The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Speaker

  • Tears as Jigawa Assembly bids Deputy Speaker final bye

    MEMBERS of the Jigawa State House of Assembly yesterday wept during a valedictory session for the late Deputy Speaker Inuwa Sule Udi.

    The late Deputy Speaker died last Thursday night in an auto accident on the Kano-Ringim-Hadejia Road. He was 56.

    The special session was attended by the State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Salisu Mamuda and his deputy; Majority Leader Adamu Jafaru; the Chairman of Ringim Local Government, Alhaji Murtala Abubakar as well as several people from Udi’s constituency.

    Opening the session, Speaker Adamu Ahmed Sarawa described the late Udi as hard working, loyal and committed.

    The Speaker said: “In all our stay with him as my deputy for over six years, he never disobeyed me. We never had any misunderstanding. He also never refused my orders.

    “I was optimistic and confident in him to represents the Assembly and me on whatever issue or matter. That’s because I never expected failure or a misrepresentation.”

    The Speaker, who broke down in tears, prayed for his former deputy’s soul to rest in peace.

    The House Leader, the Majority Whip and other members paid glowing tributes to the late Udi.

    They urged the House leadership to name an important place after him.

    They prayed Allah to “grant him Al-Jannah fir’daous”.

    The late Udi is survived by two wives, 18 children, and grand-children.

     

  • Rivers PDP to police: arrest Speaker now

    Rivers PDP to police: arrest Speaker now

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has expressed dissatisfaction at the seeming delay by the police to arrest the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Otelemaba Dan Amachree, as ordered by a Port Harcourt High Court.

    The party said its discomfort is borne out of the fact that the state government is frustrating investigations of its officials, who are culpable of crimes and offences perpetrated in the crisis, particularly the July 9 incident at the Assembly.

    The PDP, in a statement in Port Harcourt by Jerry Needam, Media Adviser to the factional Party Chairman, Felix Obuah, said the expectation was that the Commissioner of Police would act swiftly, considering the sensitivity and seriousness of Amachree’s allegation of a grand plot to kill Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

    The party believes that an urgent response would douse the tension and fears created by the assassination plot and reassure the citizenry of the impartiality and commitment of the police in crime prevention.

    “It is important that the police refuse to yield to pressure from the government, as acting otherwise will further leave the people with ill feeling and lack of confidence in the activities of the police.

    “We, therefore, call on the Police Commissioner, Mbu Joseph Mbu, to prove his affirmation by the Inspector General of Police as a professional and non partisan police officer, by respecting the decisions of the court and acting in accordance with the law.

    “He should arrest Amachree for raising false alarm, claiming to have uncovered plots by some persons to assassinate an eminent personality.

    “In such a serious matter as this, the people deserve to know the truth and see that the culprit(s) are punished accordingly.

    “The only way we can get to the truth is by investigating this serious allegation so that even the governor, whose life is said to be in danger can be at peace,” the party said.

     

  • Lawmaker lays claim to Rivers Speaker’s seat

    Rivers State lawmaker Evans Bipi on Monday night declared himself the speaker.

    Bipi was reported to have led five members of the Assembly to orchestrate Peter Otelemaba Dan-Amachree’s purported impeachment.

    Dan-Amachree, who resumed sitting with 23 lawmakers, maintained that his leadership of the Assembly remained intact. He presided over the deputy governor’s budget amendment presentation.

    But speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the presidential dinner in honour of delegates to the African Union (AU) Special Summit on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in Abuja on Monday night, Bipi said he was duly elected by 23 members.

    Reacting to the allegation that only five members, against the rules, made him Speaker, Bipi said: “How would it be five? We formed a quorum. It was a full house and I was duly elected. It was over 23 lawmakers.”

    On a video clip showing him punching somebody on the floor of the chamber, Bipi said: “Myself punching? That is a framed work of Governor Rotimi Amaechi.”

     

  • Imposition of tax: Traders petition Obi, Speaker

    •Threaten court action

    PEEVED over what they described as the arbitrary imposition of taxes and the outright closure of their community market, women traders at Eke Awka market have filed a petition against the Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi and a traditional ruler of Awka, Obi Gibson Nwosu.

