Author: Femi Ogunshola

2023 House of Assembly candidates seek end to factions in Abia APC

Reconciliation

By Femi Ogunshola

Abuja, June 17, 2024 (NAN) The 24 members of All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the 2023 Abia State House of Assembly election have demanded an end to the factions in the party.

Mr Anderson Akaliro, the only elected APC lawmaker in the House of Assembly and the leader of the group, led the candidates on a reconciliation mission to Abuja, according to a communiqué issued at the end of their meeting.

This is contained in the group’s communiqué at the end of a reconciliation meeting tagged `Abia APC Crisis Peace Initiative“ anchored by Mr Anderson Akaliro, the only APC lawmaker in Abia State House of Assembly.

Akaliro who signed the communiqué said urged the national leadership of APC to, as a matter of urgency, convoke a meeting of all leaders and stakeholders of the party to resolve the impasse.

The meeting, he said, should include the zonal leadership and the 2023 House of Assembly, Abia APC lawmakers in the National Assembly, to get their commitment to a peace accord.

“All factions within the rank and file of the party should be resolved and all factions should fall back into the party as one indivisible unit.

“We are aware of the forthcoming Congress, and we employ the party leadership to commit to ensuring that all interest groups are duly represented in the state, LGA, and ward party positions’’, he said.

This, according to him, will be a prelude to free and fair party primaries in 2026.

He, therefore, called on all gladiators in the crisis to sheath their sword and embrace peace and unity in APC in Abia State.

“We want peace in the Abia APC because there are multiple factions, which is the reason why we lost the election.

“24 of us contested for the State Assembly election and 23 lost; the faction challenge contributed to our loss. We only have one person as an APC member who won the election” he said in the communiqué.

He said issues responsible for the factions, including imposition of candidates, greed, and pride anchored on personality clashes of interests were not good for the progress of the party.

He appealed to President Bola Tinubu as the leader of the party and the National Chairman to call all stakeholders, including Assembly candidates, and Abia APC lawmakers in the two chambers of National Assembly for truce.

“The facade of unity is but a veil over the fissures that have led to our collective losses in political contests, and it is time for introspection and action.”

“The potential within our ranks is immense, with leaders of influence and respect.

“It is our firm belief that through reconciliation and unity, the APC in Abia State will emerge stronger and victorious in future electoral endeavors’’. Akaliro said.

He said the influx of new members into the party was a clarion call for reconciliation and to establish a harmonious environment that would foster alignment and bolster the spirit of togetherness. (NAN)www.nannews.ng

ODF/KUA

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Edited by Uche Anunne

Labour

By Femi Ogunshola

Abuja, June 16, 2024 (NAN) The Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage has given reasons why the organised labour should have a rethink on the amount it is demanding as minimum wage.

Alhaji Goni Aji,  the chairman of the committee said this in Abuja on Sunday.

The organised labour is demanding for N250, 000 as minimum wage per month.

But the Federal Government and Organised Private Sector have offered N62,000 per month.

Goni said that the labour should reconsider its stance based on economic considerations and non-monetary incentives which the Federal Government had so far provided for workers.

He listed such incentives to include the N35,000 wage award for all treasury-paid federal workers, N100 billion for the procurement of gas fuelled busses and conversion to gas kits.

Others include the N125 billion conditional grant, financial inclusion to small and medium scale enterprises and the N25,000 each to be shared to 15 million households for three months, according to him.

He also cited the N185 billion palliatives loans to states to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal and the N200 billion to support the cultivation of hectares of land to boost food production.

He said that here was another N75 billion to strengthen the manufacturing sector and N1 trillion for student loans for higher education.

He explained that the release of 42,000 metric tonnes of grains from strategic reserves and the purchase and onward distribution of 60,000 metric tonnes of rice to the millers association.

Goni  stated that the recent salary increase of 25 per cent and 35 per cent on all consolidated salary structures for federal workers and the 90 per cent subsidy on health costs for federal civil servants registered on health insurance programme.

All these, he said should be considered by the labour unions and accept the N62, 000 being offered by the Federal Government.

He said that the light rail commissioned in Abuja was  to relieve transportation cost until the end of the year was a landmark achievements that would cushion the effect of fuel subsidy.

He said in addition to the freedom of civil servants to engage in agriculture, the Federal Government has approved the inclusion of ICT services for alternate sources of income.

He said the committee agreed that where major and small businesses were closing down with consequent loss of jobs, the outcome of a new minimum wage should be such that it would not trigger further massive job losses.

He further said that linking the strike to electricity hikes with the wage determination was not fair to the negotiating parties.(NAN)(www. nannews. ng)

ODF/JAN/KAY

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Edited by Joan Nwagwu/Kayode Olaitan

Sallah: Abbas congratulates Muslims, urges more sacrifice by Nigerians

Sacrifice

By Femi Ogunshola

Abuja, June 15, 2024(NAN) The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, has congratulated Muslims as they mark this year’s Eid-el-Kabir.

Mr Musa Krishi, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity quoted the Speaker as saying this in a statement to commemorate the Muslim festival.

Abbas said the celebration was about total submission to higher authority, sacrifice, and charity.

He urged Nigerians to imbibe these virtues in their daily lives.

The Speaker said the celebration was significant to Muslims, as it reminds the people of the supremacy of Allah and the importance of sacrifice.

He urged Nigerians, especially Muslims, to use this period for sober reflection and be their brothers keeper at all times.

Abbas also called on Nigerians to continue praying for their leaders, while urging them to be supportive and cooperative for a better Nigeria.

