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Tag: Tambuwal

  • Tambuwal: Nigerians’ will prevail

    The leadership of the House of Representatives has said the wishes of Nigerians will prevail on the amendments to the 1999 Constitution.

    The voting on the amendments slated for today will be beamed live on television.

    Voting will be done electronically will be adopted.

    Speaker Aminu Tambuwal said the House must not ditch the verdict of their constituents.

    In a statement yesterday by its spokesman, Zakari Mohammed, the House said: “The electronic option will be adopted. The voting, the Leadership of the House insisted, must reflect the exact opinion of their constituents as contained in the results of the recently concluded peoples public sessions.

    “The process will be conducted live on state television.”

  • Alleged cash crunch: Reps seek govt’s financial status

    Alleged cash crunch: Reps seek govt’s financial status

    •Wants report by Tuesday

    •How Tambuwal saved budget impasse

    The House of Representatives is uncomfortable with reports of alleged cash crunch facing the federal government.

    Although the Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has denied the reports, the House has mandated its Committee on Finance to prepare an independent brief on the true position.

    The committee will also ascertain the veracity or otherwise of the government’s claim that the nation has recorded a budget shortfall of N321.73billion.

    National Assembly sources said the move is to enable Nigerians to know the actual financial status of the executive arm.

    It was also gathered that were it not for the intervention of the Speaker, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, the House would not have allowed the amendment to the 2013 budget to pass through second reading on Thursday.

    Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the Finance Committee will submit its report to the House on Tuesday.

    Sources said that members of the House Joint Committee on Finance and Appropriation are insisting on having a second opinion on the financial status of the nation even after the Finance Minister had briefed the committee on Tuesday.

    It was gathered that the findings of the Committee on Finance would guide the House to advise the Executive on whether or not to come up with a Supplementary Budget.

    A principal officer of the National Assembly, who spoke in confidence, said: “Although we have conceded to the Executive to consider amendment to the 2013 budget, we are still unclear on why the Federal Government is facing cash crunch.

    “We have directed the Committee on Finance to give us an independent assessment of the financial status of the government especially how it came about a budget shortfall of N321.73billion.

    “We need to know how and where things went wrong in order to present an accurate picture to Nigerians. If the nation is really broke, Nigerians should know instead of using varying terms like shortfall, cash crunch, inability to pay salaries and loss of revenue.

    “In one breath, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, confirmed that the amnesty programme has made the production quota to peak at over 2m bpd. The loss of 400,000 barrels per day in the Niger Delta that is witnessing relative stability is difficult to understand.”

    Meanwhile, indications emerged yesterday that Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, personally intervened to resolve the impasse over amendment to 2013 budget.

    A member of the House said: “The Speaker begged us at the Executive session to allow the Executive to have its way on the amendment to budget. We raised some issues on the conflicting indices on the budget and poor implementation, but he said the House should not be seen as combative more so when the Executive admitted that it won’t be able to pay salaries as from September.

    “If workers do not get salaries, democracy will be under threat as there would be a series of strikes. Tambuwal wanted us to place national interest above personal issues. The Speaker was so passionate in his plea that we had to bow to his wise counsel.”

    The National Assembly on December 20, 2012, passed N4.987 trillion as the national budget for the 2013 fiscal year.

    Although the Appropriation bill was signed into law last February, President Goodluck Jonathan forwarded the amendment bill to the National Assembly on March 14.

    The bill, which passed the first reading, was stalled on June 5 following a constitutional point of order raised by a House member.

    Citing section 81(1), (2) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution, the member said the budget amendment bill was alien to the constitution and therefore unconstitutional.

    The constitutional issue was later referred to the House Committees on Rules and Business, Justice and Judiciary which upheld the illegality of amendment to the budget.

  • Sambo’s wife, Tambuwal seek peace at Ramadan

    Wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Amina Namadi Sambo, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal and the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Mulikat Akande, have called on Nigerians to embrace peace and good virtues, especially in this holy month of Ramadan.

    They trio spoke at a Ramadan lecture organised by Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society of Nigeria (NASFAT), yesterday in Abuja.

    Tagged: “Religion in Nigeria Project: Myth, Realities, Challenges and Prospects”, the event was organised by the Abuja branch of the society.

