President Muhammadu Buhari’s request to the National Assembly to approved an $800 million World Bank is raising concerns among many Nigerians.
The president, on Wednesday, wrote NASS to approve the loan his government said will be used as palliatives for most vulnerable Nigerians when the fuel subsidy is finally faced out.
Buhari’s request was contained in a letter read by Senate President Ahmad Lawan on the floor of the upper legislative chamber yesterday.
The president said: “Please note that the federal executive council approved an additional loan facility to the tune of $800 million to be secured from the World Bank for the National Social Safety Net programme and the need to request your consideration and approval to ensure early implementation. Copy of FEC extract attached.
“The senate may wish to know that the programme is intended to expand coverage of shock responsive safety net support among the poor and vulnerable Nigerians. This will assist them in coping with basic needs.
“You may wish to note that the federal government of Nigeria, under the conditional cash transfer, will transfer the sum of N5,000 per month to 10.2 million poor and low income households for a period of six months, with a multiplier effect on about 60 million individuals.
“In order to guarantee the credibility of the process, digital transfers will be made directly to beneficiaries’ accounts and mobile wallets.
“The NASSP being a social intervention programme, will stimulate the informal sector, improve nutrition, health, education, and human capital development of beneficiaries’ households.”
The letter to NASS came barely one month after his adminitration said it left the decision to end the multi – billion dollars subsidy regime to the incoming administration of Bola Tinubu, who is billed to be sworn in in few weeks on May 29.
Government figures indicate that over $10 billion was budgeted for petrol subsidy last year.
Zainab Ahmed, the Minister of Finance and Planning while speaking on why the Buhari administration has decided not to end the subsidy during his tenure, said there was the need to consult widely before a final decision can be taken on the issue.
Ahmed made the disclosure not long after the federal government said it has approached the Bretton Wood, United States- based financial institution for the loan, which will be paid to mostly poor Nigerians as shock absorber for the inevitable subsidy removal.
The federal government has estimated that over 60 million Nigerians or 10 million households will benefit from thr largese.
The question now among many Nigerians is why the administration has decided to obtain the loan now barely three weeks to its ouster.
This is even more so considering that the decision to end the subsidy regime has been left to Tinubu’s administration which is expected to come to power in few days.
“If the fuel subsidy removal process has been suspended as announced by the Minister of Finance after the NEC meeting at the end of April, then the government should return the borrowed money because what are we taking the loan for?” Auwal Rafsanjani, Executive Director, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC queried.
Rafsajani’s view is widely shared by not a few Nigerians who queried the intention of rushing to obtain the loan, when actually for now, based on what the federal government said that the subsidy stays as long as the incoming administration wants it.
The very fear is that the funds could be mismanaged by some officials of the administration who are on their way out of office on May 29.
“I hope this will not be used as a parting gift for some officials of the administration as they plan to exit in a few days. It doesn’t make sense at all that you want to take a whopping $800 million at the very end of your tenure. The sane thing to do is to leave that decision to the incoming administration,” an All Progressives Congress, APC in Lagos who spoke in confidence because of the sensitivity the issue has generated, said.
Not a few Nigerians insist that Buhari is indifference to complaints about the country’s huge debt. Adding $800 million to it, they say, will be an overkill on the economy, and a burden on the next administration.
The president-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s frequent trips abroad is giviing some Nigerians serious worries on whether the development will be the hallmark of his presidency.
The fear has becomes so much so that his critics have started advising Nigerians to prepare for a repetition of the Mohammed Buhari’s presidency which was reeled with so much absenteeism due to his frequent trip abroad for medical treatment.
On Wednesday, Tunde Rahman, the spokesman for the pesident elect diclsosd that Tinubu has travelled abroad to consult with other world and business leaders ahead his inuaguration in less than three weeks.
He is expected to be sworn in as Nigeria’s 16th president and Commander-in-Chief on May 29.
According to a statement signed by Rahman, Tinubu will use the opportunity of his trip abroad to consult widely on his impending presidency, meeting key allies and investos on how to move Nigeria forward as an economic powerhouse.
“Reviving the country’s economy forms a major plank of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda and the meeting is part of his efforts to re-establish Nigeria’s importance in the global economic chain and create empowering opportunities for the country’s huge youth population,” the statement said.
