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Tag: Tambuwal

  • Process excites Tambuwal

    Process excites Tambuwal

    HOUSE of Representatives Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, yesterday congratulated Gen. Muhammadu Buhari for his emergence as the Presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    In a statement by his  Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal described the process that produced  Buhari as one of the most transparent in the country.

    He said the successful conduct of the primaries has shown APC’s is readiness to spearhead efforts to achieve the much-needed change the country yearns for.

    The statement reads: “By this convention and all the primary elections, we have demonstrated uncommon desire to be different from the inefficiency and maladministration that have stunted our country’s march towards greatness.

     “I am confident that the APC that will emerge from the outcome of the primaries will be one that will inspire hope, harness our potentials and lead us to prosperity.”

     While calling for all hands to be on deck to ensure success of the APC in the 2015 elections, Tambuwal commended the aspirantsfor their maturity and sportsmanship.

    The aspirants are: former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Governors Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Rochas Okorocha and businessman Sam Nda-Isiaiah,

  • IG makes U-turn, moves to restore Tambuwal’s security aides

    IG makes U-turn, moves to restore Tambuwal’s security aides

    Hiding under his emergence as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Sokoto State, the Nigeria Police Force may restore the security aides of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal.

    It was learnt that the Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, was said to have given the directive.

    It was gathered that the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives has been contacted as at press time on the reinstatement of the security aides.

    The security aides were withdrawn on October 30 following the Speaker’s defection to the APC.

    Findings, however, revealed that the IG and the police had been overwhelmed by the public opposition to the withdrawal of Tambuwal’s security aides.

    According to investigation, the election of Tambuwal as APC governorship candidate in Sokoto has provided a “a safe net” for the police to restore the security aides.

    The Speaker defeated four other contestants to emerge Sokoto APC governorship flagbearer and will now slug it out with candidates from other parties at the February 2015 gubernatorial elections to be held across the country.

    A source said: “We have got indications that the security aides of the Speaker will be restored any moment from now.

    “They said since the Speaker has emerged a candidate of the APC and they want to protect all governorship candidates. Whatever is the guise they are using to hide or any excuse being  used is welcome.

    “As an institution, we know they have been under tremendous pressure against the backdrop of public opinion. Politics should not be reduced to the level of institutional witch-hunt.

    “The Speaker has no personal grudges with the IG in any manner whatsoever. But the police should not assume the role of the court.”

    A police source  said: “We still believe the Speaker is not entitled to security based on his decision to defect. The constitution is very clear on that and we are defending our position well in court.

    “However, since Tambuwal is now a candidate of a major political party in Sokoto,  convention requires that he is protected by the Police.

    “The Federal Government takes the security of leading candidates very seriously and as such we will restore security to Tambuwal and at the same time provide same for all the leading candidates in all states of the Federation.

    “If the Police feels at any given time that the security of candidates is under threat,  we are bound by law to come in and provide security.

    “If you recall really well, the governorship candidate of the then ruling ANPP was murdered in Borno very close to the election.  Since then, we reviewed our internal security arrangements and decided to notch security around candidates a bit high.”

    Asked if the same number of men earlier withdrawn from Tambuwal will be restored,  the source simply added: “Such a decision will be determined by the Police High Command.”

    Another source said: “Reports indicate that the Federal Government has directed all security agencies to ensure zero casualty especially of candidates for the forthcoming elections.

    “The directive is said to be boosted by the recent success of the government troops in their fight against insurgency in the North-Eastern part of the country.”

    Speaker Tambuwal’s office could not be reached for comments.

  • Police set to reinstate Tambuwal’s security details

    Police set to reinstate Tambuwal’s security details

    There were indications on Friday that the Nigeria Police Force may reinstate the security details of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal.

    The Office of the Speaker was said to have been informed of the development by a high-ranking police chief.

    But the police force is using Tambuwal’s emergence as the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Sokoto as an “excuse” to reinstate the security aides.

    A source said: We still believe the Speaker is not entitled to security based on his decision to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC. The constitution is very clear on that and we are defending our position well in court.

    “However, since Tambuwal is now a candidate of a major political party in Sokoto, convention requires that he is protected by the police.

    “The Federal Government takes the security of leading candidates very seriously as such we will restore security to Tambuwal and at the same time provide same for all the leading candidates in all states of the Federation.”

  • Tambuwal, Ambode, Yari, Umana get APC’s tickets

    Tambuwal, Ambode, Yari, Umana get APC’s tickets

    All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidates  emerged yesterday, across the country, signalling the final countdown to February’s general election.

    The party’s presidential candidates will emerge next week in Lagos to climax the pre-general election activities.