    Sambo’s wife during her speech decried low impact of religious teachings and beliefs in everyday activity of the people and daily administration of the country.

    She said: “Ramadan is a month of peace and love in which individuals are encouraged to forgive one another and renew both human and spiritual relationships.

    “This involves restraining oneself from anger, gossip, backbiting and exercising personal discipline. Muslims are encouraged to do good deeds such as feeding the people and sharing with loved ones.

    “Whereas, religion ought to set the pace for the best moral behaviour and high ethical standard, it is very disturbing that the impact of religious beliefs and practices is yet to make the desired positive effects in our life both as individuals and as a nation.”

    However, she urged the people, despite religious differences, to “allow dictates of their faiths to guide and propel them towards contributing to the development of our nation.”

    According to her, the gesture would assist in achieving the transformation agenda of the Federal Government such that the social ills of corruption, insecurity, religious intolerance and other social vices will be eradicated in the country.

    In his remarks, Tambuwal condemned situations where the Muslim brothers still lack deep understanding of the religious teachings.

    Describing the situation as worrisome, the Speaker identified the need to practice good teaching as Islam is a religion of peace.

    Tambuwal said: “The theme is indeed very apt and timely with the situation we have in Nigeria today where quite a number of brothers who are Muslims are still grappling with the understanding of the real teachings of Islam is quite worrisome.”

    He urged other Islamic organisations to emulate NASFAT in propagating the true teachings of Islam which is founded on peace, and apply them appropriately.

    Mulikat identified the significant role of peace to nation building.

    She expressed optimism that the country will soon experience peace as it had been craving for it for so long.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Tambuwal, Reps chide EFCC over N2tr seized assets

    Tambuwal, Reps chide EFCC over N2tr seized assets

    •To trace whereabouts of $170m

    THE House of Representatives is set to trace the whereabouts of $170 million transferred to an unidentified account. The cash was discovered in an unnamed document and cannot be linked to the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF).

    House Speaker Aminu Tambuwal spoke while opening a three-day public investigative hearing organised by the Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes to verify the status of all assets seized and recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) since inception.

    Tambuwal decried the secrecy surrounding seized assets of accused and convicted persons in custody of the anti-corruption agency.

    The committee has given pioneer EFCC Chairman Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and his successor Mrs Farida Waziri till tomorrow to honour the invitation, noting that Section 89 of the Constitution empowered the Committee to carry out such duty.

    Represented by the Deputy House Leader, Leo Ogor, the Speaker said:”I have learnt that between 2003 and now, the EFCC has confiscated over 200 mansions and large sums of money through 46 forfeiture court orders.

    “These landed property, monies, and business concerns which were estimated to be worth in excess of two trillion naira, included bank accounts, shares in blue chip companies, exotic vehicles, fuel stations, holdings, warehouses and shopping malls among others.

    “However, there have been many reported cases of vandalism, improper storage, abandonment and waste. We have reports that some of these properties have fallen into disrepair and that some cannot even be accounted for.

    “We cannot allow a situation whereby over 400 cars seized through the diligence of the EFCC for instance continue to rot away.

    “We have a vicarious responsibility to ensure that assets seized through forfeiture court orders are prudently and carefully manage to avoid waste and to ensure they are maximally disposed of for the benefit of the public.

    “It is not enough to just seize assets, we need to ensure that they are quickly utilised as part of the restitution for the original crime”.

    The Committee was, however, shocked that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) however disclosed that from the 70 cases it transferred to the EFCC between 2006 to date, only three have been concluded.

    The Committee was also told that N1, 841, 225, 239 was transferred to the EFCC in different currencies.

    NDLEA Chairman Ahmadu Giade told the Committee that once cases were transferred to the EFCC, it is up to it to do whatever it wants with them. He said his agency does not follow up on the cases or the movement of the monies transferred.

    He gave the breakdown as N27, 822, 410; N441, 928, 968 ($2, 832, 878) and N1, 114, 489, 896 ($7, 144, 166 fake dollars); N4, 872, 000 (£20, 300) and N225, 236, 880 (£938, 487 fake); N2, 309, 530 (€11, 266) and N1, 312, 000 (€6, 400 fake); N28, 125, 155 (CFA93, 750, 517) and N400 (5 Cedis).

