The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Senators

  • Xenophobic attacks: Ekweremadu leads Senate delegation to S/Africa

    Xenophobic attacks: Ekweremadu leads Senate delegation to S/Africa

    The Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu will be leading a delegation of the Senate leading six other senators to the South African parliament over the recent xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in that country.

    Other senators on the delegation include the Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan; Senate Chief Whip, Olusola Adeyeye; Stella Oduah; Shehu Sani; Shaaba Lafiaji; and Magnus Abe.

    The senators are to officially table complaints to their South African counterparts and discuss ways of preventing such attacks in the future.

    A number of Nigerians living in South Africa were physically attacked and their businesses destroyed by some misguided South African youths who felt the Nigerians had taken up job opportunities meant for them.

    The Southern African country has a notorious history of frequent xenophobic attacks on citizens of other countries living and doing business in that country.

    Attempts by certain groups in Nigeria to launch reprisal attacks on South African business interests in major cities in Nigeria were prevented by the Nigerian authorities, which had opted for diplomatic approach in resolving the issue.

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

    National Assembly members from Borno State yesterday 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 the 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 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 said they resolved to appeal to the government to increase the allocation to the Presidential Committee for North East Initiative (PCNI) from N45 billion to at least N100 billion, while other state Governments, individuals, religious organizations, 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, hosted  an international donor conference in Oslo yesterday.

     “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 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; and Dangote Foundation are the visible government agencies on ground, but international NGOs are more visible and active.

     “Except a 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 it is obvious that the state government is overwhelmed.

     He said: “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, paying 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 contribute to eroding livelihoods, while conflict has caused forced displacement and human suffering on a massive scale.”

  • Senators, Reps to Buhari: Forward Onnoghen’s name for confirmation as CJN

    Senators, Reps to Buhari: Forward Onnoghen’s name for confirmation as CJN

    The Cross River State National Assembly caucus Tuesday asked President Muhammadu Buhari to forward the name of Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Samuel Walter Onnoghen to the Senate for confirmation as substantive CJN.

    The caucus said that the growing sentiment is that Justice Onnoghen’s earned elevation to the rank of CJN is held in abeyance because he is not from a particular ethnic origin preferred by “powerful forces” in the country.

    It said that the feeling in some quarters is also that non transmission of Onnoghen’s name to the Senate for confirmation may have been because of his profound and at times radical judicial pronouncements.

    The National Judicial Council (NJC) in the exercise of its powers under Section 231 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), on October 13, 2016 recommended Hon. Justice Samuel Walter Onnoghen as CJN to the President.

    President Buhari appointed and swore in Justice Onnoghen as Acting CJN on November 13, 2016.

    Leader of the caucus, Senator John Owan Enoh, who spoke at a press briefing in Abuja noted that  exactly two months and 15 days, the President has delayed and withheld to forward Justice Onnoghen’s name to the Senate for confirmation as CJN as required by Section 231(1) OF THE 1999 Constitution (as amended)

    The Cross River Central lawmaker noted that they decided to speak with one voice and to insist that “Justice be done on the appointment of Hon. Justice S.W. Onnoghen as Chief Justice of Nigeria.”

    Senator Enoh lamented that the non-transmittal of the name of Justice Onnoghen as the CJN has cast a pall of uncertainty on the judiciary, leaving in its wake, a huge shadow and question on the capacity of the hallowed temple of justice to deliver justice in the overall interest of the country and its citizens.

    He noted that in approaching the issue, they were minded by the critical role allotted to them as public office holders and representatives of their people to speak in defence of “truth, equity and justice.”

    Enoh said, “You may recall that the National Judicial Council in exercise of its powers under Section 231 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), on October 13, 2016 recommended Hon. Justice Samuel Walter Onnoghen as Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria to the President, President Muhammadu Buhari .

    “The tenure of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Mahmud Muhammed had elapsed and the president appointed and swore in Hon. Justice Samuel Walter Onnoghen as Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria on November 10, 2016.

    “Exactly two months, and fifteen days, the presidency has delayed and withheld to forward his name to the senate for confirmation as Chief Justice of Nigeria as required by Section 231 (1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

    “We are worried by this development for obvious reasons. As a hallowed institution, the judiciary is the bastion of our democracy and should be insulated from undue influence, politics and manipulation of political predators.

