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Legislative Aides Perform Duty Of Law Making – Chairman National Assembly Commission

By
Ayodele Oni
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Ahmed Amish

By Ayodele Oni

Chairman, National Assembly Commission (NASC)  Ahmed Amish and the Acting Clerk, Alhaji Sani Tambuwal, have highlighted the roles of legislative aides in law making process.

The Clerk declared that “The role of aides in the legislature revolves around analysing constitutional provisions and drafting letters.”

The chairman, NASC said  “The lawmakers are so busy. They hardly have time to go through the laws, it is you, the legislative aides that have to go through every process of lawmaking.

The National Assembly legislative aides have therefore been assured of regular payment of their entitlements.

They gave the assurance in Abuja  at the 2022 Induction/Orientation programme for legislative aides to senators and members of House of Representatives.

The event was organised by the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) with the theme “Basic Lawmaking Processes and Procedures for Effective and Efficient Legislative Aides Performance”.

In his remarks, Tambuwal, who underscored the role of legislative aides in lawmaking said that he would ensure that effort would be to address their welfare.

“I will work hard to meet your demands. The National Assembly under my leadership is highly committed to the welfare of both staff and legislative aides.

“I will work assiduously to ensure that all demands you are pursuing with the Federal Ministry of Finance, in the shortest period will be realized.

“I want to assure you that with the support of the management of the National Assembly, I will ensure that you have an environment conducive for working to discharge your responsibility effectively.”

The acting clerk also said that the workshop was timely and apt, taking into consideration and understanding the basis of law-making processes and procedures which was among the core role of legislative aides.

“The role of aides in the legislature revolves around analysing constitutional provisions and drafting letters.

“This shows clearly the need to undertake this induction/training programmes toward value addition to self, legislators, constituents and our dear country.

“Let me express my appreciation for the good work the commission has been doing to support the National Assembly toward delivering its mandate.

“This is because a lot has been achieved not only in area of training legislative aides, but also in the recruitment, promotion and disciplining of the staff in the national assembly.

“Let me assure the commission of our unflinching loyalty and commitment to effectively serve legislators and the good people of Nigeria in the discharge of our duty.

“Our dear legislative aides and personal assistants, the task before you will surely add value to self and country.

“Kindly take advantage and privilege of this training and ensure that you are not left behind.

“I hope and pray that at the end of the induction, the National Assembly will witness a great improvement in the services toward better legislative processes, procedures, and democratic development of Nigeria,” he said.

NASC Executive Chairman, Ahmed Amish said that the commission had, over time, taken the issue of training and retraining to develop the capacity of staff and personal aides to lawmakers.

“This is because we have the belief that in law-making, it is not the lawmakers that always prepare the laws, it is you, aides, that prepare everything for the lawmakers.

“This is to enable your principals to be equipped to stand in the assembly and deliberate on the processes of law-making in the assembly.”

Reno Omokri Arrested In London

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Reno Omokri Attested in London

By Adesina Soyooye

One of the Spokespersons for the Atiku Campaign Organization, Reno Omokri has been arrested.

Omokri was arrested on Tuesday by the Police in London for, allegedly, constituting himself into a public nuisance at Chatham  House.

Omokri led scores of people  to Chatham House where the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, was scheduled to address, and take questions from the audience, on his plans for Nigeria, should he win the 2023 Presidential election to protest, vehemently, Tinubu’s presence at the venue.

Carrying placards, with messages against Tinubu, they also called Tinubu names.

However, there were, also, some pro-Tinubu placard- bearing people at the venue to counter Omokri and group.

Tinubu later, however, carried on with the business for which he was there, and later danced to Kizz Daniel’s Buga, at lunch, with his entourage.

West Africa Elders’ Forum Says Nigeria’s 2023 Election, Significant For Africa’s Stability

By
The Source
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The West Africa Elders’  Forum has called Nigerians to ensure that the 2023 elections are credible and conducted in a violence-free atmosphere. The forum says this will signal to the rest of the region that democracy has come to stay and discourage the trend of democratic recession in West Africa.

Head of the WAEF Pre-election Mediation Mission and former President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma, stated this at a news conference while presenting the forum’s post-mission statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

Koroma emphasized that the 2023  general election in Nigeria is of great significance for West Africa and the entire African continent.

