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Tag: Senate

  • Electoral Bill scales second reading in Senate

    The Bill for an Act to Amend Provisions of Electoral Act 2010 has scaled second reading in the Senate.

    This followed presentation of lead debate on the bill by the Chairman Senate Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Sen. Suleiman Nazif at plenary on Wednesday.

    Presenting the lead debate, Nazif recalled that the bill was passed by the National Assembly before it proceeded on its annual recess on July 24 and transmitted for assent but it was declined by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He said the president had given reasons for declining assent, adding that the observations had been noted.

    The chairman said Buhari had made observations of “cross referencing error, fears of increased cost of conducting elections” among others.

    According to him, the joint committee came up with additional amendments based on the draft submitted by the Executive.

    He added that “the first electoral amendment bill which addressed the issue of sequence of elections also made provision for card reader as well as the powers of National Assembly to legislate for Local Government Councils, which the President declined assent.”

    Contributing, some lawmakers raised objection to some provisions in the proposed amendment bill, saying they were unimplementable.

    Deputy President of the Senate Ike Ekweremadu raised concern on some sections of the bill.

    He said: “I am worried about item seven which is Section 140 (5).

    “It reads, if at the point of display or distribution of ballot papers by the commission, a candidate or his agent discovers that his name, name or logo of his party is omitted, a candidate or his agent shall notify the commission.

    “The commission shall: a. Cancel the election to rectify the omission, b. Appoint another date for the election.

    “I think this is very dangerous, because what happens is that somebody who believes he will lose the election will raise an objection without even consulting the other candidates, and write to INEC.

    “INEC now believes him and then postpones the election, which now becomes an isolated election where you cannot determine what will happen. I think this would be unfair to the rest of the candidates.

    “So, I suggest that sample ballot papers should be displayed before the election to give candidates and their parties room to make their inputs before election day, rather than wait till election day for objections to be raise.”

    Sen. James Manager (PDP-Delta) called for a critical look at all the provisions to avoid the back and forth of the bill between the executive and the legislatures.

    He said there was a need to do a thorough job on the bill to enable the President assent to it this time, adding that it was the fourth time the bill was been worked on by the legislature.

    In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, directed the committee on INEC to work on the proposed amendment bill and report back to senate within seven days for further legislative action.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this is the fourth attempt by the lawmakers to have the bill assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Buhari had on Sept. 3, declined assent to the Electoral Act(Amendment) Bill, 2018, transmitted to him by the national assembly on Aug. 3 for the third time.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Sen. Ita Enang, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.

    He said the president declined assent to the bill due to some drafting issues and the period fixed for primaries among others.

    Enang had in August, clarified that the bill, which was forwarded to the President on Aug. 3, was alive and awaiting assent.

    He gave the clarification against the backdrop of report published by a national daily that Buhari had again vetoed the bill forwarded to him for assent.

    Enang had said the vetoed bill was the one sent to the President on June 27 and not the one passed by both chambers of the National Assembly on July 24, the day it embarked on annual recess.

    NAN reports that besides the vetoed version of the 2018 electoral bill forwarded to the President on June 27 and vetoed on July 26 in line with the 30 days constitutional life line for such bill, the President had earlier in the year, rejected the first of the 2010 Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2018 forwarded to him in February for assent.

  • Senate sets up committee over 13 bills rejected by Buhari

    THE Senate yesterday resolved to constitute a technical committee to consider why President Muhammadu Buhari declined assent to 13 bills transmitted to him to endorse.

    The resolution followed the reading of President Buhari’s letters to the Senate declining assent to the bills.

    Senate Leader Ahmed Lawan moved a motion for the setting up of the committee after Senate President Bukola Saraki read the executive communications on the bills.

    Lawan said the committee would enable the Senate to learn some valuable lessons from the refusal of the President to sign the bills.

    He noted that the committee would also come up with why the bills were rejected to help the chamber tailor its bill in such a way that they would not be faulted.

    Saraki asked Lawan to select members of the committee and forward to him for announcement of the names today.

  • Lawan hints of rowdy Senate session on resumption

    Senate Leader Ahmed Lawan has hinted of a rowdy session when the Senate resumes plenary tomorrow.

    Lawan spoke at the National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja where President Muhammadu Buhari was endorsed as the Presidential candidate of the APC.

    The Yobe North Senator said those who refused to toe the part of honour and integrity will be forced out with ignominy.

    He also said the chamber would work to pass the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies budget for the 2019 general elections.

    “The Senate wishes to assure you that we will remain in our caucus determined, focused and resolved to work with you.

    “On the 15th of July this year, when we had unceremonious closure of the Senate and the National Assembly, for the first time, we had the most cohesion, most united and most focused APC caucus of the eighth Senate.

    “We remain committed to you and the programmes of this administration. We remain loyal to our party and we shall continue to support any Programme of this administration.

    “We thank the President for supporting Senators who have remained committed and loyal to this party.

    ”I want to take this opportunity to thank the chairman and leaders of the party for supporting us at the most difficult times in the history of our primaries.

    “I want to add that it is not yet Uhuru for some of us. We believe that there are still some issues to be resolved in favour of some of our colleagues.

    “I want to also add that the number of Senators of APC in the Senate remained the largest.

    ”I want to call the attention of everyone here of the fact that democracy as defined by people remained government of the majority, where minority will always have their say.

    ”Those who can remember that there was a time in this country when nine was greater than 16. I think we have come to that point again.

    ”Now we have our chamber dominated and occupied by minority leaders. They remain minority leaders occupying our positions.

    ”Those who refuse to follow the part of honour and integrity by exiting, we will send them out with ignominy.

    ”I want to assure everyone here that 2019 is going to be a walk over for Mr. President by the grace of God.

    ”It will see APC winning more than 24 state. We will have a National Assembly where vast majority of Senators will be from the APC and in the House of Representatives.

    ”We want to have a National assembly that will, at all times, work with Mr. President day and night to deliver to Nigerians what we have lost over the years.

    “The leadership of the National Assembly has shown to us that they are not prepared to be loyal to this administration.

    ”On Tuesday, we will be going back to the National Assembly when our recess is over.

    ”We intend to force through a lot of things and pass those budgets for INEC and the security agencies for the 2019 election.

    “If we cannot convince them, we intend to force through the foreign plan for this administration.

    ”Some people have taken our mandate and ran away with it.

    “We intend to fight and defend and promote the interest of this party at all cost.”

    The House of Representatives is also gearing up to resume after the long recess

    The contentious Electoral Law Amendment Bill which is awaiting passage, the defection of Speaker Yakubu Dogara, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) budget to enable it adequately prepare for the 2019 elections and the Eurobond loan approval requested by President Muhammadu Buhari, are the issues that are awaiting consideration.

    There are also fears that Dogara may use a last minute reshufflement of the over 90 standing committees  as a red herring to distract proponents of his impeachment.

    Spokesman of the House Abdulrasak Namdas said Dogara’s defection is a personal decision with nothing to do with the House. According to him, all politics is local and it’s left for his constituents to express their satisfaction or otherwise with his defection.

    House leader Femi Gbajabiamila has been resolutely quiet on the issue, preferring to keep his thoughts and strategiesto his chest. “For now, I have no comment”, he said.

    But a member Bashir Babale (APC Kano) said the issue of the Speaker’s defection should not be allowed to lie low and should be frontally addressed when the House resumes.

