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Tag: Senator Ike Ekweremadu

  • INEC has powers to deal with proliferation of parties, says Ekweremadu

    Former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu on Tuesday said the constitution amendments carried out by the Eighth National Assembly addressed the problem of proliferation of political parties in the country.

    Ekweremadu, who chaired the Senate Committee on Constitution review for 12 years, expressed surprise at a statement credited to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Commissioner in charge of Nasarawa, Kogi, and Kwara states, Muhammed Haruna, that the electoral umpire lacked the powers to de-register political parties without further constitution amendments.

    The Enugu West lawmaker said all INEC needed to do was to look at the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fourth Alteration, No. 9) Act published in Official Gazette No. 77 Vol. 105 to be well guided.

    Writing on his Facebook handle @iamekweremadu, he said: “INEC has a germane point because the size of our political parties constitute logistical challenge to the election management body. More electorate now find it difficult to identify the logos of their preferred political parties. The ballots and result sheets are getting too long and unwieldy.  It also has cost and time implications on elections.

    Read Also: Presidency, PDP differ on parties’ position on INEC server

    “However, I believe INEC’s concern has already been substantially addressed by the 1999 Constitution as amended by the Eighth National Assembly and assented by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “We inserted a new Section 225A, which provides that the INEC shall have power to de-register political parties for breach of any of the requirements for registration and failure to win at least 25 percent of votes cast in one state of the federation in a presidential election or 25 per cent of votes cast in at least one local government in a governorship election.

    “It further empowers INEC to de-register any party that fails to win at least one ward in the chairmanship election or one seat in the National Assembly or State House of Assembly election or one seat in the councillorship election.

    “What it means is that a political party may continue to exist. But once it appears on the ballot, it becomes compulsory for it to meet certain benchmarks to continue to exist.

    “So, it is incumbent on INEC to filter out and de-register those political parties that appeared on the presidential election ballot, but did not garner at least 25 per cent of votes in at least one state of the federation. It should also look at parties that contested election in the states and de-register those political parties that did not poll up to 25 per cent of votes in at least one local government area in those states they contested election.’’

  • Ekweremadu raises the alarm over missing result sheets

    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu on Monday raised the alarm over alleged missing Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) result sheets for Enugu West Senatorial District during last weekend’s botched presidential and National Assembly elections.

    A statement by the Special Adviser (media) to the Deputy Senate President, Uche Anichukwu, said Ekweremadu spoke during a town hall meeting he organised across the local governments in his senatorial district.

    It said Ekweremadu, who spoke at Oji, council headquarters of Oji River Local Government Area, reported the result sheets remained missing, although he had brought it to the notice of the INEC authorities.

    According to him: “Some people intended the Saturday elections for evil, but all things work together for good unto those that love God, those who repose their absolute trust in Him.

    “Don’t forget that some people had earlier boasted how they would overrun us by isolating the State for a staggered election.

    Read also: Partnership with Skool Media will enhance lCT skills in schools-FG

    “You must also have read the reports that Enugu State was one of the states that didn’t receive any materials or materials were incomplete.

    “They ensured that the result sheets for the entire Enugu West Senatorial District were missing or not delivered. I have lodged the complaint with the INEC authorities, but the result sheets are still missing as I speak.

    “So, I urge you and indeed Nigerians to remain vigilant. Don’t despair. Don’t allow your spirits to be broken.

    ”We have come very far in this struggle and we are now at a point of no retreat, no surrender.”

    He added: “Use the opportunity of the rescheduled dates to make your voices heard louder at the polls.

    “Those who travelled to vote should, please, exercise a little more patience by staying behind or endeavouring to return this weekend to cast their votes.

    “I urge every Nigerian to be where he or she will cast ballots on the rescheduled dates.”

  • New minimum wage: Senate may capture domestic workers

    –Bill passes first, second reading

     

    The new national minimum wage Bill transmitted to the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday passed the crucial first and second reading on Thursday in the Senate.

    This was as the upper chamber planned to accommodate domestic workers of politically exposed persons in the implementation of the new salary structure.

