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Tag: Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume

  • Borno stakeholders back Ndume for Senate President

    As the battle for the leadership of the 9th National Assembly hots up, stakeholders and elders from Borno state have thrown their weight behind their son, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume to emerge as the next President of the Senate

    Addressing a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, the Borno elders on the platform of Concerned Borno Citizens expressed confidence in the ability of Senator Ndume to provide quality leadership for the Senate and partner the executive to offer Nigerians good governance.

    The group, comprising of former governors, former Ministers and other leaders of the APC in Borno state argued that Ndume should be considered for the position considering the fact that Borno state gave the party over 90 percent of the votes from the state in the just concluded election.

    Spokesman of the group and former Ambassador Dauda Danladi said however that while the angling for the position of the Senate President, they are not unaware of the fact that the party will eventually zone the position and the fact that other zones of the country are also agitating for the position.

    He said further that if the party eventually zoned the seat to another zone, they will have no option than to support such zone, but insisted that Ndume was the most qualified person to occupy the seat considering his antecedent as a lawmaker and loyal party man.

    He said: “At this critical moment of our quest for credible leadership, we give glory to God Almighty for the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yeml Osinbajo. We congratulate your Excellencies. We also seize this opportunity to congratulate Members elect of the National Assembly as well as Governors elect and Members of State Assemblies.

    “We pray to Almighty God to give your Excellencies and Parliamentarians at all levels the courage; wisdom and good health to justify the confidence reposed ln you by Nigerians.

    “There is no doubt that the 9th National Assembly has a critical role to play if Government is to actualize all its developmental projects, programs and policies that will propel Nigeria into the industrialized world in the near future. Hence a cooperative partnership driven National Assembly that will support, encourage and work with the executive to accelerate the achievement of socio economic objectives of the Government cannot be overemphasized.

    “It is in this regard that we the Concerned Citizens of Borno are coming forward to urge Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume to contest for the office of the President of the Senate in the 9th National Assembly. We are convinced that Senator Ndume possesses all the qualities and requirements to hold the office of the Senate President being a loyal party man and a ranking Senator.

    “He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2003 and 2007 and held the position of a Minority Leader of the House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011, he has been in the Senate since 2011 representing Borno South Senatorial District with distinction.

    “Senator Ndume emerged as the Senate Leader In 2015 and was removed In a controversial circumstance in January 2017 ostensibly for his defense of party policies and for being a loyalist to the Government. His stint as a Lawmaker in both chambers of the National Assembly from 2003 to date are there to speak for themselves, where he stood firm In the cause of his people and contributed immensely In debates and passages of people oriented bills and motions.

    “In the run up to the 2019 elections, he was appointed as the North/East zonal Director for the APC Presidential Campaign Council. In all of the above, Senator Ndume put In his best to achieve the desired results. It is for these and many more reasons that we are commending this illustrious son to Nigerians.

    “Our plea for the Distinguished Senator to seek for the office of the President of the Senate is premised on the fact that the North/East geo-political zone where he hails from gave the President the second highest vote cast. This is in addition to the fact that the region has been ravaged by insurgency from 2009 until the coming of this administration in 2015.

    “Borno State being the epicenter of the crises deserves serious attention. The office of the President of the Senate will therefore offer the state a good opportunity to fast track reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement of millions of displaced persons. It will also be apt to add that Borno state has the highest percentage of 92% of votes cast for President Buhari in the just concluded 2019 election.”

  • Ndume’s constituents rally in Abuja ahead of his return

    Ndume’s constituents rally in Abuja ahead of his return

    Suspended Senator representing Borno South, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, is expected to resume next week after serving out his six months suspension.

    Ahead of Ndume’s return, his supporters from his constituency demonstrated solidarity for the lawmaker in Abuja.

    The supporters held a rally at the Unity Fountain, Abuja chanting Ndume’s praise.

    Led by the Coordinator, Ndume Support Initiative, Ibrahim Muazzamu, the group said that they were in Abuja in show of solidarity for Ndume.

    Muazzamu told reporters they gathered to “initiate a programme that will mark the ‘countdown’ to the resumption of Distinguished Senator from his unjustified suspension”.

    He said that the constituents had not heard of any instance where it was said in any quarters that Ndume would not resume after the expiration of his suspension.

    He said, “We are carrying out the rally to voluntarily stage our support for him.

    “This is a show of our love and passion for his efforts toward Southern Borno and indeed Nigeria.