  • List of Senatorial candidates cleared by APC NWC

    NATIONAL WORKING COMMITTEE DECISIONS ON SENATE ASPIRANTS SCREENING COMMITTEE REPORT

     

    SOUTH SOUTH

     

    AKWA – IBOM STATE

    S/N NAME SENATORIAL DISTRICT DECISION
    1.       H.E. SEN. GODSWILL O. AKPABIO AKWA-IBOM NORTH – WEST CLEARED
    2.       SEN. EFFIONG NELSON ASUQUO AKWA-IBOM SOUTH CLEARED
    3.       HON. EKPEYONG E. ETIM AKWA-IBOM NORTH – EAST CLEARED
    4.       HON. KUFREABASI B. ETUK AKWA-IBOM SOUTH CLEARED
    5.       MR. JAMES EKPE EFFIONG AKWA-IBOM SOUTH CLEARED

     

    CROSS RIVER STATE

    S/N NAME SENATORIAL DISTRICT DECISION
    1.       SEN. BASSEY E. OTU CROSS RIVER SOUTH CLEARED
    2.       CHIEF RAY UGBAI I. MORPHY CROSS RIVER NORTH CLEARED
    3.       CHIEF AKIN A. RICKETTS CROSS RIVER CENTRAL CLEARED
    4.       PROF. OKA MARTIN OBONO CROSS RIVER CENTRAL CLEARED
    5.       NYIAM WABILY CROSS RIVER NORTH CLEARED
    6.       PST. (MRS.) MBUK MAYENI CROSS RIVER SOUTH CLEARED
    7.       SEN. NDOMA – EGBA VICTOR CROSS RIVER CENTRAL CLEARED
    8.       DR. AYUK H. EGBE CROSS RIVER CENTRAL CLEARED

    DELTA STATE

    S/N NAME SENATORIAL DISTRICT DECISION
    1.       MR. EMERHOR OGHENETEGA DELTA CENTRAL CLEARED
    2.       DR. MRS. MARIAN N. OGOH – ALI DELTA NORTH CLEARED
    3.       SEN. OVIE OMO – AGEGE DELTA CENTRAL CLEARED
    4.       H. E. DR. UDUAGHAN E. EWATA DELTA SOUTH CLEARED
    5.       HON. ENGR. DORIS UBOH DELTA NORTH CLEARED
    6.       GABRIEL OYIBODE   CLEARED

    EDO STATE

    S/N NAME SENATORIAL DISTRICT DECISION
    1.       SEN. FRANCIS ALIKIKHEMA EDO NORTH CLEARED
    2.       HON. JOHN INEGBEDION EDO CENTRAL CLEARED
    3.       IGBOGBO SYLVANUS EDO CENTRAL CLEARED
    4.       HON. IKHARIALE A. PATRICK EDO CENTRAL CLEARED
    5.       HON. PATRICK OBAHIAGHON EDO SOUTH CLEARED
    6.       VICTORIA E. DIEJOMAOH EDO NORTH CLEARED
    7.       ERAHABOR EMOKPAE EDO SOUTH CLEARED

    BAYELSA STATE

    S/N NAME SENATORIAL DISTRICT DECISION
    1.       FESTUS DAUMIEBI S. BAYELSA CENTRAL CLEARED
    2.       MR. AYOBEGHA JAMES BAYELSA EAST CLEARED
    3.       MR. BIOBARAKUMA DEGI – EREMIENYO BAYELSA EAST CLEARED
    4.       INDUYIMI T. KOMONIBO BAYELSA CENTRAL CLEARED
    5.       CAPTAIN MATTHEW KARIMO BAYELSA WEST CLEARED
    6.       SILVA OPUALA – CHARLES BAYELSA CENTRAL CLEARED
    7.       HON. DR. STELLA AYAMARA DORGU BAYELSA WEST CLEARED

    NORTH WEST

    KADUNA STATE

    S/N NAME SENATORIAL DISTRICT  DECISION
    1.       SULIEMAN ABDUL KWARI ZONE 1 CLEARED
    2.       BARNABAS YUSUF BALA ZONE 3 CLEARED
    3.       SEN. SHEHU SANI ZONE 2 CLEARED
    4.       SEN. ZAGI CALEB ZONE CLEARED

    KANO STATE

    S/N NAME SENATORIAL DISTRICT  DECISION
    1.       BARR. HAJIYA LAILA BUHARI CENTRAL CLEARED
    2.       SEN. BARAU I. JIBRIN NORTH CLEARED
    3.       ISA YAHAYA ZAREWA SOUTH CLEARED
    4.       SEN. KABIRU IBRAHIM GAYA SOUTH CLEARED
    5.       SULIEMAN IBRAHIM HALILU NORTH CLEARED
    6.       SULIEMAN ABDULRAHMAN KAWU SOUTH CLEARED
    7.       IBRAHIM SHEKARAU CENTRAL CLEARED

     

    ZAMFARA STATE

    S/N NAME SENATORIAL DISTRICT  DECISION
    1.       ABDULAZIZ ABUBAKAR YARI WEST CLEARED
    2.       HON. IKRA A. BUBIS CENTRAL CLEARED
    3.       TIJANI Y. KAURA YAHAYA NORTH CLEARED

    KATSINA STATE

    S/N NAME SENATORIAL DISTRICT  DECISION
    1.       BRIG. MAHARAZU ISMAIL TSIGA SOUTH CLEARED
    2.       FARUK LAWAL SOUTH CLEARED
    3.       MOHAMMED NUR KHALIL SOUTH CLEARED
    4.       SEN. IBRAHIM M. IDA CENTRAL CLEARED
    5.       MUHAMMED SAGIR USMAN CENTRAL CLEARED
    6.       SEN. UMARU I. KURFI CENTRAL CLEARED
    7.       ABDULLAZIZ MUSA YAR’ADUA CENTRAL CLEARED

    KEBBI STATE

    S/N NAME SENATORIAL DISTRICT  DECISION
    1.       MRS. ASIYA AMINU SOUTH CLEARED
    2.       ABDULLAHI YAHAYA ABUBAKAR NORTH CLEARED
    3.       MOHAMMED MALLAM ARZIKA SOUTH CLEARED
    4.       IBRAHIM MUHHAMMED MERA NORTH CLEARED
    5.       SEN. MUHAMMED ADAMU ALEIRO CENTRAL CLEARED
    6.       SULIEMAN A. MUHAMMED NORTH CLEARED
    7.       PRINCE SULE – IKO SADEEQ SANI SOUTH CLEARED
    8.       SEN. IBN NA – ALLAH SOUTH CLEARED
    9.       AMINU KABIR SHAMAKI CENTRAL CLEARED
    10.                          DIG SULEIMAN DAUDA FAKAI (RTD) SOUTH CLEARED

     JIGAWA STATE

    S/N NAME SENATORIAL DISTRICT  DECISION
    1.       HADI UKASHATU GUMEL WEST CLEARED
    2.       SEN. DANLADI ABDULLAHI SANKARA WEST CLEARED
    3.       SABO MOHAMMED NAKODU SOUTH CLEARED
    4.       ABDULLAHI ABUBAKAR GUMEL WEST CLEARED
    5.       IBRAHIM HASSAN H. EAST CLEARED
    6.       MOHAMMED AHMED GARBA EAST CLEARED
    7.       ENGR. HABU AHMED GUMEL WEST CLEARED
    8.       HUSSANI MOHAMMED EAST CLEARED
    9.       BAR. SULEIMAN ABBA (RTD IG) SOUTH CLEARED