Not many Nigerians are impressed that the president elect has jetted out of the country less than one month after he returned from France.
The worries among many Nigerians is that his presidency could be marred by frequent travel abroad to seek medical assistance for his health challenges, even though he has constantly blunted suggestions that he’s sick.
Those watching the nation’s polity insists that the country will suffer if Tinubu will spend a beer part of his presidency abroad looking for medical help for an undisclosed ailment.
His recent trip to Europe came barely one month after he returned to the country on April 24. He had left the country on March 21 for France amidst worries that his health is failing.
Also in 2022, the former Lagos state governor spent close to 30 days in France after he left th3 country on June 27, and retuned in July of that year.
His longest trip abroad so far was in 2021 when he was hospitalised in the United States of America, USA for over a knee injury condition. He spent more than 60 days in the country, so much so that his long absence from Nigeria created fears among his supporters after suggestions in some quarters that he has died of an undisclosed ailment.
Nigerians look forward to his return soon ahead his swearing in on May 29.
I don’t know if it is appropriate for the old saying, “How are the mighty fallen”, to come into play here. But chai, life is a joke. Full of ironies. Tosses us up and down. And, I just wonder, and ask myself, why we struggle, so much, to impress life, instead of allowing it to deal with us as it deems fit.
You know, atimes, after so much struggles, arranging and packaging out lives, life just laughs, and deals an inexplicable blow on us. Or, how does one explain what has happened, politically, to the immediate past Transportation Minister, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi?
Of course, you know Amaechi. Who doesn’t? He comes as big as one can imagine. As large. And as loud. Ambitious. Blunt. Atimes, no niceties. Sure-footed. Fine boy, no pimple, with a closely knit family. Many people admire the, often, “public affection” between him and his wife, Judith. He calls her his best friend, confidant, wife of his youth. Awwww! Nice.
You know all those.But for the purpose of this write-up, I need to do a brief re-introduction of Amaechi.
Amaechi’s journey to Politics began when he was appointed a Special Assistant during the Government, in Rivers State, of Chief Rufus Ada George and his Deputy, Dr Peter Odili. Amaechi was attached to Odili’s office. He had always been attached to Odili – long before then.
The Military, headed by maximum leader, General Sani Abacha, sacked that Government. It was an Interim one, hurriedly put together by then (Military) President, General Ibrahim Babangida, when he stepped aside.
When General Abacha, passed on, and the gentle-looking General Abdulsalami Abubakar stepped in as the Head of State, Politicians and politics came alive again. And Amaechi was, of course, with Odili.
While Odili contested for the office of the Governor, Amaechi went for the House of Assembly. The strong speculation is that Amaechi was, allegedly, defeated by Uche Okwukwu, but somehow, he made it to the Assembly. And Odili made sure Amaechi was installed Speaker of the House, a position he held for eight years.
From there, Amaechi’s luck propelled to high heavens.More than any of those who contested for the Presidential Primary of the APC, Amaechi had held more challenging and responsible and respectable political offices. Here goes:
Two-term Speaker of the House of Assembly.
Chairman Conference of Speakers, Nigeria.
Two-term Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum.
Two term Minister of Transportation.
For two times, Director General of President Muhammadu Buhari Presidential Campaign Council – 2015, 2019.
How solid and rich can one’s credentials be?
As a Governor, he knew how to use power. Ask the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, the brilliant Joseph Mbu, during Amaechi’s time as Governor. He showed the guy pepper and fire, at once. Mbu, a sure-footed Officer, withstood the fire, and closed his eyes to avoid Amaechi’s pepper.
Then, Amaechi faced then President Goodluck Jonathan. Stubborn guy, strong-willed, Amaechi was the one who leaked the controversial, non-proven story that over 45 billion US Dollars were missing during Jonathan’s administration. Ask then Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, former Emir of Kano, he said so. Amaechi was the one, who, as a Governor, led the rebellion against Jonathan. And, he was the one who introduced APC to Rivers State and the South-south.
Rotimi Amaechi
As a Grade A Minister, under President Muhammadu Buhari, he was very powerful. There were many times he showed raw power. He knew how to have his way. Ask former Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority, the elegant Hadiza Bala-Usman. Amaechi dealt with her. He was a powerful Minister, very powerful.
