The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Senate

  • ‘Senate to legislate on more power for monarchs’

    ‘Senate to legislate on more power for monarchs’

    The Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Sen. Ekong Sampson, has said the 10th Senate would come up with a legislation granting power to traditional rulers in the area of security.

    Sampson, who represents Akwa Ibom South, made the disclosure at the palace of the Paramount Ruler of Mkpat Enin,  Edidem Akpan Akpan Ekpene.

    He said the legislation would encourage respect and support for traditional rulers, to enable them play roles in strengthening democracy at the grassroots.

    Read Also: UNGA78: Tinubu, Adeboye lead African First Ladies in peace moves

    Sampson added: “The 10th Senate will support workable autonomy for monarchs, which will help strengthen democracy and security in Nigeria, especially at the grassroots.

    “Strengthening the role of traditional rulers is one of the key ways to tackle insecurity.”

    The senator recalled that he had been one of the major advocates for greater constitutional role for the traditional institution.

    He said: “As council chairman in the early 2000s, I lived in Mkpat Enin throughout the duration of my tenure. I was abreast of the issues at the grassroots.

    “I presented cars to clan heads in the local government and also increased their monthly stipends, as well as those of the town criers.”

  • Senate not ready for social media regulation, says Akpabio

    Senate not ready for social media regulation, says Akpabio

    The Senate president, Godswill Akpabio said on Tuesday, September 19, that the 10th National Assembly might not be eager to regulate social media, saying that existing laws adequately address any violations by users of social media platforms.

    Akpabio enjoined social media platforms users to use the platforms for positive productive engagements for the development of the country, adding that the country needs to keep pace with the emerging technologies for the benefit of all stakeholders.

    He, however, said African countries need a digital future that is inclusive, secure and innovative, stressing that this should be the focus of all.

    The Senate president made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the Parliamentarian Symposium of the African Internet Governance Forum (AIGF), held at Transcorp Hotel, Abuja.

    The Forum which had the theme “Transforming Africa’s Digital Landscape: Empowering Inclusion, Security, and Innovation,” was with the support of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

    He expressed confidence that the commitment of African Parliamentarians would ensure and deliver progress that represents the people’s aspirations, asserting that their coming together was aimed at initiating internet governance and digital policies and legislations to boost the sector.

    Akpabio said: “This theme is a reflection of the deepest yearnings of all Africans for a concerted effort to keep in step with the rest of the world in the ICT race.”

    Speaking through the Senate committee chairman on Cybersecurity and ICT, Afolabi Shuiab Salisu, the Senate president said emerging technologies cannot be taken in isolation from one another and that the existing laws should be allowed to take care of them.

    He explained that it would be cumbersome to have laws on the usage of social media, another one on Artificial Intelligence (AI), and internet fraud, stressing that the country already has constitutional provisions to take care of breaches in any form or shape.

    He said: “I am not sure that there’s going to be any specific bill on social media regulation. However, there are many laws in various areas, social media is just one space.

    “So, rather than have a specific legislation on social media. I will rather say social media is just one platform. The same way people have used regular media platforms to commit libel, defamation, or sedition. So they will be taken care of.

    “Thank God there was a court judgment somewhere, where a thumbs up has been acknowledged as approval for a business deal between parties. So, I don’t need to sign documents physically now before it become valid.

    Read Also: Akpabio’s 100 days of uncommon leadership

    He said the time has come for African countries to take advantage of its active youthful population for empowerment, innovation and job creation, noting that “almost 70 percent of Nigeria’s population are youths. What does this mean? It does mean the youths can learn new technologies and use them for the benefit of all.”

    The Secretary-General (AIGF), Hon. Samuel George, a member of the Ghanaian Parliament, who spoke on internet governance in Africa said, “Governments on the African continent are doing a fantastic job when it comes to the processes of digitalisation. We’re seeing a lot more government services becoming digitalised; social services, government services, health care, and justice, are becoming digital platforms.

    “On West African sub-region Nigeria, is a big leader in that so we believe that governments are doing well”.

  • Senate carpets NLC over alleged N100m allocation to lawmakers

    Senate carpets NLC over alleged N100m allocation to lawmakers

    The Senate on Thursday, September 14, denied that the sum of N100 million has been allocated to members of the National Assembly as alleged by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

    The Senate also threatened to prosecute those who take delight in blackmailing lawmakers through spurious allegations.