    “We also recognise his effort in the fight against corruption which is in line with the agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari.”

    He insisted that they were confident that Ndume would resume in the Senate in spite of any unforeseen circumstances.

    “The resumption has been fixed and we believe nothing will change that,” he said.

    He noted that the constituents were expectant that the lawmaker would continue in his effort toward the development of the area.

    “We missed a lot of his representation during the period of his suspension,” he said.

    Ndume was suspended on March 27, 2017, sequel to the adoption of the recommendations of its Committee on Ethic, Privileges and Public Petitions.

    The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, led by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, recommended that Ndume be suspended.

    The Borno lawmaker in his point of Order called for investigation into the allegation by the Customs Service alleging that the Senate President refused to pay duty of N74m for a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) valued at N298m imported into the country by Saraki.

    Ndume also called on the upper chamber to investigate another allegation of certificate forgery leveled against Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West).

    The Ethics committee, which investigated the allegations cleared Senate President and Senator Melaye.

  • IPOB, devolution of powers, others top Senate discussion

    IPOB, devolution of powers, others top Senate discussion

    The Nigerian Senate and the House of Representatives resumed on Monday after over two months recess. The national lawmakers are resuming at a time the that country has pressing national issues to address.

    Divergent views have been expressed on various issues by stakeholders including the lawmakers.

    The lawmakers were scheduled to resume on September 19 but the massive repair work going on at the Assembly complex forced the management to extend the resumption date by one week. Members of the two chambers of the National Assembly proceeded on annual vacation on July 27.

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, is expected to deliver an address to welcome his colleagues back to chamber for legislative business.

    Saraki’s address, no doubt, will touch on some burning issues and ex-ray how far the Senate has complied with its legislative agenda.

    The caucuses of various zones are also expected to meet to articulate issues dear to them.

    Some of the burning issues that are likely to dominate discussions in the upper chamber include the agitation for devolution of powers to states also tagged restructuring.

    The activities of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) the proscription of the group and its classification as a terrorist organization by the Federal Government are expected to be discussed by the lawmakers.

    Senate President has already set the tone of discussion of IPOB when he described that proscription and the classification of IPOB as a terrorist organization as a terrorist organization as unconstitutional.

    Some of the lawmakers seem uncomfortable with the position of Saraki and are ready to state their positions.

    However, those close to Saraki said that the position the Senate President took on the proscription and classification of IPOB as a terrorist organization remained his personal opinion which informed why he personally signed the statement conveying his position.

    Following the fire and fury that attended National Assembly rejection of the proposal for devolution of powers to states, Saraki promised that the issue would be re-visited.

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, also said that an avenue could be created to reconsider the power devolution clause.

    That majority of Nigerians are anxiously waiting to see the controversial clause would be re-visited is not in doubt. What is in doubt, however, is how the proponents of devolution of powers will win over senators and House of Representative members who are bent to ensure that the power devolution clause did not see the light of the day.

    The 2018 budget is another issue that expected to dominate discussion in the two chambers of the National Assembly.

    The Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) that will outline the revenue outlay and financial projections for the 2018 Fiscal year is expected to be submitted to the National Assembly immediately the lawmakers resume.

    The consideration of the MTEF and FSP has in the past formed a source of friction and disagreement between the Presidency and the Legislature.

    The performance of the 2017 budget will also be x-rayed by the two chambers.

    Some outstanding issue including the approval of virement to complete important projects as requested by the Presidency, will also be considered and approved by the lawmakers especially when some road projects are said to have been abandoned by contractors due to lack of funds.

    Before commencement of recess in July, Saraki hinted of the need to reshuffle standing committees to make them effective and functional. It is expected that rearrangement of the committees will be one of the issues lined up by the Senate President.

    The resumption of suspended former Senate Leader, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, is another issue before the Senate.

    Ndume was suspended for six months for raising issues concerning alleged certificate forgery against Senator Dino Melaye and purchase of exotic car by Saraki without investigation.

    The Borno South lawmaker has served out his suspension and appears to be ready to resume his legislative duties.

    Ndume is, however challenging his suspension in court.

  • We obeyed party’s directive to remove Ndume – APC senators

    We obeyed party’s directive to remove Ndume – APC senators

    A caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senators on Wednesday told the National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun that they obeyed the directives from the Party to replace Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume as Senate leader.
    This was disclosed at the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Chief Oyegun while Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, led APC Senators to the closed door meeting.
     
    A source who attended the meeting told The Nation that “the meeting was not as smooth as Chief Oyegun painted it.”
     