His words: “we call on all Nigerians to exercise their rights to civic participation both before and during the coming elections without fear while also respecting the rights of others to do the same.

Our region, West Africa, of late, has experienced some reversal in democratic practice with unconstitutional changes of government in some countries. At the heart of the instability within the sub-region are the issue of disputed elections and citizen disaffection.

“The 2023 general elections in Nigeria is crucial not just for Nigeria alone but for West Africa and the African continent. “They are the first of three to be held in the region next year. The successful conduct of peaceful, credible, inclusive, free and fair elections here will set a good example for others.

“This will not only send a message that democracy is here to stay in West Africa but will also resuscitate hope at a time when the sub-region is plagued with various challenges.

“The WAEF will stay engaged and accompany the process before, during and after the general elections until a smooth and peaceful transition is achieved.

Koroma further noted that although some stakeholders expressed some concerns and misgivings towards the forthcoming polls, the mission got assurances from relevant authorities that all concerns would be adequately addressed ahead of the elections.

He said: “We note that although some stakeholders expressed some concerns and misgivings, we were assured by relevant authorities that all concerns will be adequately addressed ahead of the elections.

“We are optimistic that a secure and free environment and a level playing field will be guaranteed for all citizens and political actors, irrespective of political affiliations.

“The Independent Electoral Commission assured us that the permanent voters’ cards of all new registrants are ready, and distribution at the local government offices will commence on Monday, 12th December 2022.

We urge all who registered recently to use the opportunity to take the initiative to collect their PVCs.”

2023: Respite For Tinubu As Court Dismisses Suit Challenging His Candidacy

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Bola Ahmed Tinubu

By Akinwale Kasali

The All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola is standing solid, as a Federal High Court Sitting in Abuja dismissed a suit by a Right Advocate and APC stalwart, Ngozika Ihuoma.

She had dragged Tinubu alongside the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to Court on June 9 for allegedly violating extant Electoral Laws few days after the former Lagos State Governor won the APC Presidential Primary.

In the suit marked FHC/ ABJ/CS/854/2022, the two Presidential Candidates were sued alongside their parties, Independent National Electoral Commission and the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

The petitioner, Ihuoma, had sought for six reliefs, which included INEC barring Tinubu from contesting the 2023 presidential election.

Babatunde Ogala (SAN)  who is the defense Counsel for the APC filed a counter affidavit in opposition to the originating summons and a notice of preliminary objection.

In dismissing the case, Justice Fadima Muritala described the plaintiff as a “meddlesome interloper having no locus standi to institute the suit.”

He, therefore, dismissed the case for being speculative after APC’s counsel, Julius Ishola Esq, from Babatunde Ogala had urged the court to dismiss it with heavy cost for wasting judicial time.

It was the fourth case to be dismissed by the court in recent times.

Reacting in a statement he issued, the Director of Media and Publicity for the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Bayo Onanuga, said that the counter affidavit challenged Ihuoma’s locus standi and grounds for the action.

He said, “The counter affidavit also punctured Ihuoma’s case as academic, theoretical and an abuse of court process. The court on Monday upheld the defense counsel’s objections and struck out the case.

“In the last couple of weeks, the courts have dismissed several cases brought against Asiwaju Tinubu by opposition elements, including Action Alliance, for being frivolous, lacking in merit and abuse of court processes.”

Edo Fire Incidents : State Govt Reacts, Says Handiwork Of APC

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Edo State Government has swiftly taken on the main opposition party, the All Progressive Congress,(APC) in the State, accusing it of complicity in fire incidents that gutted major markets in the State capital, Benin City.

The APC had earlier fingered the State Government over of possible involvement in the “annual market fire outbreak that has wrecked major markets in Benin-city.”

Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Osa Nehikhare in a press release in Benin City, Wednesday, said “the Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) has confirmed our strong suspicion that they are responsible or at least complicit in the Lagos Street, Benin fire of yesterday and similar fire incidents that have happened in eve or during electioneering campaigns season in the past, in our State.

“The coincidence of the timing of these unwarranted fires is cause for concern. Edo State government strongly believe that the APC must be involved.

“Prior to the 2020 gubernatorial election, Eki Osa, Santana and Oba Markets were set on fire as confirmed  by the spokesman of the APC, John Mayaki.

