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Tag: Tambuwal

  • Tambuwal mourns GOK Ajayi

    Tambuwal mourns GOK Ajayi

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has described the late legal luminary, Chief GOK Ajayi SAN, as an inspiration and a role model who made immeasurable contributions to the growth and development of the legal profession in Nigeria and beyond.

    In a statement issued in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal said GOK Ajayi was a thorough disciplinarian whose works will be cherished for a long time to come.

    He said the death of Ajayi was a huge loss to the legal profession in particular and the nation in general.

    Tambuwal said: “GOK Ajayi was an advocate’s advocate and a legal titan. Though he made his name as a lawyer, his charisma, brilliance and philanthropy stood him out as a humanist who used his deep knowledge of the law to better the society.”

    The Speaker prayed to God to give his family and loved ones of the departed lawyer the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

  • 2015: Tambuwal assures UN on speedy constitution amendment

    2015: Tambuwal assures UN on speedy constitution amendment

    THE National Assembly is desirous of a timely amendment the 1999 constitution for the purpose of conducting a free, fair and violent-free 2015 general elections, House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal said yesterday.

    He spokewhen the United Nations (UN) Deputy Secretary General, Mr. Jan Eliason, visited him.

    He said: “On 2015 elections, I would like to assure you and your delegation that National Assembly is doing everything possible to achieve violence free and fair elections in Nigeria through amendment of the electoral laws.”

    Tambuwal, while commending the UN for it’s support to the Nigerian economy and Africa as a critical part of the African Union 2063 Strategy, noted that the Nigerian parliament has played major roles in ensuring pro-poor policies that form the core focus of its activities.

  • Tambuwal, Jega: N45b inadequate for INEC

    Tambuwal, Jega: N45b inadequate for INEC

    Next year’s general elections may run into trouble — no thanks to poor funding.

    The government has budgeted N45billion for INEC in this year’s financial plan, but the agency said it sought N102billion.

    Although the elections are fixed for February next year, all the preparations will be done this year.

    House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal decried the slashing of the INEC budget.

    INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega also said the N45billion is not enough to procure its material needs, let alone run the elections.

    They spoke in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, yesterday during a public lecture organized by the Mustapha Akanbi Foundation (MAF).

    Justice Mustapha Akanbi, a retired President of the Court of Appeal and pioneer Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), is the promoter of the foundation.

    Yesterday’s lecture is entitled: “Challenges of fraud-free elections under a democratic dispensation.”

    Tambuwal said: “Now the 2014 appropriation Bill is before the National Assembly and talking about a truly independent INEC, you need to fund the electoral body to be able to carry out its all-important assignment of conducting elections.

    “However, what we have before us as the total sum required by INEC according to the budget office is N45bn whereas INEC itself is requesting about N63.8bn for the proper conduct of that election.

    “This is what INEC is seeking to conduct a free, fair and credible election. We have before us the proposal of N45bn instead of N63.8bn. Therefore, there is a deficit of about N19bn. Unless and until we are able to meet up and give INEC as a government what is required, then we are about preparing…don’t read my body language. “

    Prof Jega said: “On the question of the budget, I must say it is a serious challenge. What the budget office presented is an envelope. We had a prior discussion before that envelope was brought to the National Assembly.

    “As Mr. Speaker rightly said, that budget was actually a fraction of what we need to conduct that election. If we have to keep on improving the integrity of the election, we also have to incur necessary expenditures in that process.

    “We have to engage ad-hoc staff, we have to pay them allowances, we have to transport them or give them transport allowance, we have to provide what we call lunch allowance to security agencies, we have to procure ballot papers with security detail and we also have to procure result sheet in addition to ballot papers and ballot boxes and all those non-sensitive materials that are required to hold elections.

    “And our requirements are far, in excess of what is in the law. What keeps us optimistic is that in 2011, both the National Assembly and the Executive have seen the need to provide appropriate funding in order to do a good election and we are hopeful that this recognition now will be made and funding requirements would be provided.

    “Anytime we mention figures about how much it will cost for election, we are put on the defensive. But since the Honourable Speaker has mentioned the figure, I am duty-bound to mention our figure.

