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Tag: The Senate

  • Senate probes N105.66b financial infractions by MDAs

    Senate probes N105.66b financial infractions by MDAs

    •Red Chamber vows to sanction Fed Govt’s agencies over non-compliance with Auditor- General’s report, others

    The Senate yesterday moved to penalise any head of Federal Government agencies indicted for financial infractions in the report the Auditor General of the Federation (AuGF) submitted to the National Assembly.

    The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance, Garba Madoki, said this at a roundtable conference with the theme: Strengthening Legislative Compliance for Effective Governance, yesterday in Abuja.

    The workshop was organised by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) in partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) for the Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance.

    Madoki decried the high rate at which heads of the MDAs were shunning Senate’s summons, warning that further disregard for the resolutions of the Red Chamber would no longer be tolerated.

    He said: “We are going to be very strict on the report of the Auditor-General of the Federation. We are taking notes of those items.

    “In a very short while, measures are going to be taken against anybody who refuses to comply with Senate’s resolutions on the matter.

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    “Where compliance is not done, I can guarantee you that actions will be taken against whoever is infringing on those reports.”

    A few months ago, the AuGF expressed concerns over irregularities and weaknesses in financial regulations across MDAs of government, especially in the disbursement and utilisation of public funds.

    The AuGF noted that transparency and accountability in government’s financial management systems could not be over-emphasised, particularly given the country’s rapidly dwindling revenues as well as its impact on annual budget.

    The Auditor-General, in his latest annual report on the financial conduct of public institutions, currently before the National Assembly, had revealed that a total sum of N105.66 billion had been expended by MDAs in breach of extant rules and regulations.

    The report stated that N18.36 billion was for contracts awarded without regard to the Public Procurement Act.

  • Trouble looms in Senate over choice of principal officers

    The Senate reconvenes plenary on Tuesday after three weeks break following the inauguration of the Ninth National Assembly.

    With the seamless election of presiding officers, the question on the lips of National Assembly watchers is who becomes Senate Leader, Deputy Senate Leader, Chief Whip and Deputy Chief Whip?

    This is even as senators’ scheming and jostling for headship of juicy committees have begun in earnest.

    Insiders said that the constitution of the 64 standing committees of the upper chamber will be the first litmus test for the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan and the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege.

    Multiple sources informed that lobbying for the key positions of Senate Leader and others “is getting more and more intense by the day” as the Tuesday date for the resumption of plenary draws near.

    The Senate President is expected to announce the occupants of the top Senate positions on Tuesday if the trouble shooting efforts of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yields fruit, it was learnt yesterday.

    The important positions, which will form part of the leadership of the upper chamber, also referred to as the “Selection Committee” are said to be the duty of the majority party in the Senate to decide who becomes what in line with its zoning arrangements.

    The Senate President is the chairman of the Selection Committee which allocates committees to senators.

    At the last count, Senators Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa West) and Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (Niger North), both from North Central, are the top contenders for the slot of Senate Leader.

    With just three days to resumption of plenary, insiders said yesterday that APC is yet to take a position on who to choose as Senate Leader.

    Findings showed that while those rooting for the Niger North Senator to emerge Senate Leader are banking on “the work and the risk he took for the emergence of Lawan as Senate President,” those angling for Adamu are pushing what they describe as the Nasarawa West Senator’s “rich experience on legislative matters.”

    It appears that the main battle is the position of Senate Leader as other principal officers’ slots are said to “have been sorted out by the party.”

    A North Central APC senator insisted yesterday that the party “must do what is right in its selection process to avoid setting senators against themselves and breeding bad blood in the Senate.”

    According to the senator, who is also part of the lobby group of one of the contenders, “what remains sacrosanct is that the Senate Leader’s position has been zoned to the North Central but the race is still open as to who will be announced on Tuesday when we reconvene.”

    Unease in PDP over minority whip position

    The camp of opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which many thought had got it right with the selection of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South) as Minority Leader is already boiling.

    The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP is said to have concluded arrangements to tinker the list of selected principal officers of the minority party in the Senate.

    Unconfirmed reports on Tuesday said that the NWC of the PDP is pushing to drop the Edo Central Senator, Clifford Ordia, who was earlier selected as the party’s Deputy Senate Whip.

    A South-South governor is said to be behind the move to shove Ordia aside in place of Senator Sahabi Yau from Zamfara State.

    Those who emerged with Abaribe at a meeting held in the Abuja home of the National Chairman of PDP, Uche Secondus, included Emmanuel Bwacha, who represents Taraba South Senatorial District, as deputy minority leader.

    Senator Philip Aduda, Federal Capital Territory, emerged as the minority whip while Ordia emerged as the Senate deputy minority whip.

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    It was reliably gathered that the attempt to drop Ordia is being fiercely resisted by other PDP South-South senators.

    Ordia himself is said to have been livid when the news broke that he might be dropped to make way for a Zamfara Senator.

    Some South-South senators are threatening a showdown with the PDP NWC, vowing to resist what they called a plot to impose Yau on them without due consultation.

    PDP has 16 senators from the South-South geopolitical zone while APC has two.

    Senators from Edo, Cross River, Delta and Akwa Ibom states are insisting that the South-South cannot be without holding a principal position in the upper chamber.

    One of the aggrieved South-South senators explained that election was conducted at a meeting held at the Abuja home of PDP National Chairman, Secondus, on June 14.

    He added that nominations were also made before winners emerged. According to him, those who emerged were unanimously backed by the various PDP organs.

    He claimed that the plot to drop Ordia does not have the backing of the caucus of the party.

    He said: “Under the rules of the Senate, it is not the responsibility of the National Working Committee to select principal officials.

    “It is the responsibility of the senators themselves to select who leads them. The minority senators have freely elected those they want and nothing will change it.

    “The argument that they want to represent every part of the country is false.

    “There are eight positions open to the PDP in the two chambers of the National Assembly. Even if you share one to each geopolitical zone, two will still get an extra slot.

    “Those we selected are known to us. They are the people we can work with. Some governors causing this division don’t know how the Parliament operates. They want to control everything in the party for their selfish interests.

    “Maybe the NWC has not learnt its lessons. The APC tried this imposition in the eighth Senate and they paid for it dearly.

    “It is up to the PDP to allow us have our way or allow strangers destroy its fold in the Senate.

    “The wish of senators must be respected for sustainable peace in the Senate.”

    APC and PDP senators’ caucus meetings are said to have been scheduled to hold ahead of the resumption of plenary on Tuesday.

    Although the agenda of the meetings are not known, they may not be unconnected with the need to reconvene a crisis-free Senate on Tuesday.

  • Tough battles for the Senate

    The National Assembly will get new members after tomorrow’s election. Some old hands may also return. Yusuf Alli, Emmanuel Oladesu, Raymond Mordi, Leke Salaudeen, Musa Odoshimhoke, Adamu Sulaiman (Sokoto), Joel Duku (Damaturu), Kolade Adeyemi (Kano), Adekunle Jimoh (Ilorin) and Abdulgafar Alabelewe (Kaduna) report.

    Kogi

    In a state like Kogi, where the ruling APC has been embroiled in crisis, it may be difficult to say who would carry the day. In the Kogi East race, the leading contenders are: Attai Aidoko of the PDP, Victor Adoji of African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Jibril Isa, aka Echocho, of the APC. Aidoko is a sitting senator, while Echocho is a former governorship candidate. Adoji is a tested technocrat. He is popular. But, his party is relatively new.

    It would have been a smooth sail for Aidoko, if he had performed to the expectation of the people. But, the way things stand at the moment, victory is not certain for him this time around. Echocho is a community man, held in esteem by stakeholders. He is a household name in his district. He could yet prevail tomorrow, despite the animosity towards the governor.

    But, the seeming animosity of the people of the area towards the APC administration of Governor Yahaya Bello may work in Aidoko’s favour and earn him a return to the upper legislative chamber.

    In Kogi West, the drama of the shifting political landscape would play out vividly in the zone’s senatorial election. The battle is between Senator Smart Adeyemi and Senator Dino Melaye of the APC and the PDP respectively. During the last general election, Adeyemi, a sitting senator then, contested on the platform of the then ruling PDP and Melaye who flew the banner of the APC, then the main opposition party.

    This time around, there is a reversal of roles, with Adeyemi switching to the APC, while Melaye has equally defected to the PDP. Adeyemi is generally believed to have delivered more democratic dividends to the people while at the Senate.

    Melaye also enjoys the support of the people for being outspoken in the Senate; even though some believe that he usually fights the wrong battle. The perceived anti-government sentiment in the state would also favour him.

    However, he is said to have lost the vital support of the Lokoja/Koto axis, where he received overwhelming support in 2015.