    Others also petitioned include the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Chinwe Nwebili, member representing Awka North and South Federal Constituency, Emeke Nwogbo and the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Robert Okonkwo.

    The women numbering over 600 are threatening to take their case to court, if within seven days the state government fails to retrace its footsteps on the closure of the market.

    The petition was written on behalf of the women traders by their counsel, U.F.O. Nnaemeka, dated 12th June, 2013 and made available to The Nation yesterday in Awka.

    The petition was also copied to the President General of Awka Development Union of Nigeria (A.D.U.N).

    It may be recalled that over 600 women traders had last Tuesday protested against imposition of tax on them at Eke Awka Market by the state government.

    They took their protest to the state House of Assembly, where they barricaded the assembly complex before they were addressed by the member representing Awka South Constituency, Kenechukwu Chukwuemeka.

    He assured them that their issue would be looked into by the lawmakers within two weeks, describing the action of the government as unfair.

     

  • Plot to impeach Aliyu will fail, says Speaker

    Plot to impeach Aliyu will fail, says Speaker

    The Niger House of Assembly yesterday said it had not received any financial inducement to impeach Governor Babangida Aliyu.

    It promised its loyalty to the governor, stressing that the plot to impeach Aliyu will fail.

    The Presidency was said to have induced the Assembly with N1.9 billion to impeachment the governor.

    It was learnt that the leadership of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Presidency were plotting to punish Aliyu for his role in the emergence of Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as the Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) about two weeks ago.

    The ruling party and the Presidency allegedly plotted the governor’s removal and humiliate him as Chairman of the Northern States’ Governors’ Forum (NSGF).

    House of Assembly Speaker Adamu Usman said yesterday the planned impeachment of the governor was inconceivable.

    He said the Legislature has no cause to remove him.

    Addressing reporters after an executive session of the Assembly, Usman said: “As far as the Niger State House of Assembly is concerned, no member has been approached either individually or collectively as regards the issue of impeaching the governor. Neither have we received or have been offered any amount to the tune of N70 million each to induce us towards proceeding with any impeachment process.

    “At the executive session today (yesterday), all the members denied collecting any money and we promised our support to the governor. As the Speaker of this House, I enjoy the support of all the members and I can tell you that the entire 27 members are solidly behind our governor.

    “The irony of it is that this move is coming when all can see that our governor is performing. No financial inducement can make this Assembly do what is wrong before God and man. Count us out of any impeachment move. The plan cannot work here in Niger State.”

  • Speaker alleges plot to kill Amaechi, others

    Speaker alleges plot to kill Amaechi, others

    The Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) crisis hit a frightening bend yesterday, with House of Assembly Speaker Otelemaba Dan Amachree alleging a plot to assassinate Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi and other officials.

    He did not name those behind the plot.

    In an open letter to President Goodluck Jonathan, the Speaker said there was a plan to withdraw security personnel attached to the governor, the House, ministries and local government councils.

    This, he said, is besides indications that the governor, legislators and prominent government officials have been marked for elimination.

    The Speaker said the plot was hatched at “nocturnal meetings held in a neighboring state and Abuja”.

    Amachree called for the redeployment of the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Police Command, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu.

    He urged President Jonathan “to intervene in the ongoing imbroglio that is about destroying the very fabrics that hold the society (our state) together”.

    The Speaker said all has not been well since April 15 when an Abuja High Court upturned the election of the state Executive Committee of the PDP, led by Chief G. U. Ake.

    He alleged that “a test run” of the plot to expose the officers to the assassin’s bullet “has been executed, with the withdrawal of police from the Okirika Local Government Council.”

    According to him, the situation is exacerbated by an alleged plan to release 18 notable robbery and kidnap kingpins from detention.

    The detainees, he said, would be freed “to carry out this planned mayhem on the government officials, innocent citizens and residents of the state”.

    Amachree wrote: “Mr. President Sir, we had on 30 April, 2013 alerted the people of the wanton cunning collapse of security apparatus in the state, intended to orchestrate breakdown of law and order, with the aim of bolstering a State of Emergency, by a group of persons …

    “On 3 May, 2013, first stage of their plan had commenced with the sealing off and besieging of the Obio/Akpor Local Government council secretariat and the clampdown on the offices of the council by the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu through the instrumentality of the Divisional Police Officer, Rumuokoro Police Station, without any valid instrument of law and without any security breach or semblance of same.

