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Tag: Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe

  • You’re wrong, expect Asiwaju Tsunami in 2027 – Ikonne taunts Abaribe

    You’re wrong, expect Asiwaju Tsunami in 2027 – Ikonne taunts Abaribe

    Prince Paul Ikonne, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday dismissed Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe’s challenge to the credibility of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 presidential election, describing it as a product of political mischief.

    Speaking on TVC’s popular morning show, This Morning, Ikonne, the immediate past Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), said Abaribe’s comments reflect the desperation and growing panic within opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    “Senator Abaribe’s outburst is symptomatic of a politically desperate person who is out of tune with current realities,” Ikonne said, faulting the Abia South Senator for alleging on Monday that President Tinubu did not legitimately win in 2023 and could not secure victory again in 2027.

    Ikonne maintained that Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 election was decisive, legitimate, and enjoyed broad support across regions, ethnic groups, and political interests.

    He argued that Abaribe lacks the moral standing to question the President’s electoral strength, particularly in Abia State.

    The APC chieftain further emphasized that the senator had become disconnected from grassroots realities and failed to recognize the evolving political dynamics in Abia State and the wider Southeast region.

    He said, “If you know Senator Abaribe very well, you will realize that he is an attention seeker. He is always seeking attention. This is a man who did not win his own election in 2023. One young man defeated him during the election, and anybody who wanted to know the details should get what the young man filed at the Tribunal against Senator Abaribe.

    “What Abaribe displayed showed clearly that the opposition, if any, are panicking. The President won the election, not just in one state but across the country, and his popularity has gone up more than it was in 2023 because 90 percent of the PDP in the entire South-east have collapsed into the APC.

    “As we speak, about 90 per cent of the PDP structure in the South-East has collapsed into the APC,” adding that, “The raw materials of politics are human beings, and those human beings are now gravitating towards President Tinubu. This is the reality in the Southeast and Nigeria as a whole. I can assure you that there will be an Asiwaju tsunami in 2027.”

    He dismissed claims that Tinubu would struggle electorally in Abia, accusing Abaribe of failing to keep tabs on developments in his constituency. Ikonne argued that tangible federal projects and interventions under the Renewed Hope Agenda are already reshaping public perception of the APC in the region.

    According to him, ongoing infrastructure projects, including the rehabilitation of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, as well as Agricultural and Social Investment Programmes, are resonating strongly with the people of the South-East.

    He said such initiatives have demonstrated the Tinubu administration’s commitment to inclusive development and equitable distribution of federal presence.

    Ikonne also rejected assertions that Nigeria is drifting towards a one-party state, describing such claims as excuses by politicians unwilling to accept the growing appeal of the APC. He insisted that defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and other platforms were driven by performance and popular support, not coercion.

    “Even the blind and the deaf can see that Nigeria is developing rapidly under President Tinubu,” he said. “That is why the APC continues to attract followership from across party lines.”

    He said, “It is not about a one-party state, it is about building a strong platform, and you know that chartered politicians when they see a strong platform, they don’t waste time, they cross, and it is obvious that APC is the platform to beat.

    “Like in the South East now, the region is now the stronghold of APC if you look at it very well. So the door is still open for those who have seen the light to join us, and for those who have not seen anything, we wish them well.”

  • Abaribe sitting on a stolen mandate-Nkwonta

    The candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) for Abia South Senatorial Zone, Chief Chris Nkwonta has vowed to defeat the Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe in 2019 senatorial election in the zone.

    Nkwonta who came second to Abaribe in the 2015 poll said that the Senator representing Abia South is sitting on a stolen mandate because he, Nkwonta defeated him in the 2015 poll.

    Read Also:Abaribe, Nkwonta, Wabara and battle for Abia South

    Speaking at the palace of Eze Ishmael Nnakwu of Etiti-Ohazu in Aba South LGA of the state, Nkwonta warned that 2019 will no longer be business as usual.

    Nkwonta in a chat with journalists said that INEC insistence that incident form will not be used in the 2019 election will help reduce rigging which he claimed helped the ruling party in the state to manipulate the outcome of 2015 election results in their favour.

    In his words, “I am going to win Abia South Senatorial Zone in 2019. Abaribe is already sitting on a stolen mandate. I won the election in 2015 and he rigged his way through by using incident forms. In 2019, we are no more going to use incident forms. So accreditation will be by electronic means. So rigging will no longer be as rampant as it was in 2015. My chances are very bright and I will win the election.

    “Campaigns have started; they’ll not come out to campaign. All they are looking for is how to grab result shits are write results. If they have done well in four years, they’ll not be panicking. We have more billboards than roads in our state. My question to the senator representing us is, where are his Constituency projects? No matter how they try to intimidate us we’ll match them. If they destroy our billboards we shall do same, if they shoot guns, we shall reply them, if they pick up machetes, we shall carry ours and if they bring the method of carrying caskets, we shall show them we know where caskets are sold.”

