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Tag: Yakubu Dogara

  • Senator to Saraki, Dogara: Resign from APC now or risk expulsion

    Says plot to impeach Buhari slated to commence Thursday

     

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Senator Abu Ibrahim, on Wednesday asked Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki and Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, to resign from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in their own interest.

    Ibrahim, a strong ally of President Muhammadu Buhari in the upper chamber, said that the failure of Saraki and Dogara to leave the party would lead to their immediate expulsion.

    The Senator who represents Katsina South Senatorial District also said that they have it on good authority that the plot to impeach President Buhari would have commenced today (Thursday).

    Ibrahim who appeared to have spoken the minds of other APC senators said that developments in and around the National Assembly have clearly shown that Saraki and Dogara could no longer be trusted in the fold of APC members.

    The lawmaker, also chairman of Buhari Support Group, spoke in Abuja.

    Speaking specifically about the defection of 13 senators and 37 House of Representative members from the APC, Ibrahim said that the defections were not only expected but did not come to him as a shock.

    Read Also: Police: we were not at Saraki’s home

    He said that he made the calculation and came to the conclusion that at least 13 senators will leave the APC.

    He noted that the only defection he did not anticipate was the Sokoto State senator, Abdullahi Danbaba.

    He said, “I know that those who take Saraki like god will go. This is because wherever Saraki goes they will go. But the mistake they have made is to realize that politics is local.

    “Nobody will say Isa Misau and Suleiman Nazif (two Bauchi State senators) were voted because of Saraki. They were voted because of Buhari. They will lose their seats. Saraki will not save them. They can’t even go to their constituencies.”

    On the speculation that some APC senators were quartered in a high profile hotel in Abuja on the night preceding Tuesdays Senate plenary to plot change of leadership in the Senate, Ibrahim said he was not quartered anywhere.

    He said, “I slept in my house. I was here in my office and left by 2pm. I was not quartered anywhere.”

    He was categorical that the alleged plot to impeach President Buhari “would have started on Thursday” (today)

    He said, “The impeachment of the president should have started Thursday. Everybody was planning. We know they were planning.

    “They realized and learnt that we know. They knew that if they had remained up till today (Wednesday) a lot of things would have happened.

    “We were planning. This is the National Assembly the only place political parties meet. We were planning.

    “Saraki and Dogara should resign today or the APC should send them away. They are no longer APC members.

    “The only reason why Saraki and Dogara have not left the APC is that they know that if they leave they will lose their seats. But we will force them to leave.

    ‘Left to me, I will recommend to APC to expel them. They are no longer needed in the party. We will be cured of cancer if they leave.

    “Me as Abu Ibrahim, I am asking Saraki and Dogara to leave APC today. I will meet Oshiomhole (Adams) to expel them. Let them leave APC, Saraki and Dogara should leave APC today.”

    Ibrahim insisted that the departure of Saraki and Dogara will not affect the electoral chances of APC.

    He noted that if Saraki leaves APC, the party may lose Kwara and Kogi States and no more.

    He continued, “My position is that Saraki and Dogara should leave the APC. We can no longer trust or discuss APC issues with them again. We cannot afford to continue to habour moles in our mist.

    “Let people be courageous enough and be honest to themselves. We will not miss them.”

     

  • NASS approves N45b for ex- Nigeria Airways workers

    Fortune has  smiled on the  over four thousand workers of the defunct Nigeria Airways Limited  as the National Assembly late Tuesday approved the final payment of their N45 billion severance benefits, The Nation has learnt.

    The signing of the final approval was the last assignment the lawmakers carried out before they embarked on a two months recess.

    The sudden approval may not be unconnected to the desire of the federal government to settle the former workers of the defunct carrier to pave the way for the seamless take off of the new national air, Nigeria Air in December.

    The leadership of the National Assembly, Bukola Saraki and his counterpart in the lower chamber, Yakubu Dogara were said to have taken pity on the former workers who have been subjected to years of agony in the hands of the previous governments who failed to pay them their final entitlements fourteen years after the unpopular liquidation of the defunct Nigeria Airways.

    According to sources, the ministry of finance officials has started holding crucial meeting to determine the payment procedure to be adopted.

    Read Also: Buhari sent 12 Bills to National Assembly in three years

    Recall that the struggles for the payment of the former Airways workers commenced fourteen years ago after its liquidation during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    While the former workers of the fallen national carrier in Europe and America were almost immediately paid off by the same Obasanjo government for fear of running foul of the labour laws of the foreign countries, the former workers in Nigeria and Africa particularly those in Anglophone African countries were left in the cold.

    Since the struggle started, over two thousand of the former workers died with many others left in miserable situation.

    Respite however came their way when President Muhammadu Buhari through the minister of state for aviation, Hadi Sirika promised to pay them.

    Following the promise, the Federal Executive Council led by President  Buhari towards the end of 2017 ordered the release of the N45 billion for their entitlement.

    Though the FEC approval marked the beginning of another struggle for the former workers as the officials at the ministry of finance and the National Assembly engaged in bulk passing as to the whereabouts of the file.

    The former workers through the aviation unions had vowed to use their blood to frustrate the floating of another national carrier until they are paid their entitlements.

  • Dogara’s aide dumps APC

    Special Adviser to Speaker House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara on Special‎ Duties, Usman Bawa on Monday dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Usman Bawa was a former House of Representative Member Representing Kaduna North Local Government at the ‎National Assembly.

    The ex-lawmaker ‎said his decision has become imperative to enable him pursue other courses of life.

    Read Also: Killings: Nigerians losing confidence in security system, says Dogara

    Bawa sent his resignation letter dated 14th July, 2018 which he personally signed to ‎the party’s chairman in his local government.

    Bawa was appointed by Speaker House of Representative Yakubu Dogara Special Adviser on Special  Duties in 2015.

    ‎He however did not mention the new party he will be joining.

  • Killings: Nigerians losing confidence in security system – Dogara

    Nigerians are fast losing confidence in the security system of the country, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara has said.

    The Speaker said that history will be hash to the present administration if it fails to stop the violence and mass killings of innocent Nigerians.

    Dogara,  who was speaking at the resumption of plenary on Tuesday, opined that the achievement being recorded by the Buhari administration will not be remembered if the orgy violence and mass killings of innocent Nigerians continue unabated.

    His words: “History will have a harsh verdict for us as a Government if we fail to live up to this responsibility and it won’t matter if we succeed in other areas.

    “Unfortunately, the stark reality now is that our citizens are fast losing confidence in our security system.

    Read Also: History will judge us harshly if killings persist – Dogara

    “The stark reality now is that our citizens are fast losing confidence in our security system. This must not be the case. Before we ebb to the realm of anarchy, we must rise up as true representatives of the Nigerian people to salvage the situation and defend our hard-won democracy.”

    According to Dogara, the unresolved issue of rampant killing of defenseless people, including innocent and vulnerable children and women, in various parts of the country, calls for a sober reflection and more concerted efforts by the National Assembly

    “To exploit all our Constitutional powers and privileges to ensure the protection of lives and property in the entire country by the security agencies.”

  • Dogara dispels allegations of witch hunting over investigation of NDPHC

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives,  Yakubu Dogara has said that the investigation of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) Ltd over alleged  misappropriation of over N10 trillion ($30b) should not be misconstrued as witch hunting.

    The Speaker said the company that is being funded by tax payer’s money has refused to follow due process by failing to present its expenditure to the National Assembly while spending without legislative approvals.

    He said the investigation of over $30b of public fund by the company since 2005 was borne out of the need to find a lasting solution to the challenges in the nation’s power sector that has adversely affected all efforts to transform the nation’s economy.

    Read Also:Plateau killings: Buhari meets Saraki, Dogara in Aso Rock

    NDPHC Ltd, established in 2005 was funded with $8.5b by the Federal, States and Local governments (LGs) with the Federal government bearing 47 percent of the cost while and 53 percent was shared by the State and 774 LGs.

    The shareholding composition of the company was 937,648,742 for the Federal Ministry of Finance Incorporated, 710,864,796 shares for States, 351,486,461 shares for LGS and 1 share for the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    Dogara, spoke Thursday at an investigative hearing by the Darlington Nwokocha-led ad hoc Committee where he said the House was particularly concerned about making the NDPHC to work to fulfil its intended objectives as an important agency in the nation’s electricity industry.

    Represented by the Deputy Minority Leader, Chukwuka Onyeama (PDP, Anambra), the Speaker said the House will not relent until all allegations of misuse of N10.08 trillion (about $30b) by NDPHC is unraveled.

    He said the investigation became imperative as more than half of the money was sourced from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) belonging to the three tiers of government.

    He said: “From the information made available to the National Assembly, the NDPHC Ltd. has since 2005 invested over $30b, over half of which was sourced from the ECA belonging to the three tiers of Government, while the balance consists of funds from other investors.

    “As a Limited Liability Company, the operations, management and accounting procedures of the NDPHC Limited is subject to the overriding provisions of the Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in general, and the Companies and Allied Matters Act, (CAMA), in particular.

    “However, the available information is that the Company has failed to comply with very serious and important provisions of the Law, such that the very essence of the company, and by extension the NIPP, is seriously threatened.

    “Furthermore, the NDPHC does not submit its annual budget and project plans for appropriation by the National Assembly, while, as alleged, it also generates Internally Generated Revenues (IGR) in trillions of Naira, which cannot be determined because it is neither divulged nor paid into the coffers of the Government, but rather expended by the company without Legislative approval or input from the other tiers of Government.