    The party will pick its House of Representatives and Senate candidates this week.

    House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal picked the Sokoto State ticket. Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode took a commanding lead in Lagos —as of 1.a.m. Mr. Umana Okon Umana won in Akwa Ibom, Olorogun O’tega Emehor is the Delta State candidate.

    In Niger State, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Belo is the standard bearer.

    Governors Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarawa) and Ibrahim Gaidam (Yobe) got the tickets to run for second term.

    Speaker Tambawal polled 3,466 votes to emerge tops, ahead of four other contenders.

    His opponents’ scores are as follows: Professor Lawal Bashir (0), Yusha’u Ahmed Kebbe(13), Senator Umaru Dahiru Tambawal(23) and Jibrin Bello Gada(0). The primary was held at the Gingiya Memorial Stadium. The delegates were drawn from the 23 local government areas and 244 wards.

    Total delegates accredited 3,569, total votes cast 3,513 and total valid votes 3,501.

    The chairman of the four-man Electoral Panel, Bolaji Khalil, said 10 votes were invalid.

    Tambuwal, who attributed his victory to Allah, praised Governor Aliyu Wamakko for his resilience in providing the right kind of leadership.

    “ I, therefore, wish to thank delegates and the good people of Sokoto State with the hope that you will extend your support to the party to ensure we form a responsive government that will transform the state,” he said.

    After a rowdy scene, a former secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Umana Okon Umana, was declared the winner at the Uyo Township Stadium.

    Umana, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last week, scored 2,444 of the 2,453 valid votes.

    His opponent, Senator James Akpanudoedehe, scored only six votes.

    The shadow poll kicked off in Lagos  around 1.30 pm, following the accreditation of about  6,000 delegates from the pre-existing 20 local governments.

    As from 9 am, the aspirants stormed the venue. They include the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Hon. Lanre Ope, former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Mr. Olasupo Sashore (SAN), Senator Ganiyu Solomon and former Health Commissioner Wahab Tokunbo.

    Others are: Mr. Tayo Ayinde, Mr. Adekunle Disu, former Accountant-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and Mrs. Tobun Agbesanwa, the only woman in the race.

    At 1 pm, the gate of the venue was locked. Ambode entered the stadium,shortly before the closure of the gate. The chartered  accountant went around the high table to greet party leaders and co-aspirants. He cracked jokes with Senator Solomon before sitting next to the House of Representatives member, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

    Voting started at 20.25 pm. Delegates from Epe Local Government Area were the first to cast  their votes, shortly after the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Pastor Peter Obadan, a former deputy governor of Edo State, highlighted the voting procedure.

    Obadan directed that delegates should put their badges on before voting. He also asked the local government chairmen to identify the delegates to prevent impostors from participating.

    Obadan assured aspirants and delegates of a fair exercise, saying that “counting will be done in the open and the result will be announced”.

    Governor Babatunde Fashola  was absent. However, his deputy Mrs. Adejoke Orelope- Adefulire, Secretary to Government Dr. Oluranti Adebule and some commissioners witnessed the poll.

    Also there were former Deputy Governors Rafiu Jafojo, Femi Pedro, Abiodun Ogunleye and Sarah Sosan; Senators  Tony Adefuye, Olorunnimbe Mamora, Oluremi Tinubu and Gbenga Ashafa; House of Representatives members Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Lanre Odubote, Yakubu Balogun, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Deji Jakande, Adeola Olamilekan, Samuel Adejare and Akinderu  Fatai.

    Also present were Pa Abiodun Sunmola, Cardinal James Odunmbaku, Chief Funso Ologunde, Alhaji Ganiyu Badmus, Alhaji Seriki Akanni Bamu,  Comrade Joe Igbokwe, Abiodun Salam, Chief Raheem Daramola, Hon. Hakeem Oris, Abiodun Mafe, Chief Lanre Rasaq, Mrs. Kemi Nelson, Mrs. Olayinka Olagunsoye, Tunde Braimoh, Rotimi Agunsoye, Bayo Osinnowo, Hon. Segun Olulade, Bayo Ajisebutu, Chief Mutiu Are, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi, Dele Alade, Tunde Oshinlalu, Foluso Jayeoluwa and Hon. Joko Pelumi.

  • Defining moment for Tambuwal in Sokoto

    Defining moment for Tambuwal in Sokoto

    Before the Speaker of House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, declared his intention to contest the Sokoto governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), there were seven aspirants vying for the ticket. Five of them are from Sokoto South zone, where Tambuwal hails from.