“In fact traders in Ekiosa Market told journalists then that the fire was the handiwork of mischief makers, at a time the APC was aggressively looking for ways to blackmail Governor Godwin Obaseki and dent his high popularity ratings weeks before the election.

“It would interest you to know that since after the last gubernatorial election in Edo State, there hasn’t been any market fire.

“Now that elections are coming again, the APC has resorted to one of its devilish and inhuman tactics and has started with the Lagos Street fire incident.

“Burning down markets is not a way to resurrect a dead political party that has manufactured unprecedented levels of poverty for Nigerians.

“The APC and their collaborators should desist from this life of crime. Arson is a crime punishable by jail time. Both sponsors and perpetrators are equally liable.

“We advise the youths not to allow themselves to be used to sabotage our mothers and fathers in the markets and in the larger society.

“The relevant agencies of government have commenced investigations  into the Lagos Street fire incident and no stones will be left unturned in the process because enough is enough.

“Col Imuse Rtd, APC State Chairman and Mr. John Mayaki, Chairman of Edo Media and Publicity Committee of the APC Presidential Campaign Council are persons of interest and should be invited to help with the investigation of not just this fire, but all previous market fires on the eve of elections in Edo State.”

Senate President, Lawan, Shakes Party, Casts Doubt Over Tinubu, Calls Shettima APC Presidential Candidate

By
The Source
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Ahmed Lawan with Shettima

By Gideon Njoku

Senate President, Dr Ahmed Lawan, has cast a doubt on who exactly is the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC. Is it Asiwaju Bola Tinubu or his running mate, former Governor of Borno State, Senator Kashim Shettima?

This question stems from Lawan’s introduction of Shettima as the Presidential  candidate of the APC.

Lawan had held a meeting with APC stakeholders from Yobe on Wednesday. He is from Yobe State. What was discussed was not made public.

But after the meeting, Lawan felt strongly about its importance, and so decided to tell Nigerians that such a meeting was held.

In a post informing Nigerians of the meeting, he introduced Shettima as the Presidential Candidate of the APC.

Lawan: “Met yesterday with the stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress from Yobe State, including the Presidential Candidate of our great party, the APC, Senator Kashim Shettima.”

The post, now deleted, has ruffled feathers within and outside the Party. Not a few people are giving it all kinds of interpretation. Statements like: “Finally the truth is out. APC has done the South the more you look, the less you see. So Tinubu is just the Place Holder for Shettima. So, this has been the plan, now leaked?”

Some people have said the embarrassing mis-introduction  was an honest mistake. But if it is, others argue, deleting it is not enough. They say Lawan should issue a statement and an apology.

This, they posit becomes more necessary given the  performance of Tinubu at Chatham House where he assigned questions put to  him to some members of his entourage to answer on his behalf.

The conclusion they have reached now is that if Tinubu wins, he would just sit there and Shettima would wield the power of the President.

For the records, Lawan contested for the APC Presidential ticket at the Primary alongside Tinubu and others. Tinubu won.

CBN Trying To Destroy Our Business- Mobile Money Operators

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Barely 24 hours after the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, issued a guideline to limit cash withdrawals, the Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents in Nigeria, AMMBAN, has kicked against the policy. 

AMMBAN members are also known as POS operators.

As part of its recent naira redesign policy the CBN is seeking to reduce the cash in circulation, having previously claimed that excessive cash in the economy is fueling inflation and criminality.

The Godwin Emefiele-led, on Tuesday, issued a guideline to commercial banks and other Financial Institutions, OFIs, in the country to limit on the counter, OTC and ATMs weekly cash  withdrawals for individual and corporate organisation to N100,000 and N500,000, respectively.

The apex bank pegged individual daily withdrawal to N20,000.

Commercial banks and OFIs have also been directed to load only N200 and lower denominations into their ATMs, effect from January 9, 2023.

Reacting AMMBAN said the CBN is trying to run them out of business, noting that the country is not right for such policy.

The group president, Olojo Victor said the policy is counter-productive and will not serve the interests of many Nigerians who mostly depend on cash for daily transactions.

Victor said, “We are against this. It is counter-productive. It does not represent what the CBN initially stood for in terms of financial inclusion. This is not driving us forward.

“It is a punishment for an average Nigerian. A bag of rice is N48,000. That means if I want to go to the market I can’t take cash. How will I do the transaction?

“We don’t have the technological infrastructure to support this policy. Nigerians have not been sensitized.