    “It operates on an established tradition of a settled succession based on merit, and seniority. This established order and convention has imbued it with a measure of stability and positioned it to play the critical role of dispensing justice immune to undue influence of powerful vested interests.

    “Before now, the convention is for the president to forward the name of a candidate so recommended to him by the National Judicial Council in exercise of its powers and responsibility.

    “Pursuant to its mandate, what is required from the presidency in this case is a decisive action of simply transmitting the name of Justice Samuel Walter Onnoghen to the senate for confirmation which unfortunately has not happened.

    “This unfortunate development has enveloped the Supreme Court and Judiciary with an intriguing cobweb of uncertainty and given conspiracy theorists a field day to decode why this obvious travesty has endured up till now..

    “There is a growing sentiment in certain quarters that Justice Onnoghen’s earned elevation to the rank of Chief Justice of Nigeria is held in abeyance precisely because he is either not from a particular ethnic origin preferred by powerful forces or his profound and at times radical judicial pronouncements make him too principled to occupy this exalted office.

    “The president’s inaction in this instance has acted as a cannon fodder for those alluding to a vast conspiracy to deny Justice Onnoghen his earned position.

    “As political leaders, we should collectively resolve to build a just and fair society devoid of ethnic cleavages; a society where hard work and integrity are rewarded and not repudiated.

    “As leaders, we should work towards the inauguration of a just order in which the East meets the North, South and West and together in confidence, united by a common and shared destiny and mutual respect, we confront the future together.

    “We call on the presidency to act in a decisive manner to reassure Nigerians that we are all equal and that if we are able to harness our God given talents, that we can aspire to the highest position in our nation unencumbered by primordial forces. Justice Samuel Walter Onnoghen is eminently qualified to occupy the position of Chief Justice of Nigeria.

    “He earned it through decades of hard work, profound postulations and untainted integrity. He has been part of a stable reward system in the Judiciary in which order of rank is recognized and hard work rewarded.

    “In his years serving in the temple of justice, he has witnessed men and women who served with honour and distinction elevated to the highest judicial office in our clime.

    “Having worked with distinction in the temple of justice, we believe like majority of our constituents, and Nigerians, that he deserves elevation as Chief Justice of Nigeria. His case cannot be different.

    “We therefore call on the president to act in a clear and decisive manner now by transmitting without further delay, the name of Justice Samuel Walter Onnoghen to the Senate for confirmation as Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria as recommended by the National Judicial Council.

    “This will bring to an end the swirling speculations of vendetta against the revered justice and restore confidence in our judiciary. Any action contrary to this will convey and validate growing sentiments of vendetta.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, in exercising its constitutional powers in this instance, the National Judicial Council was transparent and followed laid down procedures and processes. By appointing Hon. Justice Samuel Walter Onnoghen as Acting ChiefJustice of Nigeria, the president has foreclosed any insinuation as to incompetence or any disabling factor for him to be made Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria.

    “Under these circumstances, the continuous delay of the president to forward the name of Hon. Justice Samuel Walter Onnoghen to the Senate for confirmation without any lawful and constitutional cause has brought the issue of the independence of the judiciary and security of tenure of judges to doubt and public discourse.

    “It has opened the floodgate of political and social insinuations and entrenched the perception of ethno-regional prejudice and politicization of the judiciary. This is most unfortunate.

    “On our part, we will continue to work for and desire a united, peaceful and progressive Nigeria in which all men are exposed to equal opportunities, a nation in which all men irrespective of their religion and ethnic origin are equal and given the opportunity to live to the fullest, their God given talents.

    Let all of us in our different capacities make collective resolve to strengthen the foundation upon which this great nation is built. This we believe is our future and pathway to renewal, greatness and prosperity.”

    Apart from Enoh, others who are demanding immediate transmission of Onnoghen’s name to the Senate for confirmation included Senator Rose Okoji Oko, Senator Gershom Bassey, Hon. Essien Ayi, Hon. Bassey Eko Ewah, Hon. Dan Asuquo, Hon. Etta Mbora, Hon. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe,  Hon. Lego ldagbo, Hon Chris Agibe and Hon. Mike Etaba.

