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Tag: Senate

  • Senate holds valedictory session for Adeleke Wednesday

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday urged senators to attend Wednesday’s valedictory session in honour of the late Isiaka Adeleke.

    Saraki made the call shortly before the upper chamber adjourned plenary in honour of the former Osun State governor.

    The mood in the chamber was indicative of the loss of a man at peace with all senators.

    Saraki was clad in a deep blue caftan apparently to depict the mood of the day.

    Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan, had formerly announced the death of Adeleke.

    Lawan, who came under Order 43 (Personal Explanation), said it was with heavy heart that he announced the death of Adeleke.

    He prayed the Senate, in line with “convention and practice of the National Assembly” to adjourn plenary in honour of the deceased.

    He also asked the Senate to observe one minute silence as a mark of respect for their departed colleague.

    Lawan said a session of tribute would be held on Wednesday to honour Adeleke.

     

  • MTN $13b saga: Questions over Senate’s postponement

    MTN $13b saga: Questions over Senate’s postponement

    It was the Senate ad hoc committee on the Humanitarian Crisis in the North East, headed by Senator Shehu Sani that unearthed the contract scam involving the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Babachir David Lawal in October 2016. Unlike many investigative panels before it, the Sani committee did a thorough job. Some of its findings was the over N200 million contract for the removal of invasive weeds (otherwise known as grass cutting contract) in Yobe State. The committee discovered that Rholavision Nigeria Limited, the company that got what turned out to be a phony contact, was registered by Babachir Lawal. The Presidential Initiative on the North East (PINE) which awarded the contract, was placed under the watch of the same Lawal. The committee’s findings were able to establish that it was Babachir Lawal of PINE that awarded the contract to Babachir Lawal of Rholavision. When the scandal broke, the double faced Lawal applied several bullying methods to dismiss the report. But the Senate, particularly Shehu Sani refused to be silenced by Lawal’s sinister antics. In response, the Presidency referred the matter to a committee headed by Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami. And through some executive magic, Lawal was cleared of wrongdoing and a report clearing the now suspended SGF was flashed in the face of a benumbed Nigerian public. This forced the often rationally stubborn Sani to draw the conclusion that the Presidency had chosen to apply insecticide against its foes in the fight against corruption, only to spray sweet-scented deodorant on its friends and cronies. That was what the Malami report on Babarchirgate truly did. This was followed by a flurry of activities in the partisan sphere, as prominent chieftains in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) saw the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as save haven to cover their iniquities of the past which were being put under the searchlight of the anti-graft agencies. A number of them that were under investigation or facing prosecution hurriedly defected to the APC overnight. The defection galore spread across geopolitical zones as chieftain after chieftain assembled the media to announce their defection from PDP to APC. And just when Nigerians thought the matter had been effectively swept under the carpet through an executive fiat, the Presidency, apparently out of penitence, decided to change from deodorant to insecticide in treating Babachirgate. The flit came in the same pack with the infamous National Intelligence Agency (NIA) saga. In his wisdom, or the lack of it, Abiodun Oke, the Director General of the NIA came out to lay claim to billions of cash in local and foreign currencies discovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a private apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos. According to him, the hidden cash, running to about N13 billion, was meant for “covert operations” and had to be stuffed in safe cabinets in a private apartment under the control of his beloved wife. Just like Babachir Lawal, Abiodun Oke too has been given a kick in the rump. The two gentlemen will be giving their narratives before a presidential panel in the days ahead.

    But while the Shehu Sani committee effectively applied insecticide in attacking Babachirgate, another committee of the Senate chose the soft option by spraying deodorant on individuals and corporate bodies it accused of wrongdoings. In October 2016, the Senate standing committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions screamed to the high heavens, accusing some firms and local banks of assisting a telecom giant, MTN Nigeria to illegally repatriate about $13 billion out of Nigeria. That Senate committee, chaired by Senator Rafiu Ibrahim (Kwara South), issued summons to top officials of the MTN, the Central Bank of Nigeria and a number of commercial banks alleged to have aided what the committee described as capital flight. Chief executives of some private firms alleged to have played a role in the said illegal financial dealings were also summoned. The present Minister of Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enalemah, was also summoned to give explanations regarding the role his firm played in the matter. The vast hearing Senate room was packed to the brim with the various invitees and journalists hoping to get sizzling scoop from the hearing. The hall was tense as the senators took turns to lament what they described as economic injury inflicted on the nation by the invited individuals and corporate bodies. At opening session of the public hearing, Senator Ibrahim threatened to invoke the relevant punitive rule in the Senate’s book against Minister Enalemah who appeared for the hearing but had sneaked out before the exercise began. The boisterous Senator Dino Melaye went throaty, stealing the show in his trademark fashion. He bawled, he yelled and barked at the invitees as he hinged his effusive outbursts on patriotic zeal oozing out of his agitated soul. Most of the invited individuals and corporate bodies were visibly rattled by the senators’ verbal quakes. Prying questions were hurled at the “errant” invitees and many of them became fidgety. They were cornered. The horde of journalists sat on the edge of their seats, waiting for the slam. Unconvincing explanations were offered by some of the representatives of the firms and officials of the CBN. The atmosphere became charged and reporters were ready to go for the kill. Then suddenly, the chairman of the investigating Senate committee, Rafiu Ibrahim, halted the music. He announced in his native Ilorin English, that the hearing had been postponed indefinitely. Ibrahim gave no reasons for the termination of the hearing on the very first day. And since then, members of the Nigerian public have been left to guess what transpired. Case closed. So Senator Shehu Sani cannot be said to be totally right on the insecticide and deodorant theory wherein he accused the executive arm of selective application of the two contrasting aerosols. The Senate also, is a culprit. Ask Senator Rafiu Ibrahim.