So what happened to Amaechi? The Amaechi who not a few people thought was being groomed, by President Buhari and the powers-that-be in the North, to succeed him in office. He served the North. No doubt, he did. Check out the number of landmark projects he executed down there, especially, in Daura. When he was given the high profile title – Dan Amanar Daura – by the Emir of Daura, Buhari’s Emir, many thought ”ah, that’s it, he will succeed Buhar.” Especially, as Nigeria’s First Lady, the no-nonsense Aisha Buhari, did the unprecedented. She visited Amaechi and his wife, Judith, in their home, bearing gifts, to congratulate him on the Daura title. The pictures were flaunted. And many took that visit as an endorsement of Amaechi as Aisha’s husband’s successor in office.
So, what happened? Or, what has happened. How did Amaechi suddenly, so suddenly, become anonymous? Is it not the same Amaechi who called a former Minister of Aviation a thief on National Television? Why has he been so quiet, politically? How did his larger than life image disappear? Where has all that power gone to? Why has he become irrelevant, politically, both in Rivers State and at the National level? It is like cold water has been poured on him. Has Amaechi suddenly become history?
Not a few people think so. And they point accusing fingers at Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, the one man riot squad of Nigerian politics who not only showed his Party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, pepper but destroyed it, and ended Atiku Abubakar’s every four-years Presidential run, unless the Courts say otherwise.
You would recall, dear readers, that Amaechi and Wike were of the same PDP. They were good friends. Aside from the fact that both of them belonged to the influential Odili Political family, Wike stood by Amaechi when former President Olusegun Obasanjo stopped Amaechi from running for the Governorship seat of Rivers State, which Odili had ceded to him.
Wike fought for Amaechi who was in exile in Ghana. And when the Supreme Court, in one of its inexplicable rulings, declared Amaechi the Governor, even though he did not stand for election, Amaechi rewarded Wike by making him his Chief of Staff. But it was a relationship bound not to last. Two strong, stubborn, ambitious people, they were bound to be caught in a power struggle.
At that time their relationship with their mentor, Odili, had become cold. When Wike was literally shipped to Abuja by Amaechi to become a Minister of State, Education, Wike found “his feet”, and according to him, literally crawled back to the Odilis. And his relationship with Amaechi continued to go down the hill. Then, a combination of a few things made Amaechi dump the PDP for the APC.
Not a few people believe that Amaechi, more than anything else, left the PDP because of Wike. They say Wike was too strong for him in the State. And, even though Amaechi was Governor, Wike caged him.
That was how come Wike stopped Amaechi from installing his own successor. He defeated Amaechi, and became the Governor.
With Wike as Governor, Amaechi was finally caged. He ran Amaechi out of the State. Federal might could not save him. It was from that time that Amaechi’s influence in the State began to wane.
Of course Amaechi’s office as Minister for Transportation gave him a lot of power and influence, and visibility, but it couldn’t save him. The APC was unable to win any significant position in the State. Not encouraging. But at the Federal level, within APC, Amaechi reigned. In his State, he had no tap root.
At the Presidential Villa, Amaechi reigned too. Otherwise, how was he able to carry out so many projects in Daura which earned him that high profile title from the Emirate? How was he even able to remove the high profile and privileged Bala-Mohammed from the Managing Directorship of the NPA?
When Amaechi picked the Presidential form for the APC Primary, many thought it would be a “goooooal” for him. But many too felt he lost it the day he declared, in Porthacourt, his interest to run for the office.They said he made a fundamental mistake when he ran round the venue to show he is very healthy. They say it was not a diplomatic move, seeing that the state of Buhari’s health was a subject of controversy. “What did he want prove?”, they asked. “Was he, indirectly, mocking the President’s fragile health?, others murmured. When he lost to Tinubu, not much sympathy went his way from his Party members.
His non reappointment as a Minister by Buhari, after the Presidential Primary was seen as a sign that Amaechi had fallen out of favour. Perhaps, he didn’t take note. But the worst awaited him in the hands of Wike who found a way to shunt him out of the APC.