  • Senators give conditions for Magu’s confirmation

    Senators give conditions for Magu’s confirmation

    APC caucus under pressure over  acting chairman, envoys

    Senators may have set three conditions for Ibrahim Magu’s confirmation as Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chairman, The Nation learnt yesterday.
    The three conditions are:
    •a report from President Muhammadu Buhari containing a fact-sheet on how he arrived at his decision to re-present Magu;
    •withdrawal of security reports on Magu, which were presented to the Senate about six weeks ago by the Department of State Services (DSS); and
    •satisfactory performance by Magu before the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and  Financial Crimes, which has been mandated to screen him. Magu must clear himself of all allegations before the committee.
    The three conditions, The Nation learnt, were agreed upon by some senators.
    The conditions were set at a meeting of some senators last night to create fresh hurdles for Magu.
    The Presidency is believed to be lobbying senators in a bid to get Magu the job.
    Some members of the kitchen cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari are said to be reaching out to Senate President Bukola Saraki, principal officers and caucuses in the Upper Chamber.
    Besides, Magu’s renomination has put pressure on the APC Caucus, which has about 63 of the 109 senators.
    A Senator, who spoke in confidence, said: “I must admit that Magu’s confirmation is still an issue among us. We have some senators for and against.
    “At the Executive Session, we had a disagreement on whether or not the Senate President should read the President’s letter of renomination of Magu or not.
    “After a bit of argument, the leadership accepted the wish of the majority to read it. We are now faced with the confirmation process.”
    Another source confirmed that three conditions had been set for Magu’s confirmation by some senators, particularly by those opposed to his candidacy.
    A senator from the Northwest spoke of the Upper Chamber’s readiness to confirm Magu if the DSS could withdraw the security report it had earlier sent to the Senate. In the face of the law and going by legislative business, the DSS report is still valid, he said, pleading not to be named “because of the controversy surrounding this issue”.
    “It is left to the Executive to put its house in order by cooperating with the Senate.
    Another senator said: “Once the President sends a comprehensive report on how Magu was cleared of all the allegations against him, we will not waste time in confirming him as the fourth EFCC chairman.
    “In fact, if we get a brief from the President superseding the DSS report, we will confirm Magu. Our concern is that all these allegations have to be cleared for posterity.”
    A senator from the Southeast also claimed that “where there is neither a report from the President nor withdrawal of DSS copies on Magu, the Senate will have no choice than to depend on the report of its Anti-Corruption Committee led by Sen. Utazi Chukwuka.
    “This is why we have decided that the committee should also screen Magu. Before we rejected his nomination about five weeks ago, the committee could not screen him.”
    Speaking with our correspondent, another high-ranking senator: “subjecting Magu to any screening process by Utazi committee is unnecessary”.
    “The practice is for any nominee to appear before the Senate and respond to issues. Handling it at the committee level, if it is the plot, is a signal that Magu might be ambushed.”
    Magu’s renomination has put pressure on the APC Caucus in the Senate.
    It was gathered that with about 63-64 APC senators( out of 109), there is no reason why the Senate should not confirm Magu if  those from the ruling party are committed to Buhari’s anti-corruption drive.
    A Senator from the Northcentral said: “APC has a comfortable simple majority in the Senate to confirm Magu. We are under pressure to use our vantage position to support the anti-corruption agenda of Buhari.
    “Since we are now united as APC Caucus, the onus is now on us to demonstrate this unity of purpose. This is our dilemma.”
    A source spoke of intense lobbying for Magu by some associates and members of the President’s kitchen cabinet.
    “The lobbying has started all over again but this time around the Presidency is not standing aloof. “Some key figures in the Presidency, including some ministers, have been pleading with senators on Magu’s confirmation, “a senator from the Northeast added, also stressing that he should not be identified.

  • Senators fault Gambia’s deployment without approval

    Senators fault Gambia’s deployment without approval

    The deployment of Nigerian troops to The Gambia without the express approval of the Senate came under the search light of the Senate on Wednesday.
     
    Some Senators said it was a breach of the Constitution for President Muhammadu Buhari to deploy soldiers to The Gambia to force President Yahya Jammeh, without notifying and obtaining the consent of the National Assembly.
     
    Nigeria has already dispatched warships and fighter jets for a possible military intervention in The Gambia to force President Jammeh whose tenure ended 12 mid night yesterday out of office.
     