    Oyegun had sued for a ceasefire in what he referred to as “the kind of abuse being used on one institution of government or the other.”
     
    He also told reporters that the meeting was “robust and addressed salient issues” affecting the smooth working relationship between the Senate and the executive arm of government.
     
    Findings showed that the Senate caucus blamed the party leadership for the frosty relationship between it and the Presidency.
     
    It was learnt that the caucus pointedly accused the party leadership of “double-standard” in its dealing with the relationship between the two arms of government.
     
    It was also gathered that the removal of Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume as the Senate Leader and his subsequent suspension featured prominently at the meeting.
     
    The APC caucus, it was learnt, told Oyegun that he was in a position to defend the removal of Ndume since the caucus merely obeyed party directive to effect leadership change.
     
    The source noted that it was the position of the caucus that “instead of defending the removal of Ndume and replacing him with Senator Ahmed Lawan as directed by the party, what the Caucus has been receiving are unwarranted attacks and attempts to run down the institution of the Senate.”
     
    APC Senators loyal to Saraki, it was learnt, used the opportunity of the meeting to poor out their indignation and frustration against Oyegun.
     
    On the suspension of Ndume, the source said that there may be “no going back” on Ndume’s suspension going by the body language of the majority of the caucus members.
  • Senate opens probe of N298m SUV car purchase

    Senate opens probe of N298m SUV car purchase

    • ABU VC clears Melaye of certificate forgery

    The Senate Monday commenced an investigation into the allegation of purchase of N298 million Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) with fake customs papers levelled against Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

    The high-profile probe is coming as Saraki said that the upper chamber was being tackled by unnamed persons for resolving to order the reversal of the controversial policy of retrospective duty payment on vehicles introduced by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).

    The Senate President spoke when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, probing the alleged importation of N298 million bulletproof Ranger Rover SUV.

    The Senator Samuel Anyanwu led committee also questions Senator Dino Melaye over the allegation that he did not graduate from Ahmadu Bello University, (ABU) Zaria.

    Saraki’s appearance before the Ethics Committee marked the first time since the return to democracy in 1999, that a sitting Senate President will appear before Ethics committee to clear his name.

    The Senate had on March 21st referred the two issues to its Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions Committee for investigation.

    This followed a point of order motion raised by Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, (Borno South) that the issue is investigated to protect the integrity of the Senate.

    Ndume relied on some publications to draw the attention of the Senate to the damning allegations against Saraki and Melaye.

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, promptly referred the issues to the Ethics committee to investigate and report back within four weeks.

    Apart from Anyanwu, other members of the committee at the investigative hearing included Senators Mao Ohuabunwa, (Abia North), Bala Ibn Na’Allah (Kebbi South) who excused himself from Saraki’s probe but participated in Melaye’s investigation, Tayo Alasoadura (Ondo Central), Peter Nwaoboshi (Delta North), Mathew Urhghide (Edo South) and Albert Akpan who said he is a friend to Melaye.

    Before Saraki began his testimony, Chairman of the committee explained to him why he was invited by the committee.

    Anyanwu specifically asked Saraki whether he (Saraki) is an importer, whether he imported any vehicle in the name of Abubakar Bukola Saraki if it is true that he imported SUV Range Rover that was clear with fake customs papers.

    Saraki was also asked whether the SUV was cleared in his name or on his behalf and whether he asked anybody to clear the SUV on his behalf.

    The Senate President began his testimony with a warning those fighting the National Assembly should desist from the act in the interest of democracy.

    He insisted that democracy cannot thrive if institutions of government are deliberately weakened and ridiculed.

    Saraki said, “I use this opportunity to commend the good work that you are doing and your effort and contribution to building the institution of the Senate that we all have sworn to defend and we are all here to do that.

    “Part of my being here in person is all part of my belief that what you are doing here is to strengthen our institution.

    “I said I want to come here personally, subject myself to this process because I think we must continue to build this institution and this is part of the process of building this institution.

    “Most of the questions come to a basic issue.

    “I am not an importer and at no point did I import an SUV Range Rover. As you know this is a vehicle that is not a “personal vehicle. It is a vehicle which was processed through the National Assembly.

    “I don’t know anything about the importation; I did not appoint any clearing agent or anything like that.

    “Most of the vehicles that are here you only know when it is delivered to you. None of this did I import or getting any agent or going to the port.