    The contest may be tough in Kogi Central, where Senator Ahmed Ogembe (PDP), Alhaji Yakubu Oseni (APC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Natasha Hadiza Akpoti, are vigorously campaigning for votes.

     

    Kwara 

    The Kwara Central race, where the APC’s Dr Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe is going to slug it out with the PDP’s Senator Bukola Saraki, will be an epic battle. It is going to be a battle between a hitherto solid but now dying political Saraki political dynasty and a mass movement.

    No doubt, the Senate President has a rich political background, but this time he would be contesting against the tsunami that is currently brewing in the Northcentral state. Oloriegbe is a medical doctor and a former World Health Organisation (WHO) consultant.

    The odds are against Saraki, because the people of Ilorin Emirate who have over the years supported him are revolting against him this time around. The tsunami, dubbed oto ge or ‘enough is enough’ would see Saraki being challenged in a free and fair election for the first time.

    The emirate has the largest voting population of the state. The people are apparently fed up with his style of leadership. Little wonder, the masses are not looking at the personality of the APC candidate, but are desirous for a change.

    In Kwara South, the contest seems to have been made easy for the APC candidate Lola Ashiru, because the PDP is in disarray over who should fly its flag in the zone. INEC has declared Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed as the PDP candidate for the race, but the party is insisting that the current Senator representing the district, Dr Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim, is its candidate.

    Traditionally, Kwara Southerners are opposed to the political dynasty of the Sarakis. Besides, the victory of the APC in the recent bye-election in Ekiti/Oke-Ero/Isin/Irepodun Federal Constituency confirmed the supremacy of APC in the area. The PDP sought to drop the governor from the senatorial race, soon after the by-election for fear that he could be defeated. But, the INEC said it was too late.

    In Kwara North, it is going to be a battle royale between a serving member of the House of Representatives, Zakari Mohammed of the PDP and Umar Sodiq of the APC. Kwara North people have been close allies of the Sarakis. Mohammed hails from Baruten Local Government Area, while Sodiq, a pharmacist, hails from Kaiama Local Government Area.

     

    Sokoto

    Senator Abdullahi Danbaba Dambuwa (Sokoto South), Senator Ahmed Maccido (Sokoto Central) and Salihu Maidaji (Sokoto East) are contesting on the platform of the PDP, while Abubakar Shehu Tambuwal (Sokoto South), Senator Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir (Sokoto East) and Senator Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto Central) are doing so on the ticket of the APC.

    Wamakko, Gobir and Dambuwa are seeking re-election, but Danbaba who defected from the APC to the PDP created space for Tambuwal to pick the ticket in Sokoto South. Tambuwal and Maidaji are new entrants, while Maccido is a former senator.

    In the eastern zone, Gobir is holding sway for the APC across eight local governments where the party is presumably strong. He will be facing Maidaji of the PDP, who is currently the Speaker of the Sokoto State House of Assembly.

    Tambuwal is a seasoned politician and a former PDP chieftain with massive following in Tambuwal town. He defected to the APC recently and promptly got the ticket. He is believed to be one of the most influential opinion leaders in the town. Tambuwal is up against Senator Danbaba who is also seeking re-election.

    Danbaba defected to the PDP last year with the governor and others. But observers in the zone, which is made up of seven local governments, say the lawmaker did not perform to expectation to deserve a re-election.

    For the Sokoto central zone, Senator Wamakko remains the candidate to beat, because he stands to reap what can best be described as ‘payback votes.’ Maccido, his PDP counterpart is one-time senator who is banking on the bandwagon votes. PDP stalwarts led by Attahiru Bafarawa and Governor Aminu Tambuwal are mobilising the people to vote for all the party’s candidates.

     

    Yobe

    In Yobe State, the APC is confident that it will win the three senatorial seats on Saturday. However, it will be a tough battle for the party to dethrone the incumbent PDP senator from Zone B, Mohammed Hassan who is working tirelessly to be re-elected.

    Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam (APC), who is contesting in Zone A, appears to have no major challenger. He is capitalizing on the weak opposition. The PDP appears to have given up, because it is virtually not engaging the voters in a rigorous campaign.

    Gaidam will however have to contend with former local government chairman, Abbagana Tata (PDP). Tata is also the longest serving PDP chairman in the state. As a result, he has a lot of grassroots support. But, he may not be able to muster enough financial muscle to march that of his opponent, Governor Gaidam.

    In Yobe South, Mohammed Hassan, aka Dembu (PDP), is the current senator representing the zone at the upper legislative chamber. Dembu in 2015 defeated the APC senator in the zone in an aggressive campaign that was largely hinged on tribal and ethnic sentiments. The senator is not a push over, despite the fact that the state is currently governed by the APC. He is said to be well connected to the grassroots, due to his outstanding performance at the Red Chamber.

    Mohammed Ibrahim Bomoi is flying the flag of the APC in Yobe South, otherwise known as Zone C. But he appears to be contesting for the Senate reluctantly, because he was forced to fly the senatorial flag of the party after he was denied the governorship ticket by forces within the fold. The retired billionaire and former Director of Finance at the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) does not seem to have the money for the campaign and he is not receiving much support from the party.

    For instance, Bomoi was absent at the party’s rally in his home town, Potiskum. This development has sent a negative signal to the people that he is not seriously in contention for the seat.

    Senator Ahmed Lawan (APC), who is currently the Senate Leader, is the APC flag bearer in Zone C. Lawan will be completing his 20th year at the National Assembly and he still looks sure of being re-elected on Saturday. His stay at the National Assembly and connection to the people leaves him at a vantage position to be re-elected more than his PDP opponent.

    Therefore, the PDP candidate in the zone, Sherriff Abdu, is facing a formidable opponent in the Senate Leader. Abdu was elected twice as chairman of Bade Local Government in the aborted Third Republic on the platform of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC), and the defunct All Peoples Party (APP) in 1999.

    The PDP candidate is counting on his grassroots popularity to dislodge  Lawan tomorrow.

     

    Kaduna

    In Kaduna North, the race is between the incumbent Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi of the PDP and Suleiman Abdu Kwari of the APC. Kwari is the immediate past Commissioner of Finance. Indications are that any party that wins the zone in the senatorial election will most likely clinch the governorship seat.

    The odds favour the APC to triumph, because of the Muhammadu Buhari factor and the power of incumbency at the state level. But, other factors also favour the PDP candidate. These are the unwavering influence of two former governors, Senator Ahmed Makarfi and Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, as well as the grassroots mobilisation strength of Hunkuyi himself.

    Though the President is originally from Katsina, he has lived most of life in Kaduna. Not only is President Buhari loved in Kaduna, but he is also ‘worshiped’. Therefore, the Hausa-Fulani dominated Kaduna North zone, where Buhari is favoured to win his re-election bid, is most likely to vote APC in the National Assembly election, especially since the presidential and the National Assembly elections fall on the same day.

    Besides, the sitting Governor Nasir El-Rufai will be giving Kwari’s election his best, not only because the zone will determine who wins the governorship, but also because the governor cannot afford a return of Hunkuyi who while in the APC worked against him, by blocking the $350m loan the state was seeking from the World Bank.

    In Kaduna Central, the election is going to be very interesting. This is because the incumbent Senator Shehu Sani is neither in the ruling APC nor the major opposition party, the PDP. Sani defected to the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) at the peak of his disagreement with Governor El-Rufai.

    But, unlike Senator Hunkuyi, the misunderstanding between Sani and El-Rufai started at the inception of the APC administration. The crisis became irredeemable when Sani, who is the chairman Senate Committee on Foreign and Domestic Loans, publicly stated that the Senate will not allow the El-Rufai-led administration to access the World Bank loan.

    Sani would be facing Lawal Usman of the PDP and El-Rufai’s annointed candidate, Uba Sani, at the poll. The election will be a unique one, but the Buhari factor will favour Uba Sani against the very popular Shehu contesting on the platform of an unpopular party and the unpopular PDP candidate.

    Though Shehu Sani enjoys high level of support from the grassroots, an average electorate from Igabi, Kaduna North and Giwa local governments where majority of the votes will come from will easily sacrifice him for Buhari’s love. While the votes from Kaduna South, Chikun and Kajuru local governments will not be significant enough for him to emerge victorious, especially since the PDP candidate is favoured by the Atiku factor on those local governments.

    For Kaduna South, neither the Buhari nor the El-Rufai factor will work here. The zone has since inception of El-Rufai’s administration demonstrated resentment to his government. The Deputy Governor, Barnabas Yusuf Bala, is the APC senatorial candidate for the zone. Besides, the zone did not vote the APC in 2015 and there is no sign they will change their mind this time. This is a plus for the incumbent Senator Danjuma La’ah.

