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Tag: Toby Okechukwu

  • Ex-Reps Deputy Minority Leader, Toby Okechukwu, dumps PDP

    Ex-Reps Deputy Minority Leader, Toby Okechukwu, dumps PDP

    Former Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives and immediate past Chief of Staff to the Deputy Speaker, Toby Okechukwu has resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    In a letter addressed to the PDP Chairman, in his ward, Owelli/Amoli/Ugbo/Ogugu Ward, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, dated December 6, 2024, Okechukwu expressed his profound gratitude to the party for the opportunity given to him to represent his people for the period.

    He represented Aninri/Awgu/Oji River Federal Constituency of Enugu State in the 7th, 8th and 9th National Assembly. 

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    The letter reads “I write to notify you of my resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party and to express my profound gratitude to the Party for the platform given to me to represent the people of Aninri/Awgu/Oji River Federal Constituency in the 7th, 8th and 9th National Assembly.

    “As Deputy Chairman, Committee on Ethics and Privileges, Chairman, Committee on Works and Deputy Minority Leader, we made our modest contributions in various infrastructure projects, including mainstreaming the commencement of the Second Niger Bridge, Abuja – Kano Road and Lagos-Ibadan Road, amongst others.

    “In the same vein, we re-tooled and passed the COREN Bill that was signed by Mr. President for better engineering practice in Nigeria.

    “I am hopeful that going forward, we will continue to do our best for the common good of our people.”

    Okechukwu was recently appointed Executive Director Project of the South East Development Commission by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

  • JUST IN: Former Reps deputy minority leader, Toby Okechukwu dumps PDP

    JUST IN: Former Reps deputy minority leader, Toby Okechukwu dumps PDP

    Toby Okechukwu, former Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives and immediate past Chief of Staff to the Deputy Speaker, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    In a letter dated December 6, 2024, addressed to the PDP chairman of his ward, Owelli/Amoli/Ugbo/Ogugu Ward, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Okechukwu expressed his deep gratitude to the party for the opportunity to serve his constituents during his tenure. 

    Okechukwu represented the Aninri/Awgu/Oji River Federal Constituency of Enugu State in the 7th, 8th, and 9th National Assemblies.

    Read Also: Kalu applauds Tinubu’s strategic SEDC board appointments

    The letter reads: “I write to notify you of my resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party and to express my profound gratitude to the Party for the platform given to me to represent the people of Aninri/Awgu/Oji River Federal Constituency in the 7th, 8th and 9th National Assembly.

    “As Deputy Chairman, Committee on Ethics and Privileges, Chairman, Committee on Works and Deputy Minority Leader, we made our modest contributions in various infrastructure projects, including mainstreaming the commencement of the Second Niger Bridge, Abuja – Kano Road and Lagos-Ibadan Road, amongst others.  

    “In the same vein, we re-tooled and passed the COREN Bill that was signed by Mr. President for better engineering practice in Nigeria. 

    “I am hopeful that going forward, we will continue to do our best for the common good of our people.”

    Okechukwu was recently appointed Executive Director Project of the South East Development Commission by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 

  • Reps may summon IGP over detained lawmaker

    – threaten Court action

     

    Members of the House of Representatives were livid on Wednesday over the continued detention of a member, Abubakar Abdulahi Lado ( APC) Niger State.

    They urged the Police authorities to release the lawmaker within 12 hours or the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris will have to come to the Green Chamber to explain reasons for the incarceration of the lawmaker.

    Members of the House also agreed that since the collective privilege of the House had been infringed on by denying the Green Chamber of the services on the lawmaker, the House should go to court over the issue.

    The resolution of the House was sequel to a motion of urgent National Importance moved by a member, Toby Okechukwu ( APC Enugu) with the title: “Urgent release of Hon. Abubakar Abdulahi Lado representing Suleja Federal Constituency detained by SARS for the past 3 days.”

    While moving the motion the lawmaker said the House is aware of the detention of Hon. Lado by the Special Anti- Robbery Squad ( SARS).

    “The House is further aware of the continued detention for the past three days which action offends the Nigerian Constitution and amount to inhuman and degrading treatment .

    “The House is embarrassed that the intervention of the House leadership was rebuffed by the Nigerian Police ostensibly because it is only. The Governor of Niger state that can give instruction for his release .”

    He said the House was further briefed that the detention arose out of issues related to the APC Primaries which he (Lado) had ab initio notified the Police authorities of efforts to cause crisis by his opponents.

    “The House Is aware that the invitation of Hon. Lado was not through due process and therefore breaches the Legislative Powers & Privileges Act- which require notifying of presiding officer before the member is invited or arrested” he said.