    “This is not true, those that said it know it is not true, Customs knows it is not true because we all know that all treated vehicles have end user certificate and it states clearly who the importer is and these documents are available and there is no document anywhere that shows my name.

    “So I want to state categorically that this is not true and it is important that I come here and clear my name and put this matter to rest.

    “We all raised the issue of the policy that is anti-people in the interest of Nigerians. This policy that really had no value at all and that was why this motion came up and we debated it in the interest of Nigerians, but unfortunately those who want to fight back went and thought there was something to blackmail us with.

    “But I believe that the issue at hand regarding this issue as I said categorically I am not an importer and I know the documents you have will show clearly that it has nothing to do with me.

    “I believe that this process is good for us. It will further strengthen our institution. It is a great day for our democracy for me to come before you as the president of the Senate.

    “We must protect this institution. As members, we will come and go but we must protect this institution.

    “To ridicule an institution of this magnitude is not something we should take lightly and that is why I have taken the time to be here.

    “Today it is me but tomorrow it will be another person. I think it is part of the sacrifice we are making in the work that we are doing that we have these kinds of cases that did not hold water.

    “We must protect this institution because this is the only thing we can leave. The difference between military rule and democracy is the parliament. For as long as the parliament is weak, our democracy can never be strong.

    “That is why I told myself that I must come here no matter how ridiculous I felt it was because the documents are clear. There is nowhere it said I imported it, it is not my private vehicle.”

    On the importer of the car, Tokunbo Akindle, Chairman of the Committee Anyanwu told him that the allegation was that he imported an SUV and did not pay the import duties and that was the reason the Senate is having an issue with the Nigerian Customs.

    Tokunbo Akindele responded: In 2015 on behalf of the firm that I work for, Oando PLC, we imported a Range Rover Bullet Proof SUV vehicle.

    “We imported it as the company that needed to use it for the various operations that we have around the country.

    “The car took longer than was expected and by the time it reached Nigeria in 2015, September, we decided that we will no longer be using the car, so we effectively packed it.

    “Initially because we are not going to use it for any operations whatsoever because we already met the requirements needed.

    “The process of acquiring the car we mandated a company offshore, to buy the car, armour the car, ship the car, clear the car with Customs and just deliver the car to us as a full-fledged service.

    “We received the car in September 2015 assuming that all of these things are done, all payments were made for the acquisition, the armouring, the shipping as well as the clearing of which we have necessary evidence.

    “The car was not imported for the Senate President, Sen. Bukola Saraki.

    “In the process of clearing the car, we did not receive any documentation from the National Assembly.

    “We were not a part of clearing the car, we were the customer, we were expected to receive the car for our own use.

    “The vehicle was not to be used by Sen. Bukola Saraki, it was not imported or acquired for his use at the time the vehicle came into the country.

    “The National Assembly took receipt of the car through a consignment from us, through Lanre Shittu Motors in December 2015.

    “The car had been in the country for two months and had been sitting with no use and it was at that point that we released it to Lanre Shittu on consignment who sold it to the National Assembly.

    “At no point did we submit any fake document for the clearing of the car. We followed all due process in terms of payment to the company which handled the entire process for us.”

    Also speaking, the car dealer, Olarenwaju Shittu, told the committee that they facilitated the sale of the car to the National Assembly.

    He said that there was never a time they sold the car to Saraki.

    “It was when the car was intercepted sometime in 2017 that it was brought to my knowledge and we contacted Oando who gave us the papers that they said was fake,” Shittu said.

     

  • Senator hails INEC over 2019 election timetable

    Senator hails INEC over 2019 election timetable

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, Wednesday commended the electoral umpire for starting ahead of time to prepare for the 2019 general elections in the country.

    Ndume told reporters in Abuja that he was fully in support of the election time table as released by INEC.

    The time table showed that National Assembly and Presidential elections would hold on February 16, 2019.

    Ndume said, “By the normal time table, elections are held in the first quarter, so I think that INEC is doing the right thing by setting out a target for elections so that they can be well prepared ahead. I don’t know what the anxiety is about but I know that is the Nigerian attitude. If you do something early, they say it is too early; if you do it late, they say it is late. I don’t know, but saying that elections are going to hold in the first quarter is not a big deal.

    “I want to actually commend INEC for starting ahead of time and I will support it fully. We had election that was widely acceptable in the country and we are hoping that we are going to have a credible election in 2019 and I am glad to be part of it. If nothing is done about the 2019 election, definitely the election will be haphazard.”

    The Borno South lawmaker noted that when he took over as the chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, he encouraged INEC to start preparing for the 2019.

