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Author: Femi Ogunshola

  • Tinubu among heroes of Nigeria democracy – Benue NASS caucus 

    Tinubu among heroes of Nigeria democracy – Benue NASS caucus

    President Bola Tinubu

    Democracy

    By Femi Ogunshola

    Abuja, June 12, 2024(NAN) The  National Assembly members, Benue caucus has  described President Bola Tinubu as one of the country’s living heroes of democracy and an  exemplary leader committed to democratic values

    Rep.  Philip Agbese, spokesperson of the group praised Tinubu’s efforts in promoting economic growth, good governance and social justice, in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday to mark Democracy Day.

    He said the president’s dedication to the nation’s progress is a testament to his statesmanship and vision.

    He also commended the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, for his crucial role in supporting the president’s agenda and ensuring effective implementation of policies.

    “On this auspicious occasion of Democracy Day, the Benue caucus in the national assembly salutes and celebrates Tinubu, a shining exemplar of democratic values and a champion of the Nigerian people.

    “We are honoured to extol the virtues of the president, who has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the growth and development of our beloved country, Nigeria”, he said.

    He said that Tinubu’s leadership and vision had rekindled hope and inspired a new generation of Nigerians to embrace democracy as a way of life.

    “We also commend the SGF for his love and dedication to the people of Benue and Nigeria at large.

    “His selfless service and contributions to our nation’s progress are duly acknowledged and appreciated.

    “We pledge our continued support, loyalty and collaboration with this administration to ensure the realisation of our shared vision for a prosperous and united Nigeria”, he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    ODF/CHOM/KUA

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    Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Uche Anunne

  • Democracy Day: More dividends coming to Nigerians – Speaker

    Democracy Day: More dividends coming to Nigerians – Speaker
    Dividends
    By Femi Ogunshola
    Abuja, June 12, 2024 (NAN) The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas has congratulated Nigerians on the celebration of Democracy Day and 25 years of unbroken democracy.
    Abbas, in a statement to mark the day in Abuja on Wednesday, said that the dividends of democracy were bound to reach more Nigerians.
    He said that the country had evolved in the past 25 years and democracy had come to stay in Nigeria.
    The speaker said the country had been navigating through the learning curves successfully.
    He said that though it was not perfect yet, the country had continued to grow in democratic experience and practice.
    Abbas said that this year’s celebration was significant in the life of the National Assembly, as it also marked the one year anniversary of the 10th Assembly.
    The 10th National Assembly was inaugurated on June 13, 2023.
    Abbas enjoined Nigerians across tribes, religions, gender and age groups to continue to contribute their quota to the growth and development of the country.
    According to him, Nigeria promises to be a nation that the citizens will be proud of.
    He urged Nigerians to continue to support the government at all levels and remain law-abiding citizens.
    The speaker said that it was the collective responsibility of all, with the people as the critical stakeholders, to make the government succeed on its plans, policies and programmes. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    ODF/FON/SOA
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    Edited by Florence Onuegbu/Oluwole Sogunle

  • House of Reps. appoints new committee chairs

    Committee
    By Femi Ogunshola
    Abuja, June 12, 2024(NAN) The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, has made minor changes to the leadership of some standing committees of the house, to strengthen oversight and ensure efficiency.
    Abbas made the new leaserships known during plenary in Abuja on Tuesday.
    He said that Rep. Abdulmumin Jibrin (NNPP- Kano) is the new Chairman, House Committee on Housing and Habitat.
    Other new leaders are Rep. Oluwole Oke (PDP-Osun); chair Foreign Affairs, Rep. Aminu Balele (APC- Katsina); Army, and Rep Mamudu Abdullahi (APC- Niger); Judiciary.
    Jibrin, a fourth-term member of the House, had previously served as Chairman of the Committees on Finance, Appropriation, Transport and Foreign Affairs.
    NAN reports that, in the Executive Arm, Jibrin had also served as Executive Director of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA).
    The speaker said that the oversight and jurisdiction of the House Committee on Housing and Habitat covers the Federal Ministry of Housing and its departments and agencies.
    Oke had previously chaired the House Committees on Public Accounts and Judiciary, while Abdullahi and Balele chaired the House Committees on Army and Housing/Habitat.
    The House also announced the constitution of an ad-hoc committee to investigate closure of some businesses in the country.
    The committee is to investigate the eventual exit of Messrs Kimberly-Clark and several other business outfits from the country, which is to be chaired by Rep. Kayode Akiolu (APC-Lagos).(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    ODF/OIF/IS