    Speaking on the fire incident that consumed wares of traders and how it could have been handled better, Nkwonta blamed the rate of damage at the Nkwor-Ngwa Timber Market on the nature of the roads stating that if the roads that lead to the market were to be in good shape, it wouldn’t have taken the fire service much stress to come to the aide of the traders as was reported.

    He said, “It was a very unfortunate that the fire incident was made worse because there were no access roads to the place. If there was an access road, I am sure the extent of damage could have been considerably reduced.

    We have serious problem in our state. The level of decay in infrastructure is alarming. We don’t have roads and people are wasting time on frivolities. We have not had any change in Abia because of wrong people are in power. In 2015 you voted us in, but some criminals stole our mandate. Abia is not working and APGA will make it work.

    “Under APGA, there will be access roads to the place. The market will be rebuilt to a modern standard and there will be access roads.  In fact this morning we could not even get to the domain of the traditional ruler. To alleviate the sufferings of the traders; we are going to start reconstruction work at the market even before the commencement of the elections.

    “I have always had a blue print of what we want to do for Abians. We had one in 2014 / 2015 when we ran for election. That blue print is to completely rebuild Aba. We are going to start with Aba because if we fix Aba, we have fixed Abia state.”

    In his response, the king of the Etiti-Ohazu, Eze Ishmael Nnakwu thanked the APGA senatorial candidate and wished him well in all his endeavours.

  • Electricity theft offenders risk seven year jail term

    If the Bill seeking for an Act to prohibit and prevent electricity theft sails through, convicted offenders risk a jail term of seven years.

    The Bill entitled “A Bill for an Act to prohibit and prevent electricity theft, power infrastructure vandalisation and power company protection 2017,” was submitted to the Senate Committee on Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy.

    Read Also:Fashola blames past administration for electricity challenges

    The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) submitted the Bill to the Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe led Senate Power Committee Wednesday for onward presentation to the Senate in plenary for consideration and passage into law.

    NERC in is submission highlighted the fact that the power sector in Nigeria has been reported to suffer from high energy losses of between 30-35%, largely blamed on stealing and sabotage.

    It noted that instances of some electricity consumers, by-passing electric meters and the vandalisation of power transformers, feeder pillars, electric cable stealing, are wide spread.

    It said that the situation directly contributes to the present crisis in Nigeria’s power sector.

    It noted that for Nigeria, taking stern measures to combat the menace, logically comes within the larger context of the Federal Government’s current battle against corruption.

    It said for example, the country can barely generate a mere 4,043 megawatts from its 23 grid-connected generating facilities.

    The implication, the commission said, is that the country has one of the lowest power consumption per capita in the world.

    The commission said that it must be noted that power lines vandalisation and electricity theft are implicated and therefore, taking timely and tough action to curb it is urgently important.

    It insisted that “if we fail to act decisively in correcting the ills of the power sector, including public power leakage, the opportunity for the country to recover could be lost.”

    Part of the objectives of the Bill include to amend section  94(3) of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act, 2005 to curb and deter illegal and unauthorized use of regulated electricity supply as well as to protect electricity infrastructure.

    It seeks also to punish any person found to have engaged in illegal and unlawful use of electricity and destruction of electric power infrastructure.

    The Bill provides in Section 94(3)( a )that “Any person who willfully: taps, makes or causes to be made any connection with overhead, underground of under water lines or cables, or service wires, or service facilities of a licensee;  or

    (c ) damages or destroys an electric mater, apparatus, equipment, wire or conduit or causes or allows any of them to be so damaged or destroyed as to interfere with the proper or accurate metering of electricity — shall be guilty of an offence punishable with terms of imprisonment  for a period of not less than six months and not more than two years or to a fine of N100,000 or both.

    It allows the police and other security agents to enter to inspect and search any place or premises in which they have reason to believe that electricity has “been, or being, or is likely to be illegally and unlawfully used.”

    The Bill further provides in Section 94(3) that “Any person who willfully and unlawfully (a) destroys, damages or removes any electricity distribution lines; or anything connected therewith; or,

    (b) Otherwise prevents or obstructs the distribution of electricity through the distribution line, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable upon conviction with imprisonment for a period of not less than five years or to a fine of N5 million or both.

    The Bill also provides that “If a person having been convicted of an offence punishable under the law commits similar offence he shall be liable for the subsequent offence to the term of imprisonment which shall not be less than seven years.”

    Chairman of the Power Committee, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, wanted how the quantity of stolen electricity can be measured.