    They include: Governor Aliyu Wamakko’s close associate and the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Development, Alhaji Faul Malami Yabo, who was the governorship candidate of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in 2012; the Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Senator Umaru Dahiru Tambuwal; Ibrahim Danbaba; Mallam Yushau Kebbe; and a former Commissioner for Information, Mr Aliyu Sayinna. The two aspirants from Sokoto Central are: Professor Lawal Bashar and Alhaji Abubakar Bello Guiwa.

    But, obviously the odds favour Tambuwal. The relationship between him and Governor Wamakko, as well as the zoning of the governorship ticket to Sokoto South are working in his favour to clinch the ticket. Observers are of the opinion that Wamakko has no option at this crucial time but to settle for Tambuwal, who many believe has what it takes to battle the PDP in next year’s general elections in the Northwest state in particular and the country in general.

    Tambuwal, according to observers, is endowed with good leadership qualities, charisma, humility and the war chest to prosecute next year’s governorship election, compared with other aspirants.

    Many believe this is the payback time for Wamakko, who benefitted from the generosity of the Speaker when he (Wamakko) was on the verge of disqualified and humiliated two years ago. This followed a petition by some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), alleging that the governor was involved in anti-party activities. To demonstrate his support for Tambuwal’s governorship ambition, Wamakko told APC members at a stakeholders meeting held in Sokoto: “I want to inform all stakeholders of the APC gathered here that Tambuwal has been with us since the formation of our great party. We told him to remain in the PDP until the day of nomination of the party’s governorship candidate. And today is the day. So, we should put the interest of the party above our personal interest and not to be like the PDP who are quarrelling over positions.”

    After the stakeholders meeting, the impression created among the people was that Wamakko had anointed Tambuwal as the APC governorship candidate ahead of the election. Wamakko’s body language suggests that he is favourably disposed towards Tambuwal’s Sokoto governorship bid.

    But Senator Dahiru has dismissed Tambuwal as a threat to his winning the party’s governorship ticket. He said: “I can never be threatened by anybody. He is not and can never be a threat to me. I believe that nobody can play God. It is for God to decide who would become the party’s flag bearer.

    “Tambuwal is welcome. All we want is a free and fair election. There is nothing to be worried about and I believe he will concede if he is defeated at the primaries. I will equally do the same, if I find myself in that circumstance. It is not only Tambuwal and me; there are eight of us in the race.

    “I want to succeed Governor Wamakko in office to improve on what he has done. I believe there is more work to be done in Sokoto and I believe I have the capacity to do much more than what is already on the ground.”

    Prof Bashar from Sokoto Central has opposed the move to pick Tambuwal as the party’s consensus candidate and criticised the party for zoning the governorship ticket to Sokoto South. He argued that zoning is not in the party’s guidelines for contesting an election. He warned that such arrangement could deny aspirants a level-playing ground to emerge as party’s flag bearer.

    But, the supporters of Guiwa said their aspirant would accept all measures taken by the APC leadership to ensure that a credible candidate emerges in the end. “Politics is all about popularity and strength; we want a situation where all aspirants would meet at the party’s primaries,” one of such supporters said.

  • Tambuwal: Hearing on suit against IGP stalled

    Tambuwal: Hearing on suit against IGP stalled

    Hearing was stalled on Wednesday in the application filed by House of Representatives Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, seeking to compel the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, to explain why he should not be jailed for failing to recognize him (Tambuwal) in his official capacity as the Speaker.

    Tambuwal had filed a motion ex-parte in which he argued that Abba’s refusal to recognise him as the Speaker when he appeared before the House of Reps Committee on Police Affairs on November 26 was a violation of the order made by the court on November 7, directing parties in the suit he (Tambuwal) filed to maintain the status quo.

    He sought an order directing Abba to appear “in person and show cause why he should not be committed to prison for contempt of the court order of November 7, 2014 and/or for acting in manners and ways which showed disrespect to the court.”

    In a ruling last Friday, Justice Ahmed Mohammed converted the motion ex-parte to a motion on notice and fixed hearing for Wednesday. He also refused two applications filed by some individuals who sought to be parties in the case filed by Tambuwal over the withdrawal of his security aides and the threat by the Peoples Democratic Party to declare his seat vacant upon his defection from the party.

    However, the scheduled hearing was stalled when lawyers to those who sought to join the suit told the court that they had appealed the court’s ruling and wanted the court to stay proceedings on the matter.

     

  • House crisis: Judge withdraws from anti-Tambuwal suit

    House crisis: Judge withdraws from anti-Tambuwal suit

    Following a petition, Justice Evoh Chukwu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday withdrew from a suit instituted by a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abiodun Ishiaq Akinlade, seeking to compel Speaker Aminu Tambuwal to vacate his seat.