    The Bill, entitled “Approval of a new national minimum wage for Nigerian workers-amendment of the national minimum wage (amendment) Act, 2011” prescribed N27,000 flat rate as minimum wage.

    The Senate suspended its rules to take the first and second reading of the Bill as was suggested by the Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan.

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu who presided, noted that the consideration of the new wage Bill was the first time the Senate read Executive Communication and suspended its standing rules to consider it.

    Ekweremadu added that they would constitute ad-hoc committee to work with relevant stakeholders to produce acceptable report for the Senate to approve.

    He noted that the Bill limited those to benefit from the new wage structure to places with not less than 25 workers.

    He said that the implication is that domestic workers in places with less than 25 workers would be excluded.

    He asked the ad-hoc committee to address the issue during its public hearing.

    Ekweremadu who spoke on the second reading of the Bill said: “Let me congratulate the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and all those who have brought this to this point. I would also like to thank my Distinguished Colleagues for the speedy consideration of this Bill.

    “This will be the first time the 8th Senate is reading an Executive Communication and suspending our rules to take a First and Second Reading and assigning the Bill to a Committee, all in one day. This shows how committed we are to this issue.

    “I believe what we have said so far will suffice in guiding the Committee. Just to clarify: the new minimum wage brought to us is set at N27,000. There were news reports of N27,000 for state workers and N30,000 for the Federal Government workers, but this is a single national minimum wage of N27,000.

    “Another issue of concern is whether this affects organisations and establishments employing less than 25 persons.

    “If this does not affect these people; it means a whole number of people are left outside the minimum wage and that is not right. In most countries, the minimum wage applies to all workers, regardless of the number of people in an establishment.

    “I believe that at the public hearing, we will be able to clarify and sort it all out. We must try our best to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor.

    “There is an argument about the ability of State Governments to pay. If they reduce their wage bill and other costs, they will be able to pay.

    “I suggest that they look inward and collect more taxes. I am not advocating that they should increase taxes, but they should increase the drive to collect more taxes.”

    Lawan in his lead debate in support of the Bill said that the proposed legislation is the work of the Federal and State Governments irrespective of political persuation.

    He described the Bill as critical especially because it has to do with the welfare of workers in the country.

    The Senate Leader informed that the N27,000 prescription as national minimum wage had already been agreed upon by stakeholders.

    He said that the Bill should be given accelerated consideration and passed so that its implementation could begin in 2019.

    Read Also: New Minimum Wage Bill passes first reading in Senate

    The financial implications of the Bill, he said, would be worked out during the consideration of the 1019 budget.

    The Yobe North senator noted that though the 27,000 minimum wage may not be what the workers need, but it is a step forward that could be improved in future.

    The Minority Leader, Senator Biodun Olujimi, who also spoke in favour of the Bill, described it’s as the most important Bill in the life of the 8th Senate.

    Olujimi noted that though the 27,000 minimum wage may not be enough, it is an improvement on N18,000 minimum wage.

    She, however, warned that the proposed new minimum wage should not be a political gimmick in an election year.

    She said, “Most States have said that they cannot pay. The Federal Government should sit down with State Governments to work out how the new wage would be accommodated by State Governments.”

     

  • 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.

  • Asset declaration: Charges laughable, malicious, says Ekweremadu

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Wednesday  said that his attention has been drawn to an attempt by the Chairman of the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property (SPIP), Mr. Ofem Obono-Obla, to smear his name in midst of the current political activities.

    Senator Ekweremadu described the suit filed against him by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation on behalf of the SPIP over his refusal to declare his assets to the panel as laughable and malicious.

    Read Also:http://staging.thenationonlineng.net/fg-charges-ekweremadu-other-with-non-declaration-of-assets/

    He said: “Let me re-affirm to Nigerians and my supporters that I have no assets declaration case to answer. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria requires public office holders to declare their assets every four years, a requirement which I fulfilled. The Panel requested and obtained copies of my Assets Declaration Form from the Code of Conduct Bureau where everything is stated in black and white.