Wike took over the APC in the State, and made Amaechi irrelevant in a Party where he was among the top 20. At the National level, Wike convinced them Amaechi is a paper-weight politician in the State. Every who is who in the APC began to ignore him.
In Rivers State, Wike became the man to go to. The toast. APC leaders, Including APC Governors, would visit Porthacourt and ignore Amaechi. They would go and dine and wine with Wike, and not even have the courtesy of placing a phone call to Amaechi to tell him “We are coming to your State, or we are in your State.”
Amaechi was reduced to a nobody in the Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council. He had no role to play. It is even doubtful he was invited to most of the rallies. To the extent that when the APC Presidential train and team arrived Porthacourt, Amaechi was nowhere to be seen. He chose to be absent. The APC cut a deal with Wike behind Amaechi.
By doing that, they indirectly told the former powerful Transportation Minister that he had neither power nor influence in Rivers Politics again. They knew where the power was. It was with Wike.
On 25th February, the day of the Presidential election, Amaechi played no role for APC. Wike was in charge, and by hook or crook, delivered the candidate of Amaechi’s Party to spite his own Party’s Candidate. Amaechi contributed nothing, many in APC taunted him later.
To rub it in, to show that he was in charge, on the day of the Governorship election, Wike played the opposite role. He sent Amaechi’s APC Governorship Candidate, Tonye Cole, crashing, and delivered the PDP Candidate. There was no “pim” from Amaechi then, and still no ”pim” from him till date. He is just there!
A couple of weeks ago, a number of APC members, thought to be loyal to Amaechi, rose against him. They said he was no longer the APC leader in the State, a position he cherished so much. They accused him of anti-party activities. Only a couple of people spoke up for him.
A few days ago, two of his closest allies were suspended by the Rivers APC. Can you imagine that? He was saved the humiliation by the National body which rescued him from that embarrassment, by canceling the suspension.
Just by playing smart, by playing a double game, by eating his cake, and still had it tucked away in his pocket, Wike reduced Amaechi to a nobody in APC.
Nobody knows exactly what Wike wants. Will he dump the PDP for APC, a Party he swore he hated to the sky and back? Many think his plan is to, eventually, rebuild the PDP and lead it. Nobody should doubt that, especially, in the PDP. The Party Leaders were all there, mopping, when Wike, single-handedly, killed and buried the Party. They did nothing. He removed two of their National Chairmen, one after the other from office. They did nothing. They were afraid of him. Still are.
This order day, he flaunted Tinubu on PDP’s grave, in Porthacourt, danced and peed on it. Effectively, Wike is the leader of both the PDP and the APC in Rivers State.
But back to Amaechi.
Does he regret dumping PDP for APC? Perhaps, yes. Afterall, he, allegedly, worked for the APC Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in the Presidential election. Too late. Made no impact. But for the Coup he led against Jonathan and PDP, the Party which gave him all in 2015, PDP could still have been in power. Perhaps. He and his fellow Coupists, most of whom have fallen by the wayside, could still have been parading as the powers-that-be.
But, perhaps, he has no regrets. Being the Minister for Transportation for eight years is a big deal. Yet it pales before what he gained in the PDP, and could have continued to gain.
However, he should be consoled that he is not the only “big politician” in Rivers State who Wike has reduced to nothing. They are many. He reduced them to empty drums. Just noise makers. In Rivers, politically, it seems there is none, man enough, to do, or say “pim” before Wike – the Jagaban of the State, the Jagaban of the PDP.
So, will Amaechi ever rise again, politically? Probably. Age is on his side. But my guess is not very soon. And that’s sad. He had such a bright future, politically. But now, he is just “siddon look.” Bewildering.
Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, has distanced himself from recent attacks on Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG.
Adeboye had come under attack by a number of people over his statement that the in-coming Bola Tinubu Government is likely to redeem Nigeria, and put it on the pathway of progress. He called for support for it.
However, his statement did not go down well with not a few people who called him a hypocrite and asked him why he had remained silent over the sufferings of Nigerians in the past eight years of the Muhammadu Buhari APC Administration only to suddenly find his voice now.
But some people attributed the source of the attacks on Adeboye to Obidients- supporters of Obi.