    Akinlade filed the ex-parte application following Tambuwal’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in October.
    ‎

    The plaintiff is seeking for an order court declaring that Tambuwal’s deputy, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, should take over the speakership upon the vacation of the speaker.
    The matter was consequently assigned to Justice Chukwu.

    When the matter came up on Tuesday, the trial judge announced his withdrawal from the suit on ground that a petition has been written against him.

    Tambuwal had written a petition to the National Judicial Council, dated November 30, challenging the assignment of the case to Chukwu.

    He therefore requested the judge be disqualified from sitting over the suit, citing likelihood of bias that could prevent him from getting justice on the matter.

    The petition reads in part, “My attention has been drawn to the above suit, which has been assigned to Court 8, presided over by Justice E. S.J. Chukwu, and we wish to make the following observations:

    “Sometime in 2013, the said presiding judge, Justice E.S.J. Chukwu presided over the case of Peoples Democratic Party and 12 ORS VS. INEC & 4 ORS, wherein he made a judicial pronouncement, which has been interpreted by some, to the effect that there was no division in Peoples Democratic Party.

    “The above decision of Justice Chukwu was heavily relied upon and cited severally in the case of Peoples Democratic Party, House of Representatives, the speaker of the House of Representatives & 52 ORS, suit No. FHC/ ABJ/CS/4/2014.

    “Consequently, Justice A.F.A Ademola, relying on the said judgment of his brother, Justice Chukwu, even though the said suit before him had nothing to do with defection, ruled that there was no division within the Peoples Democratic Party.

    “And as such, the defendants in that case, who are members of the House of Representatives, who have similar cases as mine, currently pending in the Federal High Court Abuja, were not protected by proviso to Section 68(1) (g) of the 1999 Constitution. He rested his decision on that earlier judgment of Justice Chukwu aforementioned.

    “The said judgment of Justice A.F.A Ademola, is subject of four pending appeals at the Court of Appeal, Abuja Judicial Division.

    “My Lord, similar suits were variously instituted by various parties and are pending before the Federal High Court No. 7, presided over by Justice A.R Mohammed and are at various stages of proceeding pending before Court 7, presided over by Justice A.R Mohammed.”

    Tambuwal further stated that he did not have confidence that Justice Chukwu will be able to dispense justice in the case as he had earlier “made a pronouncement on similar issues, in similar cases, decided by him and these clearly showed that he has an iron cast judicial position or opinion in respect of suit no. FHC/ABJ/ CS/871/2014 concerning me sir which has just been assigned to him.”

     

  • Court grants PDP permission to move against Tambuwal

    Court grants PDP permission to move against Tambuwal

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has given permission to the People’s Democratic Party to apply for a mandatory order compelling either the Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives to declare vacant the Kebbe/Tambuwal seat being held by Aminu Tambuwal following his defection to the All Progressive Congress.

    Justice Ahmed Mohammed, in an ex-parte ruling on Monday granted the PDP “leave to apply, by way of judicial review, for an order of mandamus compelling the Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives to give effect to the provisions of Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution by declaring the Kebbe/Tambuwal federal Constituency seat vacant.”

    The ruling was on one of two ex-parte motions filed by the PDP pursuant to order 34 Rule 3 of the Federal High Court (Civil procedure) Rules 2009. By the leave granted it, the PDP is now required to file a formal suit to achieve its aim.

    Named as respondents in the motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/901/2014 are – Tambuwal and Emeka Ihedioha, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    On Monday, PDP’s lawyer, Mike Ahamba (SAN), while moving the motion for leave to apply for an order of mandamus, said by its action, his client only wants whoever occupies the seat of the Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the House of Reps to perform his/her responsibility under the Constitution.

    “Section 68(2) renders section 68(1) (g) non-self-operating. Where a person defects from his party, the person can defiantly stay in the House and maintain his seat until either the Speaker or the Senate President performs his responsibilities under Section 68(2).

    “We are asking the Speaker to declare the seat of Kebbe/Tambuwal Constituency vacant following the defection of the 2nd respondent (Tambuwal),” Ahamba said.

    He said the PDP will also apply for “an order of injunction restraining the 2nd defendant (Tambuwal) from performing or continuing to perform the functions of the 1st respondent in the House of Representatives, or sitting or continuing to sit in the House as a member consequent upon the order of mandamus.”

  • Dahiru: Tambuwal not a threat

    Dahiru: Tambuwal not a threat

    Sokoto State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspir-ant Senator Umaru Dahiru has said  that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal’s ambition will not  affect his chance of picking the  ticket for the general elections.