     

    Kano

    Before the latest political development that saw the cross-carpeting of some political heavyweights between the two major parties, all the three senators representing Kano were all in APC. However, with the defection of immediate-past Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso from the APC to the PDP and the return of former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau to the APC, the game has changed. Shekarau is the APC flag bearer for Kano Central.

    So, there is no doubt the PDP is on the verge of losing influence with the entrance of Shekarau in the senatorial contest. Shekarau is two-time governor of the state. Since 2003 when he defeated Kwankwaso as an incumbent governor, Malam as Shekarau is fondly called, has become a political nightmare to Kwankwaso.

    Though Kwankwaso is not re-contesting the senatorial seat, he planted one of his political godsons, Aliyu Sani Madakin Gini, as the PDP candidate for Kano Central. However, pundits have described Madakin’s candidature, as a ladder to victory for Shekarau, as the House of Representatives member, cannot, in any way, withstand Shekarau’s political weight.

    In Kano South, Senator Kabiru Gaya, a former governor in the aborted Third Republic on the platform of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) and a fourth-timer at the Red Chamber, is sure to represent Kano South district again, going by his political pedigree. He is going to slug it out with Alhaji Abdullahi Sani Rogo of the PDP. Rogo, a former political associate of Malam Shekarau, is now one of the chieftains of the Kwankwasiyya Movement.

    During Shekarau’s tenure as governor, between 2003 and 2007, Rogo was one of the powerful members of Shekarau’s cabinet; he manned the juicy Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. That was the first time Rogo appeared in Kano’s political scene. Since then, Rogo has been cross-carpeting from one party to the other in search of political fortune. Now that he has been favoured by Kwankwaso with a PDP senatorial ticket, political analysts continue to wonder how Rogo will be able to defeat Senator Gaya, with his wealth of experience and influence within and outside Kano’s political landscape. More so, Gaya is known to be a close political ally to Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the sitting governor.

    In Kano North, the sitting Senator, Barau Jibril, is seeking to return to the Red Chamber on the ticket of the APC. Senator Jubril was a member of House of Representatives between 1999 and 2003 when he chaired the House Committee on Appropriation. He was in the House of Representatives under the platform of the PDP. After 2003, he left the political scene, but re-emerged in 2015 as the senator representing Kano North, after he defeated the influential Senator Bello Hayatu Gwarzo of the PDP, who had been in the Senate from 1999 to 2015.

    Come this Saturday, the eloquent and outspoken Senator Barau Jubril will be challenged by Ahmed Garba Bichi of the PDP. Ahmed Garba Bichi is not a small fry politically. During the tenure of the late President Umar Musa Yar’Adua, he served as Minister of State for Commerce and Industry. A close political ally to Kwankwaso and one of the powerful chieftains of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Bichi contested against Malam Ibrahim Shekarau in the 2007 governorship election in Kano, where Shekarau defeated him with a narrow margin.

    The contest between Bichi and Senator Barau Jubril is expected to be very fierce, keen and hot as Kwankwaso’s influence will also play a major role in the contest, to his favour. However, Governor Ganduje, who comes from the Kano North zone, is likely to lend a helping hand to the effort of his political loyalist and right-hand man.

     

    Edo

    Former House of Representatives member, Abubakar Momoh, is the PDP candidate for Edo North. He will slug it out with Senator Francis Alimikhena of the APC. Alimikhena is the current occupier of the seat. The two candidates are formidable, but the APC candidate would bank on the existing structure and the popularity it currently enjoys.

    Alimikhena has promised to retire Momoh from politics. He said Momoh is mocking himself by claiming he executed projects which cannot be verified.

    The contest for Edo South is between Matthew Urhoghide of the PDP and Patrick Obahiagbon of the APC. The two personalities are very popular; it is believed that the contest will be keen. The candidates have equally distinguished themselves in public service. Obahiagbon is renowned for his commitment to comic performance, which many say has endeared him to the grassroots.

    In Edo Central, Patrick Ikharhiale of the APC will slug it out with John Inegbedion of the PDP. Esanland is known to be the stronghold of the PDP. Inegbedion secured victory for the PDP in the 2015 election. Esanland is the home turf of Chief Tony Anenih and other notable politicians. They used to be in firm control of the area. But, with the death of Anenih,, things have changed. Governor Godwin Obaseki has in recent times focused on the district, implementing projects and wooing the district to the APC. Saturday will see of the people of the area are appreciative of his efforts.

     

    Delta

    In Delta South, James Manager of the PDP is going to test his popularity for the fifth time. So, he will do everything possible to prove skeptics wrong, by winning the election. But, he has a formidable opponent in the person of former Governor Emmanuel Udaughan. The former governor who is contesting on the APC platform is favoured by the opinion polls.

    Uduaghan’s vision and plan for Delta South touched the Niger Delta region; this has further endeared him to the people. He carried out developmental projects in the zone when he was governor, which is likely to boost his chances.

    In Delta North, Doris Uboh of the APC will battle the incumbent Senator Peter Nwaoboshi of the PDP. Nwaoboshi has all the aces.

    In the Delta Central zone, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege of the APC will face Evelyn Oboro-Ojokoro of the PDP. Omo-Agege has been in the eye of the storm during the current session at the National Assembly. He is quite popular and likely to emerge victorious at the election.

     

    Akwa Ibom

    In Akwa Ibom Northwest district, which is also known as the Ikot Ekpene zone, former Governor Godswill Akpabio is the APC flag bearer. He will contest against Christopher Ekpenyong of the PDP.

    Akwa Ibom South it is a battle between Nelson Effiong of the APC and Dr. Akon Eyakenya of the PDP.

    In Akwa Ibom Northeast, Bassey Etim of the APC will challenge Bassey Akpan of the PDP.

     

    Anambra

    In Anambra Central, Senator Victor Umeh of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) will confront Senator Uche Ekwunife of the APC and Charles Odunukwe of the PDP.

    The race for the Anambra South seat will feature Nicholas Ukachukwu of APGA, Senator Andy Uba of the APC and Chris Uba of the PDP. Capital Oil boss Ifenayi Ubah is the candidate of the Young Peoples Party (YPP).The battle will be very interesting, given that the Uba brothers have been in the game of over the years.  In the North District, Senator Magi Okadigbo of APC and Mrs. Stella Oduah of PDP will slug it out on poll day.

     

    Oyo

    In Oyo South, three eminent politicians would slug it out. They are Governor Abiola  Ajimobi of the APC, Chief Bayo Lawal of the PDP  and the incumbent senator, Soji Akanbi who is contesting on the platform of African Democratic Congress (ADC).

    Ajimobi is a veteran in Oyo politics. He came to the limelight in 2003 when he was elected a senator representing the zone on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD).

    In 2007, he contested the governorship election under the umbrella of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) but lost the election. He contested again on the platform of APC and was elected in a keenly contested election.

    Lawal was a retired Group Captain in Nigeria Air Force. Apart from being a PDP chieftain, his political experience is sketchy. He won the party’s senatorial ticket in a shadow election. He polled 461 votes to defeat his rival and former Deputy Governor, Alhaji Azeem Gbolarumi who scored 66 votes.

    Akanbi is currently representing the zone in the Senate. He was elected on the platform of APC in 2015, but dumped the party and joined the ADC. He decided to leave the APC following the insistence of Governor Ajimobi to return to the Senate.

    In Oyo Central, former Senate Leader, Senator Teslim Folarin, of the APC will slug it out with the incumbent senator representing the zone, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu of the ADC, Bisi Ilaka of the PDP and Tope Olatoye of the ADP.

    Folarin was a two-term senator. He contested and won the senatorial seat to represent Oyo Central in 2003 at the age of 39 on the platform of the PDP. He was re-elected for second term in 2007 on the same platform. Folarin remains the only legislator from Oyo State who has served two terms at the Senate. During his second tenure, he was appointed Senate Leader.

    Folarin contested for the governorship on the ticket of the PDP in 2014, but he lost the election to the incumbent Governor Ajimobi. He defected to the APC in December 2017. He is a ranked traditional chief, the Laguna Olubadan of Ibadanland.

    Sunmonu was elected to the Senate on the platform of the APC, but he dumped the party in 2018 and declared for the ADC. She was the former Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly. She and Ilaka hail from Oyo town. They will share the four local governments in Oyo zone.

    For Oyo North, the incumbent, Senator  Abdulfatai Buhari of the APC will slug it out with Mrs Mulikat Akande-Adeola of the PDP and Bayo Lawal of the ADC.