    “Most importantly, information available from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) conveys very disturbing signals that the trillions of Naira purportedly invested into the NIPP by the Federal, the 36 States and the 774 Local Governments have not been securitized as only two billion Naira is said to be registered as shares in the CAC for the three tiers of Government”.

    However, while NDPHC’s Chairman, Managing Director (MD), Chinedu Ugbo claimed to be unaware of specific allegations of funds misappropriation, the Association Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) disclosed that it was unaware of its participation in the formation of the company.

    The MD sought the indulgence of the Committee to amend the presentation earlier made to the Committee after the legal representative of the company, Olusola Oke, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) was denied audience by the Committee

    Ugbo afterward restated the submission of his legal adviser that he was unaware of the specific allegations of financial infractions.

    He pleaded for time to enable him report back at a later date for a comprehensive response to the allegations.

    On his part, the Director General of the Nigerian Governor’s Forum (NGF), Abdullateef Shittu, who could not make a comprehensive submission, however disclosed that shares belonging to the Local Governments were delivered through the NGF.

    Shittu pleaded with the Committee for more time to provide detailed information requested due to the short notice of the invitation.

    On his part, the consultant that represented ALGON, Mohammed Ali said the organizational was not aware of its investment in NDPHC.

    Ali said ALGON has never been invited to NDPHC’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) and neither has it received Share Certificate or dividends for its investments in the company since inception in 2005.

    ALGON demanded for 10 years audited account of the company to enable it make informed decision on what next step to take about its investment in the company.

    A member of the Committee, Abiodun Olasupo (Oyo state) wondered whether NGF was trying to shield certain interests by failing to make a detailed presentation on account of short notice.

    He said ALGON got the invitation same time with NGF and was able to make its presentation.

    Earlier, Committee Chairman Nwokocha said the House was forced to launch the investigation due to the avalanche of petitions on allegations against the composition, management and operations of the company.

    “This investigation into afford all stakeholders an opportunity to participate and be heard on this issue of national importance,” he said.

    The hearing was adjoined indefinitely.

  • NASS leadership visits Buhari over Plateau killings

    The leadership of the National Assembly on Wednesday in Abuja, met with President Muhammadu Buhari over Plateau killings.

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, in a statement, signed by Dogara said that the visit was to discuss the steps to end killings and violence in Plateau and other parts of the country.

    Dogara said, “Today, the President of the Senate and Dr Bukola Saraki, met with President Muhammadu Buhari over the Plateau violence.
    “We requested for the meeting in order to hear from the president the stepsand measures he is taking to end the orgy of killings and violence, not only on the Plateau but also in other parts of the country.

    “The President briefed us on what he saw firsthand when he visited Plateaustate on Tuesday and the measures he is putting in place to forestall
    recurrence.

    “The President has taken enough steps and told us what he is doing, especially the reorganisation that he plans to put in place to ensure that this doesn’t happen again.

    “We also used the opportunity to advise the President on other measures and actions that will help bring lasting peace in our country.

    “This is in accordance with the resolutions passed at the joint emergency closed-door session of the National Assembly held some weeks ago.

    “These are very sober moments for all of us. In a situation where people in hundreds continued to be killed, we can no longer tolerate this kind of situation as a government.

    Read Also: 2018 Budget: NASS is Insensitive, Self-serving – IYC

    “We call on all relevant government agencies to quickly provide emergency relief services to people in the affected areas, ’’he said.

    Dogara said that the National Assembly would continue to work toward providing necessary legislative backing to the security agencies to tackle the prevailing security challenges in the country.

    “The House of Representatives and indeed, the National Assembly, will continue to work toward providing all necessary legislative backing to the security agencies more especially funding needed,“ he said.

    This Dogara said was necessary “to reform and equip our armed forces to tackle the prevailing security challenges confronting us as a
    nation.“
    “I am also restating my earlier call for a total reform and overhaul of our internal security architecture which has failed to address the spate of insecurity in the land.

    “I want to seize this opportunity to once again offer our condolences to families of victims of violence in Zamfara, Benue, Plateau, Taraba, Adamawa, Kaduna Nasarawa, Borno, Yobe and other places.

    “I urge our citizens to embrace peace without which there can be no meaningful development.

     

    NAN

  • Dogara urges Super Eagles to make Nigerians proud

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has urged Super Eagles players to make Nigerians proud as they prepare for the first match with Croatia in the 2018 World Cup in Russia on Saturday.

    Dogara made the call in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr Turaki Hassan, on Friday in Abuja.

    He urged Nigerians to pray for the success of the Super Eagles and appealed to the players to put all they have got into ensuring that they win the group matches and advance to next stage of the competition.