  • Magu and the Senate: Time to end the circus

    For a while now, Nigerians have been bemused and worried at the same time by the seemingly unending circus that the nomination and Senate confirmation of Ibrahim Magu as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has become. President Muhammad Buhari’s strong confidence in Ibrahim Magu is only rivalled by the Senate’s disdain of and contempt for him. As the two elephants fought over Magu’s suitability or otherwise as the country’s top corruption czar, Nigerians and the fight against corruption were the worse for it. Thankfully, it would appear an end is in sight for this long running saga.

    Twice the Senate has refused to confirm Magu as the EFCC chairman but the presidency remains determined to retain him in that position regardless. Until now, there has been a media frenzy feeding off this stalemate with no indication as to the president’s next line of action. However, last week, the vice president, YemiOsinbajo, gave the clearest indication yet of the president’s thoughts on the matter. Speaking to a cross section of journalists, Osinbajo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, advanced legal reasons for government’s stance. It is the opinion of the presidency that going by section 171 of the 1999 constitution, as amended, the president does not necessarily need Senate’s confirmation of Magu’s appointment. He also disclosed that President Buhari did not find the DSS report on Magu meritorious enough to negate his nomination. The vice president also indicated the readiness of the president, if necessary, to resubmit Magu’s name to the senate for as many times as it takes the senate to confirm him. It is worthy to note also that a huge number of legal experts support the position of the law as espoused by the vice president. It is argued and convincingly too, that the  effect of section 1 (1) &(3) read together with Section 171 (1) &(2) of the 1999 constitution as amended, is to void section 2 (3) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act which requires that a nominee for the agency’s chairmanship be subject to confirmation by the Senate.  Since this provision of the Act is inconsistent with section 171 of the constitution, it becomes void to the extent of its inconsistency as per section 1 (1) &(3). In other words, since section 171 (1) &(2) does not require Senate’s  confirmation of the appointments of heads of government agencies like the EFCC, and the constitution is superior to the EFCC Act which requires such senate confirmation, Ibrahim Magu automatically becomes the substantive chairman of the anti-corruption agency and will hold office for such period as stipulated by law.

    The reasoning of the presidency is not only sound in law, it is also a lot of common sense. Everything is not politics. While it may be politically savvy for the president to drop Ibrahim Magu to diffuse executive versus legislature tension, such move may deal a death blow to the administration’s anti-corruption fight. Also, since the matter involves interesting constitutional issues, it will enrich our democratic jurisprudence to have the Supreme Court give an opinion in the event that the Senate is minded to challenge the presidency’s reading of the law. That is what the judiciary exists for. It is hoped that the Senate will come to terms with this legal reality and move on, or opt for a legal challenge at the Supreme Court. I agree with the presidency and the Senate is best advised to let go and move on.

     

    • Prince Nwaeze Onu

    E mail: nationalpathfindernewspaper@gmail.com

     

  • No feud between Presidency and Senate, says Umaru

    The senator representing Niger East District, David Umaru, has said that the feud  between the National Assembly and the Presidency is a figment of the imagination of the enemies of the nation.

    Umaru said some Nigerians, due to their vested interests, were spreading falsehood, adding that the senators have no reason to  fight the Presidency.

    The senator told reporters after a protest by youths, who called for the recalling of senators in the state, alleging that they were not being adequately represented.

    Umaru said: “We have good and excellent relationship with the executive. Senators are patriots, but people tend to call us names just to satisfy their own interest. The Presidency/Senate  feud is the figment of the imagination of some people who can be classified as enemies of the country. they want Nigerians to believe that there is a fight between us, whereas there is none.

    “If we were enemies, the National Assembly would have started an impeachment process against the President while he was sick and away in London. On our part as legislators, we have done a lot of things to save the executive.”