    However, Mr Kunle Lasisi, who works for Aminu & Ibrahim and Co, an audit firm commissioned to audit the appropriated expenditure of the anti-corruption agency said the agency was not found wanting in the funding of its operational expenditures.

    The Committee wanted to know if the agency funded its operations from seized assets and if certain seized assets accounts were hidden from the auditor in the course of its activities.

    Lasisi said the scope of his firm’s duties, as permitted by the constitution would not allow him to audit the agency beyond accounts operated solely on the agency’s appropriated expenditure.

    On the missing $170 million, Lasisi insisted that they worked within the scope of their mandate.

    “There is no way I will know anything about such money because our scope has to do with how monies appropriated were utilised, our job is to find out if monies were taken from other sources to fund their operations.

    “As long as there was no record to that effect, there is no way we are going to audit such account. We only got to know about seized asset accounts and mentioned it because we requested for bank statements from the three banks that have the agency’s appropriated funds account,” Lasisi said.

  • Reps seek ‘proper management’ of seized assets

    Reps seek ‘proper management’ of seized assets

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, said the House would ensure that assets seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission were properly managed.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Tambuwal made this known at a three-day investigative hearing on Monday in Abuja.

    The hearing organised by the Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes, was to unravel the status of assets seized and sold by the EFCC since its establishment.

    The speaker said the House had a responsibility to ensure that the assets seized and sold through forfeiture court orders were prudently managed.

    “My dear colleagues, we cannot allow a situation whereby over 400 cars seized through the diligence of the EFCC for instance continue to waste away.

    “We have a vicarious responsibility to ensure that the assets seized through forfeiture, court orders are prudently and carefully manage.

    “This is to avoid waste and to ensure that the assets are maximally disposed of for the benefit of the public,” he said.

    According to him, this is why the House has resolved to carry out this investigative hearing, as it is not enough to just seize assets.

    “We need to ensure that they are quickly utilised as part of the restitution for the original crime,” Tambuwal said.

    Earlier, Jagaba Adams (PDP-Kaduna) Chairman of the Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes, said the investigation was premised on a mandate given to the committee.

    He said the committee had earlier in the “spirit” of giving a fair hearing called for memorandum from the general public.

     

  • Forget political party, serve electorate – Tambuwal

    Forget political party, serve electorate – Tambuwal

    SPEAKER of the House of Representatives, Mallam Aminu Tambuwal, yesterday, urged elected political office holders to de-emphasise party affiliation and focus instead on service to the electorate.

    He said this is the principle that drives the generality of members of the House in finding solutions to the problems facing Nigerians.

    Speaking in Benin City, Edo State, during the birthday and silver jubilee wedding anniversary of the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Dr Pius Odubu, Tambuwal said: “In the House of Representatives, whether serving or out of office, we are all members of the same family. We are always consulting with ourselves and should anyone have an event, we take time out to be there. The Deputy Leader of the House who is supposed to be the number two PDP member of the House, Theo Ogogo of Isoko Kingdom, is seated here to support our brother the deputy governor. So many of us from different parties, ANPP, CPC, ACN, PDP are seated here.

    “What concerns us as a House is the Federal Republic of Nigeria because we in the House represent constituencies that are delineated based on the population of the Nigerian people. And the moment you are elected a member, you are expected to serve and represent that particular constituency irrespective of which party platform you contested election and won. Therefore, whatever we do in the House we consider the federation of Nigeria as a basis of our decisions.”

    He prayed that God would bless the marriage further.

    Odubu called for the co-operation of all the people of the state for the Oshiomhole Administration irrespective of party affiliation.

    Dignitaries at the ceremony included Governor Adams Oshiomhole; Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom, Prince Ehenede Erediauwa; Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe; Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief David Edebiri; National Assembly members, PDP leaders from the state and wives of deputy governors of Enugu and Delta states.

  • Budget rift in national interest —Tambuwal

    Budget rift in national interest —Tambuwal

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, has said that the seeming rift between the National Assembly and the Executive over the 2013 appropriation act is in the interest of the generality of Nigerians.