    “In our engagement with the relevant authorities, we said, “Look N45bn is not even sufficient for us to do necessary procurement between now and say November, and to pay salaries and other entitlements of staff because all those are part of this N45bn.

    “The procurement for purely electoral materials and electoral activities alone outside of payment of allowances is more than N45bn. So how can you get N45bn for the entire exercise? Like I said to you, when we had discussion with the budget office, we submitted the budget of N102bn and yet N45bn is what is submitted for us.

    “We hope our engagement with government and the National Assembly will provide more funding for us to be able to do a good job,” he said.

    Tambuwal expressed optimism that the outcome of the general elections would affect the unity of Nigeria.

    The speaker noted that some ‘politicians and ethnic jingoists’ are fond of overheating the polity on the eve of every general election.

    “The 2015 elections are by the corner and already there is so much talk about how the conduct of that election can make or break not only our democracy but out unity. Let me say here that the unity of this country does not depend on the outcome of any election. We have moved past that.

    “Since 1999, it seems that every time we have an election coming, politicians and ethnic jingoists overheat the polity unnecessarily and cause a lot of tension and fear in the land. We must stop seeing everything as the end of our union.

    “We must all imbibe the democratic culture-the idea is that power belongs to the people and it is their sovereign right to determine who governs them. We must learn to respect the wishes of the people, however much it goes against our personal ambitions.

    “This country belongs to all of us equally and we must learnt o obey the rules of democracy. Nothing is gained by threats and counter threats, and democratic mandate is not gained by force or coercion. If the desire to win election is strictly based on our wish to take care of the people’s needs and not to satisfy some selfish desires of our own, then we should allow the people to choose who they want in an atmosphere devoid of fear or rancour.

    The Speaker who lamented that Nigeria has few role model described Justice Akanbi as a shining example of patriotism who must be celebrated.

    Justice Akanbi urged INEC to organise a fraud-free election beginning with governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti states slated for June and August.

    He said: “we are all aware of the controversies that surrounded the last election in Anambra state which compelled Jega to conduct ‘supplementary polls’. True as Jega said, there can hardly be a perfect election anywhere in the world but our clamour is that INEC should endeavour to achieve a near perfect election which will fulfil the aspiration of the majority of Nigerians and ensure that in future elections, there would be no repeat performance of what happened in Anambra state.

    “Until the one-man-one-vote is truly established in this country, the so much desired peace, stability and progress may continue to elude us. This is because those who are not justifiably elected find themselves in power and because they owe no allegiance to the electorate they continue to amass wealth to bribe their way through other forthcoming elections,” Justice Akanbi added.

  • 11 elders burnt to death as Boko Haram kills 40

    11 elders burnt to death as Boko Haram kills 40

    Air Force ‘kills dozens’ of suspects

    Tambuwal writes CDS on visit

    BELEAUGERED Borno State had yesterday another taste of horror, with Boko Haram terrorists killing more than 40 residents of Jakana, a village in Konduga Local Government Area. Among the dead were two policemen and 11 elders, who were too weak to flee the massacre.

    The insurgents set ablaze houses, shops and the only standing police station on the Maiduguri-Damaturu road.

    But there were reports that dozens of the terrorists were killed in nearby Sambisa forest while fleeing after the attack.

    The Air Force, The Nation learnt, pounded the insurgents as they fled.

    Jakana is about 40 kilometres away from Maiduguri, the state capital, and almost 20 kilometers away from Mainok, the village which was destroyed by terrorists on Sunday night.

    The attack in Jakana came barely 12 hours after some suspected terrorists laid a siege to Mafa council area, killing over 36 reisdents, including three security operatives. They destroyed over 80% of the structures in the village.

    A source told our correspondent: “The gunmen who invaded Jakana village at about 9:45pm on Monday were shooting sporadically, using AK47 rifles, Rocket Propelled Launchers, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and petrol bombs, which led to the killing of many people and the destruction of houses after sacking the entire residents”.

    Another source said: “The terrorists came into Jakana at about 9:30pm, killed civilians up to 2am, before they fled into Sambisa forest after sacking the village.”

    An eyewitness and resident of Jakana, Ba Mala Modu, in a telephone conversation yesterday in Maiduguri, said that the insurgents stormed the village at 10pm with explosives and petrol-bombs, chanting “God is great” in Arabic, shooting into the air initially, before setting the houses ablaze for three hours.