“There is no alternative and you are taking out cash. You are running a cash-dominant economy as we speak.

“Cash still remains king whether we like it or not. Go to the average market we still have more cash transactions than PoS and suddenly you want to seal cash without bringing alternatives and education and sensitizing Nigerians on how the alternatives work.

“This will not fly. It is not suitable. It is a good idea but not at the right time.”

The CBN had on December 1, 2022 launched new naira notes of N200, N500, and N1000, after receiving an approval from President Muhammadu Buhari.

Six Months After, Cleric Demands Update, Prosecution Of Suspects Of Owo Catholic Church Attack

By
Ayodele Oni
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Bishop Felix Ajakaye

By Ayodele Oni

The Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Bishop Felix Ajakaye, has said that the silence of the federal

government and the security agencies on the attack of St Francis Church, Owo, Ondo state at this period is unacceptable.

The cleric noted that six months after the gruesome attack on the Catholic church in Owo, Ondo state, even the dead and their relations are desirous to know how far those arrested in connection with the incident are being prepared for trial.

Bishop Ajakaiye, in a statement in Ado Ekiti called on the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, to commence the prosecution of the suspects.

On June 5, 2022, gunmen stormed the Catholic church and killed no fewer than 40 worshippers which generated national and global outcry and condemnation.

The CDS had in August, two months after the incident, addressed newsmen in Abuja, where he revealed that some suspects were arrested in relation with the church attack and promised to update the public on development as regards the case.

The Bishop stated that the silence of the Federal Government and the security agencies on the Owo attack is unacceptable adding that the church and the families of the departed souls are waiting for the outcome of the investigations.

“As usual, the Buhari-led government commiserated with the people concerned.

“Typical of the administration’s trademark, it vowed to be on top of the situation and fish out the culprits.

“Our wish is for the government to always be on top of the action, not merely on top of the situation.

“After six month of the evil attack, the dead have been buried, and their people and other well-wishers are still in sorrowful moods. Many of the injured are equally traumatized.

“Over three months ago. General Lucky Irabor, the Chief of Defence Staff, addressed a world press and told the world that there had been arrests made concerning the Pentecost Sunday attack at St Francis Catholic Church, Owo Ondo State, Nigeria.

“A voice is heard in Ramah, lamenting and weeping bitterly: it is Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted because they are no more.” (Matthew 2:18) General Irabor, Nigeria is still waiting…

“More than ever, the people who have been in custody since the General’s public statement to Nigerians and the world that they had been arrested need to be prosecuted now.

“Not only that, General Irabor needs to give the update of the present situation on Owo massacre.”

Edo APC Calls Gov Obaseki To Order On Incessant Fire Incidents, Derivation Fund

By
Ayodele Oni
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Godwin Obaseki

By Ayodele Oni

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo state has blamed perennial fire incidents at major markets in Benin on neglect by present administration to tackle the issue permanently.

The party criticized Governor Godwin Obaseki for his failure to find a lasting solution to regular fire incidents, which ravage major markets in Benin City, the Edo State capital, particularly at the end of every year.

Mr. John Mayaki, the Chairman of the Edo Media and Publicity Committee of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, in a statement on Wednesday, accused the Obaseki-administration of “unconscionable negligence, especially on the issue of incessant fire incidents reducing people’s livelihoods and means of economic survival to ashes.”

His statement came after another fire incident was recorded at the new Lagos road market, after similar disasters at the Oba market, Ekiosa market, and Santana market.

APC statement states that “Every December, innocent women and traders in Edo State are made to suffer the terrible tragedy of seeing their life investments, and possibly sole means of economic survival, destroyed by fire outbreaks enabled by the negligence and irresponsibility of the state government.

“What is most troubling is that these incidents have followed the same pattern within the life of the hapless Obaseki-administration, with no serious or proactive response from the government despite the heavy toll on the well-being of ordinary citizens, including market women who form the lifeblood of Edo State’s commerce.

“Why is the Obaseki-administration is ever so eager to exact high taxes on the citizens without providing the requisite public services expected of any responsible government to the people?

“It appears this administration, in keeping with the PDP’s approach of milking people and state without any tangible investment in public services and infrastructure, is only interested in raising and withdrawing taxes, without doing anything to help the people.”