    The senate made this known in its reaction to the allegation of a purported allocation of N100 million to its members made by the leadership of the NLC, describing it as strange, ludicrous, and unthinkable.

    In a statement from the office of the chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Yemi Adaramodu, the red chamber said there is no 100million for a legislator anywhere

    The Senate said: “What do these negative characters want to gain from their lies and falsehood against the National Assembly? This is strange to us, very ludicrous and unthinkable.

    “There is no 100million for a legislator anywhere. From which budget is this coming from? How, where and when? This is another satanic ploy of a miserable gang of media and political dark angels, to bring the Nigerian parliament into disrepute and pitch the legislators against the Nigerian public.

    “We believe that the public is aware that popular democracy is an anathema to some unpatriotic political mercenaries, hence their systemic blackmail of the parliament, which undoubtedly is the soul of democracy and sovereignty.

    “We urge the public and especially, the Nigerian workers, to disregard these unscrupulous pontiffs. The legislators, who are chosen among the masses of the people, shall certainly be with the people and eternally for the people.

    Read Also: Ex-Senate president Lawan eulogises VP Shettima at 57

    “The National Assembly shall not hesitate, henceforth to take constitutional and legal actions against these irreverent merchants of rumours and ill wills against Legislators. The National Assembly should not be taken as a political scapegoat.

    “We don’t expect anything less from the NLC leadership, we only opined that they would place national interest above partisan nihilistic outbursts.

    “If the Congress wishes to serve as the conscience of Nigerian workers, it must purge itself of catalytic political voyages that can truncate our democracy.

    “We believe that Nigerians see this new unscrupulous advocacy as a comedy to entertain only the unsuspecting.”

  • Senate minority leader Mwadkwon, Reps member Agah win as Tribunal delivers judgement

    Senate minority leader Mwadkwon, Reps member Agah win as Tribunal delivers judgement

    The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Jos has upheld the victory of Senate minority leader of the 10th Senate, Simon Mwadkwon representing Plateau North Senatorial district as the winner of the February National elections in the State.

    The Tribunal ruled that the Labour Party (LP) senatorial candidate, Gyang Yaya Zi lacks the locus standing to meddle in the PDP’s nomination of Mwadkon as the candidate of the party in the 2023 general elections in the state.

    The Tribunal in a judgment delivered on Thursday, August 24, by the three-man panel presided by Honourable Justice Muhammed Muhammed at High Court 6, the venue of the tribunal sittings, threw away the prayers of the LP candidate.

    Read Also: Senate promises better procurement experience 

    Yaya Zi had on March 19, filed a petition on the election held for Plateau North Senatorial Zone in the suit: EPT/SEN/04/2023; Gyang Yaya Zi and LP, against Simon Mwadkon, PDP and INEC.

    Also, the Tribunal has affirmed the election of Musa Aveh Agah as the member representing Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency at the National Assembly Abuja against Gwaini Muhammad Adam Alkali of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).

    The three-man panel of the federal House of Representative Tribunal presided by Honourable Justice Williams Rotimi Olamide also asserted that the grounds of the petitioner are lacking in merit.

  • Senate promises better procurement experience 

    Senate promises better procurement experience 

    The Senate has assured Nigerians of a better procurement experience in  Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

     Chairman of Senate Committee on Public Procurement, Monday Okpebholo, spoke  with journalists during reception of Minister of Niger Delta, Alhaji Abubakar Momoh. 

     He noted his committee was set to ensure MDAs were aligned to a new paradigm shift, where Nigerians can bid and win contracts.

     Okpebholo, who said many wrongs will be corrected, noted his committee would ensure only qualified persons get the contract job.

     The senator, who represents Edo Central, said the idea of MDAs calling for bids and lining people up to a rigorous exercise only for them to be disappointed with a biased selection is wicked and unacceptable.

     “Due process must be followed. We want the country to experience a new era of procurement system that is acceptable to international practice. The 10th Assembly is determined to make sure we make the desired impact, he said.” 

    Read Also: ‘Fed Govt should tackle medicine insecurity’

    “I can assure you this Senate is sincere about the new deal we are bringing in accordance with the renewed hope of Mr President and the uncommon Senate President.” 