    ==========
    Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Ismail Abdulaziz

  • Bill to punish electoral officers for result cancellation passes 2nd reading in Reps

    Bill to prosecute electoral officers for result cancellation passes 2nd reading in Reps
    Results
    By Femi Ogunshola
    Abuja, June 11, 2024(NAN) A bill seeking to amend the Electoral Act 2022 to prohibit cancellation of election results due to over voting by electoral officers has passed second reading in the House of Representatives.
    Rep. Abubakar Fulata, who sponsored the bill while leading debate on the general principle of the bill on the floor of the House in Abuja, called fur punishment of erring electoral officers.
    He said, “equally important is the need to punish the presiding officer who allowed himself or herself to be used to perpetrate fraud and injustice.”
    According to him, this bill seeks to amend sections 51 (2) and deletion of sections 51(3) and 51(4) as well as sections 84 (8).
    “As it stands, the provisions of sections 51(2) (3) and (4) seems to deliberately target legitimate winners of elections instead of the criminally minded individuals who connive with custodians of electoral materials to cancel their votes.”
    He said that as the custodians of electoral materials, the clause was needed for the purpose of deterrence.
    He said that even if it was presumed that the individual who added the votes were not known, the winner of the election in a particular unit could not be party to a deliberate act that would invalidate their votes.
    “Most of the times, candidates target the strong holes of their opponents leveraging on the provisions of this section to add one or two votes to discredit the outcomes of the elections in those polling units
    This, he said, was to create advantage for the losers.
    Some of the lawmakers who spoke also agreed with the bill, adding that it was time to punish officers for aiding cancellation of results.
    When the Deputy Speaker, Rep Benjamin Kalu who presided over plenary, put it to vote, the Bill was unanimously agreed on and passed for second reading.
    The bill was referred to House Committee on Electoral Matters for further legislative actions. (NAN)www.nannews.ng
    ODF/MNA
    Edited by Maureen Atuonwu
    ====

  • Reps urge NASS to intervene in Plateau Assembly impasse

    Reps urge NASS to intervene in Plateau Assembly impasse

     

     

    Members-elect
    By Femi Ogunshola
    Abuja, June 11, 2024(NAN) The House of Representatives has urged the Leadership of the National Assembly (NASS) to intervene in the crisis that has bedeviled the Plateau House of Assembly.

    They also want NASS to ensure that the remaining members-elect of the Plateau House of Assembly were sworn-in for equity, fairness and justice.

    The resolution followed the adoption of a motion by Rep. Ahmed Wase (APC-Plateau) during plenary in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Wase in the motion said that the Plateau State 2023 Election Tribunal took a decision which resulted in the nullification of Certificates of Return of 16 sitting members of the Plateau House of Assembly.

    He said that the tribunal had ordered the issuance of new certificates of return to the new members by the Independent National Electoral appellate

    He said that the members-elect of the Plateau house of assembly  met all the requirements of the law as contained in Section 94 (1) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 72 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

    Wase however regretted that some of the new members were selected and sworn-in by the Speaker, while the others were left out.

    He added that some members-elect of the assembly were compelled to submit letters of resignation by the Speaker, with accompanying Court Affidavit.

    “This move contradicts the principles of fairness and justice that the electoral laws sought to uphold.