    Tambuwal, who was in Benin as a guest of the state’s Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, on his birthday and wedding anniversary, told correspondents at the Benin Airport that consultations were ongoing in the matter, adding that at the appropriate time, Nigerians would benefit from the budget.

    “Well, you know it is all about consultation and we will keep talking to ourselves and ensure that Nigerians get the best out of it. But I assure you that what the National Assembly is doing is to ensure that Nigerian people get the best out of the situation. We are not there to undermine the interest of Nigerians. We will be the last people to ever do that,” he said.

    Hon. Tambuwal also dispelled the rumour that he was on the verge of joining an opposition party.

    Apparently reacting to President Jonathan Goodluck Jonathan’s riot act to elected political office holders under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the party would not hesitate to apply the big stick, the Speaker said he is a member of the PDP.

    President Jonathan was reported to have warned that the “new PDP” would not condone indisciple, after accusing some of the leading lights of openly fraternising with the opposition.

    Jonathan was quoted to have stated that “in a situation where somebody is in a particular party but his faith is in another political party; for those who are not holding political offices, yes, you can excuse (them). But if you are holding an elective office, you won’t be in that party and be working for another party, otherwise, why are you there?”

    The Speaker, who was reacting to questions from newsmen at the Benin Airport to his rumoured anti-party activities, following his alleged romance with members of the Action Congress of Nigeria, said he was still a member of the PDP and would remain one.

    “ I m a member of the PDP. I am PDP. I’m hearing that rumours from you,” he said with a laugh.

  • I’m not dumping PDP – Tambuwal

    I’m not dumping PDP – Tambuwal

    … Assures Nigerians on budget

    The Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Honorable Aminu Tambuwal, on Friday dispelled rumors that he was on the verge of joining an opposition party.

    Apparently reacting to President Jonathan Goodluck Jonathan’s warning to elected political office holders under the platform of the party Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that he would not hesitate to wield the big stick if they are found wanting, the Speaker said he is a member of the party.

    President Jonathan, according to reports warned that the “new PDP” would not condone indiscipline among its members, after accusing some of the leading lights of openly fraternizing with the opposition.

    “In a situation where somebody is in a particular party but his faith is in another political party. For those who are not holding political offices, yes, you can excuse. But if you are holding an elective office, you won’t be in that party and be working for another party, otherwise, why are you there? “the president asked rhetorically.

    Tambuwal, who was reacting to questions from journalists at the Benin Airport about rumors of his perceived anti- party activities following his alliance with members of the Action Congress of Nigeria, said he is still a member of the PDP and would remain one. “I’ m a member of the PDP, I am a PDP man. I’m hearing that rumours from you,” he said amidst laughter.

    The speaker also said that the rift between the National Assembly and the Executive over the 2013 appropriation act was in the interest of the generality of Nigerians

    Tambuwal, who was in Benin as a guest of the state Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, on his birthday and weeding anniversary told reporters at the Benin Airport that consultations were ongoing and at the appropriate time Nigerians will benefit from the budget.

    “Well, you know it is all about consultation and we will keep talking to ourselves and ensure that Nigerians get the best out of it. But I assure you that what National Assembly is doing is to ensure that Nigerians get the best out of the situation. We are not there to undermine the interest of Nigerians; we will be the last people to ever do that,” the number four citizen added.

     

  • Tambuwal decries ‘internal autocracy’ in parties

    •Says sycophancy is not loyalty

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, has decried “Alien political doctrines” that are likely to cause disaffection among Nigerians.

    Tambuwal, in a speech titled: “In togetherness we deliver on our mandate,” delivered during the opening of the third session of the Seventh House yesterday said such doctrines are not only alien to democracy but are also destructive to peaceful social co-existence in a civilised society.

    The Speaker, who was responding to criticisms that he was fraternising with the opposition, flayed those he described as a new group championing “the obnoxious cause of the deepening of internal party autocracy and demagoguery,”

    He said: “Preparatory to 2015, many have started introducing political doctrines that are alien to democracy and destructive to peaceful social co-existence in a civilised society, they are busy fanning the embers of partisan hatred and strife.