    ‘When I looked at the budget of the INEC, I discovered that there was no provision for the 2019 election. I advised them to make provision for the 2019 election so that such items that are not sensitive and not perishable can be procured in time. It is not good for us to wait until a day or two to the election then we start running helter-skelter for the materials such as the data capture machine or other thing that should be in place,” he said.

    He noted that whether there were resident electoral commissioners in the states or not is not the work of INEC.

    According to him, resident electoral commissioners are not the people that conduct election “but “it is INEC that conducts election.”

    He added, “Let me say this’ you journalists are contributing majorly to the problems that Nigeria has because you try to create problem or anxiety where there is none. Nigerians are not questioning why INEC released the time table but you people for whatever reason are questioning it. I don’t think that what INEC did is wrong; it is right, it is a welcome development, it should be encouraged and people should commend them for doing that.”

    He said that INEC was already preparing a budget estimate of what it will cost to procure materials for the 2019 elections.

    “In fact, that is what delayed our budget presentation to the Appropriations Committee. The Committee agreed that INEC should bring estimate of their expenditure for 2019 election so that it will be provided.

    “For instance, if it is provided in 2017, it will be set aside to procure non-sensitive and non-perishable items that they will use. Then in 2018, the balance provision for 2019 will be made available.

    “Once this money is made available, INEC will access it through the CBN because by the time 2019 election will be conducted, budget may be before the National Assembly for consideration. So, where do you get the money to do it if you don’t make the provision and preparation right now?” he asked.

    Ndume said that he believed that INEC wanted to improve on what had been done before “and all encouragement and support should be given to them. So, let’s give them a chance.”

    He noted that if the Electoral Act is passed, it will also help to improve the conduct of the elections of 2019.

    He said, “Most importantly, I know that the President and this government is determined to conduct a credible election because it is the government that has been shouting that the election was not credible and truly elections were not credible except the last one that met minimum acceptability. And since this government is determined to conduct election and not selection or allocation as has been previously done, then we hope that we will have a credible election.

    “For the Senate, we only have two clauses left to conclude the amendment of the Electoral Act. We have gone very far. In fact, I can say that I am the one that slowed the committee down because we have to do it together with the House and the executive has formed a Committee under the chairmanship of Nnamani, so let us work together in order to come up with generally acceptable reform that take care of some of the loopholes.

    “This government cannot afford to put in place anything that is less than what we had. We have a standard election that was conducted; we only need to improve on it.

     

  • Senators, Reps raise alarm over 14.8m Boko Haram victims

    Senators, Reps raise alarm over 14.8m Boko Haram victims

    National Assembly members from Borno State Friday raised the alarm over the fate of over 14.8 million people affected by the Boko Haram induced humanitarian crisis in the state.

    The lawmakers said that unless immediate steps were taken to address continuous poor budgetary provisions meant to ameliorate mounting humanitarian crisis in the North East, disastrous consequences may not be averted.

    Former Senate Leader, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume who spoke on behalf of other National Assembly members from the state said that they resolved to ask the Federal Government to work in synergy in coordinating the Humanitarian Response Action in the North East and other crisis affected areas in the country to ensure efficiency, transparency and accountability.

    Ndume also said that they resolved to appeal to the government to increase the allocation to PCNI from N45 billion to at least N100 billion while other State Governments, individuals, religious organisations, NGO should help the affected states.

    The media, he said, should also continue to galvanize support to the affected region.

    Ndume spoke on the theme “Relief efforts in the North East especially Borno: The world is worried and doing something” at a press conference in Abuja.

    He said, “Norway, together with Nigeria, Germany and UNOCHA is hosting an international donor conference in Oslo today 24th February 2017.

    “The Nigerian delegation includes the Governor of Borno State, Hon Kashim Shettima; The Minister of Foreign Affairs and The Minister of State for Budget and Planning who is also a member of the Presidential Committee for North East Initiative (PCNI).”

    The Borno South Senator lamented that although the Federal Government is concerned about the worsening humanitarian situation in the region, it is not doing enough.

    On the budgetary provision he said, “In the 2016 Appropriation Act only N12 Billion was allocated to PINE to address the humanitarian crisis in the North East out of which only 75% was released. This is less than 10% of the $449 contributed by International Donor countries and Agencies.

    “In the Budget proposal under consideration by NASS only N45 Billion is allocated to PCNI. This is grossly inadequate to address the emergency humanitarian crisis we are faced with compared to the $1.0 Billion which is equivalent to over N305 that the International Donor Countries and Agencies are trying to raise.