    “On 6 May, 2013, the Rivers State House of Assembly complex, which is directly adjacent to the Police Headquarters on Moscow Road, witnessed a violent and disruptive takeover by 300 hoodlums under the watchful eyes of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu.

    “Your Excellency Sir, we fear for the survival of our democratic structures and the freedom to carry out our legitimate legislative duties have been greatly hindered and interrupted.

    “We make bold to say that we now live in uncertain times; security of lives and properties can no longer be guaranteed in Rivers State as a result of these chronicled events in a state that has just regained its peaceful status from the recent past from being the hotbed of cultism and kidnapping.

    “Silence over this planned and calculated destabilisation of security apparatus in Rivers State is an ‘evil wind’ that will blow no one no good and is capable of contributing to fostering anarchy on the Nigeria Stateline, especially when those charged with upholding the law, ignore and conspire to undermine it, unmindful of the implications.

    “Consequently sir, we are left with no other option but to restate our avowed resolve to call for the redeployment of the Commissioner of Police Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu.

    “We equally call on Mr. President to intervene in the ongoing imbroglio that is about destroying the very fabrics that hold the society (our state) together.”

  • Rivers Speaker alleges plot to impeach Amaechi

    Rivers Speaker alleges plot to impeach Amaechi

    Reps: grounding of aircraft is dictatorship

    Senator flays lawmakers’ suspension

     

    A  grand plot in which five lawmakers will impeach Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, provoke anarchy and pave the way for emergency rule has been uncovered, Assembly Speaker Otelemaba Amachree said yesterday. There are 32 members in the House.

    Amachree accused the Felix Obuah –led faction of the local Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of plotting to plunge the state into confusion.

    According to Amachree, a fake mace has been smuggled into the state for an emergency session by anti-Amaechi lawmakers.

    The House adjourned sine die on April 23.

    “The statement reads: “The leadership and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly wish to bring to the notice of the people of Rivers State and Nigerians some of the dangerous moves by the Felix Obuah -led PDP to cause general chaos and confusion in Rivers State.

    “We have been reliably informed that a fake mace has been smuggled into the state to enable FIVE members of the House hold an emergency session even when the House adjourned sine die on Tuesday,April 23, 2013.

    “The Abuja plan on ground is to falsely impeach the Rt. Hon. Speaker and the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and create confusion through varied responses, which they hope will make the state ungovernable and provide them with some kind of warped basis to introduce Emergency Rule in Rivers State.

    “Furthermore, there are strong indications that some persons have been detailed exclusively to create systemic collapse of security in the state, putting lives and property in danger.

    “This is undemocratic , unacceptable and a complete violation of the mandate that the good people of Rivers State have vested on us.

    “We call on the good people of Rivers State to remain calm, watchful and law-abiding as the scenario unfolds. “

    Also yesterday, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, yesterday in Port Harcourt, disclosed that the jet grounded by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had been flying since October 2012. It was bought by the government and registered as a US aircraft.

    The representative of the Rivers Southeast Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, a lawyer and an ally of Amaechi, who wants to succeed him in 2015, described Monday’s suspension of 27 of the 32 members of Rivers House of Assembly loyal to the governor, by the Obuah-led PDP executive as “ridiculous”.

    It should be ignored. Nobody could intimidate the legislature”, Abe said.

    A close associate of Amaechi, Prince Tonye Princewill, who is also interested in the governorship race, said “for now”, the Rivers chairman of the PDP is Obuah and would remain so, until there is another court judgment, especially that of the Court of Appeal.

    Mrs Semenitari, responding to inquiries on the state of the Bombardier BD 700 Global Express jet, said: “The Rivers State government has noticed with dismay, a series of statements attributed to officials of different agencies in the aviation sector on the status of the aircraft belonging to the Rivers State government.

    “It is pertinent to note that all of the information and queries about this aircraft have only been through the mass media. The Rivers State government has not received any communication from the Ministry of Aviation or any of its agencies, querying the status of its aircraft, even up till this moment.

    “The Rivers State government is surprised to read about matters of administrative procedure and allegations of illegality and abuse of process in the media.