However, in a statement, the Head of the Obi-Datti Media Office, Diran Onifade, distanced Obi from the attacks and put the blame on those against the Presidential Candidate, his plans and aspirations for Nigeria.
Following is the full text of the statement.
“Our attention has been drawn to yet another campaign of calumny emanating from opposition ranks, this time blaming ‘Obidients’ for recent unjustified social media attacks on the revered General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye.
“We wish to state categorically that supporters of Mr Peter Obi, like their Principal, have great respect for Pastor Adeboye, indeed every responsible and respectable Nigerian, and therefore are not involved in any social media hounding of the revered man of God most especially over a statement he did not make.
“It has become a pattern for desperate political operatives to orchestrate a ruse and blame it on Peter Obi’s supporters in furtherance of the opposition’s subterfuge strategy which has failed back to back.
“We wish to appeal to fellow Nigerians to ignore the antics of election riggers who believe that demarketing Peter Obi is their sure means of keeping a stolen mandate.
Nigerians are aware by now that issuing personal insults is not Peter Obi’s character and he does not encourage his followers to engage in the same.”
Ondo state Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, still fresh from annual vacation, has described the proposed zoning arrangement of the incoming national assembly leadership by the All Progressives Congress, (APC) as one that “reinforces injustice and enhances inequality.”
In a statement he personally signed on Wednesday, Akeredolu, who is Chairman, Southern Governors Forum, states that “it is with great concern, and indeed, with a huge burden that I read in the news of the purported zoning arrangement released by the National Working Committee of our Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) as regards the leadership positions in the yet-to-be inaugurated National Assembly.
“Aside the unpretentious ambiguity in the purported Press Statement issued by the leadership of the APC, the contents, intentions and motives of the zoning formula represent early signs of steps aimed at attempts to cabin the hard-earned Presidency for our Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu by a few individuals with eyes on ASO ROCK POWER BUTTONS.
“It is trite to aver, that, it stands logic on the head that one geo-political zone, Northwest in this regard, will be favoured with two presiding officers positions out of four, while North Central suffers the consequences for its innocence and shrewd loyalty by having none.
“It is an insidious permutation that North East will be deprived in the face of the unsavoury generosity dispensed through two slots to a particular geo-political zone.
“It is self-repudiating for one to argue, therefore, that the Speaker of the House of Representatives cannot also emerge from the North East.
“Therefore, the move to zone the National Assembly leadership positions on the behest of interested personalities with perceived closeness to the President-elect manifestingly, lays the dangerous foundation of distrust, needless suspicion even as it structures nothing but a combination of booby traps. We must avoid all these.
“Let the North play a stronger, more robust and all-inclusive roles in the emergence of the positions zoned to the region, especially the Speakership.
“Furthermore, it strikes a huge ingratitude that the role of the Progressive Governors Forum appears unimportant.
“As leaders of the Party in their respective States, there cannot be a greater disservice to them that a consensus was yet to be reached when the NWC hurriedly released a dangerous tool for the opposition in the guise of a zoning formula. To me, even on this note, it’s unacceptable.
“Does it not also exude a serious discomfort that the aspirants to the Speakership were not consulted, approached and effectively engaged before the purported zoning formula? It does, and clearly so.
“It is in this regard that I salute the courage of the Speakership aspirants for their show of solidarity, companionship and applaudable love for the Party in their rejection, resentment and objection to the brazenly teleguided zoning arrangement that is skewed and targeted against some zones and identified individuals.
“Their action is commendable just as they are urged to ensure they pursue this to a logical conclusion. This is an unworkable arrangement that reinforces injustice and enhances inequity; and I join them in rejecting this zoning formula.
“I call on the NWC of our great Party to follow the path of purity and Justice. It is perhaps expedient that Mr. President-elect interrogates this skewed arrangement and give direction that reflects our collective commitment to equality and fairness.
“In this particular case, and for the purpose of avoiding a repeat of untoward situations, it is advised that the APC NWC immediately summons the National Executive Committee (NEC)after robust National Caucus/Stakeholders parley to agree on terms that would strengthen our great Party.”
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has described the death of Soji Adagunodo, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Deputy National Chairman, South West, as a big loss, not only to the Party, but to the entire South West.