    Buhari will rely on the goodwill of his constituents and good representation in his first term. Of all the three senatorial candidates of APC in Oyo State, it was only Buhari that emerged unopposed, a similar feat he enjoyed in 2015. He was the only senator whose election was not challenged at the tribunal. He established information and communication centres in all the 13 local governments in the senatorial zone. He also built Information Centre for Technology (ICT) centres for the conduct of JAMB examinations in four locations in the zone.

    Akande-Adeola was a former Majority Leader, House of Representatives. She represented Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South and Orire Federal Constituency from 2007 to 2015.  She lost election for a third term in 2015.

    Lawal hails from Oke-Ogun zone. He is a prominent member of Oke-Ogun Progressive Movement (OPM). He was a former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state under the administration of the late Alhaji Lam Adesina. He will be banking on support from Oke-Ogun communities to realise his ambition.

     

    Lagos

    The Lagos Central senatorial seat will be a straight fight between the incumbent Senator Oluremi Tinubu of the APC and Mr. Adesunbo Onitiri of the PDP. Senator Tinubu is serving her second term on the platform of the APC. An educationist, administrator, philanthropist and Officer of the Order of Niger (OON), she was the exemplary First Lady of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007, during which period she founded the New Era Foundation; a non-profit organisation dedicated to youth development, girl-child education, women empowerment and inspiring young people to excellence.

    As senator, she hosts quarterly town hall meetings with her constituents to render accounts of her stewardship and obtain feedbacks on their developmental needs. She has sponsored bills to provide security for elderly citizens; seek the amendment of Labour Act; to enhance employment opportunities for women and a bill to provide special economic assistance to Lagos State in view of its status as a former capital city and the commercial capital of Nigeria.

    She has impacted positively on her constituents through her constituency development initiative such as scholarship awards; provision of maintenance grants for senior citizens and sponsorship of Youth Empowerment and Skills acquisition Scheme.

    Onitiri is not a neophyte in politics. He played a significant role in the struggle for democracy, especially during the June 12, 1993 struggle. He obtained the historic landmark judgment of June 12 that enabled the election to hold on June 12. He organised the Epetedo  Declaration along with the late Prince Ademola Adele and the late Senator Wahab Dosunmu in which the winner of June 12 presidential election, the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola re-claimed his mandate.

    Onitiri, General Secretary of Lagos Elders Council, said he decided to contest the senatorial seat to change many obsolete laws that still exist in nation’s statute books for good governance. He said the 1999 Constitution, as amended, did not give room for true democracy to survive in the country.

    In Lagos West district, the incumbent Senator Solomon Adeola (a.k.a. Yayi) is the APC candidate. He is seeking a second term at the red chamber. He was elected senator in 2015 on the platform of the APC. Prior to his senatorial election, Adeola was a member of Lagos State House of Assembly from 2003 to 2011 and House of Representatives from May2011 to May 2015. In the Senate, he’s the Vice Chairman of Communications Committee. He served as Chairman of Public Accounts in the House of Representatives among others.

    The PDP candidate is 35-year old Gbadebo Rhodes Vivour. He is a greenhorn in politics. He said he is in the race to represent the Lagos West in the Senate to show his constituents what true representation looks and feels like. He said: “I am running to fight for you, to ensure that you get all that is due to you.”

     

    Ondo

    The Ondo North senatorial seat is a straight fight between the incumbent Senator Ajayi Boroffice of the APC and Dr Tunji Abayomi of Action Alliance (AA).

    Boroffice was first elected as senator in 2011 on the platform of Labour Party and later decamped to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) on December 28, 2011, so that he can pursue his governorship ambition. He was re-elected as senator in 2015 on the platform of APC.

    Abayomi, the AA candidate, was a staunch member of the APC in Ondo State. He was one of the aspirants that contested for the APC governorship candidate along with Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and Boroffice in 2016.

    Following the unresolved internal crisis that rocked the APC senatorial primary for Ondo North, Abayomi left the party. He claimed to have won the APC ticket to represent Ondo North at the upper legislative chamber. He also alleged that the national leadership of the party gave the ticket to Senator Boroffice at his expense.

    Abayomi, a legal practitioner and human right activist, said: “In keeping with long standing determination to fight for my right, I will run for the senate in Ondo North Senatorial Zone on the platform of Action Alliance since the national leadership of APC has unconstitutionally blocked my chance by forcing its candidate on us all.”

     

    Osun

    The immediate past Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Osun State Dr Ajibola Basiru is the APC standard bearer for Osun Central Senatorial District. He also served as Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties under the administration of Rauf Aregbesola . He was a member of the AD and remained in the party through its metamorphosis to Action Congress (AC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and now APC.

    Basiru has articulated agenda for the people of Osun Central. He promised continous consultation with the constituents; sponsorship of beneficial bills; establishment of skills /vocational training centres across the senatorial zone; annual employability/career training /Job Fair for graduates in the senatorial district to ensure that our graduates are not only qualified but employable.

    His promise also include facilitation of a Tech/ICT Hub for youth in the district; annual medical outreach/ health awareness programmes; creation of Food Bank for the district; Ajibola Basiru’s water project; Bill to establish  a Federal Medical Centre in Osun Central and an all-inclusive qualitative representation at the senate.

    The former Osun State Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Gani Ola-Oluwa is the senatorial candidate for Osun Central.  He defeated other aspirants with intimidating credentials such Chief Kola Ogunwale who was in the Senate between 2003 and 2007 and Alhaji Fatai Diekola, a PDP chieftain in the state. Ola-oluwa served as Special Adviser on Special Duties to former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola before he became Chairman, Olorunda Local Government in 2007.

    Ola-Oluwa candidacy is being threatened by a suit seeking his disqualification over lack of requisite qualification to stand for senatorial election.  The matter is still pending before the Federal High Court, Osogbo.

    In Osun East (Ife/Ijesa), House of Representatives member Ajibola Famurewa of the APC is the candidate to beat. He has the backing of Senator Iyiola Omisore, who is backing the APC.

     

    Ekiti

    The contest for Ekiti South senatorial seat is between the Senate Minority Leader and PDP senatorial candidate, Senator Abiodun Olujimi and Prince Adeyeye of the APC.

    Olujimi is an experienced politician. She started her political career in 1997 when she joined her husband in politics as the National Publicity Secretary of the defunct NCPN. She moved to All Peoples Congress (APC) also as publicity secretary.

    She joined the PDP in 2002 which marked the beginning of her elevation in politics. In 2003, she was appointed Special Assistant by former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose. From there, she was elected as member, House of Representatives. She became Deputy Governor in 2005. In 2015, she contested for the senatorial seat to represent Ekiti South and she won . She was deputy Minority Whip and later Minority Leader.

    Former Minister of State for Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye is the APC senatorial candidate. He emerged as a consensus candidate. Adeye defected from the PDP to APC prior to July 14, 2017 governorship election to support Dr Kayode Fayemi.

    Adeyeye was a pro-democracy activist and a member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO). He was Director of Publicity, Falae for President Campaign Organisation (1990-1992. He was adviser on policy and press matters, M.K.O. Abiola for President Campaign Organisation  (1993), spokesman for Alliance for Democracy (AD) and a member of the Southwest Delegation to the Nigerian Leaders of Thought Conference.

    In 2006, he was a governorship aspirant in Ekiti on the platform of AD in which Fayemi emerged as the governorship candidate. Adeyeye and other 12 aspirants defected to the PDP.  Again, in 2018, he declared interest to contest Ekiti governorship seat under PDP. He lost to Kolapo Olusola-Eleka considered as Fayose’s anointed candidate.

    In Ekiti central, Obafemi Adewale, former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, is contesting on the platform of the PDP. Former House of Representatives member Oyeyemi Bamidele is the APC flag bearer. In the North, Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi is the candidate of the APC.

     

    Ogun

    Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun is the APC candidate for Ogun Central Senatorial District. The state chapter of the party had been enmeshed in internal crisis following the governorship primary that produced Prince Dapo Abiodun as the candidate of the party, against the preferred choice of the governor, Adekunle Akinlade who had been chosen as the party’s consensus candidate before the primary.

    After the primary, conducted by the electoral committee from the National Working Committee, in which his candidate lost, the governor had protested against the outcome. But in a bid to pacify the governor and end the crisis, the party gave him three senatorial slots and a Rep position.

    Despite the efforts to pacify him, Amosun had directed his loyalists to leave APC andjoin APM. His anointed candidate, Akinlade is the APM governorship candidate in Ogun State. Amosun accepted the APC senatorial ticket for Ogun Centraland has been on the field canvassing for votes. But he has vowed to work against the APC governorship candidate in the state.

    The First female Speaker of the Ogun State Hous of Assembly, Mrs Titi Oseni-Gomez will slug it out with Amosun. She is contesting on the platform of African Democratic Congress (ADC). She was adopted as consensus candidate among other aspirants which included Femi Maje kodunmi and Bisola Sodipo-Clark.

    Oseni-Gomez, who hailed from Abeokuta South, ventured into politics in 1999. She was elected Speaker on June 4, 2013 on PDP platform.

    The PDP flag bearer for Ogun Central Senatorial District is Apostle Solomon Abiodun Sanyaolu.

     

    Benue:

    Benue is a state to watch. This is because of the pre-election defections and flexing of muscles by APC and PDP leaders.

    There are three zones in the state. Zone A is made up of Lago, Katsina-Ala and Ukum. The zone has produced three senators-Prof. Hagher, Prof. Daniel Sasor and Brg-Gen. Akaagaga.

    Konshigha, Vandekaiya, Kwande and Ushongo are also part of the zone. Ushongo produced David Iornem as senator in 1992 on the platform of the proscribed Social Democratic Party (SDP).

    Former Governor Gabriel Suswan is fro Logo. Senator Barnabas Gemade is from Konshisha. He has been elected twice. He is seeking a third term in SDP.

    The APC candidate is from Kwande. The local government has not produced a senator. Many stakeholders want the senatorial seat to rotate. Elder statesman Paul Nnongo from Kwande is backing the APC candidate.

    Zone B is perceived as the stronghold of Senator George Akume, former governor of the state. It comprise Gboko, Torko, Makurdi and Gwar.

    Akume wants to keep his seat in the Senate. Governor Sam Ortom is interested in a second term. There is rivalry between the two leaders, who parted ways last year. The governor has vowed to stop Akume. He said he would prefer to lose than allow Akume to return to the Upper Chamber.  Also, Akume has vowed to abort Ortom’s second term bid.

    The PDP candidate is no match for Akume. But, Ortom, Senator Iyi=orcha Ayu and other PDP big shots are backing him.

    Zone C is Senator David Mark’s zone. He has handed the baton to his trusted ally, Abba oro, former Interior Minister.

     

    Nasarawa

    The senatorial race appears very keen in Nasarawa State because of its heterogeneous nature. The death of the Emir of Lafia, Alh. Isa Mustapha Agwai, who weilded much political influence and dictated the pace of politics, might change the calculation.

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    In Nasarawa South, it is a tough battle between Governor Umar Tanko Al-Makura and the incumbent senator , Suleiman Adokwe. While Adokwe is an Alago, the governor is from a minority ethnic group called Gwandara. The district comprises five local governments: Lafia, Doma, Awe, Obi and Keana. The Alago are in dominance in three of the local governments especially Obi, Keana and Doma. According to a source, “the Alago people always vote along ethnic line. But when the chips are down and they need to consider religious factor, they queue behind a candidate who is a christian.  The only person who could influence their political direction was the late Emir of Lafia.”  To earn the confidence of the voters in this district, Al-Makura has to rely mostly on his spectacular achievements and a deft political strategy to split the votes of the Alago. For Adokwe, he is relying on his background as an Alago and a Christian.

    In the North, the same ethnic consideration may define the race. The Eggon will slug it out for the senatorial ticket with the Mada .  With three candidates from Eggon in the race, the PDP was careful in zoning its ticket to the Mada by picking John Mike Abdul in anticipation that the Eggon will split their votes on Saturday. The other candidates in the race from Eggon are  the present Deputy Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Akwashiki Godiya (APC);  Sam Alu (APGA) and former Minister Patricia Akwashiki(SDP) who once represented the district as a senator .

    In Nasarawa West, it is likely to be an easy ride for ex-Governor Abdullahi Adamu, who is highly respected in the district. His image as the founding father of the state still looms large. He enjoys a cult followership with his simplicity and love for his people. He is seeking a third term  in the Senate. The race looks like a family affair as he is really contesting against his erstwhile son-in-law, Aliyu Tafida of the PDP. The PDP candidate is having it rough because the electorate cannot come to terms with why he would divorce Adamu’s daughter and still go after his senatorial seat. They see it as a “double kill”. As a result, many seem to have sympathy for Adamu.

     

    Adamawa State

    The contest appears tight too in Adamawa State. The PDP Presidential Candidate, Alh. Atiku Abubakar is from the state and there is enthusiasm among the populace to produce the nation’s leader for the first time. Being a strategist, Atiku has made it clear that he needs a good team in the National Assembly to work with him if elected. Also, President Muhammadu Buhari being an in-law , as the wife Aisha is from the state , has left the voters divided . No one can say for sure who will carry the day between both candidates.

    In Adamawa South, the incumbent,  Sen. Abubakar Mo-Allah of the APC,  will square it up with Dinos Yero of the PDP . Besides Atiku coming from the South, five out of the nine Local Government Areas in the district are predominantly Christians . Yero is a christian and Mo-Allah a muslim. If voters shun religious sentiments, either of them can win.

    As for Adamawa North, the incumbent Sen. Binta Mashi has a date with Elisha Abbo of the PDP. Although there is likelihood that Binta might make it, her greatest obstacle is Nyampa Zakariya, who is the PDP House of Representatives candidate for Michika/ Madagali Federal Constituency. Zakariya’s influence is enormous and could affect vote haul by Binta. But with the weighty support of Governor Jibrilla Bindow(also from Adamawa North), Sen. Binta stands a good chance. Her main asset is what a source described as her “excellent performance.”

    In Adamawa Central, it is a family affair between Hajiya Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed (Binani) of the APC and her brother-in-law, Murtala Mohammed Modibbo of the PDP.  Hajiya Aishatu was a member of the House of Representatives from 2011 to 2015 and she executed far-reaching projects. On his part, the PDP candidate lost election in 2007 and later in 2011 to Hajiya Aishatu before leaving for business in Lagos. Tomorrow,  he confronts  Aishatu again in a rematch. They are both Fulani.

     

    Bauchi

    The old horses are back to the trenches in Bauchi State with ex-Governors Adamu Muazu and Isa Yuguda playing the role of godfathers. In Bauchi  South District, the candidates  vying for the ticket are Ibrahim Zailani/ Sen. Lawal Yahaya Gumau (APC) depending on the final outcome of the court’s decision on the primaries of the party; Alh. Adamu Yakubu Jibrin (APP);  Ayuba Ibrahim (MMN);  Garba Dahiru (PDP);  Aminu Abdullahi (MPN);  Adamu Musa Umar (APM);  Muhammad Lawal (ACD);  Adamu Ibrahim Jibrin (GPN); Muhammad A.A Duguma (JMPP) and Auwal Musa Adamu.

    Findings confirmed that the real battle is between Gumau of the APC and Garba Dahiru of the PDP. Although while Zailani/Gumau are rated higher, the intra-party crisis over primaries might be the undoing of the APC if not well managed. A highly-placed source said: “PDP has a weak candidate but APC should manage their crisis.”

    In the North Senatorial District, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Suleiman Nazif Gamawa of the PDP is banking on his youthful age and closeness to the grassroots. Nazif( a veteran of many political battles) is contesting  against APC’s Amb. Adamu Bulkachuwa, the husband of the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa. The last time Amb. Bulkachuwa was in the parliament was from 1999 to 2003 as a member of the House of Representatives.  Voters in the district may punish Nazif for teaming up with the Senate President Bukola Saraki against President Buhari. Nazif won election into the Senate under the APC but decamped to the PDP with Saraki and others last year.

    The situation is dicey in Bauchi Central District. For Sen. Isa Hamma Misau, representing the district, who was stoned twice by his constituents, it will take the grace of God for him to retain his seat on the platform of PDP. His image as the attack dog of Saraki has diminished his political profile. The real race is between Haliru Dauda Jika (APC) and  Bappa Aliyu Misau of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP). A top source said: “From the look of things, the PRP candidate has waxed very strong.  He was denied the ticket in APC and  moved to PRP.

     

    Plateau State

    The game on the plateau is a straightforward one between the ruling APC and the PDP in the three senatorial districts. The Plateau State political environment is still dotted by ethnic factor, minority politics and the pulse of the heavyweights who had been determining the fate of the state in the last 40 years.

    In Plateau North District ,  Hon Rufus Nature  (APC) will go to the ring with Hon  Istifanus  Gyang  ( PDP ). While the PDP candidate is an incumbent member of the House of Representatives,  the APC candidate was Secretary to the State Government ; he resigned to contest the position. Both of them are very strong and so popular  that no one can predict the winner.

    For Plateau Central, a retired Comptroller-General of Immigration Service, David Paradang (PDP), who was booted out office after some applicants died in a stampede during recruitment in some state capitals during the Presidency of Goodluck Jonathan,  will take on Hezekiah Dimka (APC). Dimka is a retired Commissioner of Police. According to investigation, both the PDP and APC are well rooted in the district.