    “The Rivers State government wishes to note that the news conference and the various issues raised arose only after the embarrassing incident of a delay of the aircraft and its passengers at Akure on Friday, April 26, 2013.

    “The Rivers State government wishes to note also that the issues raised during the news conference will be the third reason adduced for the delay of the Rivers State government’s aircraft in Akure.

    “However, for purposes of clarification and in keeping with its policy of rendering ‘transparent and accountable stewardship’ to Rivers people, we would wish to state the following: for the avoidance of doubt: Aircraft N 566 RS arrived Nigeria and has been operating since October 2012. It was bought by Rivers State government and registered as a US aircraft in the first instance, to preserve value and provide ease of operation and sourcing of available pilots.

    “To qualify for N registration, operator must be a US citizen, hence, Rivers State government entered into a trust with Bank of Utah Inc, a bank that specialises in aircraft trust. The relationship between the Rivers State government and Bank of Utah is that of a trustor and trustee. All N registered aircraft enjoy the privileges of a US citizen,

    “Trust agreement for the purpose of N registration is common in the aviation industry. It is important to state that there are other aircraft owners in Nigeria with N registered aircraft. This practice is because of the ease of movement that N registered aircraft are privileged to enjoy. We do not therefore understand why Rivers State government has been singled out.

    “The clearance referred to was Port Harcourt-Accra-Port Harcourt and not Accra-Port Harcourt-Accra, as stated. Aircraft was being operated through a local operator, Caverton Helicopters, pending approval of importation licence by the Minister of Aviation.

    “Request for this licence was filed by the operator, on behalf of the Rivers State government and this was expressly stated in the request filed on August 27, 2012 and received in the minister’s (aviation) office on September 4, 2012.

    “The Rivers State government is a responsible sub-national and guardian of the resources of its people. It will at all times and in all circumstances act within the confines of the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

    Princewill, who was the governorship candidate of the then Action Congress (AC) in Rivers State in 2007, now a PDP chieftain and the son of the immediate Chairman of Rivers Council of Traditional Rulers, King Theophilus Princewill, at a crowded news conference in his old Government Reservation Area (GRA) residence, urged politicians to give peace a chance.

    Abe expressed displeasure over the suspension of the 27 legislators by the Obuah-led executive .

    The senator, who was Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG) until 2011, said: “It is ridiculous and it is clear that the so-called PDP exco that has been foisted on the state is there only to try to destroy the party, because anybody who is a legislator will tell you that nobody, by the laws of this country, is supposed to try to intimidate the legislature in the execution of their constitutional duties.

    “So, what this amounts to is a clear effort by somebody to undermine the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It has never happened anywhere.

    “Even in the House of Representatives, when the party came to prevail on the PDP members in the National Assembly to elect somebody as speaker and they elected somebody else, nobody suspended all the PDP members of the House of Representatives, because everybody understands that a lawmaker is supposed to vote his conscience at critical times.

    “That is the foundation of our presidential system of government. We are not in a parliamentary democracy, where the party can order you to vote one way or the other.

    “So, it is a ridiculous action and I want to urge Rivers people to ignore it and urge the House of Assembly to ignore it and go about their constitutional responsibilities. Nobody can intimidate the legislature in this country.

    “My message to Rivers people is to remain calm. They should not allow themselves to be provoked, because what is going on is that people want to create crisis in Rivers State by all means.

    “We know where it is coming from and we know what it is targeted at. This state has witnessed unprecedented peace and development over the last few years and we should be careful that we are not in any way deceived to throw all that overboard.”

    The senator, who once served as an Information Commissioner, also assured that by the grace of God, the intervention of higher courts and well-meaning Nigerians, justice would be ensured. He stressed that the crude oil and gas-rich state was too precious to be destroyed on the altar of personal ambition of anybody, no matter how highly placed.

    Abe was apparently referring to Wike, a former Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, who doubled as the Director-General of Amaechi Campaign Organisation in 2011. Wike is to succeed Amaechi in 2015. He is believed to enjoy backing of President Goodluck Jonathan. The governor and the minister are both Ikwerre.

    As Obuah was suspending the 27 members on Monday, a Port Harcourt High Court, presided over by Justice Henry Aprioku, was granting an order of interim injunction, restraining the PDP from suspending the pro-Amaechi lawmakers.