    Senator Chukwuka Utazi, (Enugu North) who relied on Order 43 of the Senate Standing Rule and Section 5(4), of the 1999 Constitution as amended, said that President Buhari erred by deploying troops outside the shores of the country without seeking Senate consent.
     
    Utazi said: “ECOWAS countries have been discussing the political crisis in The Gambia. But to ask that this country will go on warfare in another country without a recourse to the constitutional provision is an affront on the 1999 Constitution. It is a breach of the constitution and we have failed. Let it be on record that the National Assembly has to be informed properly in writing.”
     
    According to Utazi, Section 5(4) of the 1999 Constitution as amended stated that “The President shall not declare a state of war between the Federation and another country except with the sanction of a resolution of both Houses of the National Assembly sitting in a joint session
     
    “Except with the prior approval of the Senate, no member of the armed forces of the Federation shall be deployed on combat duty outside Nigeria.”
     
    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, faulted Utazi’s position.
     
    Saraki noted that Buhari was still within the confines of the law.
     
    The Senate President said that the Constitution protects President Buhari to deploy troops, as long as the operation does not exceed seven days.
     
    Relying on Section 5(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, Saraki noted that until the expiration of seven days, it would be wrong to fault the action of President Buhari.
     
    Saraki argued: “The point made is noted, but the explanation concerning the constitution is confusing. I believe the constitution gives room for the president, within seven days for such an action to come before us.” 
     
    Section 5(5) reads: “Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (4) of this section, the President, in consultation with the National Defence Council, may deploy members of the armed forces of the Federation on a limited combat duty outside Nigeria if he is satisfied that the national security is under imminent threat or danger. Provided that the President shall within seven days of actual combat engagement, seek the consent of the Senate and the Senate shall thereafter give or refuse the said consent within fourteen days.‎”
     
    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu countered.
     
    Ekweremadu warned that it would be wrong to undermine the institution of the Senate.
     
    He noted that weakening the institution of the Senate would amount to setting a bad precedence will hurt the Senate in the future.
     
    Relying on Section 5(4)(b) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, Ekweremadu insisted that the President cannot deploy troops outside the country without any prior approval from the National Assembly.
     
    Section 5(4)(b) of the 1999 Constitution as amended reads: “Except with the prior approval of the Senate, no member of the armed forces of the Federation shall be deployed on combat duty outside Nigeria.”
     
    “This has nothing to do with war and we are not at war with anybody, but for you to send the Nigerian armed forces outside Nigeria, this Senate must be told. But it is happening in The Gambia. They need the approval of the Senate because that is not war. 
     
    “War comes in when you are talking about section 5 of the constitution and the president does not need our approval. He can go to war on our behalf and come back later. But for you to deploy them to The Gambia, you must seek the approval of the Senate.”
     
    The Senate did not take any official position on the matter as Saraki foreclosed further contributions.
     
    The Senate President did not also rule on the constitutional matter raised by Utazi and Ekweremadu.
  • Why senators rejected Magu’s confirmation as EFCC boss, by Opadokun

