by her media aide, Folake Balogun, said: “Mrs. Sunmonu is widely known among the big-wigs of the party as ‘the stabiliser’ as she held the Oyo Assembly together for four years.

    “This is despite the initial demographic of the House, which included 13 Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), 12 Accord Party and seven Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members at its inauguration in 2011. She is the first Speaker in the history of Oyo State not to be impeached.”