    As for Plateau South , it is a battle of wits between Ignatius Longjan of the APC and  Barr Kefas Dandam of the PDP. Findings indicate that the  APC candidate, who is the immediate past deputy governor of the state, is more popular than the PDP  candidate who is relatively unknown.

     

    Taraba

    Despite the fact that Taraba State is a long time stronghold of the PDP, there might be an upset during the National Assembly poll going by discontent in the state. The APC senatorial candidates are  General Ishaya Bauka (South), Sen AA Yusuf (Central) Engr. Ahmed Yusuf (North). The flag bearers of PDP are returnee Sen. Emmanuel Bwacha (South), Bako Gassol (Central), Sen. Shuaibu Lau (North).

    A reliable source, who is familiar with the recent developments in the state, said:  “In PDP, Sen. Bwacha could pull it off.  The other candidates are facing opposition  from the APC..”

     

    Gombe

    The titan of Gombe politics, Sen. Danjuma Goje (APC) will be seeking a revalidation election into the Senate for the third time in Gombe Central Senatorial District after being a governor for eight years. His tenure as the chairman of the Appropriation Committee added more to his robust political profile. As a godfather, he is expected to have an easy ride. Notwithstanding, he faces a challenge from the outgoing Speaker of the State House of Assembly,   Nasiru Nono of the PDP. The hurdles before Goje are limited because his district is made up of only two local governments.

    In Gombe North District, the incumbent Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo (PDP), who is the new game changer, will try his hand on legislative plough by contesting  against Saidu Alkali of the APC. To pave the way for his ticket, the governor swapped with Sen. Bayero Nafada (a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives), who is presently representing Gombe North Senatorial District. Dankwambo conceded governorship ticket to Nafada in exchange for a senatorial ticket. He stands a good chance of winning the ticket because of the unwritten agreement accompanying the swapping.

    Concerning  Gombe South District,  Sen. Binta Bello (PDP) has an electoral  to settle with Col. Ishaka Bulus of the APC. Binta has been in the House of Representatives for a long time which might work against her. The people of the district are yearning for a new hand.

     

    Niger

    The colour of the Senatorial game is principally determined by President Muhammadu Buhari’s tremendous goodwill in the state. Many Emirs in Niger State are also said to be working silently for Buhari and they appeared instrumental to the anointing of some National Assembly and State House of Assembly candidates.

    Those aspiring for APC senatorial tickets in Niger State are Muhammad Bima (Niger South); Mohammed Sani Musa (Niger East) and the spokesman for the Senate, Sen. Sabi Abdullahi. Were it not for the backing of some influential Emirs, Abdullahi who was pelted with missiles by his constituents for allegedly taking sides against Buhari in the Senate, would have lost a second term ticket. He will have a jolly ride back to the Senate because of royal backing.

    For the PDP, the senatorial candidates are Baba Shehu Agaie (Niger South); and Sani Duba (Niger North).

    Out of the PDP candidates, only Agaie looks stronger to pose a threat to Bima of the APC but he might still not make it.

     

    Kebbi

    For strategic reasons, the APC decided to give automatic return ticket to all its Senators in Kebbi State. This is a joker which has destabilised the PDP in the state. The APC senatorial candidates are ex-Governor Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central); Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North) and Bala Ibn Na’Allah (Kebbi South).

    The PDP candidates are Abubkar Shehu Geda (Kebbi Central); Usman Bala Suru (Kebbi North) and a former Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, Benjamin Israel Dikki (Kebbi South).

    Although there are some negligible sentiments against Aliero for being in power circle for a while, he remains a revered leader in the state. If APC has any challenge, it is in Kebbi South where Bala Ibn Na’Allah is its candidate. Apart from being rated as unstable in the Senate during the Presidency face-off with the Senate on some issues, Christians dominate his district and he will find it tough coming back. He is also presently distracted by the court case surrounding the APC senatorial primaries in the district. The ex-DG of BPE is too much a match for him.

     

  • Confirmation of EFCC scribe suffers setback in Senate

    The Senate Tuesday differed the confirmation of Olanipekun Olukoyede, as the secretary of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Olukoyede, who hails from Ekiti State, is the Chief of Staff to the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu.

    President Muhammadu Buhari in a letter to the Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, dated September 10, 2018 nominated him as secretary to the Commission.

    Saraki who read the letter in plenary on October 3, 2018, referred it to the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, to screen the nominee and report back to the chamber.

    Chairman of the committee, Senator Chukwuka Utazi (Enugu North) presented the report his committee to the chamber yesterday.

    Utazi told the upper chamber that Olukoyede satisfied the committee expectations and answered all questions posed to him by committee members.

    The Enugu North Senator told his colleagues that the nominee demonstrated competence and sufficient experience to occupy the office for which he was nominated.

    He noted that the committee, having found the nominee qualified and worthy of the office, recommended that he be confirmed as requested by President Buhari

    Utazi said: “The nominee appeared before the Committee on Wednesday October 24, 2018. The members subjected to scrutiny the curriculum vitae of the nominee and other relevant documents relating to his background and educational qualifications and the work experience of the nominee.

    “The Committee found that Olanipekun Olukoyede is a trained lawyer. He gave in-depth responses to the questions asked by the members which we believe will add value to policy formulation and implementation in the EFCC.

    “The Committee is satisfied that the nominee has the requisite experience, integrity, professional competence and industry to discharge the functions of the position in which he is nominated.

    “The Committee also noted that there was no adverse security report against the nominee and the scrutiny carried out on the nominee shows that the nominee possesses the necessary academic and administrative experience for the position.

    “The Committee therefore, recommended that the Senate should confirm the appointment of Olukoyede to the office of the Secretary of EFCC”.

    Senator James Manager (Delta South) in his contribution observed that only few members of the Committee signed the report of the screening.

    Manager said that since the nominee satisfied the requisite experience and professional requirement, he should be confirmed.

    “I observe that only few signatures appeared on the signature column. However, going through what the Chairman of the Committee has presented, and knowing full well that this is not very normal time for the Senate, it will not be easy for a chairman of a Committee to have all the members to attend but however, from the number that appeared am sure that they formed quorum.

    “From the report of the Committee, since the nominee has the requisite experience and professional competence, that is what we are looking for in a nominee for the kind of office that we screen him for, I therefore, suggest that any other thing can be ignored so that we confirm the nominee,” Manager said.

    On the issue of low turn-out by members of the Committee during the screening, Utazi explained that some of the senators were out of Abuja on oversight functions while others were engaged on electioneering activities.

    He confirmed that the committee formed quorum during the sitting where the nominee was screened.

    A member of the Committee, Senator Isa Misau (Bauchi Central), opposed the confirmation of the nominee vehemently.

    Misau said that most members of the Committee were not carried along in the screening exercise.

    The Central Senator said that observed during the screening that some of the nominees were not competent to hold the offices for which they were nominated.

    He wondered why only three senators signed the signature page of the Committee report.

    Misau asked the Senate to suspend the confirmation of the nominee so as to allow members of the Committee to meet and further deliberate on the report before the Senate could adopt it.

    He said, “I observed that only three members out of eight members signed the signature page. What I want is that this report should be stepped down so that we the members of the Committee can go through it because I participated actively in the screening of the nominees.

    “There are some of them that are not competent to hold the offices for which they were nominated. I did not sign the report because I am just seeing this report now. It has not been sent to my office. Nobody invited me to come and deliberate on this report and I was part of the screening.

    “And during the screening, I made objection on certain people who are not supposed to hold the office. So, the members of the Committee should study it and not just the Clerk of the Committee to write report and come and submit to the Senate in plenary.”

    Saraki in his ruling asked the Committee Chairman to meet with other members to discuss the report to avoid divergent positions on the confirmation of the nominee.

    Utazi explained that he invited all members to the screening of the nominee but only a few of them attended.

    Saraki ruled that members of the committee should meet and present their report today.

  • Senate bemoans killing of 44 soldiers by Boko Haram

    The Senate Thursday bemoaned the killing of 44 Nigerian soldiers attached to the 157 Task Force Battalion located in Melete, Borno State by the Boko Haram insurgents.

    A sombre atmosphere enveloped the plenary session when the matter was brought to the floor as the lawmakers took turns to bemoan the development, which they described as monumental loss to the nation.

    Consequently, the upper legislative body has ordered its committees on Army and Defence to investigate the killings and also look into the welfare and wellbeing of Nigerian troops engaged in the counter insurgency operations.

    The senator also resolved to visit officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces presently on the counter insurgency campaign in North East.

    The resolutions followed a motion by the Deputy Majority Leader, Senator Bala Ibn  Na’Allah (APC Kebbi South) at the instance of the President of the Senate.