     On preparedness to undertake the task, Okpebholo, an expert in Information Communication Technology (ICT), said he would deploy modern technological skills, diligence and integrity.

     He added members were experienced persons in governance and in business, which they will bring to bear in their work without fear or favour. 

     “I can assure you my committee will investigate activities in the procurement system from 2019 and ensure we right the wrongs to regain the confidence of the public in the procurement system.”

  • I wasn’t kidnapped, says Edo ex-Speaker

    A former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon Elizabeth Ativie has denied reports that she was kidnapped on Tuesday’s night.

    A report that went viral claimed Ativie was abducted while going home on Irhirhi Road in Benin City.

    Hon Ativie who spoke to our reporter from the United States placed a curse on the purveyors of the story.

    Ativie said she has received hundreds of calls about the incident.

    According to her, “My brother I am in New York. I was not kidnapped. It is the family of those carrying the rumours that will be kidnapped.

    “How could they wish people evil? I am not in kidnappers den. I am here talking.”

  • Senate flays criticisms over plan to buy N5.5b vehicles

    The Senate on Wednesday flayed public outrage over plans by the National Assembly to buy Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) estimated to cost N5.5 billion for the 469 members in the bicameral federal legislature.

    Some Nigerians, including the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), are already in court challenging the decision of the management of the National Assembly on the matter.

    But Senate Leader Yahaya Abdullahi described the criticisms over the planned purchase of the vehicles as “highly insulting”.

    Abdullahi said the public outcry was uncalled for, stressing that every member of the two chambers of the National Assembly deserved to have a functional official vehicle.

    He said: “To say that a senator of the Federal Republic cannot ride a jeep in Nigeria is an insult. The N5.5 billion is from the National Assembly fund and not money being sought from any other source. Besides, the scheme, as it has always been with previous Assemblies, is a monetised one requiring each of the lawmakers to pay back the cost of whatever vehicle given to them.

    Read Also: Senate President Lawan, Gbajabiamila, CJN Tanko under probe

    “The outcry over it is very unnecessary and insulting to the institution of the National Assembly and status of the federal lawmakers.

    “When I was a Permanent Secretary, I know what ministers got. We cannot even compare ourselves with ministers; we are higher than the ministers.

    “Go and tell the people that the work that we do is more than the work of ministers. As representatives of the people, the money we spend on daily basis on all forms of indigent people far outweighs whatever they as ministers or executive officers spend.”

    Abdullahi said Federal legislature would be ready to engage any group of people on its operations and spending, adding that the actions of the National Assembly had always been in tandem with the principles of transparency and accountability.

    “Each of the ministers moves in convoy of three to four utility vehicles without anybody raising an eyebrow, while some people, who, either as a result of ignorance or mischief, always cry to high heavens anytime the management of the National Assembly wants to buy just one utility vehicle for a lawmaker on the template of monetisation,” he added.

    The Senate Leader hailed the Executive for rolling out the 2020-2022 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and the Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).

    The two documents form the basis upon which the 2020 budget proposals will be presented by President Muhammadu Buhari anytime soon.

    With the move, the country may revert to the old tradition of January to December budget circle.

    The country has been operating a May/June cycle as a result of delay in budget passage over the years.

  • Edo crisis: Senate gives Obaseki one week ultimatum

    THERE is no let-up in the crisis rocking the Edo State House of Assembly.

    The Senate yesterday gave Governor Godwin Obaseki a week to issue a fresh notice for the proclamation of the House, failing which he would be risking sanctions.

    There were indications that the National Assembly plans to take over the running of the Edo Assembly should the governor fail to comply at the expiration of the seven-day ultimatum.

    The Senate threat came a day after the governor foreclosed the re-issuance of another proclamation letter, saying the Constitution allows him to do so once for the Seventh Edo House of Assembly.

    The House of Representatives earlier took a similar position on the Edo crisis. But a court had issued a restraining order against the House of Representatives from going ahead with its threat.

    Crisis engulfed the state’s legislature following its inauguration by the Clerk of the House at 9pm on June 17, with only nine out of the 24 members in attendance.