    “For emphasis, all my assets were fully and comprehensively declared to the Code of Conduct Bureau.

    “What is at issue here is that the SPIP had forwarded fresh assets declaration forms to me to fill contrary to the position of the 1999 Constitution, a demand I refused to oblige because it is clearly unconstitutional. It is this refusal to disobey the Constitution that that I am now being charged for.

    “I am aware that the Chairman of that Panel wrote the same letter to some serving Honourable Judges of the Federal High Court, who also declined to fill them.

    “I am also aware that the affected Judges petitioned the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mallam Abubakar Malami, who immediately withdrew the provocative letters and fresh asset declaration forms with apologies.

    “I am further aware that the Office of the AGF had also intervened in a similar case involving the Obla Panel at the Federal High Court, Lagos and I believe all these culminated in Obono-Obla’s suspension in November 2017 before his recall.

    “It is, therefore, left to Nigerians to see the politics of the so-called charges in my case. The Office of the AGF should not allow itself to be used in filing malevolent and unconstitutional charges that destroy our democracy and make mockery of our judicial system.

    “I expect the Attorney-General to channel his energy to prosecuting Obono-Obla Panel over his established case of forgery of his Senior School Certificate result instead of this politically-motivated prosecution and smear campaign.

    “My position is that the Public Property Special Provisions Act, CAP R4 LFN, 2004, otherwise known as Decree No 3, 1984, which Obono-Obla has relied on to charge public officials to court had become obsolete and power to investigated non-asset declaration vested in the Code of Conduct Bureau by the 1999 Constitution. Only the Code of Conduct Bureau can receive asset declaration forms from public officers.

    “It is obvious that this is part of the desperate and panic measures to cripple the opposition ahead of the 2019 general elections. Every opposition candidate and leader should, therefore, be ready for such smear campaigns and onslaughts, but rest assured, however, that they would ultimately triumph where their hands are clean.

    “I insist my hands are clean. Anybody, who knows any undeclared assets of mine, should feel free to avail the public of such information.

    “Nigerians and the international community should, therefore, disregard this latest campaign of calumny and witch-hunt”.

  • Senate moves to unbundle Police

    …Bill scale first reading

     

    The Senate Thursday took steps to unbundle the Police as a Bill aimed at amending Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution, (as amended), which deals with the Force establishment, scaled first reading.

    The Bill was listed against the name of the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who is also chairman, Senate ad-hoc committee on review of the constitution.

    The proposed constitutional amendment is entitled: “Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) Bill, 2018 (SB.694) First Reading.

    After the adoption of the first reading of the Bill, Ekweremadu explained: “The Committee on Review of the 1999 Constitution has fulfilled its mandate. Now the Bill has been taken for the first time. I am sure that as soon as possible, we will take the Second Reading and probably send it to public hearing through the committee so that we fast-track it as directed by the Senate.”

    The plan to amend the Section 214 of the Constitution to accommodate the creation of State Police and Community policing was proposed last week by Ekweremadu.

    The amendment is essentially aimed at creating state and community police to complement the efforts of the Nigeria Police.

    It is generally believed that the Police as presently constituted have proven to be ineffective, especially in the face of daunting security challenges in parts of the country.

    Senator Solomon Adeola (Lagos State) formally moved the motion last week, when the Senate considered a motion on recent killings in Plateau and other states.

    The Constitution Review Committee was mandated to submit a copy of the bill within two weeks.

    Senate President Bukola Saraki promised that the bill will be given speedy consideration to enable President Muhammadu Buhari assent it before the expiration of the administration.

    Findings showed that the Bill seeks to establish The Federal Police and State Police, while also creating the National Police Service Commission, National Police Council and State Police Service Commission for the states.

    The Federal Police, according to the Bill, shall “be responsible for the maintenance of public security, preservation of public order and security of persons and property throughout the federation”, and “provide state policing for any state that is unable to operate a State Police until such a time that a State Police is established by the House of Assembly of that state”.