    Umaru, who frowned on the incessant protests by the youths against the National Assembly, said that the Senate has succeeded in passing some bills that have been of benefit of the people. He added: “People do not see the positive things we are doing. they only tend to see negative things and magnify it beyond imagination. Instead of making moves to ensure that the existing institutions are strengthened, the people are busy making effort to destroy it.”

    Umaru urged Nigerians to resist manipulation by the enemies of the nation, stressing that the people should be aware that the Senate is behind the President Buhari evil. “

    He said the Senate will not be distracted or manipulated from doing their best in ensuring stability in the country.

    Youths under the coalition of Non-Governmental Organisations took to the street, calling for the recall of Umaru and other Senators over inadequate representation in the National Assembly.

    The protesters started their march from the Mobile roundabout to the constituency office of the senator.

    The youths, who cut across the three senatorial districts, decried the self serving attitudes saying the Senators have failed the people of their constituencies.

    They also blamed the Senators for frustrating President Muhammdu Buhari agenda in fighting corruption in the country by not passing anti corruption bill into law amongst other allegations.

  • How Babachir Lawal got into trouble

    How Babachir Lawal got into trouble

    AT its sitting on October 4, 2016, the Senate debated a motion on the “mounting humanitarian crisis in the Northeast” after which an ad-hoc committee was constituted to investigate the matter. The committee was asked to conduct a public hearing to ascertain how much has been released to the Presidential Initiative on the North East (PINE).

    It was also to ascertain how the funds had been utilised from inception as well as to investigate alleged diversion of grains and other food items from the Strategic Grain Reserves,  National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other sources for the IDPs.

    The committee held a three-day public hearing between December 6 and 8, 2016. Some invited stakeholders, including Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir Lawal, failed to attend the investigative hearing. The committee released what it called interim report, indicting the SGF who said he was not given fair hearing. It recommended the SGF’s sack on account of awarding contracts to a firm, Rollervision Engineering Limited, in which he had interest.

    A firm allegedly linked to Lawal  was said to have been awarded over N230 million contract to clear “invasive plant specie” in Yobe State.

    The committee found that as of the time the contract was awarded last March, Lawal was still Rheolavision’s director and that he only resigned in September.

    According to the Senate, Lawal’s directorship of the firm while being a public official contravened the Code of Conduct for public officials as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.

    The lawmakers found that the company was incorporated in 1990 to carry out ICT services; but it received the  contract to clear grass in 2016 even while the owner is a senior government official.

    Hours after the Senate indicted him and called on authorities to punish him, Lawal accompanied President Buhari to the National Assembly to present the 2017 budget proposal.

    After the presentation, Lawal told journalists that the Senate was only victimising him and trying to “rubbish” his personality.

    “The Senate is talking balderdash; it has developed the habit of bring-him-down syndrome. I have the report of the Senate committee in which it was said that I didn’t resign from Rholavision Nigeria Limited. Let me tell you, Rheolavision was formed by me in December 1990, and it has been a company that was run very successfully.

    “Now, when I was appointed SGF, I resigned from that company on 18th August 2015. I can see that in their report, they are talking about 2016. I don’t know where they got their facts.

    “By the way, it is very instructive that when the committee was sitting, no effort was ever made to invite me to come and make submission.

    “It is therefore, surprising that they devoted a whole session at maligning me, claiming what is not true without even giving me the chance to come and put my own case before them.”

    When the Senate resumed in January, Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West) brought up the matter, saying Lawal breached his privilege and that of his colleagues.

    The Senate insisted on its committee’s findings and senators took turns to lambast Lawal.

    “The President should review how somebody like Babachir Lawal managed to get into this government,” said Chukwuka Utazi (PDP-Enugu).

    Sani said many companies awarded contracts by the Presidential Initiative on the North East (PINE) cannot be located.

    Sani told reporters in Abuja that over 20 companies were involved in the phony contracts.

    The Kaduna Central lawmaker, who described the development as “strange”, said that the inability of his committee to trace the addresses of the firm further reinforced their desire to interact with Lawal as the head of PINE.

    Sani said: “Meanwhile, you should understand that we are not investigating the SGF alone. We are investigating contracts that were awarded under the Presidential Initiative on the North East (PINE) and over 20 companies were involved.

    “But something very strange is the fact that some of these companies in these contracts we couldn’t actually trace their addresses.

    “We went there but we couldn’t find them. So the option before us is that it is easier for the camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for us to find some of these names here.”

    He added: “One of the persons we invited happens to be the SGF and his invitation followed the events that came after the interim report was tendered before the Senate and that was in his own claim that he was not given a fair hearing.

    “He sent a second letter asking for another opportunity to appear before us and he sent a letter to the committee through the leadership of the Senate and that letter overrides any other rumors you may have heard before.

    “Like all other persons, I read it on the pages of the newspapers that he went to court but we have never been served any letter on any legal action as far as we are concerned .“Before then, we also received a letter from the MD of Rolavision who said he was bereaved but the official letter is the one we received from the SGF which he signed himself and he graciously told us that he needs a new date based on the fact that the date that was set for today was not convenient to him. So that was the reason, I tendered the letter in plenary.