     

  • Senate summons Amaechi over eastern rail line

    The Senate Wednesday invited the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, to appear before its joint committee on Land Transport and Local and Foreign Debts over alleged exclusion of eastern rail lines.

    Amaechi is summoned to tell the upper chamber why the eastern rail corridor, Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, was allegedly excluded in the scheme of rail expansion and modernization.

    The invitation of the minister followed the adoption of a motion by Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, on alleged exclusion of the eastern rail corridor in the ongoing modernization of rails in the country.

    Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe raised a similar motion last year when he prayed the Senate to put on hold a foreign loan for rail lines in the country due exclusion of eastern rail corridor in the rail expansion plan.

    Amaechi told the Senate that there was no plan to exclude the South East area in the rail modernization scheme.

    He assured that the area will be included in the 2018 borrowing plans of the Federal Government.

    Ekweremadu said yesterday that the exclusion of the eastern corridor in the rail modernization scheme is not good for the country.

    He urged the Senate to intervene and prevail on the Federal Government to take steps to include in the rail line expansion project.

    He noted that there must be fairness and equity in the distribution of projects for people to feel a sense belonging.

    Ekweremadu said: “I want to bring to the notice of the Senate, the deliberate exclusion of the Eastern rail line in the ongoing construction/modernisation nationwide. This is not good for our country. It shows that some parts of the country are deliberately ignored.

    “I must commend the efforts of the Federal Government in ensuring that rail lines are developed, but it is also unfair to exclude the Eastern part of the country. Our people will suffer as a result of this.”

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, Senator Shehu Sani, who supported the motion said that it appears there is no commitment on the part of the Federal Government to pay attention to eastern part in the rail development programme.

    Sani said: “The motion raised by Ekweremadu is apt and right. The last time we had an interaction with the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, he promised to include the Port Harcourt to Maiduguri rail line in the ongoing borrowing plans.

    “It is now clear to us that there is no commitment to do that. That axis has a lot economic benefits to Nigeria. The withdrawal of General Electric is worrisome. Some of my colleagues in the committee appended their signature to the plan to construct Lagos to Kano rail line. But with this development, I am sure that they are regretting.”

    Also Delta South senator, James Manager, wondered why the minister, who hails from the area, has chosen to exclude his place because of political differences.

    Manager said, “We are talking of railway and you are excluding the business communities in Nigeria. When you talk about business in Nigeria, the East is key. The government has decided to exclude that part. This is one issue every Nigerian is interested in. I am from Delta State and I am sure that my state too will be excluded.

    “Ironically, the Minister of Transport is from Port Harcourt. Local politics aside, he will return home after leaving office. We need to invite the Minister to explain to the relevant committees why he has decided to exclude some parts,” he said.

    Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan, who also supported the motion, noted that General Electric, which ought to have handled the project, has not abandoned it.

    “I am supporting this motion. But let me clarify that the axis given to General Electric has not been abandoned. General Electric will have its subsidiary handling that axis. My concern is that, General Electric is designed to renovate the narrow gauge and not to modernise. Let there be justice and fairness in this issue.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari has given an express order that every state capital in Nigeria must have a rail line. Let the Senate work with the other side to ensure that the Eastern Line gets this project done,” he argued.

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki, said that the issue of equity should be considered in the distribution of railway projects in the country.

  • Dasuki, El-Zakzaky, Abaribe’s detention divide Senate

    ….AGF summoned over Buhari’s Executive Order 6

     

    The Senate was Wednesday sharply divided over whether or not to debate the continued detention of a former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki and leader of Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakyzaky.

    The arrest and detention of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe by operatives of the Department of State Service, also dominated proceedings in the Senate chamber.

    Senators who were uncomfortable with the debate of a motion on “Alarming rise in cases of alleged human rights violation and consistent assault on the provisions of the 1999 Constitution by the Executive” created the division.

    Although the motion attracted opposition on the grounds that some of its contents were subjects of litigations, the chamber unanimously adopted the prayer to “summon the Attorney -General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, to appear before it in plenary and explain to the Senate the constitutional basis for the controversial Executive Order No. 006 and the other Executive Orders which have been issued by the President in clear usurpation of the law making functions of the National Assembly.”

    Read Also:Senate to anti-graft agencies: Be professional in your duties

    The Senate also resolved to: Urge the Federal Government to urgently empanel a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate all cases of human rights abuse allegedly committed by the Police, the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in the course of discharging their duties with a view to identifying the culprits and victims and offering redress where necessary; “Call on the Federal Government to demonstrate practical commitment to the observance of the rule of law especially in ensuring obedience to court orders and following due process in fulfillment of its constitutional obligation;

    “Call on the Federal Government to take necessary measures and/or establish necessary structures to ensure that all constitutionally guaranteed rights of citizens are protected and observed by its security and law enforcement agencies in the discharge of their responsibilities;

    “Call on the Federal Government to desist from further violation of the sacred principle of separation of powers and adopt the rule of law as the guiding principle of government actions; and, on Tuesday, the upper chamber resolved to debate allegations of constitutional and human rights violations by the Executive.

    Hardly had Senator David Umaru (Niger East) who moved the controversial motion concluded his presentation when Point of Order rained in the chamber.

    The motion read in part: “Recalls with nostalgia, Nigeria’s tortuous journey to constitutional democracy which reached its climax on the promulgation of the 1999 Constitution and its adoption as the grund norm. The reins of power was subsequently handed over by the military junta to a democratically elected leaders on May 29th, 1999;

    “Further recalls the immense sacrifices made by Nigerians of diverse backgrounds in our quest for democracy with some of the heroes and heroines of the struggle paying the ultimate price in exchange for the democracy we all enjoy today;

    “Concerned that in the last few years, Nigeria’s democratic credentials have become questionable as a result of the alarming cases of alleged state-inspired human rights violations and consistent constitutional infractions perpetrated by agencies of government;

    “Alarmed that in the recent past, allegations abound that the executive has not only consistently violated the fundamental rights of Nigerian citizens particularly the rights to dignity of human person and right to personal liberty as guaranteed respectively under section 34 and 35 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended but also infringed on the constitution in several ways. Notable instances of such human rights violations are well documented by the Human Rights Watch and other reputable human rights organizations and they include the following:

    “Continuous detention of the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.) for over two years in total disregard of over four court orders including that of the ECOWAS Court which granted him bail pending his trial over money laundering charges;

    “Continuous incarceration of the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria ( Mi), also known as Shiite, Sheik lbrahim El-Zakzaki for over two years contrary to an order of the Federal High Court which Ordered his release in 2016;

    “Lack of accountability for human rights violations by security agencies and other militant elements including armed herdsmen; heavy-handed violent responses to peaceful protests as exemplified by previous crackdown on agitators for the Independent State of Biat’ra (IP08) and the recent violent clashes between the police and suspected members of the [MN who were protesting the release of their leader, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaki in Abuja and Kaduna respectively; and

    “Gradual descent of the country into anarchy and despotism as a result of indiscriminate arrests, unconstitutional detention of citizens under questionable circumstances as was the fate of the Senator representing Abia South Senatorial District, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe who was whisked away by a detachment of DSS personnel while attending a function at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja and later kept incommunicado at 055 detention facility for 5 days;

    “Further alarmed that Nigeria’s democracy is also being threatened by deliberate and sustained executive assault on the Constitution as exemplified by the following actionsfmactions of the executive;

    “Recent enactment of the controversial Executive Order No. 006 as an Executive legislation which permits security agencies to freeze the assets of persons standing trial without recourse to court order. Several other Executive Orders have also effectively usurped legislative and judicial powers of the National Assembly and the judiciary as enshrined respectively under Sections 4 and 6 of the Constitution;

    “Inadequate security protection for courts in the country which has indirectly undermined the independence of judiciary and exposed many judicial officers to violent attacks as was recently witnessed in Rivers State when some armed bandits in an attempt to overawe court officials stormed the Rivers State Judiciary Complex and maimed several people and killing several others; and

    “Release of the sum of $496 million United States dollars from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) for the purchase of 12 Super Tucano aircraft from the United States Government without prior approval by the National Assembly in direct contravention of section 80 of the 1999 Constitution.

    “Convinced that there is an urgent need for the National Assembly to draw the attention of the Federal Government and its relevant authorities to this unfortunate development with a view to preventing the country’ s gradual descent into a chaotic state where violence and might rules and where fundamental rights are observed more in breach than in compliance.”

    Deputy Leader, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah (Kebbi south) was the first to kick against the motion when he told the Senate that the issues of Dasuki and El-Zakyzaky were in court.

    Na’Allah said that their rule prohibits them from discussing issues pending in court especially in the opinion of the Senate President; such discussion would affect decision of the court.

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu who presided, ruled that the motion was not necessarily about individuals but alleged human rights abuses in the country.

    Ekweremadu added that in his opinion, what they were about to discuss would not affect judicial decisions in any way.

    Senator Shehu Sani (Kaduna central) took the floor to lament that 19 years after return to civil rule, the country was still taking about abuse of human rights and how to institutionalize rule of law.

    The outspoken senator noted that it was unfortunate that people in power most often than not forget the torturous journey that kept them where they were.

    He insisted that dictatorship and the suppression of the opposition have no place in democratic setting.

    Sani was cut short through another Point of Order, raised by Senator Barau Jibrin (Kano north).

    Jibrin said that Sani should be called to order and made to withdraw the word “dictatorship.”

    He said that nobody should talk about dictatorship in democracy.

    Sani did not withdraw the word but added that the country should not be allowed to descend into tyranny.

    The Kaduna central lawmaker who noted that the issues raised in the motion were clear said that Executive Order should conform with the law.

    He said, “There is no better way to fight corruption than to use the instrumentality of the law. People in power must respect the law.”

    He noted that although President Muhammadu Buhari is respected for his anti-corruption stance, cases of human rights abuses in the country were troubling.

    Sani said that Nigerians have seen how people were mindlessly killed in parts of the country.

    The Senate, he said, should look carefully at the letters and spirit of the motion in the interest of the country.

    Sani said, “The content of this motion clearly reflects the true situation in the country. I call on the actors in our democracy to respect rights of the people for freedom.

    This motion should appeal to our conscience as Nigerians desirous of protecting our civil liberties dictatorship is very clearly in our country..

    Senator Jibril who raised Order 53 to counter Sani said, “I can’t see why my good friend should bring this motion here and I advised him to withdraw the motion. We are in democracy and dictatorship should not come in our debate here.”

    Responding Senator IKE Ekweremadu said” Please we shouldn’t restrict our colleagues in their contributions since it is the temple of democracy and if members of the Senate are not allowed to speak their mind here I wonder what we are doing here. So I suppose you know that under the laws of this country you can say what you want to say here and you are covered under privileges. So the freedom of speech is taken higher in the parliament because the law recognizes that you are representing people. So everybody cannot have the same opinion.”

    Senator Sani continued, “I want to withdraw and say we are sliding into tyranny or autocracy or totalitarianism. I think those words will replace the dictatorship that he is not comfortable with. Mr President we are very much concerned about the issues raised in the motion. Violation of fundamental rights is true. Arbitrary arrest and detention is true.

    “We may be comfortable today because we occupy places of authority but when we are out of this office our protection and shield would be those very fundamental truth….Executive Order should conform with the laws…..We need the parliament to check the excesses of the Executive. What is of concern to us today is that the image of the country is being stained….today there many governor, Ministers and Senators standing trial. They never knew that today they would be in the dock standing trial. Likewise people who are today as governors, Ministers, Senators tomorrow they can be on trial. This motion is a mirror. to our situation in Nigeria today.”

    Jibrin however insisted that as the highest law making body in the country, their conducts should always be guided by the standing rules.

    He saw the motion as an attempt to overheat the country ‘especially when everything in the motion is before the court.

    Jibrin said that debate of the motion was likely to influence court decision.

    On his own Senator Abdullahi Yahaya (Kebbi north) dissociated himself from the motion.

    For him what is happening in the country has not reached alarming proportion as portrayed in the motion.

    Yahaya said that he was convinced that the motion was intended to discredit the President Buhari led Executive.

    The Senate, he said, should not be “the arena where subterranean maneuvers to discredit the Executive should encouraged.”

    He said that the motion was the handiwork of the opposition and should be dropped.

    Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South) in his contribution said that those opposed to the motion missed the point.

    Abaribe said that he felt pained that a colleague of his would stand up to say that what was happening in the country has not reached alarming level for the Senate to intervene.

    The Abia south senator said that it is public knowledge that he has been a victim of human rights abuse for which the Senate intervened to secure his release after days in DSS detention facility.

    Abaribe said, “I fully ally myself with everything that Senator Shehu Sani has said, I will simply say my own mind. I have been a victim of human rights abuse for which this Senate contributed immensely for me to be free to stand here today to talk.

    “And so I feel pained when a colleague stand here to say that what has happened in Nigeria today has not reached the level for which we should worry when a senator can be arrested on the street and taken away and kept incommunicado and nobody knows where he is and then somebody will come here to tell us don’t worry, it is alright.

    “But they said that I shouldn’t speak and everybody has been warning me, ‘don’t speak oh! Because they will come after you”

    “Again I am on bail and every day I report to the DSS office and everybody is worried that when I go to report, they will say that you have started speaking again, which is where this motion hinges at.

    “Human rights abuse. In my opinion l have a right to speak, I have a right to associate with whoever I want. I have a right to my freedom of expression and movement in and around this country.

    “For those who are in this country, who think that they belong to a favoured side, tomorrow will come because just like a colleague said (Senator Sani) those who held power yesterday are also today being made to account for what they did. Some of them are incarcerated; some of them are fighting everywhere to see how they can be free. So that is the crux of the matter we are discussing in this motion. Respect for the rule of law in this country.