    Why senators rejected Magu’s confirmation as EFCC boss, by Opadokun

    Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reforms (CODER) Convener Chief Ayo Opadokun has hinged Senate rejection of Ibrahim Magu’s confirmation as Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman on criminal prosecution some of the senators have before the anti-graft agency.
    The former scribe of Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, also blamed Magu’s non-confirmation on a divided Presidency.
    Opadokun spoke to reporters in Offa, Offa Local Government Area, Kwara State, at the sideline of 2016 convention organised by Offa Christian Indigenes Union (OCIU).
    He added that most of the senators were hand-in-gloves with the military oligarchy.
    Opadokun said: “Most of those in the National Assembly today were in the Abacha’s five leprous fingers of one hand. They were roaming from one party to the other. That is why they have no regard for the Nigerian state. And they are behaving like they are the current political operators. When we were fighting for democracy, they were hands-in-gloves with the military oligarchy. They must watch it and be careful.
    “And from all indications, the Coalition of Nigerians Against Corruption has given us sufficient indications that the files found in Magu’s home were taken home by him to work on them. So, why should that be a serious allegation against any serious officer.
    “In any case, the coalition gave us sufficient indication of their knowledge that one of the files was that of the petition against one of the leaders of the Senate.
    “So, you now expect such a Senate to confirm Magu as the substantive EFCC chair. We should understand in the Nigerian Senate of today, of the 109, there are practical evidences that almost one quarter among them are facing criminal prosecution. The former governors, who are now so-called senators, many of them are facing criminal prosecution. Some other politically-exposed persons are facing criminal prosecution initiated by the EFCC. They in the National Assembly and their collaborators, who are not there, are combining forces together to deny Magu the chance of being confirmed.”
    He added: “I think it is an unfortunate dimension to our national crisis. Our national crisis of identity is being further damaged by the conduct of the Nigerian state.
    “ I will like to say that President Muhammadu Buhari, by his conduct and behaviour over Magu’s confirmation, is indicating to his admirers and those who voted for him that he is no longer in control of his government. There are three major unfortunate developments that are showing a divided Presidency. Clearly, perhaps the Buhari we thought we knew in the 80s is totally a different personality now. Mark you, what was going for General Buhari that led many of us to whip up sentiment in his support, to persuade and mobilise a large crowd of people – both Christians and Moslems and those who don’t believe in anything that he was the right choice – was our understanding and belief that he is a clean person; that he has the capacity to fight corruption to a standstill and; that he is a marathon runner and not a relay racer.
    “Unfortunately, this Magu’s dimension has brought out a terrifically disappointing understanding of what Buhari could do. I daresay, the fact that the Presidency sent the nomination of Magu to the Senate and it was there for six months and Mr. President could not get that name cleared and confirmed is a great disappointment. It is an indication of a fundamental inadequacy on his part.
    “This is the first time there would a demonstration of divided loyalty in the Presidency that ought to work together. How can the Nigerian Presidency send the name of Magu for confirmation and yet another arm of the same executive called Department of State Service (DSS) went ahead to write one spurious report against Magu. It is a clear indication that it is a divided Presidency.
    “I will like to clear our doubts. If President Buhari did not make enough background check on Magu before he nominated him to chair EFCC and sent his name for confirmation, that is a serious indictment on himself. The fact that the so-called DSS will be writing a spurious infantile-like, pedestrian report on Magu is an unfortunate dimension.
    “I see this as a humiliation of what Magu stands for and it is an unfortunate dimension to the so-called anti-corruption determination of President Buhari.”
    Opadokun urged the President to be on his guard.
    “The only reason why people voted for him massively was because of his promise to fight corruption to a standstill; because if we don’t fight corruption, corruption will fight us. The Nigerian state today cannot provide anything social services.
    “If President Buhari failed to get Magu confirm, no doubt about it, he must have lost significant portion of his admirers and those who voted for him.
    “Anyone telling anything contrary is deceiving him,” he said.

  • PDP Senators walk out of chamber

    PDP Senators walk out of chamber

    Senators representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday walked out of the the chamber of the assembly over the defection of Senator Yele Omogunwa (Ondo South) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The PDP Senators asked the Senate President to declare Omogunwa’s seat vacant.

  • Senators cancel visit to CCB over ‘poor reception’

    Senators cancel visit to CCB over ‘poor reception’

    Some Senators created a scene Tuesday at the Annexe III of the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja, when they suddenly aborted their visit to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

    The Senators, who are members of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, were said to have blamed their decision on ‘poor reception’ by officials of the CCB.

    The committee members had planned an oversight visit to the CCB.

    On learning that the Senators had arrived the secretariat complex, the CCB Chairman, Sam Saba was said to have sent his protocol officers to receive them.

    The protocol officers were also to lead the visiting officers to the fifth floor where the CCB office is located.

    It was learnt that on sighting the elated CCB protocol officers, the Senators, led by committee Chairman, Senator Sam Anyawu demanded to be received by the CCB Chairman in person.

    It was further learnt that the protocol officers told the visiting lawmakers that the CCB Chairman and some other members were already waiting at the bureau’s boardroom to receive the visitors.

    On hearing that the CCB boss would not come to the ground floor to receive them, the lawmakers elected to abort their visit in annoyance.

    They were said to have shunned all entreaty to them, returned to their vehicle and left the Secretarial complex.

    The Nation learnt that the power outage being experienced in the Secretariat complex for over three weeks now contributed to the reluctance of the CCB’s senior officials to come to the ground floor.

    Powers supply to most parts of the Federal Secretariat Complex is said to have been disconnected for about a month now owning to unpaid bills.