    The Bill proposes the appointment of the Commissioner of Police of a state by the governor on the advice of the National Police Service Commission and subject to confirmation of the House of Assembly, while 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, the Bill proposes.

    Also, whereas a Commissioner of Police 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 goes on to propose that an “Act of the National Assembly may 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 marginalise any segment of the society within the state”.

    Also, the National Police Service Commission shall comprise representatives of the National Human Rights Commission, Public Complaints Commission, Labour, Nigeria Bar Association, Nigeria Union of Journalists, and the Attorney-General of each state, in addition to six retired police officers not below the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police as well as Chairman to be confirmed by the Senate.

    In the same vein, the State Police Service Commission shall comprise a representative of the Federal Government appointed by the National Police Service Commission, two members to be appointed by the National Human Rights Commission who must be indigenes of the respective states, a representative of the Public Complaints Commission, one representative of the Labour appointed by the Chairman of the state chapter, a representative of the NBA, and a representative of the NUJ. Others are three retired police officers to be appointed by the Governor from each senatorial district and the Commission Chairman whom must all be confirmed by the State House of Assembly.

    The Bill further provides that the State Police Service Commission shall be responsible for, among others, recommending the appointment of a Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioner of Police, and Assistant Commissioner of Police to the National Police Service Commission in addition to appointment, discipline, and removal of members of the state police below the rank of the Assistant Commissioner of Police.

    The National Police Service Commission, on the other hand, 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; and exercising disciplinary control over members of the Federal Police; recommending to the Governor of a State the appointment of the Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioner of Police and Assistant Commissioners of Police of State Police.

    It will also be responsible for recommending to the governor the discipline and removal of the Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioner of Police and Assistant Commissioner of Police of State Police as well as supervising the activities of Federal and State Police and prescribing standards for all police forces in the country in training, criminal intelligence data bases, forensic laboratories and render assistance to the State Police in areas as may be requested by such State Police.

  • MoU to rescue Nigeria, says Ekweremadu

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Monday assured that the coming together of various opposition political parties to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would rescue Nigeria in 2019.

    He said that the coming together of the parties would also restore the country on the path of democratic freedoms, joy, security, and development.

    A statement by his media aide, Uche Anichukwu said that Ekweremadu gave the assurance during the signing of the MoU by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Reformed-All Progressives Congress (rAPC), Social Democratic Party (SDP), among other opposition political parties in Abuja on Monday.

    He said that the mammoth crowd outside the venue which had gathered to witness the birth of a new Nigeria, showed that Nigerians now saw hope again and urged the grand alliance not be disappoint the people.

    Read Also:Insecurity: More will die unless, Ekweremadu warns

    He said: “For three years, what I see on the faces of Nigerians is frustration and anguish. But for the first time, I tell you that I saw joy. I saw people laughing and smiling for the first time in three years.

    “Those our brothers and sisters, and investors, who left Nigeria in the last three years are also rejoicing with you because by this time next year, they will all be back.

    “Those factories that were closed are going to come back alive by this time next year and Nigerians will rejoice.

    “The people of the South East whom the programmes and practices of this government are forcing them to have a rethink on their membership of this country, today will rejoice and be happy that a new country that will be fair to all is coming; a country that they will be proud to be part of and continue to contribute to her development.

    “All our people in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, who have been wondering or believe that they will spend the rest of their lives in the IDP camps are happy today because their stay there is almost over; because next year, we will enthrone a government that will take them to their homes and protect them there.

    “The media houses, all the instruments and institutions of democracy that have been trampled and muzzled in this country, they will be free again to do their work without fear of intimidation.

    “Those, who are being persecuted on account of their political views or insisting that the right thing should be done, are also going to rejoice because a new dawn is here,. One of them is my brother, Senator Dino Melaye, who went through hell, but today, he is a free man.

    “Also, remember that Nelson Mandela said that unless Nigeria earns the respect of the world, no one would respect Africa. So, various countries of Africa, who have looked up to Nigeria to provide leadership will have a good dinner in their houses today, happy that we are coming back again to retake our place again as the foremost country in Africa and to provide leadership”.

    He enjoyed Nigerians to keep faith with the new movement as they days of their anguish and sufferings were numbered.

  • MAN, DIBAN, others kick against 500 percent excise tariff increase

    Stakeholders in the manufacturing industry in the country Monday kicked against the proposed 500 per cent increase on excise tariff by the Federal Ministry of Finance.

    The stakeholders, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN), Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN), Association of Food Beverage and Tobacco Employers of Nigeria ( AFBTEN) and others opposed the proposed excise tariff’ hike in their separate submissions at a function of the Senate Committee on Finance.

    The Finance committee in line with resolution of the Senate organised a public hearing on “urgent need to review the excise tariff increment in order to save local distillers of beverages from looming extinction”.

    Read Also:NLC rejects 500 percent tariff on local alchohol

    The stakeholders at the hearing noted that the proposed policy recommended by the Tariff Technical Committee (TTC), would if allowed to be implemented, “affect manufacturers, producers, businesses and render millions of Nigerians jobless.”

    Chairman of DIBAN, Patrick Anegbe in his submission, lamented that if the policy was allowed to stand, N420billion worth of investments would be ruined aside over 250,000 workers who will be laid off.

    Comrade Mike Olanrewaju who represented the labour unions at the session, said the proposed 500% increase on excise tariff is suicidal and must not be allowed to be implemented.

    Olanrewaju noted that the proposed policy was dead on arrival since organized labour and other critical stakeholders were not consulted.

    He said, “One of the strategies expected  from  any responsible and responsive government in preventing crime and fighting poverty is job creation and not job losses through outrageous and outlandish tariff hike that would collapse industries and by extension  render millions of Nigerians jobless.

    “To us in the labour sector, we say capital no! to such tariff increase and if any increase is to be made at all, it should not be above one digit.

    “The proposed increase is counterproductive and would be resisted by all stakeholders because after Dunlop, Micheline and others, we don’t want any industry to collapse or relocate out of the country again.”

    Though the Director General of MAN, M. Segun Ajayi Kadiri in his own submission admitted that the Ministry of Finance and TTC consulted them before the proposed tariff hike, he noted that the rate agreed on the basis of revenue generation by government was not what the ministry eventually arrived at.

    Directed of Legal Services who represented the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, said the 500% excise tariff hike was agreed by all stakeholders before the ministry issued circular to that effect in February this year.

    “Protests and petitions trailing the circular since then from concerned stakeholders are to us, unfortunate,” she said.

    The committee told the stakeholders it looking into the policy by collaborating with the executive on the need to review the tariff downward.

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu who represented the Senate President, Bukola Saraki noted that “the major source of concern is the non-inclusion of primary stakeholders in the industry such as MAN, DIBAN in the consultation process that prompted the decision of the executive arm of government to increase the tariff rate of the affected products”.

  • Senate rejects Buhari’s nominee for CBN job

    The Senate Thursday turned down the request for the confirmation of Dr.Abdul Abubakar for appointment as a Non-Executive Director of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    This followed the presentation and consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions which screened the nominee.

    Chairman of the committee, Senator Rafiu Ibrahim, said the nominee failed integrity test.

    Ibrahim also said Abubakar “lacks honesty and failed to answer questions put to him” by members of the committee

    The committee added that there was a negative petition against the confirmation of the nominee

    The rejected nominee hails from the North West geopolitical zone of the country.

    Read Also: Senate confirms CBN deputy governors, MPC nominees

    The Senate however endorsed the nomination of four nominees as Non-Executive Directors of the Board of the apex bank.

    They include: Professor Ummu Ahmed Jalingo (North East), Professor Justina Odinakachukwu Nnabuko (South East), Professor Mike Obadan (South South), Abdu Abubakar (North West) and Adeola Adetunji (South West).

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, in his contribution suggested that the committee should be mandated to take a second look at the rejected nominee.

    Ekweremadu said that the petition against the nominee should further be scrutinised.

    Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan, toed the same position

    The Senate resolved to ask the committee to carry out further legislative action on the rejected nominee and report back in one week.

    When Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki put the questions to voice votes, confirmation of the four nominees was unanimously accepted by lawmakers.

    The rejected nominee was referred back to the committee for further work.

    Saraki urged the nominee to work with the apex bank to ensure the growth of the economy.

  • Senate set to approve Buhari’s N2tr promissory note request

    The Senate Wednesday constituted a seven member Committee to consider President Muhammadu Buhari’s request for approval of over N2 trillion for the issuance of promissory note.

    President Buhari said that the approval of the promissory note would enable government to offset inherited local debts and bond issuance to civil servants as well as contractors.

    The setting up of the committee followed an Executive Communication by President Buhari to the Senate on the matter.

    Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan, read the communication at plenary which sought ” the approval of a Promissory Note programme and a Bond Issuance to settle inherited Local Debts and Contractual Obligations.”

    Promissory Note is a financial instrument that contains a written promise by one party (the note’s issuer or maker) to pay another party (the note’s payee) a definite sum of money, either on demand or at a specified future date.

    Lawan suggested that the Senate refer the matter to the appropriate committee to deliberate.

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu disagreed and suggested that an ad-hoc committee be set up to consider the request.

    Ekweremadu said, “People are depending on our approval of these funds. There are a number of issues involved. Some are the pensions, some have to do with salaries, subsidy and then some are for payment to states.

    “In view of the multi-dimensional nature of the issues and the controversy regarding borrowing money to fund recurrent items which is forbidden under the Fiscal Responsibility Act, what we should do on the matter is to set up an appropriate ad-hoc committee to be able to look at this together and see which of them that can be recommended to the Senate for approval.

    “While the other ones that are technically deficient or are controversial will now be sent back to the Executive for them to decide what to do depending on what that committee will recommend because under the Fiscal Responsibility Act, there is no way you can borrow money to finance a recurrent item.

    “We need to set up an appropriate committee so that we are able to look at these things efficiently and be able to advice this Senate which of them that should be approved within the ambits of our law and the ones which we need to further dialogue with the Executive.”

    Senator. Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi) in his contribution recalled that “during recession, this Senate recommended to the Executive among other things that all outstanding contracts, particularly local debts that the government should endeavour to as much as possible to settle them. We need to settle these debts so that some of these firms can start employing labour.”

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki named Senator Francis Alimikhena (Edo North) as chairman of the committee.

    Other members are Senators Samuel Anyanwu, PDP, Imo East; Shehu Sani, APC, Kaduna Central; Emmanuel Paulker, PDP, Bayelsa; Danjuma Goje, APC, Gombe Central; Rafiu Ibrahim, APC, Kwara South and Monsurat Sunmonu, APC, Oyo Central.

    President Buhari, had in March, written to the Senate, seeking for the approval of a promissory note programme and a bond issuance to resettle inherited local debts and contractual obligations.

    President Buhari explained the obligations which he believed establishment of the promissory note and bond issuance will clear long standing obligations inherited by his administration include: a) Unpaid obligations to pensioners, salaries and promotional arrears of civil servants. b) Obligation to petroleum marketers. c) Contractors and suppliers debt. d) Unpaid power bills and obligation from tariffs reversal in 2014. e) Export expansion grant IMBET. f) Judgement debt; and g) Refunds to state government for projects undertaken on behalf of federal government.

    He noted that the decision to seek the approval of the Senate is that of the Federal Executive Council, in fulfilment of the Fiscal Responsibility Act.

    The letter read, “I wish to convey the resolution of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, requesting the National Assembly to pass a bill to effect the promissory note and bond issuance programme to clear the long standing obligation inherited by this administration.

    “The promissory note and bond issuance programme become imperative to clear all the obligations, which include unpaid issuance obligations to pensioners, salaries and promotional arrears to civil servants, obligations to pay oil marketers, contractors and suppliers.”