    “We don’t want Nigeria to descend into tyranny and that is why we are discussing this.”

    Before Ekweremadu put the prayers to vote, he underscored the fact that the essence of the motion was to ensure obedience to rule of law.

    He noted that the issue of rule of law is not only fundamental but decides whether the country is civilized or not.

    The sponsor of the motion, Umaru who later briefed reporters explained that there was nothing personal about the motion.

    He said “The foundation of a modern democratic government is premised on the rule of law and constitutionality. The rule of law is quite cardinal particularly the government and all its agencies and citizens of Nigeria are guided in their actions by the constitution; it follows that every action of the executive, the legislature and judiciary must comply with the contents of our constitution.

    “I believe that the constitution has assigned responsibility to every arm of government in areas of operation, the legislature legislates, the executive executes, the judiciary interprets the law and prosecutes.

    “ There are cases that we have mentioned here like the case of Sambo Dasuki, El-Zakzaky, the case of protesters and how they were treated including the case of Senator Abaribe who was taken into custody without due process are important to us.

    “That is all the motion was all about. It is about looking at ourselves to see what we can do as a Senate to appeal to the President to ensure that agencies charged with law enforcement comply with the contents of our constitution. Nothing more, nothing less.”

  • Senate panel, power ministry at war over alleged budget padding

    Senate panel, power ministry at war over alleged budget padding

    The budget defence session between the Senate Committee on Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy and the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing was Monday declared inconclusive following alleged questionable duplications of items.

    Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, Mustapha Baba Shahuru and Permanent Secretary, Louis Edozie, were ordered by members of the committee to go and rework their documentation.

    The committee said that there were “too many duplications, repetitions and replications” in the presentation of the minister and the permanent secretary to be overlooked.

    Part of the details of the 2018 budget proposal the ministry officials presented at the session showed that N120 million, N480 million and N288 million were separately voted for purchase of utility vehicles by the Ministry.

    Another N100 million was earmarked for transfer and management of office files and documents.

    The lawmakers were furious that “year in, year out, the Ministry presents the same items in the budget and ask for more funds to execute the same projects.”

    Signs that the budget defence session might not end on good note started when Senator Clifford Ordia observed the duplication of purchase of utility vehicles, captured in three separate pages of the budget document.

    The Edo Central lawmaker also demanded explanation from the Minister and Permanent Secretary on why the Ministry planned to spend N100 million to transfer files.

    He added that there was another huge provision for ICT which should not be left hanging.

    Ordia said, “I need to understand this thing. Look at the different pages. You earmarked N120 million, N288 million and N480 million for the purchase of vehicles. I do not understand. Are these vehicles different? If you add up these figures, they will give you about N888 million.

    “You also said that you want to spend N100 million on transfer of office files. How do you intend to do that? The people in your office, what have they been doing? I can also see from your estimates here that you captured another item for ICT, different from the N100 million for transfer of files. You need to explain these things.”

    Another member of the committee, Senator Mohammed Hassan on his part noted that they were tired of seeing the same items every year.

    Hassan insisted that the minister and permanent secretary should take steps to put the ministry in order in the interest of the country.

    Hassan also demanded the breakdown of the N17.8 billion the ministry received in 2017 stating where the money was applied.

    The Yobe South lawmaker said, “Every year you bring new projects that are unrelated. We should be given list of ongoing projects. Unrelated projects are listed, nobody knows how much has been applied to the projects.”

    Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, another member of the committee said: “From the beginning to the end of the documentation there are questions and questions to be asked. Most of the funds were duplicated in the Transmission Company of Nigeria budget.

    “Mr. Minister, you said you will provide answers to our questions later. Why do we waste time sitting here when answers to our questions will be provided another day. They are not prepared for the budget defence. They should go back when they are prepared they should come back.”

    Chairman of the committee, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, noted that the 2017 budget (capital) of the Ministry recorded 18 only per cent performance.

    Abaribe said, “We will take it that the 2017 budget was abysmally low at only 18 per cent performance. This is unacceptable and I need to put it on record.”

    A mild drama ensued, when the Minister of State, Shahuru, could not respond to questions.

    Instead of answering the questions, Shahuru asked the committee to allow the Permanent Secretary, Edozie to provide answers on his behalf.

    His request was rejected by senators.

    Abaribe told the minister, “You were sent here to represent the Minister. It means you are here to respond to our questions. Last week, we invited the Permanent Secretary to respond. Today, it is your turn.

    “My colleagues asked me how come you are the person here and not Minister Fashola. But I told them since you were also a Minister, you could be here to on behalf of your Minister.”

    Asked why the substantive Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, did not show up for the budget defence,  Shahuru, said that Fashola was attending to other state matters.