    A senior official of the CCB, who confirmed the development, told journalists who were invited to cover the visit, that the CCB boss insisted that he had been represented by the protocol team and that it was unnecessary for him to descend the stairs to the ground floor through the stair case.

    “We later tried to reach the senators’ contact person on phone but he did not answer our calls.

    “The CCB chairman also made calls to the chairman of the Senate Committee to no avail. The senator did not answer his calls,” the official said.

    Senator Anyanwu could not be reached on the telephone.

  • $29.9b loans: Senators set another hurdle for Buhari

    $29.9b loans: Senators set another hurdle for Buhari

    Public hearing demand likely

    Loans not a trap, says DMO boss

    Senators have put another hurdle in the way of the presidential request for approval to obtain  $29.9billion loans for infrastructure.

    Last week, the Senate threw out the request – on the grounds that it was not accompanied with how the loan would be used and repaid.

    President Muhammadu Buhari, according to sources, has secured the understanding of Senate President Bukola Saraki that the request will be reconsidered when re-presented, with details, expectedly this week. But  senators are pressing that the request should be taken for public hearing before approval, The Nation learnt.

    The public hearing clause is one of the conditions most of the senators have given Saraki before approving the loans.

    It was unclear yesterday whether the Senate President will accede to this condition.

    A source in the National Assembly said: “We are amenable to the re-presentation of the request for the loans by the President. The law or our Standing Rules allows it.

    “Most of us have however told the Senate President that we should subject the request to public hearing because the debts will be paid back in 20 years by the next generation.

    “Also, if ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo could secure debt relief of over $30billion, Nigerians need to be part of this latest decision to incur $29.9billion.

    “Some of us feel that if we throw the request open, we may get alternative ideas from Nigerians.”

    A first term Senator said: “We are pushing for public hearing to enable Nigerians scrutinise what the loans will be used for. We want them to buy into it.

    “Some of us will also be able to sleep well that the decision to obtain the loans has the backing of all Nigerians.”

    A ranking Senator said: “We are not opposed to a fresh request from the President but we prefer public hearing. I want a situation whereby I will be able to tell my children why the Senate supported the taking of the loans.

    “We cannot take things for granted again. The government said it will spend about N500billion on social investment but up till now, Senators, members of the House of Representatives and even governors are kept in the dark.

    “We do not know the shape of the programmes, how beneficiaries were drawn up and whether or not the teachers to be recruited are relevant to the need of each of the 36 states and the FCT.

    “If we are unsure of how N500billion will be spent, then we need to subject the $29.9billion loans to public hearing.”

    Another ranking Senator said: “Public hearing is not a must when the Executive needs loans. All we have to do is to refer the request to the Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, which is headed by Sen. Shehu Sani.

    “Our colleagues are demanding for public hearing but this will amount to double standards. When we got requests for loans from Edo and Lagos states, we did not conduct any hearing. We  considered the applications on merit.”

    “We will leave the discretion to the President of the Senate.”

    The President had said the external borrowing plan would be used for infrastructure, agriculture, health, education , water supply , growth and employment generation , poverty reduction through social safety net programmes and governance and financial management reforms etc.

    He said: “The total cost of the projects and programmes under the borrowing (rolling) plan is $29.960billion made up of proposed projects and programmes loan of $11.274billion, Special National Infrastructure projects $10.686billion, Euro bonds of $4.5 billion and Federal Government budget support of $3.5billion.”

  • To distinguished senators and honourables

    Distinguished senators and honourable members of the National Assembly;greetings.  May we humbly bring to your knowledge if you do not know already that you are the Third Arm of government of the Federal Republic.  It is a highly exalted office with mandate and responsibility for making laws for our general good. It is such a great honour and privilege to be so elected as members of the legislature from amongst millions of equally qualified Nigerians as leaders to make good laws to shape the future of our great country.  As leaders in that dignified position, you are clothed with great eminence and authority to carry the Coat of Arms of our nation.  It follows also that to occupy such position,you are to be above all appearances of impropriety to enable you unqualified freedom to exercise the power of that office as checks and balances over the power of the other arms of government.  You are not only to make laws but must be imbued with moral character and temper of the nation because law without morality is like cake without the icing.

