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Tag: Speaker

  • Edo lawmakers change speaker after free-for-all

    Members of the Edo State House of Assembly yesterday sacked their Speaker, Justin Okonoboh, after a free-for-all. Chairs were thrown. Punches exchanged. Words traded.

    They chose Kabiru Adjoto as his replacement.

    Okonoboh emerged Speaker last year on July 25 after Elizabeth Ativie stepped down as Speaker to balance the power equation in the state.

    The removal of Okonoboh was dramatic although it was  expected.

    When Okonoboh called for votes during plenary, Emmanuel Agbaje (Akoko-Edo II) produced a paper from his pocket and started reading the impeachment notice.

    Shouts from Okonoboh saying, ‘Sit down, I do not recognise you,’  did not deter him, and other lawmakers secured the mace.

    The shouting made lawmakers rush towards the Speaker, and he was asked to leave.

    One of his supporters, Damian Lawan, made for the gavel but it was dragged from him; Okonoboh was pushed out of the Speaker’s seat.

    After Okonoboh left, one of his supporters, Ezehi Igbas, attempted to stop Gallant Eruaga from sitting on the Speaker’s seat as Protem Pro Speaker. He was beaten up.

    Igbas was beaten up by four lawmakers until he managed to flee.

    After Okonoboh left plenary, Adjoto was sworn in as Speaker. Former Speaker Victor Edoror, who was impeached in 2016 for alleged high-handedness, dictatorial tendencies and financial recklessness, was elected deputy. Roland Asoro was elected Majority leader.

    Adjoto dissolved all principal offices and froze all accounts of the Assembly.

    He announced the suspension of Okonoboh, his deputy Ativie and Majority leader Foly Ogedengbe.

    Adjoto ordered the Clerk to seize all official vehicles belonging to them.

    After plenary, the Speaker and other members moved to the office and chased Okonoboh out. They also prevented him from using the official vehicle to leave the Assembly premises.

    Okonoboh left the Assembly with few aides in another vehicle.

    Thugs in support of both factions invaded the Assembly and engaged in a shouting match.

    Speaking to reporters after assuming office, Adjoto said Okonoboh desecrated the institution of the Assembly.

    Adjoto said: “We came together to say no that the institution is more deserving to be protected than the interest of an individual. The wife has suddenly turned herself to the 25th member of the Edo State House of Assembly. We are 24 members but we were surprised that anything we discussed at the Executive Session, the wife will hear and start calling our wives to tell them what we discussed and they should tell their husbands not to do it.

    “The wife uses the Speaker vehicle and convoy as if she is Mr. Speaker. The other day the wife and his son used the convoy to the NYSC camp and all policemen stood at attention for her thinking it was Mr. Speaker. That is desecration of the parliament.

    “Mr. Speaker is not supposed to be a contractor but we discovered that he awarded contracts without due process. We have cautioned him severally. He refused to heed to our advice. We told him he represented an institution and he was our symbol especially with the way he conduct himself publicly.

    “He just came back from America where he said he visited eight states whereas he shut down the Assembly. We were not supposed to go for holiday but he shut the House because of his son’s graduation. He stopped us from working for Edo people. We have a government and governor that is working but without parliament no governor can work well.

    “Sixteen of us initially signed the impeachment notice. What we need is two third, which is 16 members. After we finished, we are now 19, more than the two third requirements.

    “They have been suspended for a period of three months to give room for proper investigation of their activities.”

    Hon Ogedengbe insisted that Okonoboh was not removed.

    “The Speaker cannot be removed by a group of 11 people parading themselves to say they have 16 members. They didn’t have that number. The Speaker has made a pronouncement that they are suspended and so shall it be. The plan to remove the Speaker has been on for so long.”

    To Eruaga: “The only comment is that the dark days are gone and the light has come to stay. We are going to make sure that the hopeless people of the state will now be hopeful for now. Their offence is inestimable. If I want to list page by page, we will get up to 25 pages. At the right time we will list their crimes.”

    Governor Godwin Obaseki’s efforts to placate the lawmakers could not save Okonoboh.