Makinde said that the Party has lost a very strong Party Man, who worked tirelessly for the growth and success of the Party.
Expressing his heartfelt condolences to the PDP family in Osun State and the South-West, stated that the late Adagunodo was a strong party man and administrator whose death will leave a huge vacuum in the South-West.
A statement by the Special Assistant (Print Media) to the Governor, Moses Alao, said the Governor commiserates with the immediate family of the late politician and also prayed for the repose of his soul.
He described the late Adagunodo as a politician with strong perseverance and vision as well as a fighting spirit, and said the PDP family will greatly miss him.
He said: “On behalf of the Government and People of Oyo State, I express my condolences to the immediate family of our late Zonal Chairman in the South-West PDP, Hon. Soji Adagunodo, the Osun State PDP and the South-West PDP.
“Hon. Adagunodo was a great fighter and a strong party administrator, who gave his best for the party and made countless sacrifices for its continued stability.
“His perseverance and vision were exemplary and his death will, no doubt, leave a huge vacuum in the party.
“It is my prayer that God will rest his soul and abide by the family and the party he left behind.”
Mourning the demise of Adagunodo, the PDP in its condolence message described Adagunodo as a very courageous leader, dedicated and fearless partyman, true democrat, brilliant lawmaker, selfless administrator and grass root mobilizer who dedicated his resources, intellect and energy towards the wellbeing of the people in line with the ideals of the PDP.
This was contained in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba.
The statement read in part, “As a Student Union Activist, two-time member of the Osun State House of Assembly, State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, PDP Osun State Chairman and later National Vice Chairman (South West) of our great Party, Hon. Adagunodo distinguished himself in all spheres as a statesman with uncommon commitment to duty.
“As the National Vice Chairman (South West), he worked tirelessly with other PDP leaders in the effort to rebrand and strengthen our great Party in the bid to rescue, rebuild and redirect our nation from the misrule of the APC.
“His death is indeed a big blow which has created a huge vacuum in our Party in Osun State, the South West Zone and the national level.
“The PDP family commiserates with Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State; the wife, children and all members of the Adagunodo family, the Osun State Chapter of our Party and the good people of Osun State at this moment of grief.
“Our Party prays to the Almighty God to comfort the family and grant us all the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
The decision of the Supreme Court on the Osun State Governorship Election may be precedent in determining pending petitions on the outcome of February Presidential Election.
Festus Keyamo, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, has warned that the Supreme Court ruling on Governor Ademola Adeleke could be a double-edged sword.
Those celebrating Adeleke’s victory, according to Keyamo, should study the Supreme Court’s principles on the tenability of results retrieved from the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, to prove over-voting.
He stated that the decision could have an impact on the pending Presidential Election Petitions.
The Supreme Court confirmed Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), as governor of Osun State on Tuesday.
The decision was delivered by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim, who ruled that former Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, who challenged Adeleke’s victory, based all of his allegations against the election on unfounded hearsay.
While reading the judgement, Justice Emmanuel Agim also held that the Court of Appeal correctly set aside the decision of the Tribunal as there is no way Oyetola could depend on only the information of the back end server and not look into the voters register which forms a foundation of the electoral process in any polling unit.
Keyamo, on the other hand, cautioned those who were celebrating Adeleke’s Supreme Court victory.
Tweeting, Keyamo wrote: “They have not even stopped for a minute in their euphoria to reflect on the principles enunciated by the Supreme Court as it affects the tenability of results obtained by BVAS to prove over-voting and how it affects their pending Presidential Election Petitions that will go before the same Supreme Court in a few months’ time.
“The Supreme Court has set a precedent that can be a two-edged sword and when I reflected on it, I just chuckled. Awaiting the final decision of the Presidential Election cases.”
It may not be a smooth ride for adopted candidate from the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC), for speakership of the incoming green chamber as Opposition members-elect are set to give a good fight to clinch the seat.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Enugu State Branch, Chief CNN Nwagbara, had said that selection of speaker or Senate president is not determined by party majority.
The legal luminary was of the view that the members-elect had the sole right to choose their leader through indirect election within themselves in line with section 92 of the 1999 constitution.
Some members of the House of Representatives elect mainly from opposition parties have set up a committee to screen and select candidates to run for Speaker of the 10th Assembly.