    In his motion, Na’Allah, decried the plight of military personnel currently fighting insurgency in the North East, lamenting that one of the officers killed in the attack was his cousin.

    After observing a minute’s silence in honour of the fallen soldiers, the lawmakers also resolved to pay a condolence visit to the Chief of Army Staff and families of the slain soldiers.

    The senators have also resolved to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killings and welfare of serving soldiers. The standing committee on Army has been mandated to carry out the investigation.

    Other contributors, including the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike  Ekweremadu, bemoaned the hazardous tasks of men and officers of the Armed Forces in fighting Boko Haram insurgency.

    They called on the Federal Government and the military authorities to adequately equip the personnel and address all issues concerning their welfare.

    Making his contribution, Senator Andrew Uchendu (APC Rivers East) suggested that the Senate shut down for the day, instead of just observing a minute’s silence for the slain soldiers.

    Uchendu said, “Mr President and dear colleagues, I have no reason to doubt the figure of the 44 dead soldiers. But if that figure is correct, then this Senate must come out and show massive concern, not just one-minute silence.

    “We must shut down for one whole day in honour of those fallen heroes”.

    Uchendu carried the day and the plenary session was brought to an abrupt end.

    Reports indicate that about nine farmers in the community were also killed in the attack.

    Addressing journalists shortly after the plenary session, the vice chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Senator Ibrahim Danbaba, deplored the lackadaisical attitude of the committee.

    According to him, the situation in the Army would have been different if the committee had lived up to its oversight responsibilities.

    Danbaba blamed the chairman of the Army Committee, Senator George Akume for the lapse, saying there was a clear case of dereliction of duties on the part of Akume.

    He lamented that the committee has remained dormant since Akume assumed its headship in 2017.

  • Senate summons Amaechi over eastern rail line

    The Senate Wednesday invited the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, to appear before its joint committee on Land Transport and Local and Foreign Debts over alleged exclusion of eastern rail lines.

    Amaechi is summoned to tell the upper chamber why the eastern rail corridor, Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, was allegedly excluded in the scheme of rail expansion and modernization.

    The invitation of the minister followed the adoption of a motion by Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, on alleged exclusion of the eastern rail corridor in the ongoing modernization of rails in the country.

    Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe raised a similar motion last year when he prayed the Senate to put on hold a foreign loan for rail lines in the country due exclusion of eastern rail corridor in the rail expansion plan.

    Amaechi told the Senate that there was no plan to exclude the South East area in the rail modernization scheme.

    He assured that the area will be included in the 2018 borrowing plans of the Federal Government.

    Ekweremadu said yesterday that the exclusion of the eastern corridor in the rail modernization scheme is not good for the country.

    He urged the Senate to intervene and prevail on the Federal Government to take steps to include in the rail line expansion project.

    He noted that there must be fairness and equity in the distribution of projects for people to feel a sense belonging.

    Ekweremadu said: “I want to bring to the notice of the Senate, the deliberate exclusion of the Eastern rail line in the ongoing construction/modernisation nationwide. This is not good for our country. It shows that some parts of the country are deliberately ignored.

    “I must commend the efforts of the Federal Government in ensuring that rail lines are developed, but it is also unfair to exclude the Eastern part of the country. Our people will suffer as a result of this.”

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, Senator Shehu Sani, who supported the motion said that it appears there is no commitment on the part of the Federal Government to pay attention to eastern part in the rail development programme.

    Sani said: “The motion raised by Ekweremadu is apt and right. The last time we had an interaction with the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, he promised to include the Port Harcourt to Maiduguri rail line in the ongoing borrowing plans.

    “It is now clear to us that there is no commitment to do that. That axis has a lot economic benefits to Nigeria. The withdrawal of General Electric is worrisome. Some of my colleagues in the committee appended their signature to the plan to construct Lagos to Kano rail line. But with this development, I am sure that they are regretting.”

    Also Delta South senator, James Manager, wondered why the minister, who hails from the area, has chosen to exclude his place because of political differences.

    Manager said, “We are talking of railway and you are excluding the business communities in Nigeria. When you talk about business in Nigeria, the East is key. The government has decided to exclude that part. This is one issue every Nigerian is interested in. I am from Delta State and I am sure that my state too will be excluded.

    “Ironically, the Minister of Transport is from Port Harcourt. Local politics aside, he will return home after leaving office. We need to invite the Minister to explain to the relevant committees why he has decided to exclude some parts,” he said.

    Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan, who also supported the motion, noted that General Electric, which ought to have handled the project, has not abandoned it.

    “I am supporting this motion. But let me clarify that the axis given to General Electric has not been abandoned. General Electric will have its subsidiary handling that axis. My concern is that, General Electric is designed to renovate the narrow gauge and not to modernise. Let there be justice and fairness in this issue.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari has given an express order that every state capital in Nigeria must have a rail line. Let the Senate work with the other side to ensure that the Eastern Line gets this project done,” he argued.

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki, said that the issue of equity should be considered in the distribution of railway projects in the country.

  • N242bn INEC budget: We acted in agreement with Executive – Senate

    The Senate Friday said that its decision to rescind and revise the method of funding of the supplementary budget of the  Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for the conduct of the 2019 general elections, was done in good faith,  after due consultation with the Executive arm of government.

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    Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, Senator Rafiu Ibrahim, gave the explanation in a statement released by the Office of the Senate President.

    The statement may have been informed by the insinuation that the Senate unilaterally reduced the budget of Ministries, Departments and Agencies with recourse to the affected MDAs.

    Senator Ibrahim, in a statement, said that on Tuesday, October 16th, the Senate had already passed the N242, 245, 050,100 virement request with the stipulation that it should be funded from the Service Wide Vote.

    He noted that the Senate had to rescind, reconsider and revise its position on the source of funding of the virement following pressure on members of the Appropriations Committee by the Executive.

    He said: “The insinuations being peddled that the Senate single-handedly and unilaterally cut the budgets of critical MDAs is false. Such actions are uncharacteristic of this 8th Senate.

    “The facts remain that on Tuesday, October 16th, the Senate approved a report that stipulated that the supplementary funding for INEC and security agencies to conduct the 2019 election should be sourced from the Service Wide Vote of the Executive through virement. This information is out everywhere.

    “However, the Executive came up with a counter-proposal that asked that the election be funded through both the Service Wide Vote and the budgets of 30 MDAs —on a pro rata basis.

    “This is why, the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Danjuma Goje, had to come up with a motion to rescind, reconsider and revise the source of funding contained in the original approval granted by the Senate.

    “So, if you take a close look at the Senate’s Order paper of Wednesday, November 7, 2018, you will see that N121, 122,525,050, which represents half of the entire supplementary budget, was sourced from 30 MDAs chosen by the Executive, while the other N121, 122,525,050 was taken from the Service Wide Vote.

    “As always, all Senators remain committed to ensuring that Nigeria has free, fair and credible general elections next year, and they will continue to collaborate with the Executive, members of the public and all other stakeholders to ensure that this happens,” Ibrahim stated.

  • 2019 election budget: Senate cuts N35.5bn from Power, Education

    The Senate Wednesday cut N25.5billion from the N714.668billion appropriated for the Power sector in the 2018 budget. The cut is to form part of funds vired for the conduct of the 2019 general elections.

    Similarly, the Education sector also had N10.238 billion yanked from its N651.226billion appropriated for the Education ministry in the 2018 budget.

    The budget cuts are meant to fill gaps in the N242.2 billion election expenses budget for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security and para military agencies.

    The budget cut also affected 28 other Ministries, Departments and Agencies ( MDAs), even as another N121.2 billion was cut from existing Service Wide Votes.

    The Senate took the decision at plenary on Wednesday following recommendations to that effect by its standing Committee on Appropriation.

    The report, as presented by the chairman of the Committee, Senator Danjuma Goje (APC, Gombe Central), stated that the N242bn earmarked for the elections was vired from Service Wide Votes (Special Intervention Programme).

    The Goje report observed that there was need to source the part of funds from the budgets of the MDAs, to avoid large scale depletion of the Service Wide Votes.

    Consequently, the cut from the Service Wide Votes was reduced to N121 billion, while the remaining N121 billion was cut from the budgets of 30 MDAs

    Besides the Power and Education Ministries, other MDAs affected are Federal Ministry of Water Resources with N12.954bn cut from its N155.149bn 2018 budget and Federal Ministry of Agriculture where N11billion was cut from its N203bn 2018 budget.

    Others affected by the cut are Ministry of Budget and National Planning N8.845bn, Ministry of Defence N2.636bn, Foreign Affairs N1.737bn and Federal Ministry of Health N8.059bn.