    Obaseki and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) met with lawmakers shortly after the removal of Okonoboh at the state secretariat of the party.

    The meeting was a closed meeting; it held for more than three hours.

    Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu and all APC lawmakers attended the meeting.

    Sources at the meeting said lawmakers refused to listen to pleas to return to the status quo.

    Speaking to reporters after the meeting, APC Edo State Chairman Anselm Ojezua said there was evidence of disagreement but that all warring parties were on talking terms.

    He said the party would schedule another meeting with lawmakers after which the party would release a statement.

    The APC chairman was silent on whether lawmakers agreed to return to the status quo.

    Okonoboh said he would abide by the party’s decision.

     

  • Nigeria loses N7tr to insecurity in high seas annually – Dogara

    Nigeria loses N7tr to insecurity in high seas annually – Dogara

    The Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, on Monday said Nigeria lost about N7 trillion annually to insecurity and revenue leakages in the waterways.

    Dogara said this at a public hearing on a Bill to amend the Maritime Operations Coordinating Board Act organised by the House of Representatives.

    The Bill seeks to ensure the repositioning of the board for effective control of maritime operations in Nigeria’s territorial waters and create the Maritime Security Fund.

    Dogara insisted that security in Nigeria’s territorial waters must be strengthened and urged the Nigerian Navy and other relevant agencies to ensure greater collaboration to stem the tide of piracy and other coastal attacks.

    He assured Nigerians that the House would embark on holistic review of extant maritime legislations with a view to halting the loss in the sector.

    The Speaker said, “it is even more disturbing to note that Nigeria is said to be losing about N7 trillion annually in the maritime sector due to leakages in revenue generation and insecurity in the water ways.

    “Between January and March, 2016, several attacks were reported off Nigeria’s coast. This was said to involve pirates stealing cargoes of crude oil and petroleum products.

    “Reports had it that no fewer than 44 ship crew members were abducted and in the first half of 2017, over 20 commercial vessels were attacked in Nigerian waters.

    “The increasing level of attacks and violence in the Gulf of Guinea has given Nigeria and other countries in the sub-region very damaging and negative image.

    “This is in addition to an estimated monthly loss of 1.5 billion dollars to the country.

    “As I said recently, prevalence of insecurity in our waters resulted in the loss of 1.3 billion dollars annually to illegal unregulated fishing in West Africa alone.

    “The only way to promote intra-African trade in our water ways is to ensure safety and security of navigation in our waters.

    “Thus, the onus is on the Nigerian Navy to stem the tide of pirate attacks and secure our territorial waters in cooperation with other agencies of government.’’

    He added that in the absence of enabling laws stipulating stiff penalties and adequate funding, the Navy might not be able to perform its responsibility effectively and efficiently.

    Dogara said that the importance of the maritime sector and its capacity to take Nigeria out of recession could not be undermined.

    “The importance of making Nigeria’s maritime sector safe and secure cannot be over emphasised given that the bulk of our trade and commerce come through our waters.

    “This will greatly boost government revenue, increase our foreign reserve and ultimately provide jobs to millions of our youths.

    “Our water ways and even the Gulf of Guinea have been witnessing increasing level of piracy and kidnapping of expatriates and Nigerians alike,’’ he said.

    He assured that bills that would address insecurity in the sector, especially piracy, would receive urgent passage in the House to restore order to the marine sector.

    The Speaker added that establishment of Maritime Security Fund would provide the Navy with needed funds to effectively discharge its sub-regional duties of patrolling the joint development zone between Sao Tome and Principe and Nigeria.

    The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas, at the hearing, confirmed the recovery of over N420 billion stolen oil fund in 2016.

    Ibas said that the recovery was aside from stolen oil worth N6. 7 billion destroyed in various illegal refineries between January and June, 2017.

    He cited the report of study conducted by Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) data, saying estimated oil production in Nigeria plummeted by more than 25 per cent in 2009, as a result of piracy and sea robbery.

    He, however, reiterated Navy’s commitment toward combating criminality ranging from vandalism, kidnapping, environmental pollution, maritime terrorism, illegal bunkering and poaching.