    Senator Dahiru, who submitted his nomination form at the National a Secretariat, told reporters that he is in the race to improve on the achievement of the APC government in the state.

    He said the government has achieved a lot in the last four years, adding that the successor should be a matured person who can sustain the legacies.

    He said  Tambuwal’s governorship ambition is his legitimate right, adding that the number of contenders has now risen to eight.

    He dismissed the idea of anointing a candidate for the position, pointing out that he was confident that the people of the state are determined to have a free and fair  shadow poll.

    Dahiru said: “As I made mention at one time, I want to improve on the works of the current governor because he has done perfectly well and I want to improve on it. I believe Sokoto need more to be done and I believe I have the capacity to do much more than what is already on the ground.

    “I want to improve on areas like education, healthcare, infrastructure and so many other areas. We need to do alot and of course, you know that youth unemployment is there as a big challenge nationwide and in Sokoto in particular, it is a raal challenge. The issue of women empowerment is also there; but I believe if I am given the mantle of leadership, I will improve on what is now on the ground”

    He added: “You know if people want to be wherever they want you to be you have to respond and people are calling me to come and respond in that capacity and I believe I have to answer to their call.

    “I can never be threatened by anybody. He is not and can never be a threat to me. I believe that nobody can play God. It is for Hod to decide who become the flag bearer of the party”

    On Tambuwal entering the race, he said: “He is welcome. All we want is a free and fair election, there is nothing to be worried about and I believe he will concede if he get defeat at the primaries and equally I will do the same, and it is not only Tambuwal and me but we are now eight in number”.

    He added: “Anybody can claim that, anybody can say it but the people of Sokoto will determine and not anybody and I keep on saying it nobody can determine my political aspiration if the people want it I am going to do it”.

  • Tambuwal on the Buni Yadi massacre

    Tambuwal on the Buni Yadi massacre

    “…On February 25, 2014, the very day the House adjourned Plenary, Nigeria suffered a horrendous terrorist attack that struck a fatal blow at the heart and soul of the nation and desecrated values that decent peoples of all nations hold dear. On that night, about 59 students of the Federal Government College, Buni Yadi, Yobe State were killed in the most heinous manner. Some of our future national leaders were mowed down in gruesome circumstances in their sleep. Some were shot dead while many were burnt beyond recognition…

    “When innocent, harmless and defenceless women and children become the targets of these heartless murderous bandits; when the lives of sleeping children are so callously snuffed out, it becomes clear that these agents of terror have murdered sleep and they henceforth deserve none.

    “Whatever grievances the terrorists harbour against the government of Nigeria, Nigeria’s innocent children have nothing to do with it. Nigeria’s children bear no responsibility for either policy making or policy implementation in Nigeria. It is therefore an act of cowardice worthy of ringing condemnation to target the children, to strike at those who are not only innocent but are unable to strike back or defend themselves. There can be no reason, no justification and no acceptable excuse for this act of mindless brutality. Whatever message the terrorists set out to send to the Nigerian government has been drowned out by the cries for justice by the blood of these innocent martyrs.

    “It is to remember these innocent children and other victims of violence in this country, that the House has declared today ‘A day of mourning’ to express our collective outrage on those killings that have gone on for far too long.

    “My dear Colleagues, please travel with me on an imaginary journey to the Federal Government College, Buni Yadi.

    “Picture the scene as the terrorists creep into the hostels and the children begin to wake up one after the other, with their eyes heavy with sleep, each of them convinced that this is some nightmare.

    Picture the chaos in the rooms and the terror of the faces of the children as they watch the murderers attack the first set of students, the ones nearest to the entrance, and the students begin to realise that what is happening is not a nightmare but a reality far harsher that any nightmare the mind of a child can construct.

    “Hear the panic in the voices of the children as they begin to scream for help, from God, their parents or security. But no help will come tonight.

    “Feel the unbearable horror of this night and hear the fading cries of these children as they finally succumb to the murderous onslaught.

    “Finally, my dear Colleagues, imagine that it is your own child in the hostels at Buni Yadi on this hellish night.

    “I can hear the voice of the Father of Aliyu Yola, one of the victims of the school massacre crying, ‘Aliyu was scared to go back to school after the last holiday. I forced him to resume not knowing that he will never come back to me again.’

    As Jodi Picoult writes in her book, “My Sister’s Keeper”, in the English Language, there are orphans and widows, but there is no word for a parent that loses a child…”

     

    Excerpted from a speech by Hon Aminu Tambuwal on March 11 during a special session on the killing of 59 students of the Federal Government College, Buni Yadi, Yobe State.