    He added that “over the years, football has been a major source of unity in Nigeria; we should, therefore, collectively pray for the Super Eagles as they brace up for the match against Croatia.

    Read Also: Dogara scores navy high on 2017 budget performance

    “Super Eagles proved to be a strong team during the qualifiers with their record and we expect them to replicate same zeal, spirit and patriotism in the World Cup.”

    He said with team work and commitment, the Super Eagles would surely triumph over their opponents in group and knockout stages of the World Cup.

  • Reps to NSC: Rescind your decision on anti-open grazing law

    The House of Representatives on Wednesday asked the National Security Council to rescind its decision calling on States to suspend Anti Open Grazing Law.

    The lawmakers also asked the Federal Government to submit a supplementary budget to the National Assembly to develop Colonies immediately in those states that have agreed to donate land.

    The resolution of the House was sequel to the adoption of the prayers of a motion of urgent National Importance by a member, John Dyegh (APC Benue) titled: “Need to rescind the decision of the Security Council as announced by the Minister of Defence calling on States to suspend ranching and Anti Open Grazing Law.”

    While moving the motion, the lawmakers said that the Fulani Herdsmen crises in Nigeria predate the present administration of Muhammadu Buhari.

    He further said: ” For the past over 7 years, the clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers has been on the increase with so many lives lost with farmlands and villages overtaken by herdsmen and resultant  effect of farmers abandoning their ancestral homes and God given lands.

    “They live in camps as refugees and are dying in those camps for lack of food and proper medical care as their land is taken over by herdsmen.”

    Dyegh said the unprovoked Agatu killings by Fulani herdsmen that claimed over 800 persons and ravaged over 20 villages” made Benue eminent sons and daughters to come together to find a lasting solution to the problem.”

    Read Also: Police equivocate about anti-open grazing laws

    ” And after robust debates they came up with the recommendation of Anti- Open Grazing Law and called on the State Government to process it by a bill into Law,” adding that Section 4(7) of the 1999 Constitution gives express powers to be the State Assemblies to make laws for the good governance of the states.

    “This is not the only state that has made laws for good governance in its state. For instance, we have seen states making laws against trading in alcohol and prostitution and such laws are obeyed by visitors and indigenes alike without interference by the federal government.”

    He said it is wrong given the tenets of democracy for the federal government to dabble into the affairs of the states “ignoring the laws of the land in such a manner as this, more so as the Land Use Act has given power over land to Governors.”

    The lawmaker reminded his colleagues that the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development has said that Eleven (11) states have agreed to donate enough land to accommodate all the cows by the herdsmen into colonies ” to end this crises, more so that even the National Economic Council in one of its meetings also agreed that Ranching is the best way to end this crises.”

    When the Speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara called for a vote on the motion, it was supported by majority of members.

  • APC will resolve all issues before party convention – Committee Member

    A member of the Media Sub – Committee, National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Aderinsola Abiola, on Monday expressed the confidence that all issues arising from the party’s just concluded congresses would be resolved before the party’s June 23 convention.

    Aderinsola, who is the daughter of the acclaimed winner of June 12, 1993 Presidential election, late Chief MKO Abiola, added that reconciliation and harmonization committee would treat such issues and grievances amicably.

    The young politician who is one of the media aides to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, made this known in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, during an interaction with reporters, expressing the optimism that the  APC would also go into the planned Convention united and indivisible.

    She noted that the Chairmanship position had been zoned to the South – South geo – political zone of the country.

    She also disclosed that the nomination fee for the chairmanship position goes for N500,000:00k  while that of the National Working Committee and other offices  were fixed for N250,000.00k and N100,000.00k respectively.

    Read Also: I wasn’t intimidated out of APC race, says Oyegun

    “We have been sent to our various zones to talk about the forthcoming national convention of the All Progressives Congress.

    “The chairmanship has been zoned to the South- South, while other positions had been equally zoned. So it depends on where comes from that will determine the position to vie for.

    “For the chairmanship position, to pick the nomination form each aspirant will pay N500,000. While those in the National Working Committee will pay N250,000 each for their nomination form.

    “It is N100, 000 each for the nomination form for other positions. Positions have been zoned to ensure equitable distribution.

    “We had earlier slated the national convention for June 2 but it had to be shifted to June 23, 2018, because of the Ramadan fast. We want to give each aspirant ample chance to attend,” she said.

  • About Yakubu Dogara’s passion

    ASIDE politics, one thing the Speaker of House of Representatives is passionate about is farming.

    Although a trained lawyer,Yakubu Dogara invested a lot of time and money in his farm located in Nassarawa State and despite his tight schedules he still finds time to visit the farm, which is said to be standing on about 20 acres of land.

    The 14th speaker of the House of Reps who once said it is honourable to serve others will no doubt retire to his farm when he quits active politics.