    Other anti-economic growth vices, the naval chief said, included smuggling, proliferation of arms, waste dumping and oil pollution.

    He noted that such colossal loss to piracy and sea robbery was avoidable, but added that intense efforts were being made to drastically reduce the menace over the past 18 months.

    Ibas said “according to the Oil Producers Trading Section (OPTS) report, annual crude oil loss due to COT for 2014 amounted to about 36,162 barrels per day’’.

    He, however, said that the intervention of the Nigerian Navy had led to increase in national crude oil production from less than a million barrels per day in early 2016 to over two million barrels per day in April, 2017.

    On his part, Chairman, House Committee on Navy, Rep. Abdussamad Dasuki, lamented that while incidences of sea piracy had reduced in other territorial waters due to effective coordination, “it is increasing in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.

    “This is apparently disturbing given repeated warnings by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) that attacks by sea-borne bandits off the West African coast are on the rise in Nigeria.

    “To compound the problem, the United Nations Security Council reported that Nigeria was losing about 1.5 billion dollars monthly due to piracy and other activities,’’ Dasuki said

     

  • Reps investigate alleged killing of 97 Nigerians by Cameroonian Gendarmes

    Reps investigate alleged killing of 97 Nigerians by Cameroonian Gendarmes

    The House of Representatives Thursday began investigation over the alleged killing of 97 Nigerians in the ceded Bakassi Peninsula, by Cameroonian Gendarmes.

    To this effect, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs has been mandated to investigate the matter and report back to the House for further legislative action.

    This was sequel to the passage of a motion brought under matters of urgent national importance by a member Hon. Babatunde Kolawole titled: “Alleged killing of 97 Nigerians by Cameroonian Gendarmes.”

    The lawmaker, while moving the motion said: “last week there were several media reports that 97 Nigerians have been killed in Bakassi by Cameroonian Gendarmes because they could not afford a N100, 000  ( Hundred Thousand Naira) levy on each fishing boat.

    “This is in spite of the clauses in the Green Tree Agreement signed between Nigerian and Cameroonian Governments which protect our citizens in the ceded areas from harm.

    “Apart from this recent attack, there have been reports of harassments, rape and killings of Nigerians by the Gendarmes over the years with the Nigerian government seemingly doing little or nothing to stop it.

    “If nothing is done to stop this ugly development, other Nigerian lives would be at stake as the Gendarmes may continue to kill Nigerians at will without fear of recriminations.”

    Kolawole said that though there are reports that the Federal government has summoned the Cameroonian Ambassador over the killings, there is need for the House as the People’s parliament to send a clear signal that “we will not sit and watch while the lives of our citizens are wasted with impunity.”

    Members were in support of the motion, and some lawmakers decried the attitude of the Cameroonian Gendarmes perceived use of excessive force against Nigerian citizens in the ceded Bakassi region.

    However, the Chairperson of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Hon. Nnena Elendu- Ukeje cautioned the lawmakers saying that the issue is still in the realm of speculations and hence it should investigated before coming to a definitive conclusion.

    The Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara subsequently referred the motion to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs for further investigation.

  • Another PDP lawmaker defects to APC in Lagos Assembly

    Another PDP lawmaker defects to APC in Lagos Assembly

    One out of the remaining two Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member in the Lagos State House, Hon. Victor Akande representing Ojo 1 constituency has defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

    Akande informed the House of his defection at plenary yesterday through a letter he addressed to the Speaker, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa and read by the Clerk of the Assembly, Mr. Azeez Sanni.

    In the letter, Akande said he was defecting because of the factionalisation of PDP not just to two but four factions especially in Lagos State.

    “My defection is to further continue support of adding legislative excellence to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and the political leadership of the Speaker of the Lagos Assembly who has impacted on legislative standard in the state.

    “PDP has fallen apart and the centre can no longer hold so I have chosen to follow the stable APC. I thank PDP for giving me the political platform to showcase myself. I also thank my constituents and traditional rulers in my constituency for their support. I will continue to give them better representation and for me this is an home coming”, Akande said.