    Said he: “The gunmen came in droves in Toyota Hilux vehicles and motorcycles; and started shooting, killing and at the same time pouring petrol on our houses and huts to set fire. The people in the houses cried for help, but no one was there to prevent these multiple attacks and killings. Some of us had to flee towards the neighbouring villages, farmlands and bushes.

    “I am talking to you now from a hiding place in the bush. I cannot get into the village, but the number of bodies pulled out from the torched houses is 35 this morning and more bodies could be retrieved before noon today (Tuesday), because several people were trapped in their houses when the insurgents unleashed havoc on both lives and property.”

    Speaking on fleeing villagers, he said: “When the gunmen struck in the night, some of us fled through the farmlands and bushes. Some of the fleeing villagers trekked to Maiduguri for safety. Others are taking refuge in the neighbouring villages.

    My neigbour called me that two policemen were killed while repelling the insurgents who set the police station on fire.”

    Our correspondent observed that an Air Force jet was hovering over Jakana and Maiduguri, apparently to dislodge the insurgents.

    An unconfirmed report said many of the terrorists were killed by ground troops with support from the airstrikes.

    Borno Police Commissioner Mr. Lawal Tanko confirmed the incident, adding that many residents, including two policemen, were killed. He, however, said he was yet to collate the casualties.

    Among the killed are 11 elderly people who could not run due to their old age. They were burnt alive.

    It has been the practice of the insurgents to ignore women, kids and, in most cases, the elderly, but this time, it was not the case.

    The senator representing Borno Central, which covers the area, Ahmed Zannah, told reporters on telephone about the killing of the elders.

    He said the youth got wind of the attack by the insurgents at about 8pm on Monday and fled, leaving the aged behind.

    He said: “The insurgents did not fire any shot, except that they just set the peoples houses ablaze and, in the process, burnt the 11 elderly people who could not flee or be taken away by their children.

    “Soldiers who had initially fled on sighting the insurgents later summoned enough confidence to engage the sect members in a fight when they discovered that the insurgents were not as many and ill-prepared. When the insurgents were approaching, they had to retreat and warned that they would be returning to complete the unfinished business.”

    Zannah decried the killings, adding: “Most of the people are now fleeing to Maiduguri out of fear.”

  • Tambuwal visits Obasanjo, faults Sanusi’s suspension

    Tambuwal visits Obasanjo, faults Sanusi’s suspension

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, visited former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Sunday morning in consultation with him on vital “national issues.”

    Tambuwal who arrived Obasanjo mansion at Olusegun Osoba Hill – Top, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, by 10: 35am in a convoy of four vehicles – all marked NASS, quickly went into a close door meeting.

    In his entourage are honourables: Deputy Minority Leader; Kawu Sumaila(Kano), Ajibola Muraina(Osun) and Aminu Shagari (Sokoto)

    About 37 minutes earlier, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Ado Ibrahim, Kogi State, had also arrived the former President’s residence by 9:58am in convoy of of three Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and left, before Speaker Tambuwal’s convoys entered.

    When the Speaker emerged by 11:45am after an hour – long meeting , he fielded questions from reporters waiting for him within the Obasanjo’s expanse compound on the suspension of the Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and other issues.

    He said the suspension of the CBN Governor by President Goodluck Jonathan portends grave danger to the economy as it could erode investors’ “confidence” in the nation’s financial institution.

    Tambuwal said: “well whether it is lawful, legal or illegal, the personality involved has told everybody that he is going to court and I believe that he is already in court on that suspension.

    ” On the implications on the economy, I’m not an economist but I personally feel that will definitely send wrong signals to investors because, you need to have confidence in financial institution, particularly the independence of the financial institution of a country, before investors will consider such a country worthy of their investments. So, I have my concern about that.”

  • Move to prevent leadership change: Tambuwal, Ihedioha, 51 others ask court to dismiss PDP’s suit

    Move to prevent leadership change: Tambuwal, Ihedioha, 51 others ask court to dismiss PDP’s suit

    House of Representatives Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, his Deputy, Emeka Ihedioha and other principal officers of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday urged a Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a suit by the party.