APC commiserated with the victims, and urged them to punish the PDP with their votes in 2023 and “set Edo on a recourse of renewal beginning with the election of Tinubu at the top of the ballot, and candidates of the APC contesting state and federal elections in the state.”

The APC also flayed Obaseki for his perceived unaccountable management of the 13 percent oil derivation fund paid to the oil-generating states by the federal government.

“Governor Obaseki and other PDP Governors had refused to disclose the payment before a revelation by Nyesom Wike of Rivers forced them to reluctantly acknowledge receipts.

“The shameful episode marks an important contrast between the APC and PDP. While we in the APC are committed to responsible governance and a collective approach to development that is devoid of destructive opposition politics, they in the PDP only know how to dodge responsibilities and render excuses to the people when confronted with indicting evidence of their non-transparency.”

OPINION: Tinubu: A Comedian Visits Chatham House

By
The Source
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Phrank Shaibu and Bola Tinubu

By Phrank Shaibu

The disgraceful campaign of APC candidate, Bola Tinubu, reached its nadir at Chatham House in London where he was expected to have sold himself.

Six long months after emerging the candidate of the party, the self-styled Lagos godfather has continued to avoid any public engagement with other candidates because his intelligence pales in comparison to them.

He avoided an engagement at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry; he evaded the town hall organized by the Alumni Association of the Lagos Business School and even that of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.

Lately, he avoided the town hall organized by Arise Television and other media houses. The Chatham House event was therefore an opportunity to redeem himself but once again he fell short.

After reading his prepared speech for about 15 minutes, it was time for the question and answer session. Clearly lacking the capacity to respond to easy questions, he claimed his style is to delegate and thereafter decided to call on members of his campaign to answer questions for him.

It is baffling that Tinubu could not defend his manifesto which he personally launched amid fanfare. His action was like a final year student calling on his colleagues to come help him defend his project. Utterly disgraceful!

Rather than reveal how he will tackle insecurity, he called on Governor Nasir El-Rufai to answer the question on his behalf.

For the sake of clarity, Kaduna State under El-Rufai recorded 1,192 civilian killings alone in 2021, almost leveled with that of war-torn Syria. This is also a governor that admitted to paying killer insurgents to stop murdering his people. He hurriedly withdrew his children from school last year because of insecurity but left the children of the masses to their fate. What a man!

Early this year Kaduna State was cut off completely, becoming inaccessible by air, train or road. In August he wrote a letter to President Buhari stating that election may not take place in some parts of the state due to the activities of terrorists. Yet he was the one nominated by Tinubu to address security issues, what a joke.

Tinubu also could not respond to questions on healthcare and even the economy despite claiming to have developed Lagos. Rather, he nominated the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila; Betty Edu and Wale Edun to do so on his behalf. No wonder he is not brave enough to attend debates. He cannot hold his own. For a man who constantly says Emi lo kan (it is my turn), it is ironic that he suddenly discovers that it is not his turn when it is time to answer serious questions.

When he was pointedly asked about his profile and background, Tinubu once again started his story from his life at Chicago university. Why can’t he mention the primary and secondary schools he attended? Why did he deliberately leave them out of his INEC form CF001?

Without mincing words, Bola Tinubu’s entire candidacy is built on a grand scam. He is like a puppet who on the surface appears to be alive but is actually being empowered by strings from a team backstage.

In the unfortunate event that he becomes President, Tinubu’s Presidency will be run by a cabal pulling the strings from the backstage. This is not about effective delegation but dereliction of duty. The warning signs are there for Nigerians to see.

The country is facing arguably its worst crisis since the civil war. Unemployment is at 33%, at least 133 million Nigerians live in abject poverty, the exchange rate even at the official market is at an all time low, debt is at an all time high, oil revenue has dried up, according to the CBN. Nigeria cannot risk another failed Presidency.

It is only in Africa that persons who are unfit for offices on account of ill health insist on holding offices even at the expense of the wellbeing of the economy and the citizenry.

This country deserves a very healthy person. The office of the President is not for sick people. Tinubu has tried his best but he is now weak and tired and should be allowed to go home and take a deserved rest while I urge the electorate to vote for Atiku Abubakar at next year’s poll, as the former Vice President is the only candidate that has got what it takes to turn around the fortunes of Nigeria.

Shaibu, who wrote from Abuja, is Special Assistant to Atiku Abubakar on Public Communication

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