    “We need to be meticulous because reputations and lives of people are concerned and it is on that background that on the final phase of the report, we have to do a thorough job.”

    Lawal insisted that it was unfair to him for the committee to have submitted interim report without hearing from him.

    President Muhammadu Buhari took sides with him in a January letter to the Senate in which he asked the chamber to take a second look at its recommendations on the issue.

    The President faulted the recommendations of Senate and declined to remove the SFG as was recommended.

    The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Shehu Sani (Kaduna Central) in a statement noted that “in order to give them (stakeholders) a fair hearing, the committee has resolved to conduct another public hearing.”

    The presidential letter on Babachir reads: “Dear Distinguished Senate President, Re-resolution by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria concerning the humanitarian situation in the northeast region particularly in relation to the alleged role of the secretary to the government of the federation, Engr. David Babachir David Lawal in the contract implementation regime of the presidential initiative for the northeast (pine).

    “You may recall your letter with reference NASS /8X/R/01/5 dated 15th December, 2016 in respect of the Senate consideration of the report of its ad-hoc committee on the mounting humanitarian crisis in the northeast that conveyed the resolution of the committee as contained in paragraph 1 subsection 8 therein which reads as follows. Engr. Babachir Lawal having contravenes the provisions of part one of the 5th schedule of the 1999 constitution as amended had breached his oath of office and should resign and be prosecuted by the relevant authority, S/075/02/01/16.

    “Following a receipt of your letter, I setup a review team to consider the recommendations from the senate committee. I have also conducted further investigation based on Engr Lawal’s response to the allegations and issues raised in the Senate resolution.  I have come to the following conclusion that I believe will guide the senate in the proper review of its interim report and eventual resolution.

    “The report forwarded to the presidency by the senate which informed the decision that Engr Babachir Lawal should resign and be prosecuted by the relevant authority S/075/02/016 was an interim report as against a final report which ought to have be presented to the senate in the plenary for adoption as a binding and final report before submission to the presidency given the weight of allegations made in the report.

    “The Senate committee setup to investigate the mounting humanitarian crisis in the northeast comprised of nine members namely,  Senator Oluremi Tinubu,  Senator Mohammed Hassan, Senator Solomon Adeola, Senator Ben Murray Bruce,  Senator Tayo Alasoadura,  Senator Theodore Orji,  Senator Yahaya A. Abdullahi, Senator Mallam Aliu Wakili and Senator Issac M Alfa.

    “The review of the interim report shows that the interim report was only signed by  three out of the 9 members namely Senator Solomon Adeola,  Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, and Senator Isaac M. Alfa

    “The signing of the interim report by three out of 9 members of the committee makes it a minority report of the Senate committee and not a committee report being an interim report. Thus, presenting a challenge for the presidency to determine the weight to attach to the report as currently presented.

    “I have also observed that the Senate ad-hoc interim committee report and the votes and proceedings of the Senate have not in its own right established that Engr Babachir Lawal was ever given an opportunity to appear before the committee and defend himself.

    “It is also on record that the company linked to him Rollervision Engineering Limited was also not invited at anytime before the committee to defend himself against the allegations which eventually formed the fulcrum of the Senate’s case against the company.

    “You are invited to note that non application of principles of fair hearing by the senate ad-hoc committee is a clear contravention of section 36 (1) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and against all principles of rule of law as initiated in the “Nigerian legal system as well as the roles of the National Assembly committees on handling of public petitions.

    “Consequently, I am of the view that baring other consideration that may arise as a result of subsequent investigation of Engr Lawal by the interim ad-hoc committee. The current report as presented to the Presidency in its own right does not meet the principles of fair hearing and compliance with the Senate rules for conduct of investigations in matters relating to abuse of office by public officers.

    “In replying on the foregoing I am not able to approve the recommendation to remove and prosecute Engr Lawal on the basis of the Senate ad-hoc committee report dated 15th December, 2016.”

    The president’s letetr angered Sani, who accused the presidency of fighting corruption with deodorant once members of the executive are involved and using insecticide when it concerned the National Assembly.

    The SGF later headed to court and said he would not appear before the committee. But the SGF wrote another letter dated March 22 requesting the committee to give him a new date to appear.

    Lawal, in the first letter, told Sani to inform other members of the committee that he would not be able to honour the invitation because he was in court to challenge his invitation to appear before the committee.

    The Lawal’s letter obtained by our reporter reads: “Dear Distinguished Senator Shehu Sani,

    “Your letter of invitation to appear before the above committee refers.

    “I wish to kindly request that you draw the attention of the other members of the committee that I will not be able to appear before the committee primarily because I have gone to court to challenge the invitation among others.