    SOKOTO STATE

    S/N NAME SENATORIAL DISTRICT  DECISION
    1.       SEN. DR. IBRAHIM ABDULLAHI GOBIR EAST CLEARED
    2.       DR. MUHAMMAD JABBI KILGORI SOUTH CLEARED
    3.       SEN. ALIYU M. WAMMAKO CENTRAL CLEARED

    SOUTH EAST

     

    ABIA STATE

     

    S/N NAME SENATORIAL DISTRICT  DECISION
    1.       HON. IHEANACHO OBIOMA ABIA CENTRAL CLEARED
    2.       SIR MARCUS I. WABARA ABIA SOUTH CLEARED
    3.       SEN. NKECHI NWAOGU ABIA CENTRAL CLEARED
    4.       ENGR. ONYEIZU CHINEDU C. ABIA SOUTH CLEARED
    5.       ONYENOLU BRIGHTMAN ABIA CENTRAL CLEARED
    6.       ANYIM NYERERE CHINENYE ABIA SOUTH CLEARED

    ANAMBRA STATE

     

    S/N NAME SENATORIAL DISTRICT  DECISION
    1.       SEN. ANDY EMMANUEL UBA ANAMBRA SOUTH CLEARED
    2.       HON. EBELE OBI ANAMBRA CENTRAL CLEARED
    3.       SEN. UCHE LILIAN EKWUNIFE ANAMBRA CENTRAL CLEARED
    4.       ENGR. NELSON OSELOKA ONUGBOGU ANAMBRA NORTH CLEARED
    5.       CHIEF UZOMA IGBONWA ANAMBRA CENTRAL CLEARED

     

    EBONYI STATE 

    S/N NAME SENATORIAL DISTRICT  DECISION
    1.       PROPHET (DR.) ADOL-AWAM CHRIS SONI EBONYI NORTH CLEARED
    2.       PRINCE NWAEZE ONU EBONYI SOUTH CLEARED
    3.       ANN NWANYIBUIFE AGOM – EZE EBONYI SOUTH CLEARED
    4.       JULIUS ALI UCHA EBONYI CENTRAL CLEARED
    5.       CHIEF OGBAGA GODWIN O. EBONYI NORTH CLEARED
    6.       ALO SIMEON ORIGUM EBONYI NORTH CLEARED
    7.       HON. CHIEF ENYI C. ENYI EBONYI CENTRAL CLEARED
    8.       CHIEF (HON) MATTHIAS J.N. ADAM EBONYI NORTH CLEARED
    9.       OMO CHRISTOPHER ISU EBONYI SOUTH CLEARED
    10.                          ELECHI ELECHI NNANNIA EBONYI CENTRAL CLEARED
    11.                          HON. INNOCENT USO CHIME, OON EBONYI CENTRAL CLEARED

    ENUGU STATE

     

    S/N NAME SENATORIAL DISTRICT  DECISION
    1.       GBAZUEAGU NWEKE G. ENUGU WEST CLEARED
    2.       ODO EUGENE OGBONNA ENUGU NORTH CLEARED
    3.       OSITA A. OKECHUKWU ENUGU WEST CLEARED
    4.       HON. HYACINTH NSUDE AKUBUILO ENUGU NORTH CLEARED
    5.       BARR. MRS. IBELAKU JULIET NNAGWU ENUGU WEST CLEARED
    6.       PIUS CHUKWUEMEKA EZE ENUGU WEST CLEARED
    7.       MBA ANTHONY AKUBUEZE ENUGU EAST CLEARED
    8.       EZEMBA UCHENNA ANN ENUGU EAST CLEARED
    9.       NNAMANI OKORO NONYE S. ENUGU EAST CLEARED
    10.                          ADAKU OGBU AGUOCHA ENUGU EAST CLEARED

    IMO STATE

     

    S/N NAME SENATORIAL DISTRICT  DECISION
    1.       PRINCE MAXWELL PHILLIS IGWE IMO EAST (OWERRI ZONE) CLEARED
    2.       UWAJUMOGU BENJAMIN CHUKWUEMEKA OKIGWE ZONE CLEARED
    3.       ROCHAS ANAYO OKOROCHA IMO WEST CLEARED
    4.       ENGR. EMMANUEL U. OJINERE IMO EAST (OWERRI ZONE) CLEARED
    5.       CHYMA ANTHONY OWERRI ZONE CLEARED
    6.       SEN. HOPE UZODIMMA IMO WEST CLEARED

    SOUTH WEST

     

    EKITI STATE

     

    S/N NAME SENATORIAL DISTRICT  DECISION
    1.        SEN. RAJI–RASAKI FATIMAT OLUFUNKE EKITI CENTRAL CLEARED
    2.        BAMIDELE MICHEAL OPEYEMI EKITI CENTRAL CLEARED
    3.        SEN. SYLVESTER AYODELE ARISE EKITI NORTH CLEARED
    4.        MR. CLEMENT ADEDAYO ADEYEYE EKITI SOUTH CLEARED
    5.        SEN. OLUBUNMI AYODEJI ADETUNMBI EKITI NORTH CLEARED
    6.        MR FASUYI CYRIL OLUWOLE OLUSEGUN EKITI NORTH CLEARED
    7.        MR. OLUWAFEMI VINCENT AJEFE EKITI NORTH CLEARED
    8.        MR. OTITOJU KAYODE JULIUS EKITI NORTH CLEARED
    9.        MR. OLUSEGUN AYODELE OSINKOLU EKITI NORTH CLEARED
    10.    ENGR. BAMISE OLUKAYODDE OLADIPUPO EKITI NORTH CLEARED

    ONDO STATE

    S/N NAME SENATORIAL DISTRICT DECISION
    1. SEN. ROBERT AJAYI OLUDIABISI BORROFICE ONDO NORTH CLEARED
    2. SEN. YELE OMOGUNWA ONDO SOUTH CLEARED
    3. SEN. DONALD OMOTAYO ALASOADURA ONDO CENTRAL CLEARED

    OGUN STATE

    S/N NAME SENATORIAL DISTRICT DECISION
    1. SEN. OLANREWAJU ADEYEMI TEJUOSO ABEOKUTA CENTRAL CLEARED
    2. HON. OJUBELE JIMOH OLUSOLA OGUN WEST CLEARED
    3. HON. BURAIMO TAOFEEK BUKONOLA OGUN EAST CLEARED
    4. SEN. MUSTAPHA RAMONI OLALEKAN OGUN EAST CLEARED
    5. MR TOLULOPE ODEBIYI OGUN WEST CLEARED
    6. MR OLUSEGUN ADESEGUN OGUN EAST CLEARED
    7. HON. HAMZAT GANIYU OLADUNJOYE OGUN CENTRAL CLEARED
    8. MR. OWODUNNI OPAYEMI OGUN EAST CLEARED
    9. SEN. IBIKUNLE AMOSUN OGUN CENTRAL CLEARED

     

    LAGOS STATE

    S/N NAME SENATORIAL DISTRICT DECISION
    1. SEN. OLUREMI TINUBU OON. LAGOS CENTRAL CLEARED
    2. SEN. SOLOMON OLAMILEKAN ADEOLA LAGOS WEST CLEARED
    3. SEN. BAREEHU OLUGBENGA ASHAFA LAGOS EAST CLEARED