    Also affected are Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation N6.734bn, Office of the National Security Adviser N1.120bn, Ministry of Labour and Employment N2.727bn, Information and Culture N1.884bn, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs N1.199bn, Science and Technology N7.466bn , Industry, Trade and Investment N7.085bn etc .

    The senate committee report however retained the spread of the N242bn votes for the conduct of the 2019 general elections for the INEC, security and paramilitary agencies.

    Breakdowns of the allocations to the agencies are INEC-N189bn, Police -N27.3bn, and Office of the National Security Adviser – N9.481bn.

    Others are the Department of State Services (DSS) – N10.213bn; Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) -N3.573bn; and Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) -N2.628bn.

  • Saraki, Dogara to interface with Buhari over Kaduna killings

    The Senate Wednesday mandated its leadership and the leadership of the House of Representatives to urgently meet with President Muhammadu Buhari over increasing spate of killings in parts of the country.

    Saraki and Dogara were specifically asked to enquire from President Buhari how the recommendations of the National Assembly on ways and means to prevent crisis in the country were being implemented.

    The resolution followed the consideration and adoption of a motion on “The wanton killings in Kaduna State, a call for caution.”

    Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi (Kaduna North) in his lead debate drew the attention of the Senate to the wanton killings in Kasuwa Magani, a suburb of Kaduna metropolis under Chikun Local Government, Kaduna State.

    He expressed concerned over the destruction of lives and property that “have been spiral in the past days of the week.”

    Hunkuyi said that the Senate should note “the indiscriminate and senseless killings and insecurity that have pervaded Kaduna and its environs even with the curfew imposed within the state.”

    He feared that the curfew while necessary to curb unwarranted movement could also be counter-productive when majority of the people of the state were living from hand to mouth.

    He added that “locking people at home can only solve one aspect of the problem, while it can lead to other crimes like robbery and theft.”

    He said that the Senate should be aware that the paramount ruler of Adara land, Angwan Adara has been taken hostage with six of his aides killed during a kidnap and hostage taking on the route from Kaduna to Kachia which is the headquarters of Adara Chiefdom.

    Hunkuyi prayed the Senate to prevail on the Kuduna State Government and the Federal Government to quicken the release of the paramount ruler of Adara who was wished away about a week ago.

    Senator Shehu Sani (Kauna Central) who officially announced his defection form the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) said that the killings were totally condemnable.

    Senator Danjuma La’ah (Kaduna South) described what is going on in Kaduna as “most unfortunate.”

    He said that those being killed in Zamfara State were Muslims while those being killed Kaduna State were Christians.

    La’ah criticized the action of the governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai for leaving that state without handing over to the deputy governor.

    He said that the governor should be held accountable for the mayhem that befell the state.

    The Kaduna south senators said that it is obvious that those behind the killings were known.

    Senator Kabiru Marafa (Zamfara Central) in his contribution also said that behind the killings were “were well know,”

    Marafa noted that what is fueling the killings was that the perpetrators were never punished.

    The perpetrators, he added “kill and get away with their crime.”

    Senator Philip Gyunka (Nasarawa North) said that the problem should be traced to the door step of the governor of the state.

    He wondered why the El-Rufai should travel abroad with informing the state House of Assembly.

    Gyunka said that El-Rufai should be asked who he handed over to before he travelled.

    He said, “Maybe the governor got wind of what was coming and decided to travel.”

    Saraki said that those who spoke underscored that fact that perpetrators were not held accountable for their act.

    He said there was no doubt that there were problems that needed to be sorted out.

    He said that the Senate should schedule a date to discuss that issue with heads of security agencies.

    Senator Emmanuel Bwacha countered that a head of security agency invited to discuss the issue refused to honour the invitation “and nothing was done to him.”

    Saraki agreed with the suggestion of the Senate leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan that the National Assembly leadership should engage the Executive on implementation of resolutions on national security.

  • Senate panel uncovers alleged fraud in NAHCON operations

    The Senate ad-hoc committee on operations of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Thursday said that it uncovered what it described as “monumental fraud” in the operations of the commission.

    The committee, in a 34 page report submitted to the Senate in plenary, said that the commission holds the wrong perception that monies held in trust for the Hajj pilgrims is not owned by it and by extension the Federal Government of Nigeria and therefore, procurement processes in respect of the said monies are not subject to the provisions of the Public Procurement Act, 2007.

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    The report entitled “Ad-hoc committee on accommodation, logistics, feeding etc, onshore and offshore of the Nigeria pilgrims” was presented by Chairman of the committee, Senator Adamu Aliero for consideration and approval.

    It was however stepped down to enable senators to read and digest the document.

    The committee said that it discovered over-bloated onshore and offshore charges by NAHCON levied on intending pilgrim in addition to state welfare boards.

    The charges, it said, make the Hajj fare to be on the high side without recourse to the functions of the utilities charges the commission Act.

    The alleged “fraudulent charges” the report said, “escalates the cost of the pilgrimage.”

    The report said that the commission is under the impression that it is not among the public agencies listed in the Second Schedule of the Utilities and Charges Commission even when the Second Schedule (j) of the Act states “such other public utilities as may be determined from time to time by the Commission.”

    It said “for instance, in 2017, Onshore Charges such as administrative fee, Hajj development levy, yellow card and registration forms paid to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria by the 75,000 Nigerian pilgrims that went through the states pilgrims’ welfare boards amounted to N712, 500.000.

    It said that State Pilgrims Welfare Boards charge administrative and other charges which amounted to N1, 474,875,000.

    It said that each pilgrim was further charged the sum of$1.33 as tent security deposit.

    “This appears to be duplication considering that $322.37 paid by each pilgrim should have been inclusive of tent security,” the report said.

    It said, “NAHCON agreed that the $1.33 paid by each pilgrim is a caution deposit to cover for any damage to the tents, but it is not all the $99,750 (N30,423,750) paid by the 75,000 Nigerian pilgrims in 2017 that would be spent on repairing the damaged tents

    “There ought to have been details of how such funds are being expended every year, but the Commission could not avail any detail to the committee.”

    The report said that the sum of $73.37 paid by 75,000 pilgrim amounted to $5,502,750 was paid to the commission as tent facilities which overlapped with monies already paid.

    It said that the commission claimed that the $73.37paid by each pilgrim is for the provision of bedding materials in Muna and Arafat.

    The committee said that it could not ascertain the veracity of such payment.

    “Evidence of payment and acknowledgement for receipt of the same as well as the identification of recipients was not availed to the committee,” it said.

    It said that “every year, the sum of $13.34 is paid by pilgrims to the Ministry of Hajj as deposit.

    “In 2017, the sum of $1,000,500 was paid by the 75,000 pilgrims that performed Hajj.

    It said that “the annual 1% Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) the Commission charges per pilgrim, $39.99 equivalent to N12, 196.95 in 2017, adds to the burden a Nigerian pilgrim has to pay in order to perform Hajj.”

    It said that “there are additional hidden charges not captured in the onshore/offshore components approved by Mr. President through which NAHCON makes colossal amount annually from service providers both in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.”

    It said that “NAHCON often goes on spending spree from the said generated revenue, quite beyond the approval threshold of the accounting officer which is a branch to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation circular SGF/OP/S.3/X1/894 dated 14th January, 2016.

    It said that in 2015, the commission rented 90 rooms apartment for its Makkah office at the cost of SR600, 000.00 per annum an amount it noted that “is far above the approved threshold of the accounting officer.

    It said that in its 2017 Hajj report, the Commission has sought the approval of Mr. President to expend N1.5 billion to furnish its newly acquired office complex from the proceeds of the rents of pilgrims’ accommodation at Madina.

    It said that “the revenue collectors’ receipts used in Madina in 2016 were fraudulently sourced as neither NAHCON’s security register nor sub-treasurer of the federation’s security schedule carried the serial numbers of those receipts while the sum of about N5,000,000 was paid in as against over N1,000,000,000.”

    The report said that NAHCON and State Pilgrims Welfare Board sponsor outrageous number of officials to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from the revenue generated from the pilgrims and funds from state governments.

    The committee recommended among others that “the monumental fraud associated with the provision of accommodation in Madina, the subletting of bed space and other procured services rendered by the Commission between 2015 and 2018 (inclusive) should be investigated fully by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with a view to bringing culprits to book.”

    The committee also recommended that henceforth, NAHCON should stop renting accommodations beyond the number of days Nigerian pilgrims will spend in Madina while all proceeds realized from renting accommodations in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 should be refunded to pilgrims who under took the Hajj exercise in those years.

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who presided, asked senators to read the report describing its contents as weighty.

    Reading the document, Ekweremadu said, would enable senators to make meaningful contributions when the consideration of the document resumes.