    Like the judicial arm, the National Assembly hasresidual power to enforce the supreme and fundamental purpose of the law, to conserve not only the safety and order but also the moral welfare of the state.  The National Assembly should therefore be the custosmorum of the people.It does not matter the platform under which you were elected into the National Assembly but the moment you have won your election, you become Senators of the Republic not PDP or APC. You are to discharge your duties with utmost altruism putting the nation first.

    Distinguished Honourables, you have a four year tenure subject of course to revalidation of the mandate; already this is the second year running and in no time, you will start angling and scheming for alliances and re-election.  It is therefore necessary to reflect on your activities and score cards so far.  May we therefore draw your attention to your stewardship as seen not perceived by the general public.

    You made history during your inauguration when you stabbed your parties at the back against arrangement or agreement for leadership position of the National Assembly.  You destroyed organizational loyalty and put selfish personal ambitions above party loyalty and interest of the nation.  We saw display of treachery, disloyalty and betrayals of party’s ethos which has been an albatross on the Eighth Assembly making it unable to deliver on any constructive and productive work of lawmaking.

    In scheming for office, it turned out that you ignored and threw morality to the winds when you allegedly tampered with the House Rules in order to defeat due process and justice.If the argument is that you did not tamper with the rules yourselves, you became beneficiaries and benefactors of the skewed rules.  You did not stop there; the next course of action for you as federal lawmakers was to be throwing chairs over chairmanship and membership of committees.  Just as the dust settles down from the fight over appointments you again unleashed on the nation the brouhaha over sundry allowances.  What about the N32 million SUV (cars)?    Perhaps one would just remind you that this is a country where the minimum wage is N18,000 and virtually all the states of the federation owe workers’ salaries in arrears with some threatening to down size the workers strength.

    You did not even stop for a moment to look at the pressing issues of the moment in the nation such as unemployment, insecurity, infrastructural deficit, ethnic agitation, religious intolerance, inflation in double digitsetc; you want pension and immunity for yourselves. Immunity for what? You must have a questionable past or record to be contemplating immunity.  If this is the case, you do not deserve to be dignified with such an exalted office in the first place if the purpose is to build protective wall against past malfeasance.  You have completely abandoned your responsibilities and duties to the nation and did not at all appear to understand the enormity of the demand of your office.  You did not realise that your loyalty is first to the nation and your people and not any individual.  That is why you would abandon your legislature schedules at the hallowed chambers to besiege the Code of Conduct Tribunal where the Senate President is standing trial for an alleged false declaration of asset; a criminal allegation.  That is why you find it convenient to leave your hallowed chambers and follow the Senate President and his deputy to the High Court where they are facing trial over an alleged tampering with the House Rules; a criminal offence. You have ignored the fact that you are custodians of public morals or not seem to be aware at all.

    To hear some of you argue vociferously that the National Assembly or the Senate is under trial because a few individuals are asked to account for an alleged criminal conduct belie the quality and character of people you have chosen to become.  Is the Senate President or his deputy or any other member for that matter the same thing as the Senate?  It is like equating Napoleon with France.

    Each time there is allegation of immoral turpitude against any member of the National Assembly we see the Honourables rise up in arms that it is an attack against the Assembly; like the recent allegation that some randy Honourables who could not control their libido and were engaging pimps in America. To be agitated the way you were and summoning the American ambassador to Nigeria to appear before you, ignoring all diplomatic ethos is balderdash.  Couldn’t the House have conducted a discreet investigation without all the hoopla it unleashed on the media?  Methinks it is puerile, infantile and bereft of common sense and logic to think and behave this way in that exalted office.

    Distinguished Honourables, your behaviours are becoming intolerable and the ways and manners you are conducting your affairs unacceptable.  Even in expression, your language is not dignified and ennobling to say the least.  How would a distinguished senator threaten to impregnate someone else’s wife and another senator to the bargain over parliamentary altercation in the so-called hallowed chambers? The world is watching and the people of Nigeria who elected you are watching.  Remember also the people reserve the right and power to recall you when it becomes manifestly clear that you have become real liabilities.  Nigeria cannot afford to continue to have cheap people as leaders.  As if that is not enough, you are now threatening to impeach the President; over what?Haba! Madness should have method. Take note that Nigerians are on standby to occupy the National Assemblyif youignore and refuse to offer quality service to the nation.  A word is enough for the wise.

     

    • Kebonkwu Esq writes from Abuja