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    Members who spoke including the Deputy Speaker, Yussuff Lasun, Nnena Elendu-Ukejje, Betty Apiafi,Wale Raji, Segun Adekola, Sani Abdul, Albert Adeogun, all agreed that the police had breached the privileges of all, members by the action especially as it was not related to a criminal act.

    They wondered what could be happening to ordinary Nigerians if a lawmaker could be so treated,and concluded that the arrest and detention was meant to keep the lawmaker from participating in the primaries in the state.

    The Majority leader, Femi Gbajabiamila noted that the issue was a fight between supporters of Lado and his opponents and wondered how it became a SARS issue.

    He said he was informed at the SARS office that only the Governor of Niger state can give instructions for the release of the lawmaker.

  • Anti-corruption war: Ekweremadu seeks holistic, even approaches to ant-graft crusade

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, on Monday said that only holistic, even, and institutionalised approaches to the ant-graft crusade could guarantee success for Nigeria.

    Ekweremadu noted that although the recent drop by Nigeria in the Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index was a huge blow to the nation’s anti-graft war, it should be seen as a wakeup call, which lessons must not be lost on the nation.

    A statement by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Deputy Senate President, Uche Anichukwu, said that Ekweremadu spoke at an anti-corruption event organized by the Yar’Adua Foundation in Abuja

    He said: “A sincere and meaningful anti-graft war must be holistic. Nigeria cannot wage war against one type of corruption in isolation of the others and expect to succeed

    “We cannot also succeed in this all important war if we place a set of citizens above the law and if we accord red carpet reception back into office to some persons indicted or disciplined for corruption, while others are arrested before investigation, then tried in the media, and taken to court even on a stretcher

    “Such attitudes cannot mobilise the needed national and international support in the anti-corruption crusade.  It can only breed more corruption by giving some people a sense of above-the-law and embarrass us before the international community”.

    Read Also: Ekweremadu: nobody can rig 2019 elections

    It said that Senator, who was represented by the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Works, Hon. Toby Okechukwu, further advised that anti-graft war should be hinged on the right legal framework and institutions, not the goodness of the leaders alone.

    “We must build the relevant institutions and erect the requisite legal framework.  Every arm and institution of government must play its part.

    “I am happy to note that apart from exposing several corrupt practices in high places, the Senate has passed number bills to institutionalize and strengthen the anti-graft war.

    “They include the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill, which will assist the country to trace and recover looted funds; Witness Protection Bill; Whistleblower Protection Bill; Audit Service Commission Bill, and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit Bill.  Most of these bills are actually private member bills.

    “In the constitution amendment exercise, which is at the concluding stage, we are making efforts to create an Office of the Accountant-General of the Federal Government different from the Accountant-General of the Federation to ensure accountability. Furthermore, we are working on granting autonomy to the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation”, he concluded.

  • House to investigate alleged corruption against suspended SEC boss

    House to investigate alleged corruption against suspended SEC boss

    The House of Representatives on Tuesday resolved to probe alleged corruption in Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which led to suspension of its Director-General, Mr Munir Gwazo by Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun.

    To this end, the House asked the parties in the matter to maintain status quo, pending the outcome of the investigation.

    The resolution followed a motion under Matters of Urgent Public Importance by Rep. Diri Douye  (Bayelsa-PDP) on “need to intervene on the conflict between Minister of Finance and suspended Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission.’’

    Moving the motion, Douye said there were allegations of interference by the Ministry of Finance in the discharge of responsibilities by SEC, particularly the Oando Forensic Audit matter which was largely responsible for Gwarzo’s suspension.

    According to him, it has also led to constitution of Administrative Panel of Inquiry and appointment of acting SEC director-general by minister of finance.

    Douye explained that the conflict had allegedly lingered for several months between Ministry of Finance and SEC but the matter of disagreement brought it into public domain.

    Read also: Why FG suspended DG SEC, 2 others over alleged corruption

    The lawmaker said “there were allegations of interference by Ministry of Finance in the discharge of responsibilities by SEC, particularly the Oando Forensic Audit matter, which was largely responsible for the DG’s suspension.

    “The intervention by the House would put the matter into proper perspective and amicable resolution of the conflict to protect the image of SEC in the interest of both local and foreign investors.’’

    He, therefore, urged the House to investigate the matter to ascertain the true situation in the commission.

    Contributing to the motion, Rep. Toby Okechukwu (Enugu-PDP) said that the rot in SEC apparently contributed to the collapse of the capital market in Nigeria.

    He said “what is happening in SEC is symptomatic of the collapse of capital market. I wouldn’t know why infractions should be swept under the carpet.