    The PDP, through the suit filed on January 7, wants to restrain the House of Representatives from altering the composition of its leadership.

    Tambuwal, Ihedioha and others’ prayer for the suit’s dismissal is supported by 37 other former PDP members of the House of Reps, who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). They are all sued by the PDP.

    Yesterday, the defence’s legal team, comprising six Senior Advocates of Nigeria, faulted the competence of the suit.

    While adopting their final addresses in relation to their counter affidavits to the plantiff’s originating summons, the lawyers described the suit as a pre-emptive step, abuse of court process and an attempt by the PDP to dabble into, and control the internal affairs of House of Reps.

    Lawyer to the House of Representatives, Tambuwal and Ihedioha, Mahmoud Magaji (SAN) argued that it was wrong for the PDP to seek to restrain its former members from participating in the activities of the House on account of their defection.

    Relying on the Supreme Court’s decisions on FEDECO vs Goni, Nigerian Supreme Court Cases (NSCC) 1983 Volume 14 at page 481 and Aneke vs Oloye NSCC 1983 Vol 14 at pages 315 and 317, Magaji argued that the court has powers to decide when a legislator’s seat is vacant after defection, and whether there is a dispute of fact as to whether there is actually a division in the old party.

    He said the two decisions by the apex court were based on the provision of Section 64(1(g) of the 1979 Constitution, which is the same with Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution.

    Magaji contended that, as against the position of the PDP, the existence of an earlier suit between the Bamaga Tukur-led PDP and the New PDP, decided by Justice Evoh Chukwu, was evidence of a division in the party.

    The PDP had tendered Justice Chukwu’s judgment on the suit to support its claim that there was no division in the party.

    Magaji referred to pages 72 and 75 of the Justice Chukwu’s judgement to support his position. He added that the suit was not about whether or not the party was divided, but to resolve the dispute over which should control the party between the Tukur faction and that New PDP led by Abubakar Baraje.

    Other defence lawyers, Niyi Akintola (SAN), Sebastine Hon (SAN) Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN), James Ocholi (SAN) and Jibril Okutepa (SAN) prayed the court to dismiss the suit.

    They argued among others, that it constituted an abuse of court’s process because a similar suit was pending before Justice Ahmed Mohammed (another judge of the same court).

    Akintola, particularly faulted the legitimacy of some of the averrments in the affidavits supporting the plaintiff’s originating summons, arguing that such depositions offended the provision of the Evidence Act.

    He observed that the deponent failed to state the source of the facts he deposed to, and urged the court to disregard the affidavits.

    While arguing his originating summons, plaintiff’s lawyer, Yunus Usman (SAN) faulted the defection of the 37 former PDP members.

    He argued that by virtue of the judgment by Justice Chukwu, there was no division in the party. He observed that the 37 defecting law makers jumped ship despite the pendency of the judgment.

    Usman submitted that in view of the judgment, “those defectors can not initiate, move or support any motion to remove members of the PDP, who are principal officers of the House of Representatives.”

    He argued that in view of their defection to another party, while there was no division in the PDP, the defecting 37 members of the House of Reps can not, by virtue of the provision of Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution, continue to participate in the affairs of the House.

    “They do not have the constitutional locus to participate in the removal of those principal officers, who constitutionally and legitimately hold offices.,” he said.

    Usman argued that until Justice Mohammed decides the question of whether or not they could still maintain their seats in spite of their defection, they can no longer participate in the business of the House.

    Referring to some newspaper reports threat to change the House’ leadership, Usman argued that there was a real threat to justify his client’s apprehension of move to alter the House’s leadership before Justice Mohammed decides the sister case.

    He urged the court to grant his client’s claims and reliefs.

    After listening to parties’ arguments, Justice Ademola Adeniyi adjourned to March 25 for judgment.

    The PDP, in the suit, wants the court to among others, restrain Tambuwal, other principal officers of the House and its defecting members in the House from taking any step “to alter or change the leadership of the 1st defendant (PDP).”

    An officer of the PDP, Nanchang Ndam, stated in the supporting affidavit that while the defection of some of the defendants was still a subject of litigation before Justice Mohammed, the defendants, particularly the Minority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila have issued threats to change the leadership of the House.