    “Please find attached the court documents.

    Please accept my highest regards.

    “Engr, Babachir David Lawal.”

    However, in a another letter read on the floor of the Senate, Lawal begged the committee to assign a new date for him to appear.

    He said rescheduling the hearing became necessary primarily because of a pressing engagement of government which clashed with the date and time earlier fixed of the hearing.

    The letter reads: “I wish to kindly request that you draw the attention of the other members of the Committee that l will not be able to appear before the Committee primarily because of a pressing engagement of Government which clashed with the date and time of the hearing. I kindly request a rescheduling of the hearing, please.”

    After reading the letter, Sani said his committee decided to give Lawal and others another date to appear.

    Senate President Bukola Saraki asked the committee to go ahead and give Lawal a new date to appear before it.

    Of course, Lawal never appeared before the committee and it is not clear what made the president change his mind and decide to probe his SGF for awarding contracts worth multiples of millions to a firm he had interest in.

  • SGF’s suspension excites lawmakers

    SGF’s suspension excites lawmakers

    SENATORS and House of Representatives members yesterday reacted to the suspension of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Babachir David Lawal by his principal, President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The lawmakers said the development was in tune with Nigerians’ expectation of a government that has the anti-corruption crusade as its selling point.

    Praising the President for wielding the big stick against the SGF, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism, Matthew Urhoghide, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview that the move showed the President’s readiness to fight corruption irrespective of who was involved.

    Describing the suspension as a welcomed development, Urhoghide said contrary to beliefs that the National Assembly was out to witch-hunt members of the executive, the assembly had sincerity of purpose in the discharge of its duties.

    He said: “Some of the decisions of the assembly are reached on the merit of their cases. So, if the President now considers that it is a good thing for him to take a look at the report from the Senate, which was given in good faith, it is nice.

    The Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee investigating the Northeast crises, Senator  Shehu Sani, in a statement in Abuja, applauded the President’s action on his committee’s report.

    He said it was commendable that the committee’s report was taken seriously.

    Sani said: “The sword of truth is not just cast and sharpened for the neck of foes but also for those of friends. Moral gallows is not just meant for a belligerent foe but for a perfidious friend.

    “Courage is dispensing justice; greater courage is dispensing justice against our emotions and temptation towards saving a friend. It’s easier to annihilate an adversary for a heap wrong than reprimand a friend for a mountain of wrong.

    “It’s commendable for the president to heed the call to fumigate the throne of lice and bugs with the same ability he goes after rodents afar.’’

    Senator Adamu Aliero, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, also applauded the courage of the President.

    Senator Mohammed Hassan (PDP-Yobe), a member of the ad hoc committee, said  the committee was putting finishing touches to the final report on its assignment.

    He said the report would be laid before the Senate after the Easter break.

    He said: “I am just hearing this from you, but you know it was an interim report that was presented to the Senate and the final report, I am sure when we resume, will be laid on the floor of the Senate.

    “If you recall, we were to have a public hearing where all those involved will be invited and that couldn’t hold for some obvious reasons that were stated on the floor of the senate. What I know is that the committee will ensure that the report is laid on the floor of the Senate.”

    The Green Chamber members expressed mixed feelings over the suspension of the SGF and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, (NIA), Ayo 0ke.

    Minority Leader Leo Ogor said the suspension was in tune with the government’s anti-graft war posture.

    He, however, demanded  thorough investigation and disclosure of the ownership of the Osborne Towers, Lagos $43 million haul.

    Ogor said: “The suspension of both men is a step in the right direction for Nigeria but it must be in line with the transparency agenda of this administration vis a vis its anti-corruption drive right from inception.

    “We Nigerians demand a detailed probe on the $43 million that was found and there’s need to throw more light on who actually owns the money or better still, let them specifically tell us where the money came from.”

    Kingsley Chinda  (PDP, Rivers), who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts, believed the President Muhammadu  Buhari was prompted into action by public outcry.

    He said: “It was Nigerians, who actually pushed the Federal Government   into action due to their persistence that justice must be seen to be equitably distributed.

  • Hood and monk: Senate versus Hameed Ali

    It is like a play dramatized on Broadway akin to the comic theatre of the absurd, a burlesque, a street staged variety show, yes all these rolled into one and more only partially describes the war of attrition against retired Col. Hameed Ali, the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).

    This comic relief has temporarily eased Nigerians of the pangs of the nation’s economic maelstrom. And some of Nigeria’s best intellectuals have been at daggers drawn tearing at each other’s jugular justifying either the Senate or the NCS boss but most of them queuing on the side of the Senate.

    Some persons and groups even called for Hameed Ali’s immediate resignation if he refused to wear the customs uniform as the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service.