    The court directed that the order should stand, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. It also granted an interim injunction, restraining the party from declaring the legislators’ seats vacant and applying to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct elections to replace them.

    Counsel to the legislators, Emenike Ebete, filed the motion. The leader of the House of Assembly, Chidi Llyod, swore to the affidavit on April 26, with the case adjourned till May 6 for hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

     

  • Taraba Assembly removes Speaker

    Taraba State House of Assembly Speaker Istifanus Haruna Gbana was removed yesterday by the Assembly for “gross misconduct.

    Gbana’s offences, according to the members, include “abuse of office” and “misappropriation of public funds”, among other infractions.

    The members alleged that the offences amounted to gross misconduct.

    Also removed as were the Deputy Speaker Abel Peter Diah and the Majority Leader Charles Maijankai.

    The Assembly’s principal officers were accused of being Governor Danbaba Danfulani Suntai’s men.

    Suntai is receiving treatment in a European hospital following the injury he sustained in last year’s plane crash near the Yola airport, Adamawa State.

    Haruna Tsokwa, representing Takum II, was immediately sworn in as the new Speaker and Tanko Maikerfi as the new Deputy Speaker.

    The member representing Lau State Constituency, Joseph Albasu, moved the motion (to impeach Gbana). The motion was seconded by Abubakar Jugulde. Abalsu was voted the new Majority Leader.

    John Kizito Bonzima presided over the sitting as Speaker pro-tempore. He declared Gbana impeached.

     

     

     

  • I was offered N3b to impeach Okorocha, says Speaker

    •Agbaso: Speaker can’t say that

    The Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Benjamin Uwajumogu, yesterday revealed how Martin Agbaso, the elder brother of the impeached deputy governor, Jude Agbaso and some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) allegedly offered him N3 billion to impeach Governor Rochas Okorocha.

    Speaking during an interview with reporters in Owerri, Uwajumogu alleged that the elder Agbaso, a businessman, PDP National Vice-Chairman (Southeast) Augustine Akobundu and others, promised to give him the money, if he facilitates the impeachment to pave the way for Jude Agbaso to become governor.

    He said: “Last August, the elder Agbaso invited me for a meeting, saying he wanted to assist me from being removed from office.

    “I attended the meeting in Anambra State at the home of the businessman. We had PDP members, including Akobundu, in attendance.

    “I was told that the Presidency has directed that impeachment proceedings be commenced against Governor Okorocha, so that Jude Agbaso can take over.

    “The sum of N3billion was offered to me and adequate protection.

    “I asked them to give me the evidence that was required to impeach the governor and till today they have not given me any evidence.”

    Uwajumogu added: “Okorocha got wind of the matter and confronted Agbaso and me.

    “I owned up and since there was no evidence I didn’t think it was anything to worry about.”

    The Speaker also debunked claims that Agbaso’s impeachment was predetermined.

    “I am surprised by some of the information being released by the Agbasos.

    “If there was any predetermined impeachment action, it was to be against the governor, which was to be sponsored by Martin Agbaso and the PDP in line with the directives of the Presidency.”

    But Akobundu said: “I am not aware of what he (Speaker) is talking about.

    “I am a member of the opposition in the state and can’t be talking about impeachment.

    “The PDP is concerned about restoring good governance in the state.

    The party’s spokesman, Blyden Amajirionwu, described the Speaker’s claim as unfounded and total falsehood.

    Martin Agbaso said: “I am not sure the Speaker can say anything like that.”

     

  • Speaker charges politicians on poverty

    SPEAKER of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salaam, has charged political office holders to explore all available means to address issue of poverty in the society.

    He gave the charge at an empowerment programme of the member representing Obokun State constituency, Hon. Samson Femi Fafiyebi.

    No fewer than forty persons from Obokun Local government area of the state benefitted from training in the repair of mobile handsets, beads and wirework making.

    The Speaker, who said the political office holders and the rich have responsibility to the less privileged, noted that paying attention to those vulnerable financially can only foster productivity for peace and development.

    Fafiyebi said the scheme was his quota to the development of human resources in Obokun local government, which he said was pivotal to developmental agenda of the Rauf Aregbesola administration.

    Various items like farm tools, television sets, fans, generators were distributed to members of the constituency at the function.