    Acknowledging the letter after he was given the chànce to speak, Akande who described himself as the last PDP man standing in the Lagos Assembly because “Markafi has since told his supporters to move over to the Labour party”, said he moved to APC with the blessings of his people from Ojo 1 constituency, royal fathers and all indigenes and non-indigenes of the constiruency.

    “I consulted widely before arriving at the decision to dump PDP for APC. I hereby shed the garb of PDP and I want to now be clothed with the APC garb”, Akande said.

    Congratulating Akande for the bold decision, his counterpart from Ojo 2 constituency, Hon. Lanre Ogunyemi said, “Akande has made our day in Ojo with this defection, because actually there is nothing more for him to do in the PDP than to move to the moving train of the APC.”

    Also congratulating Akande, speaker Obasa congratulated his colleagues for their good nature which made all the defections possible. He also thanked Akande for coming on board the APC, “we know you are a man of integrity and we are sure that image will reflect in our party”, Obasa said.

  • NANS disrupts House of Reps celebration

    NANS disrupts House of Reps celebration

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Friday disrupted the second anniversary celebration of the 8th National Assembly at the assembly complex in Abuja.

    The incident occurred at the House of Representatives version of the celebration when Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, introduced Mr Harruna Kadiri as President of NANS.

    Instantly, members of the association, in a loud chorus, rejected the recognition of Kadiri as their president, and insisted that it should be withdrawn.

    They continued the chorus of “no, no, no, Kadiri is not the president of NANS, he is not our president’’ and stalled proceedings in the celebration.

    It took some effort of security operatives at the event to get the students out of the chambers for the celebrations to continue.

    Speaking immediately to journalists on behalf of the protesting students, Mr Chinoso Obasi said that he was the substantive president of the association.

    He displayed a letter of invitation to the event addressed to him as NANS president.

    Obasi recalled that at the house’s invitation, he participated as NANS president in a public hearing recently conducted by the Committee on Tertiary Education and Services “to defend a bill that has to do with Nigerian students’’.

    “Today, I am here on invitation, not on my own, to attend this celebration and I am being embarrassed with another fellow being recognised in my place.’’

    He accused a member of the house, Herman Hembe, who he said was a member of NANS, as being responsible for the development.

    “A Sergeant-at-Arms Officer had approached me and asked for my name and I gave my complimentary card.

    “To my greatest surprise, when the speaker was about to recognise my presence, the Hembe went to meet him and the speaker recognised Kadiri instead,’’ he said.

    Obasi disclosed that Kadiri lost in the association’s election held in 2016.

    He decried the incident, saying “at a time when democracy is being preached, it is saddening to see the House of Representatives undermining the process.

    “We are not a political party; we are not an arm of government. We are only a pressure group, so, why the attempt to impose somebody on us who is not representing us?” he said.

    Obasi said NANS would pass a “vote-of-no-confidence in the speaker’’.

    In a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Hembe questioned the media for bothering itself about the incident.

    Hembe said he wondered why the media preferred controversial issues to other burning issues in the country.

    “Is the NANS issue news worthy? You media people, why do you like controversy so much?

    “Of all that happened today at the anniversary celebrations, of all the speeches, is this the only thing you saw to write?

    “You can write whatever you want,” he said.

     

  • Speaker condemns assault on LASPOTECH workers

    Speaker condemns assault on LASPOTECH workers

    •ASUP, NASU insist ‘rector must go’

    Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudasiru Obasa yesterday spoke on Wednesday’s disturbance at the state-owned polytechnic in Ikorodu, describing soldiers’ assault of some workers as wrong and uncalled for.

    He spoke when members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) and Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) protested at the assembly complex in Alausa, Ikeja.

    The workers carried placards with messages on the non-payment of the 87-month accumulated arrears of the Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTISS) 15 migration.

    Obasa condemned the assault of ASUP’s Welfare Officer Adewunmi Olorunfemi, his wife Lateefat and some students. Olorunfemi broke his left wrist when soldiers allegedly attacked him. His wife was allegedly assaulted at home.