    I premise this piece on the fact that sensationalizing the case of the Comptroller General’s Uniform is uninformed, diversionary, escapist and a theatrical ploy to disguise the colossal failure of the Red Chamber to tackle problems created by them. Instead of creating chances to enhance democracy and the fulfilment of their electoral promises, these senators are embroiled in amassing choice personal items of exotic luxury for themselves and their families.

    Hameed Ali is just a circumstantial scapegoat unfortunately bearing the burden of the fallout of the bullet proof car imported with fake documents. The Senate President did not deny that the bullet proof Range Rover Jeep belonged to the Senate. His aides desperately argued that the Jeep was for the Senate and not for the Senate President. Even kids know that sugar melts so easily in the mouth.

    But why sensationalize Col. Ali’s uniform issue? The great 18th Century English Poet, Alexander Pope in his most ingenious, witty and delightful poem, “the Rape of the Lock” fumes at Belinda making a mountain of a molehill and at the same time wondering why a well-bred Lord should assault a gentle belle. Hear Alexandra Pope “What dire offence from amorous causes spring…… what mighty contests rise from trivial things”.

    I totally commit myself to Alexander Pope’s satirical lampooning of Belinda for causing so much furore over the loss of a strand of her hair.

    The Senate overstretched its vengeance streak to a callous and very insensitive limit by sensationalizing the uniform issue. Now tell me, is it fair to put the customs boss through such painful inquisition because of non-wearing of his custom’s garb?

    For great minds, the victory of the monk over the hood has been settled as far back as the 14th century by Geoffrey Chaucer himself when he refers to his monk in the Pardoner’s Tale as a “mainly man”. Geoffrey Chaucer here paints a freedom and result-oriented   monk who excelled in his democratic freedom to do what is right for the role he was created for.

    Hameed Ali fits squarely into the hood of Chaucer’s monk. This is because Chaucer’s monk wears a hood different from other monks and is in good shape with a “bald shiny head and face” as against the other monks who were thin and gruffy.

    So many pundits have tried to straight jacket Hameed Ali into several unsavoury genres. Some call him proud, peacockish, patrician, feudal lord, snobbish, violently stubborn, imperial lord. But Ali is none of the above. He is just a highly disciplined and patriotic Nigerian who was chosen for the customs top job because of his no-nonsense anti-corruption mien which he amply embodied even when he was in the Nigerian Army.

    The unseen and undeclared motive in this mock-heroic or burlesque is the problem of subjugation. Senate President Bukola Saraki is shocked that his gavel feels feeble and weightless before the custom boss and thus has tried all constitutional means to subjugate him to kowtow to constituted authority.

    What do Nigerians really want?  Is it the monk or the hood? Is it transparency or continued corruption? Nigerians should rally round Hameed Ali to reduce corruption in the Nigerian Customs Service to a barest minimum. In just 213 days, that is about seven months, the mufti wearing Ali boosted federal revenue with a whooping N903 billion, while our former CG paid in a paltry and criminal N2 Billion in three years. And yet Nigerians are shouting and “crucifying him instead of “Hosanna”.

    I think the Nigerian psyche has been bastardized, battered and warped by military rule to a state of apathetic passivity. Nigerians should arise and irrevocably denounce the pundits supporting our mortally discredited Senate to force Col. Ali to resign in order to elect a corrupt regime of brigands in the Nigerian Customs Service. This Senate leadership is not at ease with this tough-kicking customs boss, as the former duty-free facility extended to them by Abdullahi Dikko, the former custom’s boss has been thrown overboard by Ali. Now everybody must pay his or her customs duty whether high or low, whether Senator or Clerk.

    This present Nigerian Senate is the most empty, cacophonous and an excellent definition of uncontestable ribaldry. The last time I heard from the Senate, they were passing a bill banning facial  mutilation (tribal marks) which for most Nigerians is their  least worry. It is not only unimaginative and disingenuous but naïve to worry about tribal marks when very weighty national issues like budget padding, Boko Haram, Niger Delta etc. should be at the front burner. Is it any wonder then that the sponsor of this uncalled – for bill is no other than the head of the theatrical group of the Senate, Dino Melaye?

    The Nigerian Senate is the probably the highest paid in the world with a total package of $2,183,685 dollars per annum as against Sri Lankan Senators who earn $5,000 per annum. Even America, the world’s richest nation pays its senators a total package of $174,000.00 per annum. The Nigerian Senator gets N862,555,575.00 while the civil servant who voted him into power gets only N16,000.00 monthly or N192,000.00 per annum or an equivalent of $486 dollars per annum. This out-of-the world package for the Senator is exclusive of the proceeds of budget padding and huge payments for unexecuted contracts.

    It is also interesting to note that wearing of customs uniform for the Comptroller Generals started in 1981 as the first four customs bosses from 1964-1981 never wore customs uniform in the execution of their official duties. Senate President Saraki should therefore leave Hameed Ali alone for him to do the job he was appointed to do.