    OYO STATE

    S/N NAME SENATORIAL DISTRICT DECISION
    1. SEN. TESLIM K. FOLARIN OYO CENTRAL CLEARED
    2. HON. TEMITOPE SUGAR OLATOYE OYO CENTRAL CLEARED
    3. SEN. BUHARI ABDULFATAI OYO NORTH CLEARED
    4. DR. AKINOSUN FOLARANMI OLUFISAYO OYO SOUTH CLEARED
    5. MR. KOLADE DANIEL ABIMBOLA OYO CENTRAL CLEARED
    6. HON. OLUOKUN GEORGE AKINTOLA OYO CENTRAL CLEARED
    7. MR OYEDEMI WAKIL OYELERU OYO CENTRAL CLEARED
    8. ENGR. FAOZEY OLADOTUN NURUDEEN OYO CENTRAL CLEARED
    9. ABIOLA AJIMOBI OYO CENTRAL CLEARED

     

     

    NORTH CENTRAL

    KOGI STATE

    S/N NAME SENATORIAL DISTRICT DECISION
    1. YAKUBU OSENI KOGI CENTRAL CLEARED
    2. ADEDOYIN E. IBIKUNLE (MRS.) KOGI WEST CLEARED
    3. DR. WILLIAM TOYIN AKANLE KOGI WEST CLEARED
    4. SMART ADEYEMI KOGI WEST CLEARED
    5. MALL. YAKUBUIBRAHIM A. KOGI CENTRAL CLEARED
    6. NURUDEEN ABATEMI USMAN KOGI CENTRAL CLEARED
    7. ALH. DALHATU M. SAKI KOGI CENTRAL CLEARED
    8. IBRAHIM TAJUDEEN KOGI WEST CLEARED
    9. SEN. ISAH JIBRIN KOGI EAST CLEARED
    10. HON. RAJI ABDULAZEEN KOGI CENTRAL CLEARED
    11. ODIDI YAHAYA AUDU KOGI EAST CLEARED
    12. AJANAH MUHAMMAD KOGI CENTRAL CLEARED

    KWARA STATE

    S/N NAME SENATORIAL DISTRICT DECISION
    1. ASHIRU OYELOLA YISA KWARA SOUTH CLEARED
    2. DR. OLORIEGBE I. YAHAYA KWARA CENTRAL CLEARED
    3. UMAR OLANREWAJU B. KWARA CENTRAL CLEARED
    4. SULE ABBAS AHMED KWARA NORTH CLEARED
    5. DANKAKA MUHEEDA OFFO KWARA SOUTH CLEARED
    6. ALH. HON ILIASU IBRAHIM KWARA NORTH CLEARED
    7. ABDULMUMINU MUSBAU E. KWARA CENTRAL CLEARED
    8. MALL. ALUKO A. YINKA KWARA CENTRAL CLEARED
    9. USMAN ABUBAKAR MORA (FCAI) KWARA NORTH CLEARED
    10. SEN. AJADI M. SULEIMAN KWARA SOUTH CLEARED
    11. UMAR SADIQ SULEIMAN KWARA NORTH CLEARED
    12. NURUDEEN BALOGUN ADEYEMI KWARA SOUTH CLEARED
    13. ALH. MOHAMMED M.HALIRU KWARA NORTH CLEARED
    14. KAYODE ALABI KWARA SOUTH CLEARED

    BENUE STATE

    S/N NAME SENATORIAL DISTRICT DECISION
    1. SENATOR GEORGE AKUME NORTH WEST ZONE ‘B’ CLEARED
    2. DR. MATTHIAS BYUAN T. NORTH WEST ZONE ‘A’ CLEARED
    3. VANDEFAN TERSUGH J. NORTH EAST ZONE ‘A’ CLEARED
    4. DANIEL DONALD O. BENUE SOUTH ZONE ‘C’ CLEARED
    5. MRS. MINI A. ORUBIBI NORTH EAST ZONE ‘A’ CLEARED
    6. H.E. CHIEF STEPHEN L. OFR BENUE SOUTH ZONE ‘C’ CLEARED
    7. HON. TSUMBU TERWASE M. NORTH EAST ZONE ‘A’ CLEARED
    8. BENJAMIN BEAGH N. NORTH EAST ZONE ‘A’ CLEARED
    9. DR. ISAAC AKWUMA EGBOJA BENUE SOUTH ZONE ‘C’ CLEARED

    PLATEAU STATE

    S/N NAME SENATORIAL DISTRICT DECISION
    1. PAULINE TALLEN PLATEAU SOUTH CLEARED
    2. HEZEKIAH AYUBA DIMKA PLATEAU CENTRAL CLEARED
    3. NANVEN NIMFEL PLATEAU SOUTH CLEARED
    4. EDWARD GYANG P. PLATEAU NORTH CLEARED
    5. RUFUS D. BATURE PLATEAU NORTH CLEARED
    6. SAMUEL PIWUNA PLATEAU CENTRAL CLEARED
    7. GONTORI B. DANLADI PLATEAU CENTRAL CLEARED
    8. ADAH D. LUMUMBA PLATEAU NORTH CLEARED
    9. TEEL DASHE STEPHEN PLATEAU SOUTH CLEARED
    10. COMRADE JIBRIN K. BANCIR PLATEAU SOUTH CLEARED
    11. IGNATIUS D. LONGJAN PLATEAU SOUTH CLEARED
    12. DIKET SATSO PLANG PLATEAU CENTRAL CLEARED
       13. JACK YAKUBU PAM PLATEAU NORTH CLEARED

     

    NIGER STATE

    S/N NAME SENATORIAL DISTRICT DECISION
    1. SEN. DIVE UMAR ZONE ‘B’ CLEARED
    2. HON. MUSA MAHMOOD ZONE ‘B’ CLEARED
    3. UMAR FAROUK AYAWA ZONE ‘B’ CLEARED
    4. ABDUL IBRAHIM EBBO ZONE ‘A’ CLEARED
    5. SEN. DR. A.S. ABDULLAHI ZONE ‘C’ CLEARED
    6. MOHAMMED SANI MUSA ZONE ‘B’ CLEARED
    7. HALIRU ZAKARI JIKA TORO ZONE ‘C’ CLEARED
    8. PAUL TSADO TSWANYA ZONE ‘A’ CLEARED
    9. ABDULAMALIKD.U. CHECHE ZONE ‘A’ CLEARED
    10. SHEHU SALEH RIJAU ZONE ‘C’ CLEARED
    11. MUSTAPHA SANI MOHAMMED ZONE ‘A’ CLEARED
    12. MUHAMMADU BALA FARUK ZONE ‘A’ CLEARED
    13. BIMA MUHAMMAD ENAGI ZONE ‘A’ CLEARED
    14. YUSUF GARBA TAGWAI ZONE ‘B’ CLEARED
    15. SHUAIBU IBRAHIM GWADA ZONE ‘B’ CLEARED
    16. DR. MOHAMMED SANTUKARI ZONE ‘A’ CLEARED
    17. KABIR. MOHAMMED BAWA RIJAU ZONE ‘C’ CLEARED
    18. ALH. SALE SAHABI DARANGI ZONE ‘C’ CLEARED
    19. MUHAMMAD DATTIJO USMAN ZONE ‘B’ CLEARED
    20. ENGR. ADAMU ALFA ABU ZONE ‘A’ CLEARED
    21. HON. AFIMIKI E. DAUDU ZONE ‘B’ CLEARED

    FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY (FCT)

    S/N NAME SENATORIAL DISTRICT DECISION
    1. KHAIRAT ABDULRASAQ G. FCT CLEARED
    2. IRETI HEEBAH KINGIBE FCT CLEARED
    3. SEN. ISA MAINA FCT CLEARED
    4. ZAKARI YAMMA ANGULU FCT CLEARED
    5. USMAN JIBRIN WOWO FCT CLEARED
    6. ZEPHANIAH B. JISALO FCT CLEARED
    7. HON. MUSA TANKO ABARI FCT CLEARED
    8. ABOKI ZHAWA FCT CLEARED
    9. DANIEL HASSAN BWALA FCT CLEARED

    NASSARAWA 

    S/N NAME SENATORIAL DISTRICT DECISION
    1. SEN. ABDULLAHI ADAMU NASSARAWA WEST CLEARED
    2. H.E. UMAR TANKO AL-MAKURA NASSARAWA SOUTH CLEARED
    3. SEN. SALIHU HUSSAIN EGYE NASSARAWA SOUTH CLEARED
    4. HON. MRS. MARY .E.E. NASSARAWA NORTH CLEARED
    5. RT. HON. G. AKWASHIKI NASSARAWA NORTH CLEARED

    NORTH EAST

    BAUCHI STATE

    S/N NAME SENATORIAL DISTRICT DECISION
    1. SEN. LAWAL Y. GUMAU BAUCHI SOUTH CLEARED
    2. SEN. MOHAMMED ALHAJI MOHAMMED BAUCHI CENTRAL CLEARED
    3. ALIYU BAPPA MISAU BAUCHI CENTRAL CLEARED
    4. DR. SAFIYA ILLIYASU MIHAMMED BAUCHI SOUTH CLEARED
    5. DR. DABO ADAMU DANJUMA BAUCHI SOUTH CLEARED
    6. USAMN ABUBAKAR TUGGAR BAUCHI NORTH CLEARED
    7. MOHAMMED FATIMAH FAROUQ BAUCHI SOUTH CLEARED
    8. DR. M.B.W. DOGO MOHAMMED BAUCHI NORTH CLEARED
    9. MAGAJI MOHAMMED UDUBO BAUCHI NORTH CLEARED
    10. ADAMU MOHAMMED BULKACHUWA BAUCHI NORTH CLEARED
    11. HALIRU DAUDA JIKA BAUCHI CENTRAL CLEARED
    12. ABDULKADIR ADAMU BAUCHI NORTH CLEARED
    13. HON. (BARR.) IBRAHIM ZAILANI BAUCHI SOUTH CLEARED
    14. SAMA’ILA AHMED ILAILA BAUCHI CENTRAL CLEARED

    ADAMAWA STATE

    S/N NAME SENATORIAL DISTRICT DECISION
    1. SEN. AHMED ABUBAKAR ADAMAWA SOUTH CLEARED
    2. SEN. BINTA MASI GARBA ADAMAWA NORTH CLEARED
    3. ALIYU WAKILI BOYA ADAMAWA CENTRAL CLEARED
    4. HON. IBRAHIM ABUBAKAR ADAMAWA CENTRAL CLEARED
    5. BELLO HAMMAN DIRAM ADAMAWA CENTRAL CLEARED
    6. BELLO IBRAHIM ADAMAWA CENTRAL CLEARED
    7. ENGR. UMAR SULEIMAN ADAMAWA CENTRAL CLEARED
    8. AISAHTU DAHIRUAHMED ADAMAWA CENTRAL CLEARED

    TARABA STATE

    S/N NAME SENATORIAL DISTRICT DECISION
    1. SEN. YUSUF ABUBAKAR YUSUF TARABA CENTRAL CLEARED
    2. MOHAMMED BELLO MUSTAPHA ESQ TARABA NORTH CLEARED
    3. ADAMU IBRAHIM TUBASE TARABA SOUTH CLEARED
    4. AHMED YUSUF TARABA NORTH CLEARED
    5. ISHAYA G. BAUKO TARABA SOUTH CLEARED
    6. RIMANNDE BITRUS NUHU TARABA SOUTH CLEARED

    BORNO STATE

    S/N NAME SENATORIAL DISTRICT DECISION
    1. DR. ABUBAKAR ALI KULLIMA BORNO NORTH CLEARED
    2. SANDA ALHAJI GARBA BORNO SOUTH CLEARED
    3. FATI KAKENNA ALKALIMUNGONO BORNO NORTH CLEARED
    4. HON. ISA LAWAN BORNO NORTH CLEARED
    5. DR. SALMA ANAS KOLO BORNO SOUTH CLEARED
    6. SEN. MOHAMMED ALI NDUME BORNO SOUTH CLEARED
    7. MUSA BALLA BORNO SOUTH CLEARED
    8. ALI BUKAR WURGE BORNO CENTRAL CLEARED
    9. SEN. ABUBAKAR S. KYARI BORNO NORTH CLEARED
    10. HON. KASHIM SHETTIMA BORNO CENTRAL CLEARED

     

    GOMBE STATE

    S/N NAME SENATORIAL DISTRICT DECISION
    1. YORNO LIAZAROSS GOMBE SOUTH CLEARED
    2. GARBA JIJJI GADAM GOMBE NORTH CLEARED
    3. DR. HAJARA IBRAHIM SALIM GOMBE CENTRAL CLEARED
    4. COL. BULUS K. AMOS GOMBE SOUTH CLEARED
    5. KABIRU NUHU POLOMA GOMBE SOUTH CLEARED
    6. MOHAMMED DANJUMA GOJE GOMBE CENTRAL CLEARED
    7. SEN. SAIDU AHMED ALKALI GOMBE NORTH CLEARED

     

    YOBE STATE

    S/N NAME SENATORIAL DISTRICT DECISION
    1. H.E. ALH. IBRAHIM GAIDAM YOBE EAST CLEARED
    2. SEN. AHMED IBRAHIM LAWAN YOBE NORTH CLEARED
    3. ABDULKADIR JAJERE YOBE SOUTH CLEARED
    4. DR. MOHAMMED LAWAN YAHUZA YOBE NORTH CLEARED
    5. ENGR. ABUBAKAR D. ALIYU YOBE SOUTH CLEARED
    6. IBRAHIM MOHAMMD BOMAI YOBE SOUTH CLEARED

    SIGNED:

    Mr. Yekini Nabena

    Ag. National Publicity Secretary

  • Breaking: Ben Bruce withdraws from senatorial race

    The commonsense Senator, Ben Murray Bruce, has withdrawn his ambition to return to the Senate for a second term in 2019.

    The Senator abandoned his ambition to represent the Bayelsa East Senatorial District following widespread rejection of his candidacy by the stakeholders of the district.

    In a letter written on the eve of the senatorial primaries of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Bruce thanked his district for giving him the opportunity to serve.

    Read Also:Ben Bruce welcomes Saraki back to PDP

    The letter said: “I thank God and the good people of Brass, Bayelsa East Senatorial District who offered me the golden opportunity four years ago to represent them and the state in the Senate, Nigeria’s highest lawmaking chamber.

    “It is without doubt that I have tried to discharge my duties as a legislator and representative of my people creditably to the best of my ability so far.