    “Failure to address the delays or biases in the swearing-in of these new members-elect is a total denial of the voices of other constituencies in Plateau.

    “It also undermines commitment to justice, fairness, and the principles of democracy and poses a threat to security in the state,” he said.

    Adopting the motion, the House urged the Leadership of the National Assembly to intervene and ensure that the remaining Members-Elect of the Plateau House of Assembly were sworn in. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    ODF/CEO/SH

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    Edited by Chidi Opara/Sadiya Hamza

  • Electricity subsidy drops from N3trn to N1trn -Minister

    Electricity subsidy drops from N3trn to N1trn -Minister

    Subsidy

    By Femi Ogunshola

    Abuja, June 11, 2024 (NAN) Mr Adebayo Adelabu, Minister of Power, said that the introduction of band A with a higher tariff has reduced electricity subsidy to N1 trillion from about N3trillion.

    The minister said this at the public hearing on electricity tariffs in Abuja on Tuesday.

    The hearing was organised by the House of Representatives Joint Committee on Power, Commerce, National Planning, and Delegated Legislation.

    Adelabu said that without an increase in electricity tariffs the expected subsidy would have been close to N3 trillion.

    He said the Federal Government could not afford to pay N3 trillion in subsidies

    The minister said that instead of piling up debt for the government, the ministry came up with the model for customers to pay for subsidies on band A.

    According to him, this will compensate for the fuel and diesel that consumers are using.

    He said that what consumers spend now is cheaper compared to fuel and diesel, even with the increase in electricity tariff.

    “We are still about the cheapest, even in sub-Saharan, in spite of the tariff. Our neighboring countries pay higher. So the price isn’t comparable.

    “Band A is cheaper compared to other sources of generating power. It is almost 50 per cent cheaper to connect to band A of the national grid than to run on fuel and diesel.

    “So when we complain about the higher tariff, it is cheaper for any business to pay for a grid connection than to individually generate power,”he said.

    He said President Bola Tinubu`s administration  meant well for  Nigerians, adding that he would not aggravate an already bad situation in the country.

    “We are out to make things better for Nigeria and to create industrial development through our local manufacturing, and energy is needed to do this,”he said.

    The minister said the increase in tariff was not targeted at making life difficult for Nigerians but to make life affordable for the people.

    Rep. Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, said that the decision by the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to increase electricity tariffs had sparked widespread discontent.

    He said the justification provided for this tariff hike as outlined by NERC, was to address the industry’s mounting debt and ensure continued functioning of the power sector.

    Kalu said  it was evident that the move had not been well-received by the citizenry, adding that the fears expressed by many were valid.

    He added that such a sharp increase in electricity tariffs would only exacerbate the economic hardships already faced by our people.

    “There are genuine concerns that higher utility bills resulting from this tariff hike can have ripple effects on operational costs for businesses, potentially leading to increased prices of goods and services,“he said.

    Kalu said lawmakers are committed to work closely with the executive to transform the power sector into a model of efficiency, and sustainability as outlined in the legislative agenda.

    “We are dedicated to providing legislative support to efforts of  the Tinubu’s administration in reforming the power sector by addressing all legal and legislative impediments,” he said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    ODF/CHOM/JPE

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    Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Joseph Edeh

  • 35 Reps seek rotational presidency, single tenure of 6 years, others

    35 Reps seek rotational presidency, single tenure of 6 years, others

    Rotational

    By Femi Ogunshola

    Abuja, June 10, 2024(NAN) 35 members of the House of Representatives have proposed a Bill for an Act demanding the constitutional alteration to provide for the rotation of executive powers among the six geopolitical zones.

    This according to them is to ensure equal representation and reduce the desperation and tempo of agitation for the creation of states.

    The lawmakers led by Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP-Imo), made the call while addressing a news conference at the National Assembly in Abuja on Monday.

    He said that the lawmakers were also seeking the amendment of Section III of the constitution to provide for the recognition of the division of Nigeria into six geopolitical zones.