    Speaking on Fashola’s absence Abaribe said: “Maybe Fashola decided to snub us because of some media reports last week. But he ought not to have been angry by that. I am sure that was why he sent you because he did not want to come here.

    “I said it that it was deliberate that Fashola did not show up. What we need to scrutinise the budget was not provided. We needed something to make the process easy. Nobody is satisfied with these vague items. We are going to adjourn this meeting, pending when we will get these submissions from you.”

    “We are asking you to inform the Minister to be here to properly respond to all the questions we need to ask. We will do a comprehensive letter asking for explanation on items where we have raised questions. That will guide you in giving your submissions. We need you to be prepared when next you come.”

  • Powergas leads the ‘gas on wheels’ campaign energy conference

    Powergas leads the ‘gas on wheels’ campaign energy conference

    Energy remains a major driver of economic growth and industries in Nigeria need to embrace the use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) which is safer and more efficient for their production needs as the country moves towards becoming globally competitive and eco-friendly.

    Speaking at the Future Energy Conference 2017 organized by the West African Power industry Conference (WAPIC) in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, the Managing Director of Powergas, Mr. Pulak Sen reiterated to the audience the need to migrate from diesel based Power Generation to Gas Based Power Generation, which is cheaper & cleaner source of Fuel. Compressed Natural gas (CNG) is more cost efficient and safe to handle, when compared to Conventional Liquid Fuels.

    “We provide a Complete Energy Solution to customers, ranging from CNG supply, Gas Generator based IPP as well as Solar Hybrid Solutions through our diversified group offerings. We partner with various OEM Suppliers & Industries and supply CNG to different parts of the country, where no Pipeline is available.”

    Nigeria is rich in Natural Gas, as it holds 190 trillion standard cubic feet (Tcf) of proven reserves, making it the ninth largest reserves in the world, but ironically, Nigeria ranks 22nd in production and utilization whereby only 13% of Gas Production is used for Domestic Power Generation.

    Mr Sen added that Powergas delivers CNG through the Virtual Pipeline technology to markets and industrial clusters. In the current scenario, most industries use Diesel for Power Generation in the hope of connecting to Pipeline Gas. Powergas unique virtual pipeline solution eliminated the need for Pipeline Gas and guarantee uninterrupted demand and supply flow. He also commended government on its effort towards the Power sector especially ensuring reduction in flaring.

    Also speaking at the event, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe stated that the government is committed to the development of the Power sector because of its importance to improving the Country’s GDP.

    “We know what Nigerians want and we are looking for the most effective way to produce and distribute safe, efficient and sufficient Power for our people and industry. Renewable energy is the future of Nigeria’s power sector.”

  • Electricity tariff: Senators to meet Fashola

    Electricity tariff: Senators to meet Fashola

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Monday said that his Committee has concluded plans to meet Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola to address concerns raised by power Distribution Companies (DISCOS), over electricity pricing.

    Abaribe who was said to have disclosed this during a tour of Power installations under the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC), in Port Harcourt, noted that the committee was seeking to address the contentious issue of electricity tariff.

    The senator was said to have agreed that fluctuations in pricing was affecting the sector.

    Senator Abaribe, accompanied by six other senators on the visit, was said to have told officials of PHEDC that his Committee wanted to resolve the question of differentials between the money payable to generation companies and other stakeholders by the Discos.

    According to him, all options will be placed on the table during the proposed meeting with the Minister.

    He said: “We have had this discussion about pricing. We are taking it up with the Ministry of Works, Power and Housing. What we are looking for is a stable price. We do not want a system where things fluctuate. We will sit with them and look at all the variables.”

    The Senator also told the leadership of the PHEDC that they needed to work closely with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to tackle activities of vandals.

    The NSCDC, he said, is empowered by law to protect critical national infrastructure and prosecute vandals. He said the police is limited in the prosecution of vandals.

    He said: “The question about prosecution is key. There is a law passed by the National Assembly to empower the Civil Defence Corps. They have powers to prosecute people who engage in energy or cable theft. They have the power to do that. If you drag them to the police, the fines are less. With Civil Defence Corps, you get favourable judgments.”

    He said: “The job of the National Assembly is to legislate and help with laws that will make laws easier. This is one of the reasons we are going on oversight. The issue of right of way has come of age that we have to collaborate with state governments. It has to do with land use. I do not think state governments give the permission to people to build along power lines.

    “Because of the decay, people now do certain things and nobody gets fined. The laws are already there. It is the enforcement of these laws that is the problem. We need to work with state governments to implement these laws.

    “Part of your corporate social responsibility is to ensure that the people in places where you do business are part of your campaigns. These problems are peculiar to our system.