    “My voice has been very loud on the issues that matter to our people and our country at all time.

    “My support to our party, my people and state government is unquestionable. I am humbled that the national leadership of my party supported by the State chapter in appreciation of my efforts offered to support my reelection to the senate to continue my service.

    “I have also intensified consultations in the last couple of week in the course of which I have come to realize an existing local rotational arrangement of over 20 years beginning with the late Great Chief Melford Okilo, by which arrangement the Senatorial seat rotates per local government area among the three councils for four years in the Senatorial District.

    “Even with the support of my party at the National and state levels with the full backing of my state government and leadership, as a man of honour interested in the well-being of my people, I hereby announce my withdrawal from the Senatorial race.

    “I do not want whatever reason to appear to have used my privileged position and influence to do anything other than the well-being and the stability and the good of the people.

    “I am in all of these for the people, not for myself.

    “Once again, I thank the former President, Dr. Goodluck Ebelo Jonathan, the National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, my colleagues in the Senate and Governor of Bayelsa State, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson for their support and encouragement.

    “I also thank the leadership of my Senatorial District and state, for being there for me.

    “I thank specially the people of my constituency for their trust and confidence in me to serve and represent them in the Senate.

    “By trusting me with this mandate, I have come to know them and our people even better, an experience I will never forget for the rest of my life.

    “I am indeed grateful to my darling wife, my children, and other members of my family for their support and prayers. I appreciate the efforts of my hardworking campaign staff for their support and dedication.

    “Again, I thank the leadership of the party for their continuing support. I also assured the party of my availability and readiness to serve at any capacity when the opportunity comes”.

  • Kano Senatorial Contest: Buhari’s aide alleges threat to his fife

    The Senior Special Assistant  to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives) and Senatorial aspirant for Kano South Senatorial District, Alhaji Abdulraman Kawu Sumaila on Sunday raised an alarm over alleged threat to his life by agents of his political opponent.

    During an emergency press briefing held at NUJ Kano Press Centre, Kawu alleged that a former chairman of Sumaila Local Government Area and campaign Director to Senator Kabiru Gaya, Alhaji Abdulhamid Idris Rimi led a group of unknown persons who stormed Sumaila Ward and attempted to attack him while he was addressing over 3000 All Progressive Congress (APC) supporters who had gathered for the direct governorship primaries of the party in the state.

    Kawu said  three suspects have been arrested over the incident and are now in police custody.

    According to him, “I am at the Press Centre to acquaint you on recent happenings in Sumaila town in Sumaila Local Government Area.

    “You are aware that APC in Kano  is conducting direct primary elections across the state to endorse our leader, His Excellency, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje who has been adopted as the sole candidate of the party.

    “You are also aware that Governor Ganduje and our party chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas decided to adopt direct primaries to elect party candidates from presidential, governorship, National Assembly to State Assembly. For the governorship primaries, the candidate is one; and all the APC stakeholders in Kano agreed to accept Governor Ganduje as our sole candidate because of his achievements in office. He deserved to get a second term to consolidate on his achievements.

    “However, today (Sunday) around 12 noon, when I visited my Ward in Sumaila town to participate in the process of selecting the sole candidate of our party, the party leadership in the Ward gave me an opportunity to address the party faithful numbering over 4000.

    “I was telling them the process and the importance to make sure that we put our hands on deck to endorse Governor Ganduje and President Buhari and give maximum cooperation to consolidate on their gains in the second term.

    “As I was speaking to them, a former chairman of Sumaila Local Government Area who happens to be the Campaign Director of my opponent, approached me, asking me about the election materials and officials.

    “I told him that they just arrived and that was the reason why we were about to start our own. I told him that all the officials and materials are all here. Immediately I finished answering his questions, I suspected some strange faces coming very close to me.

    “Some people, about eight of them approached me. I became suspicious because of the way they were behaving and I observed that they were not members of Sumaila community.  I quickly put a call across to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) because I perceived danger coming.

    “Even as I was on call, they kept coming close to me and I suspected that they were carrying dangerous weapons. Then, I quickly called the attention of my security details. They apprehended them and discovered that they were armed with dangerous weapons.”

    He further stated that the police later arrested two of the suspects, including Senator Kabiru Gaya’s campaign Director who are currently at Sumaila police station.

    According to him, upon interrogation, police discovered that the suspects were not from Sumaila Ward and had no business being there at that point in time.

    “Now, we have an evidence which I will tell the whole world clearly that some people whom I suspect are from my political opponent are attempting to eliminate me because this is the only way they win the election.

    “They are creating unnecessary tension, they are hitting the polity to eliminate me to achieve their political goal. Therefore, my prayer is for the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Buhari, Inspector General of Police and all relevant security agencies to come my rescue.”

    When contacted, Kano Police Command spokesman, SP Musa Magaji Majia said he was yet to be briefed on the incident.

  • ‘Remo deserves senate now’

    Remo Progressives Forum (RPF), a socio-cultural group for the promotion of overall interests of Remoland, has called on political parties in Ogun State desiring of Remo’s support in 2019 to pick their Ogun East senatorial candidates from any part of Remo.

    A statement by its Chairman, Otunba Adesoji Shomoye, said it was time to end the marginalisation and short-changing of Remo people “our bid is to occupy the seat of the Senator representing Ogun East.”

    The statement reads: “Whereas Ogun East Senatorial District is made up of two divisions – Remo and Ijebu – it is disheartening that Remo has never occupied the senate since Ogun East Senatorial District was created. And we feel the time is now for us to take our destiny in our hands. Therefore, any party that must get our votes must pick its Ogun East candidate from Remo land.

    “For those who may not know, past Senators from Ogun East are – Senator Abraham Adesanya (Ijebu-Igbo/Ijebu North); Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye (Ijebu-Igbo/Ijebu-North); Senator Jubril Martins Kuye (Ago-Iwoye/Ijebu North); Senator Tokunbo Ogunbanjo (Erunwon/Ijebu North East); Senator Lekan Mustapha (Ijebu-Igbo/Ijebu-North); Senator Gbenga Kaka (Ijebu-Igbo/Ijebu-North); and presently Senator Buruji Kashamu (Ijebu-Igbo/Ijebu-North).

    “We also urge politicians of Remo extraction that the genuine demand by Remo people for Senate in 2019 is real and cannot be sacrificed on the altar of personal interest. We are already mobilising Remo indigenes and friends to use our votes to end this age-long marginalisation come 2019.”

  • Senate: release of funds to Amnesty inadequate

    The Senate Committee on Niger Delta has decried the delay in releasing funds to the Amnesty Office for payment of stipend and allowances to beneficiaries.

    Members, who visited the Office of the Special Adviser to the President and Coordinator, Amnesty, on Tuesday in Abuja, described funds so far released from its 2018 budgetary allocation as inadequate.

    “There are points which I did not make while I was making this presentation. Some of them actually came up as a result of Prof. Charles Dokubo’s presentation. It was while making this presentation that this committee became aware of the fact that you (Amnesty Office) got only N5bn twice out of the N65b naira allocated to you in the 2018 budget. N5b translates to approximately 7.7 per cent which is grossly inadequate”, said Senator Baba Kaka Bashir Garbai, committee vice chairman.

    Emphasising that Amnesty is pivotal to a stable Niger Delta, members said they would ensure funds were released promptly to the programme.

    “This kind of situation underscores the need for an interactive session like this so that we can put pressure on the Ministry of Finance and those that are involved in the release of funds. Amnesty programme is a very important programme of this government. From the Yar’Adua administration up till now, it has brought down the temperature in the Niger Delta; because of that, whenever you are having these kinds of challenges, make us know as a committee so that we can intervene”, Senator Garbai remarked.

    He added: “Since this committee was inaugurated, we have not had the opportunity of formally coming to make an oversight visit to this agency, so we are here to share with you some of your experiences in the various departments to formally interact with you about the activities of your office. The committee is filled with a lot of complaints about your office and also petitions about students sponsored by this office that have not been paid their stipends and allowances outside the country. So because of that, we want to hear your own side of the story, so that where you have constraints, the committee will look into it in order to find some solutions”.

    Responding, Prof. Dokubo, reiterated President Muhammadu Buhari’s determination to turn around the narrative of Niger Delta.

    “I will work hard to make sure that the Amnesty Programme attains the mission and objective for which it has been created. I’m happy that you are here to rub mind with us today and I believe that as you go back to your office, you will see the challenges that we face and in whichever way you can help us, I’ll plead with you not to hesitate to help us because we don’t have releases. We have to been put on pressure, and if we don’t have releases to pay those that require the stipend, the security environment in which the Niger Delta will be uncontrollable, and that’s my worst fear.

    “Maintaining peace and security is the most important thing. It is not about military security; it is human security, where the human being becomes a reference point for security; where we develop, assist, empower, train and give jobs to these people that have been left out of the system. Then, we can believe that a holistic approach to the Niger Delta problem has been taken”.

     

     

  • Fed Govt faults suit against Senate reopening without Saraki’s consent

    The Federal Government has faulted a suit by two senators seeking to stop the reopening of the Senate without the consent of Senate President Bukola Saraki.

    Senators Rafiu Adebayo (Kwara South) and Isa Misau (Bauchi Central) who initiated the suit were elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). They have defected to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The government’s position came through its notice of preliminary objection to the suit filed by Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami.

    In the objection dated August 17, the AGF urged the court to dismiss the suit and querried the plaintiffs’ locus standi.  He urged the court to decline jurisdiction.

    The AGF, listed as the 10th defendant, argued that the plaintiffs failed to show that the defendants had done any wrong to warrant being sued.

    “My lord, I don’t think this court is so free to allow itself to be used by mischief makers like the plaintiffs in this matter.

    “The present suit as constituted has not shown any wrong done to the plaintiffs.

    “We submit that the directives or invitation of the Senate President to appear before the Inspector General of Police for further investiagation in line with paragraph 5(f) of the DPPF’s advice cannot create a cause of action in favour of either Saraki himself or the plaintiffs, the AGF said.

    “It is pertinent to my lord to state here that if there is a threat to powers of the Senate President as conferred on him by the 1999 Constitution as amended and the Standing Rules of the Senate, the first person to complain and not the plaintiffs also herein, the Senate President, did not raise any alarm that some people are trying to usurp his powers and illegally reconvene the Senate.

    “My lord, in determining whether the plaintiffs have the necessary capacity to institute the action, the claim must be examined to see if there is any enforceable right in connection with with the plaintiffs.“

    The AGF argued that there must be a nexus between the plaintiffs and the disclosed cause of action concerning their right or obligation which have been breached or threatened to be violated.

    The AGF contended that section 6(6)(b) of the 1999 constitution is to the effect that for a person to be able to institute an action in court, he must be able to show that he has the right and obligation to do so and failure to do so would cause him/her injustice.

    The government urged the court to decline jurisdictions and hold that the plaintiffs though members of the Senate, are total strangers to the circumstances that gave rise to the suit and hence lack the locus to institute the action.

    The AGF insisted that the duty of the plaintiffs is to attend senate business of the 2nd defendant (senate president), through due process, summons the senate to reconvene and carry out their duties as senators and not to invent facts and concort a suit and file same in a court.

    The 10th defendant contended that all through the facts in the plaintiffs’ affidavits, “there was nothing showing that the Senate President has complained to the plaintiffs that his powers are being usurped by some agents of the state”.

    The AGF said since every declaration and order sought by the plaintiffs in the suit are  directly for the benefit of the Senate President, the plaintiffs lacked locus standi to commence the suit and that the court lacks jurisdiction to hear and determine the plaintiffs’ suit.  Hearing has been fixed for September 13.

  • Conflicting expectations (1)

    A bill to amend the Constitution to provide for state police scaled the first reading at the Senate on July 11. But is Nigeria ripe for it? Is state police the answer to the prevailing security challenges? Are there no chances that governors would abuse such an institution? These are some of the posers raised in this report by PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU.

    FROM Borno to Ebonyi, Zamfara to Cross River and Plateau to Benue, it has been an orgy of killings. There have been growing security concerns across the country with Nigerians wondering if it had become a slaughter slab. A day hardly passes without reports of killings arising from herdsmen-farmers conflicts, armed marauding terrorists, kidnappers, communal clashes, rivalries among politicians, sponsored assassinations and militancy, among others. The situation assumed a frightening dimension this year as reports indicate that no fewer than 1,500 persons have been killed and hundreds of thousands displaced as a result of various crisis across the country. Amnesty International on July 1, posted on its official Twitter handle that 378 persons were killed between January and June in Benue, 340 in Plateau and 217 in Zamfara states. Aside the above, 20 persons were killed during the clash between Ukele and Izzi communities of Cross River and Ebonyi States. The list is endless.

    The nation’s security apparatus, particularly the police, charged with the responsibility to maintain public peace, order and protect lives and properties have not adequately responded to these issues, no thanks to insufficient manpower, equipment and logistics; such that, the military, whose primary function is to protect the nation from external aggressions, was drafted in and currently runs operations in 30 states of the federation.

    As of today, the police have a population of about 300,000 to secure almost 200 million Nigerians. More than 20 per cent of the service’s strength are guiding the rich and politically exposed persons (PEPs). By the United Nation’s benchmark, a police man is expected to watch over four persons. But that is not the case in Nigeria where one officer is saddled with the responsibility of looking after 600 citizens.

    That notwithstanding, this year’s Global Peace Index (GPI) ranked Nigeria 148th in peacefulness out of 163 countries surveyed. The survey measured three indices—level of safety and security in society; extent of domestic and international conflict, and the degree of militarisation.

    Rising cases of mindless murders and sacking of commuters have continued unabated with victims largely accusing the federal government controlled security agencies of conniving with killers, thus, reawakening the clamour for state police. The cries reached a crescendo with last month’s killing of over 200 people in Riyom, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, as well as the massacres recorded in Zamfara, Taraba, Nasarawa, Benue, Ebonyi, Cross River and Rivers states, among others. The National Assembly (NASS) was called upon to, without delay, begin the process for the establishment of state police by amending Sections 214 and 215 that stipulates the existence of only the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

    Heeding the call, the Senate asked its standing committee on Constitution Review to kick-start processes for a Bill to amend the Constitution for the establishment of state police. The House of Representatives’ Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, had earlier sponsored a bill to that effect.

     

    What the bill seeks to address

    The bill, if passed, would amend relevant sections of the constitution to allow for a decentralised Police Force. It seeks to establish the National Police Service Commission (NPSC), thereby, giving room for the creation of the federal and state police. Like in the judiciary, it implies that there would be a State Police Service Commission (SPSC), which would be vested with the powers to review the activities of the state police bi-annually, recommend the appointment of a Commissioner of Police (CP), Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) to the NPSC in addition to appointment, discipline, and removal of members of the state police below the rank of ACP.