    “The Nigerian people should be told why the infractions of Oando would be swept under the carpet. Nigerians should know why the minister could not be investigated.

    “Nigerians should know why the SEC DG was suspended. A total panel of inquiry is needed in SEC,’’ he said.

    Also in his contribution, Rep. Sanni Kaita (Katsina-APC) said that the commission was too sensitive and important to be left unattended to.

    He said “SEC is very sensitive and very important to Nigeria and the international community. Should we allow the investigation to go on without knowing what happened?”.

    The motion was unanimously adopted by members when it was put to a voice vote by the Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara, who mandated the Committee on Capital Market and Institutions to investigate all allegations.

    The committee was asked to report findings to the House within two weeks for further legislative action.

    NAN

  • We will win future elections – PDP

    We will win future elections – PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State on Sunday expressed optimism that it would win all future elections in the state.

    Some chieftains of the party in the state said at a zonal meeting in Awgu for Enugu West that the party would continue to control the state in spite of recent political realignments in the state.

    The Deputy Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly, Chief Donatus Uzogbado, said that the party was not envisaging any challenge from any of the opposition parties in the state.

    Uzogbado said that the faithful needed not fret over recent events where some members defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), adding that PDP was “still on ground”.

    “The APC challenge is no challenge to us. In fact, the 2019 elections is going to be the easiest for our party in the state,” he said.

    Also, the Chairman of Aninri Local Government Area, Mr. Chidi Ekwe, said that the unprecedented peace and unity in the party would be the tonic for its successful outing of the party in future polls.

    Ekwe hailed the exemplary relationship between Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and the Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, saying that the state had not had it so good.

    “We at the local government are trying to replicate the good works of the governor in our various councils,” Ekwe said.

    The Commissioner for Water Resources, Chief Charles Egungbe, said that the PDP had a well-thought out secession plan which could not be thwarted by any of the opposition parties.

    Egungbe said that there was nothing to fear as the PDP was synonymous with the state, adding that the second term of the governor was assured.

    He, however, urged the party faithful not to rest on their oars or remain indifferent if the PDP must be successful.

    “Our loyalty is with Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and we shall keep supporting him,” Egungbe said.

    The member representing Aninri constituency in the House of Representatives, Chief Toby Okechukwu, said that Enugu West was a no-go area for the opposition parties.

    Okechukwu said that politicians in the area were so focused that even without a political party they could decide where their allegiance stood and would not waiver.

    “However, we will do our best to make sure that the party continues to prosper. Our support for the governor is not in vain. We are with him because of what he is doing,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the party leadership in the zone received some members of opposition parties in the state who defected to it at the event.

    One of them, from All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mrs. Ijeoma Chukwu, said that her decision to join PDP was borne out of conviction that it was the party of the moment in the state.

    Chukwu, who was APGA’s candidate for the Enugu West senatorial election in 2015, said that her former party was dying.

    “We have decided to join the PDP because of some reasons. I love my former party, APGA, but it is unfortunate the party is gradually dying,” she said.

     

  • Reps want bailout for FG pensioners

    The House of Representatives has urged the
    Federal Government to intervene in the
    current crisis of unpaid pension arrears
    threatening the lives of Nigeria’s retired
    citizens.
    This was sequel to a motion by Rep.
    Toby okechukwu (Enugu-PDP) and six
    others.
    In the motion, Okechukwu noted that
    in annual budgetary appropriation, no
    provision was made for accrued
    benefits of pensioners under the
    Contributory Pension Scheme and
    Defined Benefits Scheme (DBS).
    He expressed concern that under the
    Contributory Pension Scheme, persons
    who retired since 2015 had not been
    paid their pensions.
    According to him, this is due to the
    failure of the Federal Government to
    contribute its statutory share of 15 per
    cent to the Pension Redemption Fund
    in line with the Pension Reform Act,
    2014, amounting to a total of N286
    billion.
    Okechukwu also expressed worry that
    pensioners under DBS, including Police,
    Nigerian Customs Service, Nigeria
    Immigration Service, Nigeria Prisons
    Service and Civil Service were yet to be
    paid 33 per cent accrued arrears of
    about N174 billion.
    “The delay in payment of pension
    arrears has resulted in dire situations
    where pensioners are wallowing in
    penury, sickness, hopelessness and
    regret for serving their fatherland
    diligently only to be abandoned by
    government upon retirement,” he said.
    The motion was unanimously adopted
    by members
    The house therefore urged the Federal
    Government to provide emergency
    bailout funds to pay outstanding
    workers’ salaries and pension arrears as
    a primary responsibility.
    .
    It also referred the motion to its
    Committee on Pensions for further
    inputs.