    “People now use transformer oil to fry akara and even cook. There are places in Nigeria where these things happen. We need to educate people on the dangers of these things. DISCOS need to carry out more awareness programmes to educate their people.

    “We must begin to differentiate between the rich and the poor. The most vulnerable in the society should not pay. There is a place in Brazil where poor people stay. We visited them. We discovered that the whole community was connected, but they were not paying. We should have that system here.”

    Acting Chief Executive of PHEDC, Engineer Kingsley Achife was said to have in his speech told the committee that the Discos were faced with serious challenges.

    He said: “One of the biggest problems is electricity theft. Very highly connected individuals are involved. About 130 people are currently in custody over this theft. We are appealing to the Senate to make hostility against electricity staff a crime. Our staff have been kidnapped, shot at and killed in their course of doing their duties. We need the help of lawmakers to put an end to this.

    “Some communities reject metering here. Whenever our staff goes there, they are either beaten up or chased out. This is a problem. In places where we have put metres, the communities have bypassed them and they do not pay their bills. This is a major challenge we are facing.”

     

  • Kanu’s whereabouts: Ohanaeze slams group over allegations against Ikpeazu, Abaribe

    Kanu’s whereabouts: Ohanaeze slams group over allegations against Ikpeazu, Abaribe

    THE Ohanaeze Youth Council, OYC, yesterday slammed a South- East based group, the World Igbo Youth Congress, WIYC, for blaming Abia State governor, Okezie Ikpeazu and Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe for the disappearance of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

    Ikpeazu had told State House correspondents, after a meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, that it was not his duty to locate Kanu. But the WIYC, through its Deputy National President, Dr. Fidelis Ugwu insisted that the duo of Ikpeazu and Senator Abaribe had answers to Kanu’s whereabouts.

    Reacting to the claims, the OYC said it was childish and trivial for anyone to associate Ikpeazu and Abaribe with Kanu’s sudden disappearance. In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Engr. Obinna Adibe, the OYC warned the WIYC not to toy with the name of the Abia governor, who had taken pains to address all the issues thrown up by the Biafra agitation to the satisfaction of everybody.

    He said, “It is petty for anyone to link Governor Ikpeazu with the sudden disappearance of Nnamdi Kanu. It is very much on record that Nnamdi Kanu was last seen the very day the Nigerian Army took the Operation Python Dance to his door step.

    “So, we insist that security operatives are in a better position to tell the current location of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Neither the governor nor Abaribe is a soothsayer or a detective to actually say whether Kanu is alive or dead as well as his present location.

    “The governor and his colleagues in the South-East rose to the occasion and averted what could have been another major mayhem in this zone. We believe, just like other men of goodwill, that the governor should be commended not vilified.

    “We, therefore, warn that any further attempt to drag these our leaders into this matter will be stoutly resisted. The era where fifth columnists infiltrate some desperate political jobbers to cast aspersion on our people is over.

    “By this notice, the WIYC, and all the people behind the group, are warned to desist from further attempt to disparage the governor of Abia State. If they continue with this untoward business, we shall ensure that they are fished out and disn

  • Abaribe denies being queried for standing surety for IPOB leader

    Abaribe denies being queried for standing surety for IPOB leader

    Leader of South East Senate caucus, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Wednesday protested a report that he was queried by the Senate for standing surety for the bail of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

    Abaribe through a Point of Order, tendered a copy of Daily Trust publication of yesterday with the head line that the Abia South senator was queried by the Senate for being one of those who guaranteed Kanu bail.

    He insisted that no such thing happened and wondered why the newspaper could publish what he described as “fake news.”  

    The lawmaker also said that the meeting the publication was based was a closed door session which was not open to the public.

    Abaribe said that he was at a loss where the newspaper got its information.

    He told the Senate that his “constituents are deeply worried over the unverified report as was published by the newspaper.”

     Abaribe said, “Our meeting was a closed door one. A headline like this purporting to say that this was what happened in the meeting is wrong.

    “You and I know that this did not happen. My constituents have been worried and I told them that it is not true.

    ‘Daily Trust should be made to produce who gave them this misleading information.

    “This report is trying to drive a wedge between northern and southern senators because it claimed that northern senators made a demand which southern senators grudgingly agreed to.”

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who presided also said that the meeting was a closed session which was not open to the public.

    He referred the matter to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to investigate and report back in two weeks.

    Ekweremadu added, “You all know that nothing like that happened in the meeting. What is closed should remain so.”

    One of the bail conditions given by an Abuja Federal High Court for Kanu to be granted bail was that a serving senator should be one of those that should stand surety for his bail.

    Abaribe as the leader of the south east senate caucus was mandated to endorse the bail.