    Mrs Olorunfemi was rushed back home from work yesterday because of her condition.

    The speaker said: “This is a civil rule and in a civil rule when there is a crisis, it is the police that should be invited and not the military. If there is an issue in any institution, they (authority) should call the police and it has to be done in a civilised manner, not to the extent of beaten people up and vandalising properties. It does not make sense; whoever does that should know that people will react naturally. I apologise to the union, please don’t be offended.

    “I just have to appeal to you. Let’s consider the students. Don’t take laws into your hands, let us maintain peace. Think about others. We are going to take the matter up; it is going to be a quick one. Anybody that will rule that institution must abide by the rules and regulations.”

    The Speaker promised that the assembly would intervene in the dispute between the school and the workers.

    Obasa said since he did not appoint the Rector, he could not grant the protesters’ request to remove him.

    “Sogunro was appointed by the governor, give us opportunity to look into the matter and we will take position without taking sides, that I can assure you,” he said.

    Earlier, spokesman of the unions, Comrade Abdulsalam Adegboyega, who is also ASUP Vice-Chairman, said the management’s refusal to honour agreement with the unions led to the strike.

    Adegboyega told The Nation that said Olorunfemi and his wife were still in trauma.

    The unions, he said, would resist the school’s attempt to proceed with this weekend’s semester examinations.

    He said: ‘’Our position on the strike has not changed. ASUP and NASU have a joint action committee and we are resolute on our demand and that is why we have taken our protest to the state assembly. We have no doubt that the Speaker will treat the matter with urgency as promised.

    ‘’However, we shall resist every attempt by the Rector and his management team to go ahead with part-time examinations earlier scheduled for this weekend.’’

    Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP) Chairman, Mr Awoyemi Abiodun told Obasa that Rector, Mr Oluyinka Sogunro, sacked because of his alleged high-handedness.

    Abiodun said: “Sogunro does things without recourse to the governing council or to the executive management that are on the campus. As we speak, we used to conduct elections for the offices of the Deans but as soon as he got to power, deans are either selected or appointed because elections into the offices have been put to rest.

    “He has incited the students and cultists against the staff union in the polytechnic. Sogunro has taken away the peace we once enjoyed on the campus within two years. We now have crises regularly”, he said.

     

  • Ondo Assembly gets Principal Officers, Standing Committees

    Ondo Assembly gets Principal Officers, Standing Committees

    Ondo State House of Assembly, Wednesday elected the principal officers of the legislative house.

    Besides, names of its standing committees were read to the house by the Speaker, Hon. Bamidele Oleyelogun.

    The Speaker who represents Ifedore Constituency and his Deputy, Iroju Ogundeji from Odigbo Constituency 1 were elected on April 3.

    The elected officers were Majority leader, Olugbenga Araoyinbo, Chief Whip, Olusola Feyide, Deputy Majority Leader, Segun Ajimotokan, Parliamentary Secretary, Suileman Maito, Whip, Akintimehin Isaiah, Minority Leader, Sola Ebiwonjumi, and Akindiose Olusiji, Minority Whip.

    The Speaker admonished all members to see the assignments as opportunities to serve the State as a window of chance to improve the well-being of the common man.

    This according to him was to emancipate the economic strength of the state by contributing to a strong drive of its Internal Generated Revenue (IGR).

    Oleyelogun charged new House Leaders to exhibit fair play and display maturity in discharging their assigned duties.

    He said; “Every member should embrace the spirit of oneness and ensure that bureaucratic sanitation, proper transparency, accountability and due process is re -activated into the Civil Service like in the olden days.

    “This especially is by encouraging the good plans and aspirations of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu”.

    The speaker urged the committee members to see themselves as Check and Balance Agent and legislative guide to Civil Servants.

    He also pleaded that all government resources must be judiciously harnessed, noting that there is a reduction in the time- lag of executing government projects.

    The lawmaker reiterated that there may be more jobs for members as legislatures, but should maximize this opportunity to perform their oversight functions with their competence and experience.