The Speaker, who wished Muslims happy celebrations, prayed to Allah to accept their sacrifices. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

ODF/KUA

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Edited by Uche Anunne

Pro-Democracy Groups laud Abbas leadership stride

Leadership

By Femi Ogunshola

Abuja, June 13, 2024 (NAN) A Coalition of Pro-Democracy Organisations  have commended the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas leadership stride in one year in office.

Mr Okwa Dan who spoke on behalf of the coalition at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, hailed Abbas for the passage of key bills.

He commended the speaker for successful oversight of  the executive agencies, and effective representation of constituents’ interests among other notable achievements.

Dan said Abbas made significant strides in legislation, oversight, and representation, aligning with the principles of democracy and the welfare of Nigerians.

He also commended Kabiru Bichi, the Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation for his committee`s outstanding performance.

Dan said this  had reshaped public engagement by emphasising the inclusive nature of the legislative process.

He said that the speaker had precipitated a paradigm shift in the legislative agenda of the parliament, reinvigorating its purpose and direction.

According to him, his resolute commitment to addressing the most pressing and pervasive societal issues, have shaped a legislative agenda responsive to the needs of the citizenry.

He said Abbas had demonstrated unwavering dedication to the principles of accountability and responsibility in oversight function.

He added that he had steadfastly championed the cause of transparency and efficiency in government operations.

“He has ensured that public agencies operate with the highest level of transparency, accountability, and prudence in the utilisation of public resources,“he said.

Dan said this had helped boost public trust in the government and reinforcing the sacred principles of good governance. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

ODF/GOM/JPE

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Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Joseph Edeh

Jibrin`s appointment will inject new life into legislative process-Agbese

Appointment

By Femi Ogunshola

Abuja, June 13, 2024 (NAN) Rep. Philip Agbese, Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, says the appointment  of Rep. Abdulmumin Jibrin as  Chairman, House Committee on Housing and Habitat will  inject new life into the legislative process.

Agbese, said this while reacting to the minor reshuffling of committees at the House of Representatives during plenary in Abuja.

He said that the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas had demonstrated his capacity as the leader of the lower chamber for his “strategic” choice of Jibrin.

Abgese  who  represents Ado/ Okpokwu/ Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, said  the by reshuffling of the committees,  had shown his commitment to optimising the legislative process.

He said Abbas had also helped in harnessing the skills of members for the benefit of the nation.

The lawmaker described Jibrin as a square peg in a square hole with an impressive track record and a wealth of experience.

“I am happy because members were assigned to committees that aligned with their strengths, expertise, and passions, enhancing productivity and effectiveness.

“This demonstrates commitment to optimising the legislative processes and harnessing the skills of members for the benefit of the nation.

“As a fourth-term member of the House, Jibrin has previously chaired various committees, including Finance, Appropriation, Transport, and Foreign Affairs.

He said that his expertise in housing and habitat is further enhanced by his experience as Executive Director of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA)(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

ODF/FEO/JPE

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Edited by Francis Onyeukwu/Joseph Edeh

Ugochinyere wants lawmaker, Gagdi, jailed over `contempt of parliament`
Prison
By Femi Ogunshola
Abuja, June 12, 2024 (NAN) Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP-Imo) has moved a motion for the House of Representatives to commit to prison, Rep. Yusuf Gagdi (APC-Plateau), for  contempt of parliament and misleading the House through falsehood.
Ugochinyere moved the motion while raising a matter of privilege, coming under Order 6, Rule 125, and Section 12 of the Legislative House Order of Privileges Act at plenary in Abuja on Tuesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) had earlier reported that Gagdi, while moving a motion of personal explanation at the plenary on June 6, told the House that his privilege as a member of the House had been breached.
Gagdi said that some media publications reported that about 50 members of the House paid a solidarity visit to Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers during their visit to the state as contained in a statement issued by Ugochinyere.
He said such statement was in bad taste and made the House look like it was taking a position in political matters.
He said that the report presented the story as though the members visited the governor on behalf of the House, whereas they were in Rivers for an oversight function and decided to greet the governor.
Ugochinyere, while presenting his motion however, said, “We did not go to any oversight function, not to talk of politicising oversight functions.
“A group of like-minded lawmakers, on our own, not on behalf of the House, went on a Thanksgiving service in Port Harcourt to celebrate Gov. Fubara’s one year of transformational leadership”, he said.
He said that this was published in all the newspapers, including the one earlier cited by Gagdi.
According to him, Gagdi misinformed the House when he said that “we went on an oversight function, thereby committing contempt of parliament and misleading it.
“About 40 of us who went to Port Harcourt specifically mobilised ourselves and went for the sole purpose of celebrating with Gov. Fubara and not politicising’’.
He said that the comment made by Gagdi was belittling of the status of the 40 lawmakers, saying, “and we are asking that this privilege that has been abused should be addressed.”
This, according to him, should be in line with the provisions of Order 6, Rules 1 and 2, and Section 12 of the Legislative Privileges.
The order states that: “any person who presents to a legislative House any false, untrue, fabricated, falsified document with the intent to deceive shall be guilty of an offense.”
It further says that “the person shall be liable to conviction to imprisonment for 12 months and also be removed as a member of a legislative house.
Speaking on the matter, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, said the motion had been noted.
He added that the leadership of the House would intervene on the issue, adding that the parties to the matter would be invited along with other affected members for discussion.
NAN had reported that the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the plenary on June 6, also said that the leadership of the House would look into the report.
He added that, if found necessary, the matter would be referred to the Privilege and Ethics Committee for further investigation. (NAN)www.nannews.ng
ODF/KUA
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Edited by Uche Anunne