In a statement in Abuja, the members-elect announced Nicholas Mutu as Chairman, and Victor Ogene as Secretary of the 11-man committee.
The statement, which was signed by Ogene and three other members of the caucus, said that the committee has one week to turn in its report.
The members, drawn from eight parties which refers to itself as the “Greater Minority” said that with 183 members, they have what it takes to produce the speaker as against the 173 members of the APC.
“Based on the common pact which our respective political parties have with the Nigerian people, which is to holding government accountable to the people, we resolved to step into the arena, by offering credible and alternative leadership options.
“In keeping with this resolve, the “Greater Majority” of the 10th House of Representatives has put together an 11-man Committee – complemented by a chairman and secretary – charged with the task of shortlisting, screening and eventual recommendation of aspirants for the Speakership and Deputy Speaker positions.
“With a long-standing member of the House of Representatives, Nicholas Mutu as Chairman, and Victor Ogene as Secretary, the Committee has one week to turn in its Report.”
Members of the Committee include, Rep. Abdulmumini Jibrin, Deputy Chairman (NNPP) Rep. Oluwole Oke (PDP) Rep. Gaza Jonathan Gbefwi (SDP) and Rep. Beni Lar (PDP).
Others are, Dr Ali Isa (PDP) Kabiru Rurum (NNPP) Donatus Mathew Kuzalio (LP) Yusuf Salisu Majigiri (PDP) Nnabuife Chinwe Clara(YPP) Maureen Chinwe APGA, Idris Salman(ADC) and Afam Ogene Secretary (LP)
The APC dominates the House of Representatives with 175 seats, while the PDP has 118 and LP controls 35.
The NNPP has 19 seats, APGA, five seats, while SDP and ADC have two seats each while the YPP has a single seat.
Owo, an ancient town in Ondo State has been bombarded by suspected cultists, an operation that has led to the death of three persons as at Tuesday night.
Some residents in the town explained that the killings were allegedly carried out by suspected cultists.
Apart from shooting dead victims, their corpses were carted away by the invaders.
The state security agencies including the police and Amotekun corps confirmed the incident and their readiness to track down those behind the incident.
The State Police Command Spokesperson, Funmilayo Ibklam, said policemen were yet to track down the killers.
“The Police is currently on patrol within Owo, just spoke with the Area Commander and DPO, no one is ready to report or even assist with an information. However, the anti-cultism men have been deployed.”
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the governor on security matters, Adetunji Adeleye who doubles as commander of Amotekun corps, said security operatives had been deployed to curb the killings and to make necessary arrest immediately.
The Senate Presidency aspiration of Godswill Obot Akpabio has received a huge boost following the backing of Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji and Ekiti State Senators.
The Governor said he has endorsed Akpabio for the position to succeed the incumbent Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, stressing that Ekiti State is committed to a united and formidable 10th National Assembly and the decision by the All-Progressives Congress, APC, National Working Committee to zone the Senate President position to the South-South.
Oyebanji gave the assurance to Akpabio when he hosted him in Abuja, alongside some senators-elect. The meeting also had in attendance elected senators from Ekiti: Opeyemi Bamidele, Yemi Adaramodu and Cyril Fasuyi.
Speaking during the meeting, Oyebanji said Ekiti APC had keyed into NWC’s decision on the 10th Assembly leadership.
“in Ekiti State, we are committed to a united National Assembly and we are also committed to the decision of the National Working Committee of the APC with respect to the zoning and you can attest to the fact that all the senators are here with me just to have dinner with Akpabio.
“We are supporting his aspiration as directed by the national body of the party. We are in this together, we are not only supporting, we will identify with him publicly and that is what I have done.
“All Ekiti senators and the leaders, all the former governors – we are in the same boat. We respect the sanctity of the party and we appeal to all contenders to also follow the advice of the National Working Committee.
“It is only when we are united that we can ensure progressive development of the country. Senator Akpabio has been called to serve and he needs all support and we shall give him that,” Oyebanji was quoted as saying in a statement by his media aide, Yinka Oyebode.
There have been issues regarding the zoning of the Senate Presidency, in which the South East Senators have urged the President Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to look their way as they have been marginalized.