  • Tinubu Praises Lagos Speaker Obasa

    Tinubu Praises Lagos Speaker Obasa

    All Progressives Congress (APC), stalwart Asiwaju Bola Tinunu has praised Hon. Mudashiru Obasa for his exemplary role as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

    Tinubu gave this commendation at the Stakeholders’ Meeting of the Lagos State APC, which took place at the party secretariat.

    The party leader, who addressed party faithful on the proposed local government elections in the state, praised the Speaker for his maturity and purposeful leadership, which led to the defection of six lawmakers from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.

    Tinubu commended Obasa for ensuring peace and tranquility in the House, which has engendered smooth relationship with the Executive arm of government, which has led to the massive development and growth of the state.

    “Our Speaker, Obasa is doing a fantastic job. He’s performing really well. He’s doing well and his performance has been fantastic,” he said.

     

  • Lagos Speaker eulogises departed APC chieftain

    Lagos Speaker eulogises departed APC chieftain

    The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has described the late Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Alhaji Abiodun Sunmola, as a true democrat, who gave every thing to ensure that poor Lagosians were happy.

    Obasa, who spoke during the Eighth day Fidau  prayers at the LTV Blue Roof, Agidingbi, Lagos, said Lagosians and the country would miss the politician’s contributions to the development of democracy.

    The speaker said the politician did not only work towards the growth of the APC, but was a rallying point during the last general elections. He added that Sunmola could not afford to see people suffering, but was ready to bring out all his resources for the benefit of the masses.

    He explained that the departed APC leader was a father to all, whose exemplary conduct was an inspiration to many politicians. He noted that his advice was always sought on many issues that could advance the progress of society.

    He said: “Baba was  of my father’s age, yet he had respect for everybody. I am sure those who came across him held him in high esteem. I think it is very difficult to have a politician of his humble stature. He provided answers to intrigues and matters were very critical.

    “He was sincere and kind; those who live around him can testify about his fatherly conduct. He never discriminated and was always willing to solve peoples problem, irrespective of the gravity.

    “Baba lived a life worthy of emulation and I want every one of us to emulate him, particularly his virtue of patience, tolerance, humility and honesty. The Lagos APC family will definitely miss him. On behalf of members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, we bid this great father goodbye.”

    Lagos APC stalwart, Alhaji Sakiru Seriki Bamu, described the politician as a reliable friend, who stood by him in thick and think. He said they had both traversed rough political terrains and he ensured that they were not carried away by petty political gain.

    He stressed that his late ally would consider public interest in every decision he took,  noting that the late Sunmola was a politician people could count on when the terrain became difficult.

    He said: “He was my friend and brother; the political journey for us has been of good experience. He was such a person who love his people and those from his constituency can testify to that.

    “We pray the Almighty Allah to grant him perfect rest and give his family and his political associates the fortitude to bear his transition.”

     

  • Increasing workers salary has become necessary – Dogara 

    Increasing workers salary has become necessary – Dogara 

    The Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara on Sunday said that increasing workers’ salary had become necessary in view of the rising cost of living in the country.

    In a statement issued by his Special Adviser Media and Public Affairs, Mr Turaki Hassan to mark the 2017 Workers’ Day, Dogara said that the House is  committed to passing a new minimum wage bill.

    The Speaker reiterated the resolve of the parliament to enact a new minimum wage bill for Nigerian workers.

    “I wish to congratulate the entire Nigerian workers as they join their counterparts the world over in commemorating the International Workers’ Day.

    “While commending you for your commitment to the service and building of the nation, I wish to assure you that the National Assembly remains committed to the passage of the National Minimum Wage Bill when presented by the executive,” Dogara said.

    The Speaker further stressed that the 8th House of Representatives in particular was committed to initiating other laws and legislative interventions that will promote the welfare and well being of Nigerian workers.

    Dogara, however, enjoined workers, especially civil servants to rededicate themselves to duty and support government’s laudable policies and programmes.

    “As you mark this historic day,  I wish to remind Nigerians of the sacrifices made by the working class in nation building.

    “And I urge you to commit yourselves to doing even more in supporting government’s activities that will better the lots of our citizens “, Dogara stated.