    “According to this new doctrine, it is a political offence for a member of one party to greet someone in another party. It is indeed a heinous crime for one to visit, attend the funeral, birthday, coronation, wedding or any such ceremony of someone in an opposing political party.

    “The proponents of this shameful doctrine not only offend our sensibilities, they constitute an affront on democracy and civilised co-existence and must be halted before they damage our polity.

    “My dear colleagues, we refuse to be students of this school of thought.”

    Tambuwal made a distinction between politics and governance, saying there is a great difference between a candidate and an elected official.

    His words: “At this juncture, I am persuaded to state once again that from the little that we know, there is dichotomy between politics and governance.

    “Thus, there is a difference between a candidate of a party and an elected official, who has assumed a non-partisan responsibility and taken oath to protect and preserve the constitution, to serve the people and the nation.

    “ Needless to say that generally, whenever partisan interests conflict with national interest it is partisan interests that must be sacrificed in the preservation of the national interest.

    “The oath we took is that of constitutionalism and national service and not of suffocating partisanship.

    “Again, while we are clamouring for the deepening of democracy, including internal party democracy, there has arisen a new group championing the obnoxious cause of the deepening of internal party autocracy and demagoguery. This is inexcusable and indeed reprehensible at this time in our history. Dissent is a healthy element in any democratic setting and those who equate loyalty to sycophantic follower-ship not only miss the point but put democracy at risk.

    “For our part we should continue the struggle for promotion of the building of strong institutions rather than strong men both at the level of government as well as political parties.

    “That is where the salvation of our democracy and indeed our nation rests.

    “It is also appropriate to remind ourselves that beyond the challenges routine to our functions as legislators, an even bigger challenge is fast approaching. I am referring to 2015 and the gathering clouds of politicking: first we must resist the temptation to beat the gun, we have an electoral umpire whose gun sound we must await; secondly we must resist being distracted from the execution of our mandate.

    He enjoined members to prepare to work hard to pass critical bills awaiting passage.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Tambuwal to PDP: I am Speaker of Nigeria

    Tambuwal to PDP: I am Speaker of Nigeria

    •Urges Fayemi to continue the good works

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, declared yesterday that he is Speaker for all parts of Nigeria and not for his party, PDP, alone.

    He spoke in Ilawe-Ekiti, Ekiti State, when he was honoured by the Alawe of Ilawe, Oba Adebanji Ajibade Alabi, Afuntade I with the chieftaincy title of Bobagunwa.

    The PDP had taken him to task for his complementary remarks about the achievements of Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State during a recent visit to Osogbo.

    But reacting yesterday to the PDP criticism, Tambuwal said: “A few weeks back in Osogbo members of the Peoples Democratic Party criticised me for speaking well about the developments happening in Osun State when I visited Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

    “I am Speaker for the entire House of Representatives and Nigerians and not only of the PDP. Once you are elected to the House, you represent the aggregate views of the people.”

    He promised to uphold the honour done him by the Ilawe-Ekiti community.

    “I accept the honour and shall never discredit it. I want to inform us that I will build my first house in the Southwest part of this country in Ilawe-Ekiti for the great respect I attach to the honour done me here today,” he said and told Governor Kayode Fayemi to sustain the “good works he has been doing in the state.”

    “Development is an open process which everyone sees wherever and whenever it is taking place. I have been following the development and I can say the governor is one of the few Nigerians whose conducts have been commendable. I admonish you (the governor) to continue the good works and the good Lord will be with you.”

    The governor, in turn, noted Tambuwal’s ‘exemplary leadership’ in the House of Representatives and described him as “a leader in whom I am very well pleased.”

    Fayemi equally commended the Alawe for his leadership qualities and his effort in transforming the entire town in his first year on the throne.

    “The monarch has just spent one year on the throne. We can only imagine what the town will be like when he marks the tenth year on the throne,” the governor remarked.

    Also honoured yesterday by the traditional ruler to mark his first year on the throne were Chief Titilayo Oluwatuyi as Eyelua of Ilawe and Otunba Henry Oladele Ajomale , Gbobaniyi of Ilawe-Ekiti.

    Oba Ajibade said the event was originally scheduled for April 21 but had to be postponed as a mark of honour for the late former deputy governor, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka.