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Tag: Tambuwal

Sokoto Govt Honours Speaker Tambuwal

PIX1: Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, collecting a certificate and a plague of honour from Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko of Sokoto State when the state government presented a merit award to the Speaker in Sokoto…recently.

PIX 2: Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, after he was honoured with an award of merit by the Sokoto State government at a ceremony in Sokoto…recently.

PIX 3: Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, in a handshake with the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Emeka Ihedioha as Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Saad Abubakar and Dr. Sam Sam Jaja look on after the Speaker was honoured with an award of merit by the Sokoto State government at a ceremony in Sokoto…recently.

November 28, 2012
Tambuwal, Shagari step up 2015 plot

House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal was one of those honoured by the Sokoto State government at its annual award ceremony. Correspondent ADAMU SULAIMAN writes on the politics of the awards.

The crowd was huge. The awardees were accompanied by relations and friends. Governor Aliyu Wamakko was in his best elements. There was exchange of banters among top government officials and traditional rulers. But it was evident that the most important guest of the day was the House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal. He was the only prominent politician on the list of this year’s annual awards by the state government.

Many observers believed that the ceremony had a political undertone. The governor and Speaker have always enjoyed cordial relations. Many top officials perceive them as partners in progress. Thus, there is also the pervading feeling that he is being positioned as a likely successor to the governor. To analysts, the fight for the governorship has begun, ahead of the 2015 polls.

Others awardees included the Sarkin Gobir of Gwadabawa and father of the Sokoto State Assembly Speaker, Alhaji Muhammad Zayyanu, a retired civil servant, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, Dr. Sa’adiya Omar Bello and Detroit, United States General Motors official, Jelani Dogon Daji. But all eyes were focused on the Speaker.

At the ceremony were representative of President Goodluck Jonathan who is also the Head of Service of the Federation, Bello Sali, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, former President Shehu Shagari, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy National Chairman, Samson Jaja, House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambawal, his deputy, Emeka Ihedioha, , PDP Legal Adviser, Victor Pam, and Minister of State for Youth Development, Inuwa Abdulkadir.

Other dignitaries included Sarkin Sudan and former Ambassador to South Africa, Alhaji Shehu Malami, deputy governor of Kebbi State, representatives of Katsina, Kano and Niger State governors, former Minister of Tourism, Senator Bello Jibril Gada, Justice A’isha Sani Dahiru among other numerous personalities.

The ceremony had far reaching implications for governance and unity within the ruling party in the state. While the event lasted, other top politicians in the state, Yusuf Suleiman, Senator Abubakar Umar Gada, and Deputy Governor Mukhtari Shagari were absent, but Shagari’s absence wasattributed to being the state’sAmirul Hajj for this year.

It was a sort of popularity test for Tambawal. He had served the state in the past and his supporters from all the local governments flooded the venue. Party leaders from his native South Senatorial District pitched tent with him, saying that it was the turn of the zone to fill the governorship slot.

But observers contend that Tambuwal would now face Shagari at the primaries. The former Water resources minister was had almost emerged as the flag bearer in 2007, but was prevailed upon to stepped down for Wamakko.

Those supporting Tambuwal for the position are of the view that he rose to the occasion and won the number four position for the north. They said a man who emerged as Speaker under that difficult situation cannot be ignored. Others applauded his sense of humour, saying that he can melt s heart of steel and stone with his gentle attitude.

In his speech at the occasion, President Jonathan reassured Nigerians of his administration’s commitment to good governance and development.

“ We are not un-mindful of the challenges which will soon be over”, he said. The President promised to create jobs for the youths. he called for unity, saying that could strengthen the country’s resolve to confront its challenges.

President Jonathan lauded the progress being made by the Almajiri schools targeted as youths in the north. He commended Governor Wamakko for building hope in his people by rewarding selfless service.

However, PDP National Chairman Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, who was represented by his deputy, Samson Jaja, said that PDP was proud of Sokoto State because of its monumental support for the party, adding that the state chapter of PDP is a model.

“ You gave us votes across 244 wards, 23 local government chairmen, three Senators, 11 federal representatives”, he added.

He observed that Sokoto is the only state that extends free education policy to residents communities.

“ You have much more to bequeath. Your resilience in appreciation of service to humanity by awarding and restoring dignity of man is a challenge to the awardees. These awards given to you describe you as discoveries made by Wamakko for exceptional feat. Therefore, don’t rest on your ores”, he urged.

Wamakko noted that rewarding excellence, selflessness and service to humanity was a morale booster for the advancement of the society.

He said the awardees have in their respective rights and disciplines brought fame to the state and made Nigerians proud with remarkable break-through.

The governor added: “No positive efforts over time should go in vain. Therefore, their efforts must not go un-recognised and un-appreciated”

Wamakko explained that hard work and commitment to the sustenance of the ideals and legacies of founding fathers were instrumental to achieving results in the quest for good governance.

Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Tambuwal noted that only selflessness and detribalised service to humanity would promote unity and strengthen peace among Nigerians.

“Nigerians should rise to revive its past glory by changing our attitude to service and make it corrupt free nation with full opportunities for all”, he said.

November 28, 2012
Reps will encourage FG, Boko Haram dialogue – Tambuwal

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, said the House will encourage the Federal Government to engage in dialogue with the Boko Haram sect.

Tambuwal who made the statement at the Benin airport on Saturday while speaking with journalists said the move would assist in ending the wave of terrorist acts by the group.

The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that the sect recently offered to engage in dialogue with the federal government.

It also named a former head of state, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.), to lead its five-member negotiation team.

“I will encourage our leadership to engage the leadership of the sect in dialogue. Whatever will bring peace to this country, we should go for it.

“We have had more than enough bloodshed of innocent Nigerians and government should do everything possible, including dialoguing with the Boko Haram sect, to bring the killings to an end,’’ Tambuwal said.

Commenting on the call by the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) for a referendum on the proposed amendment of the 1999 Constitution, Tambuwal described it as unconstitutional.

“We are expecting that we will incorporate the views of Nigerians in the amendment, but the call by NBA for a referendum is unconstitutional.

“I am a lawyer like the President of the NBA, and I know it is unconstitutional,’’ the Speaker said.

NAN recalls that NBA President Okey Wali had criticised the high number of clauses slated for amendment.

Wali had also questioned why the National Assembly was in a hurry to amend the Constitution.

He had said this was inappropriate as President Goodluck Jonathan was yet to forward the Justice Alfa Belgore Report on Constitution Amendment to the legislative body for consideration.

November 4, 2012
Eid el- Kabir: Tambuwal urges Nigerians to be law abiding

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, has urged Nigerians to be law abiding at all times and restore the virtues of good neighbourliness.

This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

Tambuwal said for Nigeria to make the necessary progress it desired, the citizenry at all levels must be their brother’s keepers and be more sensitive to the well-being of one another.

According to him, all Nigerians must show commitment and readiness to make sacrifice toward the development of the nation.

He said that making sacrifice for Nigeria had become imperative now more than ever before, considering the numerous challenges confronting the nation.

The speaker added that while every nation on earth had peculiar challenges confronting its people, the determination to tackle those challenges at times sets some of them apart.

“We must face our problems with more commitment, determination, unity of purpose and the best of intentions,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the Speaker as saying in the statement.

He enjoined Muslim faithful to use the occasion to reflect on their spiritual lives.

“Let me use this opportunity to urge Nigerians, especially adherents of the Islamic faith, to use the occasion to reflect on our spiritual life as individuals and how we can contribute more meaningfully towards making Nigeria the great nation envisioned by its founding fathers,’’ Tambuwal counseled.

October 25, 2012
Between Tambuwal and the President’s media men

Since the presentation of the 2013 budget by President Goodluck Jonathan to the joint sitting of the National Assembly last Wednesday, some members of the President’s media team have come up with what can best be described as hysterical responses to the remarks made by Senate President, Senator David Mark and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

From innuendos to outright insults, the President’s media managers, led by Dr. Doyin Okupe, sought to denigrate the submissions of the two leaders of the National Assembly who in their estimation, had the temerity to tell their guests gathered at the hallowed Green Chamber that fateful Wednesday that not all things were right with past budgets and that more was expected from the Executive arm of government in the future.

It worth mentioning here that Mark and Tambuwal’s speeches were made with the best of intentions aimed at finding lasting solutions to the myriad of socio-economic problems confronting the nation.

Speaker Tambuwal, who gave the vote of thanks in his capacity as the Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly, toed the line of the Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly, Senator Mark, to lay on the table, the fears of Nigerians and how the National Assembly thinks those fears can be better allayed.

The Speaker rightly asserted that as elected representatives of the people, the legislators, representing 469 federal constituencies and senatorial districts of the country, have closer interaction with the nooks and crannies of the nation. In essence, the legislature, more than any arm of government, is privileged to feel the people’s pulse more intensely and feel same on behalf and for the benefit and guidance of all the other arms of government.

It is, therefore, highly incongruous to now turn around and say such views showed disrespect to the person and office of the President.

It is appropriate to state here that section 81 (1), (4) as well as section 83 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) classify the proposed budget documents by the President as mere ‘estimate’ and therefore only a constitutional amendment can alter this. The phrase ‘mere’ as used by Senator Mark was not intended to demean, rather it only distinguishes between a document of finality and a proposal. It is therefore mischievous to read meanings other than those intended.

On the oil benchmark which the House made it clear it will set at $80 per barrel, all variables were considered in arriving at the figures. The chairman of the House Committee on Finance, Hon Abdulmumini Jibrin, has since availed the public such superior variables which apparently may not have been countenanced by those who drafted the estimate.

As for the poor implementation of the capital budget for 2012 which Dr. Okupe brazenly attributed to non-utilisation of already released votes, there could be no better self-indictment, as all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that ought to execute these projects are all under the Executive watch and control.

The assertion that the National Assembly will not rubber stamp the estimates as stated by the Senate President was intended to clear the erroneous impression created in the minds of the public by military apologists in the corridors of power that the laying of the estimate by the President is akin to budget broadcast by a military dictator which is only a notice and to enlighten the people. But for the avoidance of doubt, by the clear provisions of section 59 subsection 4 of the constitution, the legislature has the FINAL say on the budget document.

I am sure President Jonathan does not share the overzealous and rather morbid views and sentiments of Dr. Okupe and some of his co-travellers in the President’s media office. If they had cared to carefully study the President’s transformation agenda as it affects the kind of legislature the Number One citizen desires, they will certainly discover their errors.

As clearly stated in the past and for the avoidance of any doubt, Speaker Tambuwal is not on a popularity contest with any official of government. Instead, he embodies the wishes and aspiration of the Nigerian people, and expresses, at every point, only the position of the members of the House of Representatives.

On the rather funny issue of alleged Tambuwal’s disloyalty to the PDP which one of the aides raised in a newspaper article, nothing can be farther from the truth. It is safe to say here that Nigerians are tired of worn out sentiments dished out to them at every given opportunity in order to justify unnecessary attacks on the person of the Number Four Citizen of Nigeria.

As seen during the budget presentation, of all those who spoke at the event, only the Speaker recognised the presence of the PDP National Chairman in his order of protocol while delivering his vote of thanks. As a matter of fact, this loyal gesture to the largest political party in Africa drew the ire of opposition lawmakers who shouted ‘Nay’ repeatedly to show their disapproval at the Speaker’s recognition of his party chairman.

In conclusion, let me state here that the level of discourse emanating from the President’s public affairs managers is not only unbecoming of the requirement of the highest office in the land, it shows lack of depth in the understanding of public issues and governance generally including even the rudiments of democracy and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Dr. Okupe especially is proving to have learnt nothing and forgotten nothing from his days of political participation during transition of military dictatorships and into civilian democracy. With due respect, we call on Dr. Okupe and his other attack dogs to change their orientation, they can do this by making friends with the copy of the constitution. In the event they feel that this is cumbersome, they should, in the alternative, subject their opinions to vetting by those who are more conversant with the hallowed document.

•Imam is the Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs to Speaker Tambuwal

October 14, 2012
Reps won’t rubberstamp 2013 budget –Tambuwal

• Denies disloyalty charge

The office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives yesterday insisted that the National Assembly and not the executive arm, has the final say on the budget.

In the latest of the broadsides exchanged by both sides since the Wednesday presentation of the 2013 budget proposals to the legislative arm by President Goodluck Jonathan, the Special Adviser on Media to Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, Mallam Imam Imam hoped that the President does not “share the overzealous and rather morbid views and sentiments of Dr. Doyin Okupe and some of his co-travellers in the President’s media office” on the power of the National Assembly on the budget.

Dr. Okupe, the Presidential Special Adviser on Communication had, in a statement, dismissed the positions of Senate President David Mark and Speaker Tambuwal on the insistence of the Presidency that the federal legislators should pass the proposals the way they were presented as wrong.

The two presiding officers immediately replied him as playing to the gallery and striving to justify his pay.

But in an update yesterday, Imam said: “Since the presentation of the 2013 budget by President Goodluck Jonathan to the joint sitting of the National Assembly last Wednesday, some members of the President’s media team have come up with what can best be described as hysterical responses to the remarks made by Senate President, Senator David Mark and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

“From innuendos to outright insults, the President’s media managers, led by Dr. Doyin Okupe, sought to denigrate the submissions of the two leaders of the National Assembly who in their estimation, had the temerity to tell their guests gathered at the Green Chamber that fateful Wednesday that not all things were right with past budgets and that more was expected from the Executive arm of government in the future.

“It is worth mentioning here that Mark and Tambuwal’s speeches were made with the best of intentions aimed at finding lasting solutions to the myriad of socio-economic problems confronting the nation.

“Speaker Tambuwal, who gave the vote of thanks in his capacity as the Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly, toed the line of the Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly, Senator Mark, to lay on the table, the fears of Nigerians and how the National Assembly thinks those fears can be better allayed.

“The Speaker rightly asserted that as elected representatives of the people, the legislators, representing 469 federal constituencies and senatorial districts of the country, have closer interaction with the nooks and crannies of the nation. In essence, the legislature, more than any arm of government, is privileged to feel the people’s pulse more intensely and feel same on behalf and for the benefit and guidance of all the other arms of government.

“It is therefore highly incongruous to now turn around and say such views showed disrespect to the person and office of the President.

“It is appropriate to state here that section 81 (1), (4) as well as section 83 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) classify the proposed budget documents by the President as mere ‘estimate’ and therefore only a constitutional amendment can alter this. The phrase ‘mere’ as used by Senator Mark was not intended to demean, rather it only distinguishes between a document of finality and a proposal. It is therefore mischievous to read meanings other than those intended.

“On the oil benchmark which the House made it clear it will set at $80 per barrel, all variables were considered in arriving at the figure. The chairman of the House Committee on Finance, Abdulmumini Jibrin, has since availed the public such superior variables which apparently may not have been countenanced by those who drafted the estimate.

“As for the poor implementation of the capital budget for 2012 which Dr. Okupe brazenly attributed to non-utilization of already released votes, there could be no better self-indictment, as all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that ought to execute these projects are all under the Executive watch and control.”

“The assertion that the National Assembly will not rubber stamp the estimates as stated by the Senate President was intended to clear the erroneous impression created in the minds of the public by military apologists in the corridors of power that the laying of the estimate by the President is akin to budget broadcast by a military dictator which is only a notice and to enlighten the people. But for the avoidance of doubt, by the clear provisions of section 59 subsection 4 of the constitution, the legislature has the FINAL say on the budget document.

“As clearly stated in the past and for the avoidance of any doubt, Speaker Tambuwal is not on a popularity contest with any official of government. Instead, he embodies the wishes and aspiration of the Nigerian people, and expresses, at every point, only the position of the members of the House of Representatives.

“On the rather funny issue of alleged Tambuwal’s disloyalty to the PDP which one of the aides raised in a newspaper article, nothing can be farther from the truth. It is safe to say here that Nigerians are tired of worn out sentiments dished out to them at every given opportunity in order to justify unnecessary attacks on the person of the Number Four Citizen of Nigeria.

“As seen during the budget presentation, of all those who spoke at the event, only the Speaker recognised the presence of the PDP National Chairman in his order of protocol while delivering his vote of thanks. As a matter of fact, this loyal gesture drew the ire of opposition lawmakers who shouted ‘Nay’ repeatedly to show their disapproval at the Speaker’s recognition of his party chairman.

“In conclusion, let me state here that the level of discourse emanating from the President’s public affairs managers is not only unbecoming of the requirement of the highest office in the land, it shows lack of depth in the understanding of public issues and governance generally including even the rudiments of democracy and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Dr. Okupe especially is proving to have learnt nothing and forgotten nothing from his days of political participation during transition of military dictatorships and into civilian democracy. With due respect, we call on Dr. Okupe and his other attack dogs to change their orientation, they can do this by making friends with the copy of the constitution. In the event they feel that this is cumbersome, they should, in the alternative, subject their opinions to vetting by those who are more conversant with the hallowed document”.

October 14, 2012
Tell them, Tambuwal, budget is no ritual

While the dust raised by the House of Representatives over the abysmally poor implementation of the 2012 budget was yet to settle, President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday presented the 2013 budget to a joint session of the National Assembly. The House had been at daggers drawn with the executive arm of government, threatening to commence impeachment proceedings against the President if the N4.7 trillion budget presented by the President last year was not fully implemented.

Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila representing Surulere, Lagos, who initiated the debate on budget implementation after the various committees constituted by the House to monitor the MDAs had discovered that funds were not released to the MDAs which were supposed to implement the various projects in their purview, had threatened that if the economy was not properly greased by September, the House would be left with no option but to begin impeachment moves against President Jonathan.

It was on the basis of the foregoing that the House initially threatened to boycott the presentation of the 2013 budget when Jonathan informed the Senate and the House of his plan to present the budget to a joint session of the two chambers on October 4. The lawmakers had earlier warned they might reject the presentation altogether if the level of performance of the current budget remained unsatisfactory. They, therefore, passed a unanimous vote, calling on the President to defer the presentation to allow the House to complete its evaluation of the budget implementation. After some pressure from the executive arm, the House eventually yielded ground and agreed to join the Senate to host the President on Wednesday.

The budget read by the President on Wednesday would pass for a good one, considering the fact that for the first time in a very long while, the education and health sectors enjoyed a good share of the budget. Only defence would seem to have to have enjoyed more vote than these two critical sectors whose importance have hitherto been undermined by successive administrations. And it is understandable if defence is given as much attention as it has enjoyed in the budget, given the scary security situation in the country.

One would, however, expect that more money would be voted for agriculture, particularly when the President is conscious of the looming prospects of food scarcity on account of the terrible floods that have ravaged Kogi, Niger, Benue and other parts of the country considered as the nation’s food basket. Thousands of acres of farmlands where the bulk of the nation’s food crops like yam, cassava, maize, millets and guinea corn are grown have been washed away. If food is still the most critical necessity of life, agriculture deserves more than was allocated to it.

The real worry, however, stems from the fact that budget in this part of the world has been reduced to mere annual ritual with public office holders in charge of its implementation and their cronies the only beneficiaries. Last year, the nation had a budget of N4.7 trillion even though its income from oil revenue alone could be in excess of N10 trillion. But the life of the average Nigerian remains miserable.

Our roads remain the death traps they have always been. Water taps continue to run dry. Even claims of improved electricity supply in some quarters remain a mystery to many, including the residents of Otunba Gbenga Daniel Housing Estate, Ota, Ogun State, where some of the residents told me recently that they have not sighted public power for months!

The only perceivable impact from successive budgets has been the exotic lifestyles of many of our public office holders. Their castles, exotic cars, wives and concubines are multiplying in geometric proportions simultaneously as the mass of the people sink deeper and deeper into poverty because the enabling environment is not created for their trades to flourish.

The foregoing explains why Jonathan’s announcement at the joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday that the 2013 budget would witness an increase of 5 per cent from N4.7 trillion last year to N4.92 trillion would make little or no meaning to the average Nigerian.

The President had said his budget of “physical consolidation with inclusive growth” was underpinned by parameters that would reflect government’s prudent economic policies. The parameters, according to him, include the rise of oil production from N2.8 million barrels per day for 2012 to N2.53 million barrels per day. And the benchmark of US$72 per barrel in the current budget will increase to US$75 per barrel next year. These, ordinarily, should be good news in a country where budget means more than rhetoric. But in our part of the world, all we have are figures without nuances.

The matter is even more complicated in the case of the Jonathan administration because it is one that thrives on insincere promises. One and a half years into his tenure after the initial two years he spent to complete the tenure of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, virtually none of his electoral promises has been fulfilled.

Defending the nocturnal hike in the price of fuel in January, the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, had vowed that with the additional revenue from the fuel price hike, the nation would start witnessing serious transformation of its infrastructural facilities from June this year. She had also vowed that luxury buses purchased by the Federal Government would pimple our roads to ease transportation problems arising from the price hike. Besides, she said our roads would be so neatly tarred that a motorist would drive on them with a cup of tea on his dash board. The month of June has come and gone and another June is approaching without any sign that the promises will be fulfilled any time soon.

It is just as well that Tambuwal reminded the President on Wednesday about the colossal failure of the current budget. Interim reports on field oversight of the 2012 budget by the House standing committees, he said, “are clearly unimpressive both in terms of releases as well as utilization.”

Will the implementation of this year’s budget be any different?

October 13, 2012
Sambo, Obasanjo, Mark, Tambuwal lead PDP campaign train

Vice-President Namadi Sambo; former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Senate President David Mark; and House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, will lead the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign train ahead of the October 20 governorship election in Ondo State.

At the inauguration of the campaign committee yesterday in Abuja, Sambo said the PDP would fight and win the Ondo election on the basis of ‘one man, one vote’.

Sambo, who chairs the campaign committee, explained that the Federal Government would ensure that the election is free and fair.

The PDP national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, bemoaned the loss of Ondo State to the opposition Labour Party (LP) through a judicial process.

Hesaid the PDP would reclaim the state through the ballot this time around.

Tukur said: “Ondo State is a PDP state and a very important one to our party for that matter. It was, therefore, a matter of distress to us when we lost it, not through the polls but through a judicial process.

“Our resolve to win Ondo State back is the underlying factor for setting up this high powered committee.”

Tukur, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja, expressed optimism that the popularity and acceptability of the PDP candidate, Chief Olusola Oke, would ensure victory for the party.

Other members of the campaign committee are: Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amechi; former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Agagu; former Ekiti Governor Segun Oni, and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of PDP.

September 25, 2012
House uncovers plot to remove Tambuwal

–Jonathan meets Mark, Speaker over N5000 note row

–Anxiety as lawmakers get set for projects inspection

House of Representatives leaders summoned an executive session yesterday.

The unusual meeting came 24 hours after their resumption from recess.

It was all to stop a plot to remove Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal from office.

The plot, being co-ordinated by a lawmaker from Niger State, Mohammed Sani Idris Kutigi, the House leadership believes, is being sponsored by some forces in government, who allegedly felt embarrassed by the recent budget implementation row with the Executive.

According to sources, most members of the House got yesterday a text message inviting them to “Operation Clean” in the chamber.

The text reads in part: “This is inviting all first term members of the House of Representatives to an urgent meeting and launching of the project, “OPERATION CLEAN. Date, 20 September, 2012. Venue-Transcorp Hilton, Abuja. Time: 11am prompt. Hon. Mohammed Sani Idris Kutigi, Coordinator.”

Some first term members alerted the leadership of the House. They planned to boycott the said meeting.

It was learnt that most of the first term members had queried the rationale behind the Kutigi meeting.

It was also gathered that there was tension in the House when old members got wind of the proposed meeting. The leadership then called for an Executive Session.

The uncovering of the plot by the House rattled the coordinator of the “Operation Clean” and his team.

Some sources, who spoke in confidence, confirmed that at the Executive Session, most members condemned attempts to divide them by the new group.

One of the sources said: “We challenged Kutigi and those in the so-called new group to tell us their mission because we got wind of the fact that those forces trying to use them have been calculating on the numerical strength of first term Representatives to cause a crisis in the House.

“Some of us observed that the slogan of the group, ‘Operation Clean’, is mischievous and pointed to a move to ‘deal’ with the leadership of the House.”

Another source said: “We learnt that some of these forces were not happy about how we raised issues on budget implementation and the new Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

“Virtually everyone stood up to denounce the mission of this group. We thought we were building a new chapter with the Executive arm but some forces are not going along with the reconciliatory agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.”

A high ranking member said: “When we confronted Kutigi at the Executive Session, he said: ‘My intention is not malicious, I am not plotting against the House. I have no plan to destabilise the House.’

“At the end of the day, Kutigi backpedaled on the plan. He said it openly that ‘the meeting has been canceled’.”

The source added: “What we did on Wednesday has overshadowed what they had initially planned. So far, we have told them that the unity of the House is not negotiable.

“But we have chosen to watch our back because these forces might regroup soon against the House.”

According to a source, the leader of the a group of about five lawmakers, mainly from the North took the floor accusing the Speaker of starving the lawmakers of funds with which to run their constituencies.

The source said the leader of the group, who chairs a committee and also a major beneficiary of the House leadership’s goodwill, informed the session that they were made to believe that the funding challenge members were facing was the handiwork of the Speaker.

The source said: “He did not mince words that it was the Executive that informed them that the financial crisis was caused by the Speaker. The group leader told the House that some of them (the lawmakers) have been hugely indebted as a result of lack of the fund.

“He added that some of them have to tactically run away from their constituencies just because they didn’t have enough money to service their hangers-on and others that might need financial assistance.

“So, they felt that if not for the Speaker, the situation could not have been that bad. They agitated for an increment of their quarterly allowances from N25m to N35m.

“The Speaker explained that it was a delicate issue, citing previous attempts to cause disharmony in the House and where it ended.

“At this point, the Speaker said it was a deliberate attempt to cause crisis in the ranks of the lawmakers. He reminded them of what happened in the 6th House over a similar increment.”

The source added that rather than take over his own defence, the Speaker asked the Clerk of the House to clarify the issue with the official financial standing of the House.

“The Clerk brought financial documents with which he explained the state of the House’s finances and the aggrieved members apologised for being misguided. What I can only say about this is that the Speaker was able to manage the crisis very well, otherwise this could easily have degenerated into a serious issue. Already, some member were hinting at impeachment.”

Another source however told our correspondents that the crisis might not be over yet as the aggrieved group might meet again today.

“The group started working on their moves during the recess and with the development of today (yesterday), they have to appraise the result and deliberate on what next to do.

“You know they were even sending messages to members to garner support for their move, apparently, the Speaker was able to manage it well.

When our correspondent called one of the supposed actors on the telephone, he vehemently denied involvement. “There’s no project like operation clean up project. Is that what you were told? He queried our reporter and promptly cut his line.

September 20, 2012
Jonathan meets Mark, Tambuwal over N5,000 banknote

President Goodluck Jonathan has met with Senate President David Mark and House Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal on the decision of the National Assembly to reject the introduction of the N5,000 note by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

It was learnt that at the Tuesday night meeting at the Villa, the President expressed worry on plans by the National Assembly, especially the House, to begin Status Enquiry on Capital Projects in the 2012 budget.

But Mark and Tambuwal assured him that the physical tour of projects was not meant to attack the Executive or initiate impeachment proceedings against him.

The President met Mark and Tambuwal after the two chambers of the National Assembly opposed the introduction of the N5,000 note by the CBN.

A source, who pleaded not to be named because he is not allowed to talk to the media, said the Senate President and Speaker insisted that the timing of the N5,000 note was not good.

They also conveyed the feelings of Nigerians that they do not want the denomination, asking President Jonathan not to run against the wish of the majority of Nigerians.

The source said: “The President and the National Assembly leaders had mutual discussion on the arguments for and against the N5,000 note.

“At the end of the day, the President told the leaders: ‘If that is the popular decision of Nigerians, we will advise the CBN to have a rethink of the policy. We will not enforce it because we cannot run against the wish of our people.’

“The President was not too categorical but his body language at the meeting indicated that he might consult with the CBN and the Economic Management Team to drop the introduction of the new note.”

It was gathered that the President was concerned also about the decision of the National Assembly to embark on Status Enquiry on Capital Projects in 2012 budget.

According to another source, the President felt physical verification of capital projects by members of the National Assembly might still be a carry-over of the row between the Executive and the Legislature over budget implementation.

But the Speaker explained that the inspection is designed to assist the Jonathan administration to know the true position of implementation of capital projects.

“We are not out to undermine your administration or move against you,” the Speaker was quoted as assuring the President.

The House also agreed to go ahead with its planned Status Enquiry on Capital Projects in 2012 budget from next week.

This decision was reached at an Executive Session yesterday.

A source said: “As part of our discovery that budget implementation is low, we will begin inspection of project sites as from next week.

“This inspection will be solely financed by the House; we won’t take a penny from the Executive. We want to know whether these MDAs are working on not.

“After the tour, we will be able to determine the true position on the implementation of the 2012 Budget and give Nigerians the accurate percentage of execution.

“We want to ascertain the list of contracts awarded, status of projects and the extent of cash backing.

“This Status Enquiry will also assist us in considering the 2013 Budget due for presentation by the end of this month. The era of abandonment of projects is gone. We will not appropriate funds for abandoned projects.”

September 20, 2012