    “PCNI; NEMA; BOSG SEMA; VSF; DANGOTE FOUNDATION are the visible government Agencies on ground but International NGOs are more visible and active.

    “Except few individuals particularly Gen T. Y Danjuma and Aliko Dangote, some organizations and NGOs, Nigerians are just watching us going through this horrific experience in our life time.”

    Ndume said that it is obvious that the state government is overwhelmed:

    According to him, “With the meagre resources coming to the state, there is little the State Government can do.

    “However, the state and local governments are using almost all they get to do the basics of feeding the IDPs, payin’g salaries and Reconstructing, Resettling and Rehabilitating the recaptured and accessible areas.”

    On impact of the crisis he said, “The conflict between Boko Haram and military counter operations in North East Nigeria resulted in widespread forced displacement, a major food and nutrition crisis, violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, severe protection concerns and a growing humanitarian crisis of global proportion. Now in its eighth year, insecurity continues and is adding to the long history of marginalization and chronic under-development as well as a higher rate of poverty, illiteracy and unemployment. Long-standing environmental degradation, Closure of markets and disruption of regional trade also contributes to eroding livelihoods, while conflict has caused forced displacement and human suffering on a massive scale.” UNOCHA.

    On key figures engendered by the crisis, he said that14.8 million people are affected by the crisis while estimated cost of destruction is put at over $9 billion.

    Ndume said that up to 7.0 million people in the North East are in need of humanitarian assistance while 1.8 million people are IDPs out of which more than 80% are living in host communities and the rest in camps.

    He said that 2.5 million children are said to be malnourished, majority of them are in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe while 1.3 million children are without access to education.

    Ndume said that over 65,000 children are orphaned due to the crisis while over 500 schools have been destroyed in Borno alone.

    He said that over 100 churches and mosques were destroyed while about 1.0 returning lDPs without anything to start life with.

    Ndume said that over 100,000 people lost their lives as a result of the crisis while about 250 health centers are destroyed

    Other figure he gave included about 800 Municipal Buildings comprising of Police Stations, Secretariat , Prisons and other public buildings amongst others are destroyed 800,000 houses were destroyed; about 500,000 livestock lost,  about 726 energy distribution lines were destroyed, high damage to the ecosystem.

    He listed nine steps needed to save more lives and assist people in North East as adopted NGOS operating in the affected areas include the following: “Step 1: Prioritize the Protection of Civilians. Step 2: An urgent scale up of the food and nutrition response is needed, Step 3: Increase Access to More, Better and Safe Quality Education, Step 4: Safe access to people must be guaranteed.

    Step 5: Ensure greater investment in further strengthening UN, government and NGO leadership, decision making, coordination and the accountability of the humanitarian response. Step 6: Ensure All Returnees are Safe, Voluntary and Dignified  Step 7: Build Resilience and Increase Local Capacity to defend and fend for themselves,  Step 8: Increase security and protection around the Lake Chad Region to encourage safe return of Fishermen and Farmers and Step 9: Kick start the process to recharge the Lake Chad.

  • Saraki names Ndume INEC committee chairman

    Saraki names Ndume INEC committee chairman

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Wednesday named former Senate Leader, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, chairman Senate committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

    Senator Ndume was controversially removed as Senate Leader on January 10, 2017.

    The Borno South lawmaker described his removal as a “coup” against him and blamed his removal on his position on the nomination of Mr. Ibrahim Magu as chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    President Muhammadu Buhari has since re-nominated Magu for the same position following initial rejection of the nominee by the Senate.

    Other fresh committee appointments Saraki made included Senator Abba Kyari, Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence.

    Senator Kyari was formerly chairman, Senate committee on INEC.

    Senator Magnus Abe (Rivers South East) was named chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Senator George Sekibo was named chairman, Senate Committee on Interior.

    The committee on Interior was held by Senator Oleka Nwogu who was defeated by Senator Abe in the December 10, 2016 Senatorial election in Rivers State.

    Senator Aitai Ali Idokko (Kogi East) was assigned Chairman, Senate Committee on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

    With the new five appointments, the Senate now has 68 standing committees.

  • Senate faults Buhari’s MTEF

    Senate faults Buhari’s MTEF

    …Says proposal ‘empty’

     

    Barely two days after it rejected President Muhammadu Buhari’s bid to borrow $29.96 billion, the Senate Thursday faulted the president’s 2017 to 2019 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).

    The upper chamber described the fiscal document which is a prelude to the presentation of the 2017 budget as “completely empty” not worthy of its consideration.

    Senate Leader, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, who tore the document into shreds, drew the attention of the Senate to a publication where the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma reportedly blamed the National Assembly for the inability of the Presidency to present the 2017 budget in October 2016 as promised.

    Ndume who relied on Order 42 and 52 of the Senate Standing Rules, prayed the Senate to resolve to call Udoma to order.

    He noted that it was unfortunate that the Presidency had started once again the blame game that rubbished the 2016 budget.

    He said that it was wrong for the Presidency to give Nigerians the impression that the National Assembly was responsible for the avoidable delay in presentation of the 2017 budget especially when it was obvious that the MTEF submitted to the National Assembly was empty.

    The Senate Leader noted that when the leadership of the Senate discovered that the MTEF was empty, Udoma was invited to brief the leadership on grey areas of the MTEF/FSP on Tuesday.

    He said that the Senate leadership was stunned when Udoma failed to honour the invitation.

    He also said that the minister failed to submit vital documents the Senate requested from him.

    The Senate Leader who displayed a copy of the MTEF repeatedly said furiously,“ this document is empty, it is completely empty and you cannot build something on nothing.”

    Ndume said, “The report with the headline which says, “Budget 2017: Blame National Assembly for failure to meet to meet October target”.

    “The Minister of Budget and National Planning Udoma Udoma stated that the suspension of the debate of the MTEF/FSP which lays the foundation for the budget has stalled the Ministry’s plan to transmit the 2017 budget to the National Assembly.

    “As the Leader of this Senate and I am responsible for presenting communications, bills from the Executive. You will recall that we received the MTEF on 30th September. Instead of submitting it according to law not later than 1st of September, that is not even the problem.

    “I went through and the copies have been circulated. I talked to some experts. Even in this chamber, we have people that you can call experts. If you look at this document that they call MTEF, it is empty. And it doesn’t contain anything. If you have nothing how do you consider nothing?

    “Going through and knowing that it is empty, on October 19, 2016 I wrote to the Minister of Budget and National Planning. I crave your indulgence to highlight some of the contents and in the third paragraph, I stated: “To enable the Senate objectively review the MTEF from holistic perspective, we deem it necessary to invite you to a meeting to brief the leadership of the Senate on Tuesday 1st November. The minister failed to turn up.

    “Before then, I said you are requested to please send the following documents ahead of the meeting because that is what will make us have something to consider: draft copy of Medium Term Development Plan upon which the 2017 to 2019 MTEF is founded.

    “Secondly, I requested that a comprehensive report on the implementation of 2016 budget as of third quarter. And thirdly, fiscal rates taxes, charges etc used to derive the projected revenue.

    “Finally, a report on the structure, composition of the debt, funding, sources, how the borrowed funds are to be spent as well as repayment plan and schedule.

    “Up till now, there is no communication to that.

    “Finally, I have a copy of the request for approval of the Federal Government 2016 to 2018 external borrowing plan, which was thrown out last.

    “This is the document that we received. The first paragraph says: “I wish to refer to the above subject and submit the attached draft of Federal Government 2016-2018 External Borrowing (Rolling) Plan for consideration and early approval by the National Assembly to ensure prompt implementation of the projects”.

    “I don’t know whether the Senate President has the attached document that you did not circulate to us. But as far as I’m concerned there is no attachment here.

    “We cannot afford to start the 2017 budget process with this blame game. This Senate is Nigerian Senate. We have the opposition that is co-operating with us and we have the majority in this Senate.

    “So, it is not like we are working against the government but we know what we are doing. And we should do it right. When they bring nothing and we ask for something so that we will do it properly, they run to the newspaper to start blaming the National Assembly.”

    Also a copy of the letter dated October 19, 2016, and signed by the Leader of the Senate, Senator  Ndume, requested Udoma to submit some documents before the scheduled date of briefing the Senate leadership.

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, who appeared not to have found the unfolding development funny, informed the Senate that he personally called Udoma over the issue.

    Saraki said that the Minister has denied blaming the National Assembly for the delay in presenting the 2017 budget.

    He said that the Senate should be mindful of issues that could breed controversy ahead of the presentation of the 2017 budget.

    Saraki said, “I saw this article too. I had taken up the Minister and he denied the article. He said he was going to debunk it. Be that as it may, I think the matter should not be stressed.

    “The Leader has made the point that this issue of blame game is totally unnecessary. And if he (Udoma) said that he is withdrawing, that means he has said it as well that the National Assembly is not responsible for any delay.”

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, assured that the National Assembly was ready to receive the 2017 budget from the Presidency any day.

    Ekweremadu said, “Now that the statement has either been denied or withdrawn, we need to tell Nigerians the truth. We are here on a full job. We are ready to take the budget presentation anytime. In doing so, the executive must be reminded that everything must be done right. All arms of government must live to its responsibility. The issue of blame game should be put behind us.”

    Senate spokesperson, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi on his part, wondered “if this government is not padded with people who want to frustrate the government.”

    Senator Abdullahi also warned about the danger of starting the 2017 budget with controversy.

  • Senate dumps Buhari’s bid to borrow $29.96bn

    Senate dumps Buhari’s bid to borrow $29.96bn

    …Saraki saves ambassadorial list

     

    The Senate Tuesday rejected the plan of President Muhammadu Buhari to borrow $29.96 billion under the 2016-2018 External Borrowing Plan.

    The upper chamber voted massively against the request of President Buhari to borrow the money.

    Twice Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, put the question “That  the Senate do consider the request of the President C-in-C on the 2016-2018 External Borrowing Rolling Plan,” twice it was rejected.

    Senate Leader, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, moved the motion for the consideration of the request, Deputy Minority Leader, Emmanuel Bwacha, seconded.

    Saraki put the question which was roundly rejected.

    Findings showed that the lawmakers were not comfortable with “some glaring omissions in the Executive Communication” forwarded to them by President Buhari.

    A source said that the President failed to “attach draft of Federal Government 2016-2018 External Borrowing (Rolling) Plan for consideration of the Senate” as indicated in the Executive Communication.

    The source added that the last paragraph of the communication gave the impression of anticipatory approval required by President Buhari.

    He noted that “by asking the National Assembly leadership to approve the borrowing plan that involves huge sums of funds without formal consideration of the Senate in session smacks some blackmail.”

    The last paragraph of the communication said, “Given the emergency nature of these facilities and the need to consolidate the peace and return the region (North East) to normalcy and considering the time it will take to get the National Assembly’s approvals, it has become inevitable to request for the National Assembly leadership approval pending the consideration and approval of the 2016-2018 borrowing plan by the National Assembly to enable us disburse these funds immediately.”

    Senator Ndume who spoke on the rejection of the President’s request said that there was technical error in the request.

    He however promised to represent the request on a later date.

    Ndume said, “I was shocked as the Senate leader that they rejected the programme. I was not anticipating what happened. It was rejected on technical ground. If you look at the letter, it said ‘attached’ but there was no attachment. There are no details. I will appeal to my colleagues and represent it for consideration. There is nothing to worry about. We cannot throw away the baby with the bad water.”

    The listed of 46 non-career Ambassadors was also rejected by the Senators but Saraki used his veto power over turn the nay vote.

    Saraki also put the question twice for the Senate to consider the request of the President C-in-C on the confirmation of the nomination of the following persons for appointment as non-career Ambassador designate.

    It was obvious that the Senators were opposed to the list but Saraki saved the day by over-turning the majority position.

    The Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Philip Aduda, protested against the list last week because of non-inclusion of FCT nominees in the list.

    President Buhari had on Tuesday last week sent a request to the National Assembly to approve external borrowing plan of $29.960 billion to execute key infrastructural projects across the country between 2016 and 2018.

    Buhari explained that targeted projects cuts across all sectors with special emphasis on infrastructure, agriculture, health, education, water supply, growth and employment generation.

    He listed other sectors to include poverty reduction through social safety net programmes and governance and financial management reforms.

    President Buhari said that the cost of the projects and programmes under the borrowing rolling plan is $29.960 billion.

    The proposed projects and programmes loan of $11.274 billion, Special National Infrastructure projects $10.686 billion, Euro bonds of $4.5 billion and Federal Government budget support of $3.5 billion.

    He explained further that the loan was very necessary in view of the serious infrastructure deficit in the country.

    He said the country had huge infrastructure deficit and enormous financial resources required to fill the gap in the face of dwindling resources.

    “This is in addition to the inability of our annual budgetary provisions to bridge the deficit. It has become necessary to resort to prudent external borrowing to bridge the financing gap.

    “This will largely be applied to key infrastructure projects namely power, railway and roads among others,” he added.