    Read also: Edo Assembly crisis: Senate gives Obaseki one week to issue fresh proclamation notice

    Those left out were yet to be inaugurated.

    The Senate’s decision came through a resolution following the adoption of a report of an ad hoc committee set up by the upper legislative chamber which conducted investigation into the crisis.

    In the report presented at plenary by its Chairman, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, the ad Hoc Committee had recommended that the governor be given three weeks to issue fresh proclamation notice, but the Senate reduced the time frame to one week.

    “In the event that a new proclamation is not issued by the Governor for proper inauguration of the Seventh Assembly of the state within a week, the Senate and by extension, the National Assembly should invoke the provisions of Section 11 (4) of the 1999 Constitution as amended”, the Red Chamber said yesterday.

    Some of the senators had, shortly before the adoption of the committee’s report, expressed divergent views over the propriety or otherwise of compelling the governor to issue a fresh proclamation notice.

    Some of them also faulted the senators’ plan to take over the Edo Assembly. This line of reasoning was champion by Senator Rochas Okorocha (APC Imo West).

    Okorocha cautioned his colleagues against dabbling into a matter outside the jurisdiction of the federal legislature, saying the lawmakers should be careful not to overreach themselves.

    According to him, what is happening in Edo should be seen strictly as family affairs of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) and that the matter should be left to the leadership of the party and other stakeholders to resolve.

    The former Imo State governor had reminded the senators of the crisis that led to the mace snatching incident in the life of the Eight Senate without any external body interfering in the crisis.

    Faulting the ultimatum to the governor, Okorocha said: “Issuing ultimatum for issuance of fresh proclamation from the governor is provocative and portraying the Senate as hurriedly dabbling into a matter I feel it has no constitutional power over.

    “This is clearly a family affair that all stakeholders within the ruling APC, both in the state and at the national level should be allowed to handle.

    “I was a governor and I strongly believe that no governor will like the step the Senate is about to take.”

    Aligning with Okorocha, Senator Emmanuel Oker-Jev (PDP Benue Northwest), said the National Assembly had no such powers.

    However, Senators Adamu Aliero (APC Kebbi Central) and Sam Egwu (PDP Ebonyi North) backed the decision of the state on the matter.

    Aliero and Egwu argued that the earlier proclamation issued by the governor on June 17 and which was carried out by the Clerk was a sham.

    The two lawmakers, who were also former governors, insisted that inaugurating the Edo House at 9pm was illegal and unconstitutional.

    Egwu said: “For a governor to issue proclamation for inauguration of a State Assembly on 17th June 2019 by 11am and the Clerk, in carrying out the proclamation as stated in the report of the State Police Commissioner, did it 9.pm without the knowledge of majority of the members-elect, clearly showed the illegality of the exercise.

    “Besides, anything done in the night indicates cultism, which any parliament must not associate with. The purported inauguration of the 7th Assembly of Edo State on the 17th of June by 9:00 pm as against 11:00 am stated in the proclamation should not be allowed to stay.

    “It is illegal, unconstitutional and undemocratic. The Senate should adopt recommendations of the committee and do the constitutionally needful if need be.”

    Ruling after the short debate, Senate President Ahmad Lawan said it was too late for the matter to be treated as “family affair”, stressing that the crisis had been allowed to linger for too long.

    Lawan said: “The Senate and by extension, the National Assembly cannot afford to shy away from doing the needful on the Edo State Assembly crisis as constitutionally empowered.

    “However, the expected political solution to the problem can still be achieved before the expiration of the one-week ultimatum given to the governor for issuance of fresh proclamation for proper inauguration of the Seventh Assembly of Edo State.”

  • Lawan’s ‘bow and go’ senate

    Sir: Ahmad Lawan has been dutiful in his obligation of inking “rubber stamp” on the senate. Though he had said the senate, which he leads, would not dissolve into the executive as an appendage; his actions have betrayed this gasconade.

    Soon after he became senate president, Lawan assumed the ‘’volunteer role of unofficial spokesman’’ of President Buhari and saddled himself with ‘’interpreting maladies’’.

    Rising to the occasion as an ‘’interpreter of inefficiencies’’ on July 10, the senate president explained away the hold-up in the president’s submission of a ministerial list, saying the list would be released that week. This was in response to a point-of-order raised by Senator Bassey Akpan. ‘’The list’’ did not happen, and he later recanted.