    He stated that unless the defendants were restrained, they could carry out the threat and thereby prejudice the earlier suit, cause a breakdown of law and other and parallel the activities of the House.

    The plaintiff, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2/2014 raised two questions for the court’s determination and sought for four reliefs.

    The PDP wants the court to determine whether, in view of the mandatory provision of Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution, and in view of the pendency of an earlier suit by the defecting law makers, they (the defecting legislators) can participate in any proceedings to remove the House’ principal officers.

    The party equally wants the court to determine whether, in view of the provision of Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution and the pending suit by the defecting legislators, they (the defecting law makers) can lawfully alter the composition or constitution of the House’s leadership.

  • Tambuwal, Uduaghan for lecture in Warri

    Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, House of Representatives Speaker Tambuwal and legal luminary, Prof. Itse Sagay are among the dignitaries expected to join prominent Itsekiri Sons and daughters at a One-Day Public Lecture with the theme; “ The Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality: Challenges of Minority in a Multi-Ethnic Nigeria.”

    At news conference in Warri ahead of the one-day lecture, the National Association of Itsekiri Graduates (NAIG) said the lecture is aimed at creating a paradigm shift and re-orientation of the socio cultural value system of the Itsekiri youth.

    The National President of NAIG, Comrade Alero Tenumah , said the gathering would afford youths to meet Itsekiri sons and daughters’ who have distinguished themselves in their various area of endeavours.

    According to her, “we have observed with great concern the great lacuna between our youths, and the Itsekiri leadership. This association knowing full well that ‘the task of a leader is to take his people from where they are to where they have never been’ has packaged this public lecture to bridge that gap.”

    She added further that the lecture is expected to give the Itsekiri people in general, and the Itsekiri youths in particular the opportunity to take a cursory look at the various challenges facing the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality as a minority as well as proffering solutions to them.

    The lecture will hold Saturday, March 1, 2014 at Wellington Hotel, Effurun, Delta State.

    Expected to deliver keynote address at the programme are; Prof. Oritsegbemi Omatete, Prof. Tony Mene Afejuku from University of Benin, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), an erudite and accomplished legal luminary, Dr. J. O Ireyefoju from Delta State University, Abraka and Dr. Alex Ideh.

    Others are: Temisan Omatseye, a former Director General NIMASA, Hon. Patrick Fregene, Dr. Akaruse (UNIPORT) and Chairman of Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Hon Oritsuwa Kpogho.

    Chief (Mrs) Rita Lori-Ogbebor will be the mother of day.

     

  • Obasanjo, Tambuwal, others for lecture

    Former president Olusegun Obasanjo is scheduled to chair the inaugural public policy lecture organised by the Lagos Chapter of the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru (AANI) next month.

    Others eminent personalities expected at the event include: Speaker, House of Representatives, Mallam Aminu Tambuwal; Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega; Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Aloma Mukhtar; Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio; Central Bank Governor, Mallam Lamido Sanusi; and Mr Fola Adeola, former managing director, GTBank.

    The theme of the lecture, scheduled for March 11 at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos is: ‘Building credible electoral process for democratic sustainability’, and will be delivered by renowned constitutional lawyer, Prof Itse Sagay.

    A statement by the Chairman, Organising Commitee, Mr. Muyiwa Odejayi, noted that AANI was formed in response to the need for government and the society to constantly tap from the rich mix of high-level manpower nurtured at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru.

  • Five APC Reps defect to PDP

    The defection drama in the House of Representatives was re-enacted on Tuesday as five members of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) decamped to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    However, the PDP also lost one member to the APC.

    This was after allegations of huge financial inducement from the Presidency hit the defecting members from the PDP.

    The Reps’ defection letters were read out at plenary by the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal.

    Members from the APC who defected to PDP are – Honourable Lawan Shehu Bichi (Kano), Sani Ibrahim Doruwa (Zamfara), Ibrahim Shehu ( Zamfara) Umar Bature ( Sokoto) and Abdusalam Adamu ( Kano).

    Isah Mohammed Ashiru, (PDP Kaduna State) defected to the APC.

    Obviously, the current defection would no doubt affect the APC caucus claim to a majority in the House with PDP now having 178 members to APC’s 168.

    Tambuwal, who announced the names of the defectors, said that, “I will read the letters communicated to me by my colleagues.”

    But the Minority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, via a point of Order had protested that the Speaker was spending too much time reading the list of defectors.

     

  • The complex politics of Tambuwal

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, may at times appear ambivalent, but the fact remains that the young lawyer from Sokoto State has succeeded in carving a niche for himself as a formidable force in present day Nigerian politics.

    This derives essentially from the way he has very skillfully managed the affairs of the Green Chamber of the National Assembly in the last six years of the current democratic dispensation.

    He has succeeded in not compromising the integrity and independence of the House to the delicate point where many have wondered whether he was still a loyal member of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

    Rt. Hon. Tambuwal became Speaker against the tide of the wishes of the leaders of his party. Majority of his colleagues in the House had voted for him to lead them as they saw in him a leader who could protect the constitutionally guaranteed independence of the legislature and play effectively the role of a check on the executive and judicial arms of government.

    So far, he has served this purpose to the point of self-sacrifice, as ought to be the case.

    Because of some of the pro-people positions that he and the House under his charge have adopted, which have been construed as anti-establishment, there have been attempts to surreptitiously remove him as Speaker, but these attempts have always been foiled, largely because of the mass followership he enjoys among his colleagues in the House, across party lines and across the geo-political zones of the country.

    Many have come to agree that to a large extent, the House of Representatives has been the bastion of resistance to policies and programmes of government that appear to be anti-people. The House under Tambuwal has asked relevant questions that have raised the consciousness of the people concerning troubling issues and that have brought to public knowledge critical information that would, otherwise, have remained shrouded in secrecy to the detriment of the masses of Nigeria.

    With as yet unsurpassed courage, this otherwise youthful legislator has spoken truth to power, often in a most humble and respectful manner, which inspires hope that a dispensation of issues – based politics without bitterness is around the corner.

    Tambuwal has spectacularly succeeded, where many others failed, in commanding followership across party lines, and has often spoken out in commendation of political office holders, especially governors, of parties that are not the PDP, which forthrightness had, at times attracted criticism to him from his party members, especially those from the states controlled by the office holders he had publicly applauded, including Governors Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, all of who belong to the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC.

    He has taken partisan politics to a new level where performance must be encouraged and, indeed, celebrated, as strategy to motivate public office holders to wake up and effectively compete with those that are seen to be setting the pace. That is the way to go, especially if the country is to experience rapid socio – political and economic development.

    As the country is progressively heading towards a political system that will be dominated by two major parties, Tambuwal’s sagacity would be further tested and indications are that he would continue to side-step the landmines that dot the political landscape of the country.

    The recent decampment of 37 members of the PDP to the APC which has changed the political calculations in the Green Chamber, will, indeed, test his political sagacity and his popularity again as he would, literally, be presiding over a House that is now dominated by members of the opposition party.

    Tambuwal’s caustic  criticism of the presidency in recent time, especially on account of corrupt practices and the calls by the APC and some other stakeholders for the executive arm of government to be probed as well as for impeachment proceedings to be initiated against the president would present the Speaker with fresh challenges that he must, also, frontally, tackle.

    Equally sure to task his political skills is the directive by APC to its federal legislators to block bills brought before the National Assembly by the presidency especially the budget bill. Many have concluded that if the APC’s directive is carried out to the letter, it would lead to a shutdown of government and how Tambuwal handles this new challenge would determine the new height that he would attain in the nation’s political ladder.

    The expectation of close watchers of this new kid on the bloc is that he would, as has been his practice, approach these new challenges with the best interest of the masses of Nigeria uppermost in his heart and with the foremost consideration being the need to safeguard the country’s fledgling democracy.

    He has positioned himself properly as a beautiful bride in the current political dispensation and the ruling party as well as the opposition must strive harder to court and win him over as he  is, without doubt, a major political asset.

    Many are convinced that with youth, eloquence, sagacity, ability to command followership all in his favour, Tambuwal is a fit and proper material for higher office than the one he currently occupies. What would need to be determined would be whether the time for such ascendency would be now or in the near future and the political platform through which such promotion would materialise.

     

    •Theophilus wrote in from Kaiama, Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA of Bayelsa State.