     

    • Nanaghan writes from Lagos State University, Ojo.
  • Senate and Sagay’s tirade

    Senate and Sagay’s tirade

    It is getting increasingly clearer that the chairman of Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay has a penchant for emotive outbursts. How else do we account for the recurring controversial positions ascribed to him in the matter involving the rejection of the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, Ibrahim Magu by the Senate?
    When a few weeks back the Senate rejected Magu’s re-nomination by the president citing the damning report on him by the DSS and poor performance at the screening, Sagay had said “whether they like it or not, he (Magu) will be there as his chairmanship will keep on being renewed. Sagay attributed Magu’s delayed confirmation to “corruption fighting back”.
    He further said non-confirmation does not in any way impair his duties even as he described allegations against him as spurious and a distortion to give wrong impression about the EFCC boss.
    Sagay would again be in the news, when he described their action as childish and irresponsible. He said the Senate is filled with people of questionable character who place their selfish interests above that of the nation. For him, Buhari should call the Senate’s bluff and continue to run his government with people appointed in acting capacity.
    The Senate did not take kindly to these wild accusations and has therefore invited him to shed more light on them. But as usual, he stated that the Senate has no powers to invite him since the office he occupies does not classify him in the category of persons under Senate inquisition.
    Some of those who spoke on his invitation by the Senate have tended to question the powers of that body to interrogate him for exercising his fundamental rights of freedom of speech. They contend that as a public institution, the conduct of the Senate must regularly come under the prying eyes of members of the public. They therefore see the Senate action from the prism of an attempt to emasculate dissenting views on some of its activities.
    This perspective is clearly beside the point as his invitation in all fairness, cannot be ascribed to an attempt to emasculate public criticism of that key national institution. Of course, the Senate is open to public criticisms as reactions to some of its decisions have shown. In this case, we are concerned with the damaging and weighty allegations he made against the Senate as a body. He claimed that the Senate is filled with people of questionable character.
    The ordinary interpretation is that a preponderance of the senators is of shady character. That strikes as a sweeping generalization. And the senators are within their rights to feel sufficiently injured by that unguarded characterization. It may not be entirely out of place that some senators have serious credibility deficits. But to proceed beyond that to label most senators as people of questionable character is to dwell in the realm of recklessness.
    Sagay is an appointee of the president on whose behest he speaks. That makes it difficult to draw a line between his views as a private citizen and that of the office he holds. When he pointedly told the Senate that its powers is merely to confirm and that the president can afford to disregard the Senate by retaining Magu in an acting capacity, he was merely obfuscating the right relationship that should exist between the legislature and the executive in a presidential democracy.
    It was reckless for him to have averred that Senate confirmation of the relevant appointees of the government is of no consequence as the president could go ahead and retain in acting capacity people who failed the integrity test at the floor of the Senate.
    He may have relied on Section 171 of the constitution (as amended) which vests on the president, the powers to appoint and remove from office of such functionaries. But the same section made it mandatory that certain categories of public functionaries must be confirmed by the Senate. The same Section 171(4) mandates that an appointment to the office of Ambassador, High Commissioner or other Principal Representatives of Nigeria abroad shall not have effect unless the appointment is confirmed by the Senate.
    Yes, the president is vested with the powers to appoint or remove from office. But the president is still required by our laws to seek Senate approval. And as has been seen from the above, certain categories of appointments by the president shall be of no effect unless they are confirmed by the Senate.
    Democracy would have been rendered a nullity if the tiers of government stick very rigidly to the roles assigned them by the constitution without regard to that cooperative spirit only through the overall welfare of their people will be enhanced. Thus, it is not just about power tussle, as the capacity of the three arms to muster and galvanize the synergy of action that will promote the greatest good of the greatest number of people.
    The nation is currently buffeted with debilitating problems. We are contending with excruciating economic recession with no end in sight. Insecurity and fissiparous tendencies are at an all time high. They require the synergy and cooperation of all arms of government for immediate and lasting solutions. Muzzle-flexing and sticking to rigid dispositions, the kind Sagay has high preference for, will only exacerbate the situation.
    So when the Senate decided to put off the confirmation screening of the 27 REC’s, it was meant to prove that its’ confirming powers are of some serious consequence. Those who accuse the Senate of arm-twisting or blackmailing the executive by putting off the confirmation of the REC’s are missing the point.
    The blame should be laid at the door steps of Sagay whose unguarded statements brought about the unfortunate pass. Sagay can do with more caution in his current job. Else, he becomes an unmitigated liability to the Buhari administration in its new resolve to seek a mutually respecting relationship with the Senate.

  • Act on electoral offences tribunal, independent candidacy, Bourdex tasks Senate

    Act on electoral offences tribunal, independent candidacy, Bourdex tasks Senate

    All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Board of Trustees member, Dr. David Onuoha-Bourdex, has expressed surprise that the Senate did not go the whole hog to strengthen the Electoral Act by prescribing stiffer punishment for poll offenders.