    Also, speaking with state house correspondents on July 18, the senate president did not flinch in seizing the moment to reaffirm his loyalty to the president. He rationalised the delay in submitting the ministerial list, saying it would not affect the presentation of the 2020 budget.

    He interpreted the inefficiency again, saying: ‘’I think there is nothing to worry us deeply. The budget itself is normally prepared by civil servants.’’

    I think Lawan has been effortless in maintaining the ‘’label’’. Though in June, while addressing a group of women parliamentarians, he said he was close to Buhari; he believed in him, but he would not be a rubber stamp senate president.

    Hear him: ‘’During my campaign, I was called a potential rubber-stamp senate president to the executive; maybe because I am close to the president, or because I believe in his cause.

    ‘’There is no time that I will ever be a rubber stamp. Yes, I believe in President Buhari as a person and I believe that our problems as Nigerians are Nigerian problems.’’

    But how do you sunder your loyalty to the president from your duty to your boss – the citizens? Can a man serve two masters? How can the legislature perform its function as an institution of check when its leadership is a consort of the executive?

    I believe the three arms of government must work together in the interest of Nigerians, but this does not imply succumbing to the influences of one another. That will be a confutation of the principle of separation of powers.

    I have watched the ministerial ‘’screening’’ with despondence. The facetious manner in which the exercise is conducted makes me wonder if the business of governance is really a serious one here. Besides, two or three ministerial nominees, who acquitted themselves creditably, most of them just simply walked across a line.

    The ministerial tea-party appears choreographed, and I say, why go through all that trouble when it is all fun and games. Some former ministers, who could have been interrogated over their performance in the past, were asked to ‘’bow and go’’.

    Really, ‘’the bow and go’’ privilege is reserved for former members of the National Assembly, but I do not think it has ever been this abused. Of the 14 nominees that were ‘’interviewed’’ on Thursday alone, 10 were asked to ‘’bow and go’’.

    Is governance really a serious business here? We carry on with the way things have been and even worsen the way they had been. Our democracy ought to have evolved and with our institutions becoming more responsible, but this is not case. They stay the same, and even progressing in reverse.

    To stop the four-year ritual of clowning, specific portfolios should be assigned to the ministerial nominees; it is on this basis that their competence, ability and suitability can be well interrogated and gauged. Besides, the leadership of the senate must execute maximum sentence on personal loyalties in the discharge of their duties.

    “Bow and go” must go.

    • Fredrick Nwabufo, fredricknwabufo@yahoo.com

  • Man jailed for defrauding three foreigners in Kaduna

    A Kaduna State High Court has sentenced a middle aged man, Emuze Omosigho Emmanuel, to one year in imprisonment for defrauding three foreign nationals.

    This is contained in a statement issued by Kaduna Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday.

    The statement, signed by Nana Fatima-Abubakar, for the Head Public Affairs, Kaduna, said the anti-graft agency secured the conviction of Emmanuel, also  known as Thomas Brooks, on July 8.

    It said, Justice Darius Khobo convicted Emmanuel after he pleaded “guilty” to the charge.

    According to the statement, operatives of the agency arrested the man following intelligence report that he had defrauded unsuspecting individuals of their hard-earned money.

    The charge reads: “That you, Emuze Omosigho sometime in 2019 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Kaduna State, did with intent to defraud attempted to commit an offence to wit ;

    “Cheating against one Julia Munoz of Lubbock, Texas, Martha French and Brenda Davis by sending them scam mails using your Instagram, Facebook and plenty of phishing e-mail addresses posing as one Thomas Brooks, with the aim of obtaining financial benefit for yourself.

    READ ALSO: Serving prisoner jailed 170 years for defrauding bank manager

    “And thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 57 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017 and punishable under the same Section.”

    The statement said further that the culprit alongside his other conspirators, used forged documents purportedly emanating from different organisations where they claimed to be engineers and members of other reputable occupations.

    “Following his guilty plea, counsel to the EFCC, S.H Sa’ad, informed the court of the plea bargain agreement between the prosecution and the defence.

    “He was thereafter, sentenced to one year in prison with an option of N100, 000 fine.”

    (NAN)