    The proposed law indicates that whereas the CP of a state may be removed on the grounds of misconduct, serious breach of policing standards, conviction by a court of law or tribunal, indictment by a judicial body or tribunal for corruption, participation in political activities, among others, such removal must be approved by two-thirds majority of the State House of Assembly.

    It provided details of the composition of the NPSC, indicating that it shall comprise a chairman, representatives of the National Human Rights Commission, Public Complaints Commission, Labour, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), and the Attorney-General of each state. The commission shall also have six retired police officers not below the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), and all members must be confirmed by the Senate.

    For the SPSC, the bill stated that it shall comprise a representative of the federal government appointed by the NPSC, two members to be appointed by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), who must be indigenes of the respective states, a representative of the Public Complaints Commission (PCC), one representative each from Labour Union, appointed by the chairman of the state chapter, NBA and NUJ.

    Others include three retired police officers to be appointed by the governor from the three senatorial districts and the commission’s chairman who must all be confirmed by the State House of Assembly.

    It stated thus: “The Federal Police shall be responsible for the maintenance of public security, preservation of public order and security of persons and property throughout the federation. The appointment of the Commissioner of Police of a state shall be by the Governor on the advice of the National Police Service Commission and subject to confirmation of the House of Assembly.

    “The term of office of the Commissioner of Police shall be for a period of five years only or until he attains a retirement age prescribed by law, whichever is earlier. The Governor or such other Commissioner of the Government of the State as he may authorise in that behalf may give to the Commissioner of Police such lawful directions with respect to the maintenance and securing of public safety and public order as he may consider necessary, and the Commissioner of Police shall comply with those directions or cause them to be complied with.

    “Provided that where the Commissioner of Police feels that any order given under this subsection is unlawful or contradicts general policing standards or practice, he may request that the matter be referred to the State Police Service Commission for review and the decision of the State Police Service Commission shall be final. prescribe a bi-annual certification review of the activities of State Police by the National Police Service Commission to ensure they meet up with approved national standards and guidelines of policing and their operations do not undermine national integrity, promote ethnic, tribal or sectional agenda or marginalize any segment of the society within the state.”

    The National Police Service Commission,  according to the bill, shall be responsible for the appointment of persons to offices (other than the office of the Inspector-General of Police) in the Federal Police Service; exercising disciplinary control over members of the Federal Police; recommend to the Governor of a State the appointment, discipline or removal of the CP, DCP and ACP of State Police, as well as supervise the activities of Federal and State Police, prescribe standards for all police forces in the country in training, criminal intelligence databases, forensic laboratories, and render assistance to the State Police in areas as may be requested by such State Police.”

    However, the issue has remained controversial with proponents and critics making valid points to support their arguments.

     

    The case against state police

    In August last year, the Inspector-General of Police (IG) Ibrahim Idris; Chairman, Police Service Commission (PSC) Musiliu Smith and former IG Sunday Ehindero were at a function in Lagos where they all spoke against the creation of state police.

    Their argument was that the country was not ripe for it and therefore, should concern itself more with ensuring adequate funding for the police. The security chiefs were also of the view that the police had tried the concept in the 1980s and early 1990s without success.

    To them, the concept failed when it deployed officers from the rank of Deputy Superintendent (DSP) and below to their respective local governments but they were caught between performing their constitutional roles and aiding their kinsmen who found themselves in one criminal situation or the other. They were of the view that a Security Trust Fund like that of Lagos, be established at the national level as to cater for funding, manpower, technological and scientific support, among others currently plaguing the force.

    Idris had said: “The police need the collaboration and synergy of the community where they are to effectively deal with crime in the policing space. We need the populace to give us information, intelligence and other supports in this crime fighting efforts. The police under my watch is committed to defeating all security challenges confronting our dear country, Nigeria.

    “We need the support of all Nigerians. We need more funding, we need manpower and we need technology and scientific support. Police officers and men need motivation, welfare and incentives to tackle bandits. We must eventually win the battle with your support and collaborative efforts and synergy.”

    Critics of the establishment of state police believe the concept is good but the timing is wrong. To them, it would become a ready tool in the hands of intolerant governors against their perceived enemies or opponents. They are also of the view that the country should focus on strengthening the existing police structure through capacity building, equipment, motivation and the freedom to function professionally, rather than duplicate 36 miniatures of a dysfunctional service, which would amount to more problems.

    They believe the way out would be to identify the problems of the Nigeria Police, such as “what is it that makes the police ineffective? Why are they not delivering on their mandate? Are they adequately trained? Do they have the required tools to function? Are they trained for purpose? Is the institutional structure right and do they have the guidelines for that function?” asked a Nigerian Air Force retired Wing Commander.

    He continued: “Let us assume the answers to these questions are no. Then, we have to look at how to solve them to make the police more efficient. How do we improve on their training? It is not about bringing state or community policing. If you like, make it house policing, that is for an individual to police his own house, if the requisite training is not given, that person would fail.

    “Until we solve the issue of capacity, structure, funding and governance of the police, we will not make a headway. We would have the same issues again and, this time, it will not be just one police force but 36 other police structures, and the problem would be compounded.

    Similarly, senior lawyer, Sylva Ogwemoh (SAN) said he does not subscribe to the creation of state police in the country because it would not provide the needed solution. He believes the important factor was to build institutions and develop processes in the conduct of our affairs.

    He said: “A crude governor will see the state police as a tool for dealing with political opponents and perceived enemies of his government. There is no doubt that the Nigeria Police of today does not have the required manpower, equipment and appropriate training to deal with organised crime in Nigeria. This is where the problem lies.

    “The police must be well equipped and the right physical, mental and psychological training provided to the officers to enable them effectively deal with our security problems. Until this is done, a resort to creation of state police will amount to a waste of precious time. God help Nigeria.”

    Former Minister of State, Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, shared a similar view using the July 14 elections in Ekiti State as a reference point. As beautiful as the idea is, Obanikoro said, creating state police would be the first step to Nigeria’s disintegration.

    He said: “The truth is that we are not matured enough to run state police. Look at the mismanagement of powers at the state level concerning local government elections and administration. The rate of human right abuses will go through the roof, particularly where political opponents are prominent in terms of grassroots support. We should do community policing and restructure the police command to give more control to state governors. Promotion and dismissal should have state governors’ input.

    “Imagine Ekiti with state police and what the federal police did to him (Fayose) during the last election. Granting state police will be the first step towards the disintegration of Nigeria. This is not an isolated situation. Rather, it is the norm under every administration in Nigeria.

    “The present police structure should not stand but it can be modified to create opportunities for the states to have a say in the recruitments and control. Therefore, there is need for radical police reform.”

    Despite the failings of the police, legal luminary, Dele Belgore, SAN, argued that decentralising the police is not the most important thing at the moment.

    He said: “The Nigeria Police Force today is a badly demoralised service and does not command the respect of Nigerians. If the Police Force is not properly repositioned through good training, orientation and improved conditions of service, creation of state police would merely localise the existing decay and the consequences could be more oppressive on the populace.

    “However, if there is genuine desire to reform the police, a decentralised Force would be easier to manage and can be made more effective. But creation of state police is simply for the sake of giving more powers and control to governors. That’s a recipe for disaster.