    While commending the 8th Senate for the bold and timely review of the 2010 Electoral Act, he noted that apart from legislating fines for electoral officers that may engage in tampering and manipulation of votes, there is need for an electoral offences tribunal.

    Bourdex, who was the APGA Senatorial candidate for Abia North District in the 2015 National Assembly Election, disclosed that experience has shown that whenever such revolutionary legislations, as the inclusion of full electronic voting are made, unscrupulous politicians begin to explore loopholes.

    “Therefore because of imperfection of human insight, there is need to institute electoral offences tribunal to show seriousness over electoral malfeasance. It is the lack of appropriate mechanism to punish offenders that has helped to embolden enemies of real democracy to breach the law,” he stressed.

    Recalling the imperfections of the 2015 election, the telecom expert noted that the use of incidence forms proved a ready gateway for unpopular candidates to undermine popular vote, insisting that until there is institutional checks and enforcement mechanism, good laws will remain impotent in addressing flaws in Nigeria’s electoral system.

    The APGA BoT member urged the National Assembly to use the opportunity of constitutional reforms to ensure that all loopholes for toying with the civic decisions of the citizens were blocked.

    He suggested that school enrolment and number of taxpayers should be applied as necessary controls to check the number of registered voters, adding that the allegation of under-aged voting in certain polling units was not entirely frivolous.

    His words: “It beats every sane imagination that certain areas with high voting population do not return commensurate tax returns and school enrolment figures. This new thinking about our electoral system should incorporate school enrollment and internal revenue generation to shadow voting numbers.

    “Also as electoral officials are punished, efforts should be made to equally punish their collaborators, the parties and candidates. All in all, citizen vigilance remains the greatest check against electoral malfeasance. Therefore, the electoral body should increase voter enlightenment and education on what constitute electoral offences.”

    Bourdex renewed his call that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be the respondent on election petitions, pointing out that the cost of losing election petitions should also ginger INEC to ensure the credibility of elections it conducts.

    To ensure full democratization of the electoral process, Onuoha-Bourdex implored the National Assembly to make room for independent candidacy, stressing that that was a sure way to limit the extortionist propensity of some party leaders, who use the platform for trading purposes.

    “With independent candidacy, communities can elect a preferred candidate even when the political parties do not consider him or her; it would also offer opportunity to responsible people who detest the dirty side of partisan politics, to participate in politics and serve the people,” he stated

  • Will Senate upgrade Yaba Tech, Ilaro Poly?

    Will Senate upgrade Yaba Tech, Ilaro Poly?

    The Senate is gearing up to upgrade two first class polytechnics in the country to universities of technology.

    On Thursday, April 6th, 2017, the Federal University of Technology, Ilaro, Establishment Bill 2017 and Federal University of Technology, Yaba Establishment Bill 2017, passed the first reading in the Senate.

    Essentially, the bills seek the upgrade of two prominent tertiary educational institutions, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos State and Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State into universities of technology.

    The two private member bills, promoted by Senator Solomon Adeola (Lagos West), were well received by members of the upper legislative chamber.

    The bills are likely to receive accelerated treatment due to what a senator described as their overarching importance.

    The need to continue to expand the border line of education in the country was also said to favour the bills.

    The Senate Business and Rules Committee whose duty it is to list bills for consideration, is said to have gone far in preparing the bills for the crucial second reading.

    No doubt, the consideration of the bills will evoke deep feelings in and outside the Senate chamber.

    Public opinion is however expected to weigh heavily in favour of the bills.

    The ever increasing population of Lagos State will be added advantage to the argument for the establishment of higher institutions in the state.

    Senator Adeola said the push for the establishment of federal universities at Yaba, Lagos State and Ilaro in Ogun State is part of his legislative agenda for educational development of the country.

    Speaking on the need for the upgrade of the two institutions into universities, the Lagos West All Progressives Congress lawmaker, Senator Adeola said, “We have serious shortage of spaces for our youths to get requisite and quality education. These two institutions have excelled in time past in providing middle and top grade level of human resources for the nation. Their upgrade will advance their capacities to further develop our youth for the challenges of a technological society.”

    Findings showed that among the three senatorial districts in Ogun State only Ogun West, where the Federal Polytechnic Ilaro is located is without any Federal or State Government owned University.

    Ogun East have Olabisi Onabanjo Univesity, Ago Iwoye and Tai Solarin University of Education both owned by the State government. Recently, the Federal Government approved a university for the district at Ijebu Ife.

    Senator Adeola, hails from Pahayi in Ilaro, where the Federal Polytechnics is located. Apart from mounting serious lobbying of his colleagues at the National Assembly to see reason with him to endorse the bills, Adeola will need other stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Education, National Board for Technical Education to push through the bills.