    He added that they were also seeking the provision of a single tenure of six years for the President and Governors in the country.

    “The bill is also seeking reduction in government spending and wastage, efficiency in governance, and national stability by providing a single term of six years for the President and Governors.

    According to them, we want the creation of the office of two vice presidents from the southern and northern parts of Nigeria.

    ” The 1st vice shall be a succession Vice president, while the 2nd Vice president shall be a Minister in charge of the Economy, and both shall be Ministers.

    He added that, the financial autonomy and accountability of Local Government Councils by prescribing an independent Consolidated Local Government Council Account was germane.

    This, he said would be solely superintended by Local Councils and prescribing long-term imprisonment for any misuse of Local Government funds.

    He said that the bill would seek to amend the relevant sections of the Electoral Act to ensure that all elections at both Federal and State levels were held on the same day among others.

    The lawmaker said that the bill if become an Act, would ensure that all elections and election-related litigation were concluded within a period of six months.

    This, according to his is before the swearing into office of the validly elected person for the office contested.

    “Ours is a commitment to building a united, stable, and prosperous nation. Nigeria can and must become a great and modern nation.”(NAN)www.nannews.ng
    ODF/SH
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    edited by Sadiya Hamza

  • Reps pass N98.5bn 2024 FCT supplementary budget

    Reps pass N98.5bn 2024 FCT supplementary budget

    Budget

    By Femi Ogunshola

    Abuja, June 6, 2024 (NAN) The House of Representatives on Thursday in Abuja at plenary passed N98.5 billion supplementary budget for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) 2024 statutory appropriation Act.

    The bill, which passed for second and third reading, was sponsored by the Chairman of House Committee on FCT, Rep. Aliyu Betera.

    “You may recall that in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, a communication from the President was read at the plenary on May 16,” Betara said.

    He said that the communication sought approval for a supplementary budget to the 2024 Statutory Appropriation Act of the FCTA of the sum of N98.5 million.

    This, according to him, is to accommodate additional inflows from the FCT Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

    “By Sections 62, 80, 88, 89, and 299 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, the House Committee met with the Minister and other relevant officials of FCT,” he said.

    The House subsequently adopted the report of the committee on FCT on a bill for an Act to authorise the issuance from the statutory revenue fund of the FCTA account to the sum of N98.5 billion. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    ODF/KTO/KUA
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    Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Uche Anunne

  • Reps call for rescue of trapped miners in Niger

    Reps call for rescue of trapped miners in Niger

    Miners

    By Femi Ogunshola

    Abuja, June 6, 2024 (NAN) The House of Representatives has called for urgent rescue of miners trapped in the deep mining pit at Galadiman Kogo mining site in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger.

    The resolution followed the adoption of a motion moved by Rep. Ismail Modibo (APC-Niger) during plenary in Abuja on Thursday.

    Presenting his motion, Modibo said that on June 3 over a hundred miners working with Africa Mineral and Logistics Company Ltd. were trapped within a rocky mining pit.

    He also said that all efforts to rescue the victims have so far proved in vain, necessitating immediate intervention by the federal and state distress response.

    He expressed concern over the report of the death of many miners during the rescue operations, adding that there was need for the deployment of more Special Rescue Experts to the site

    This, according to him, is to prevent the victims from further loss of life, adding that the lack of adequate safety measures and emergency equipment by the mining companies led to the unfortunate situation.

    Adopting the motion, the House called on the Ministry of Solid Minerals to deploy more Emergency Response Specialists to the mining site without delay, for effective and successful rescue operations.

    The House urged its Committee on Solid Minerals to investigate the operational eligibility of Africa Minerals and Logistics Company Ltd.

    The House also called investigation into the the underlying causes of the accident and a review of the current mining safety regulations. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    ODF/OIF/KUA

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    Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Uche Anunne

  • Reps move to suspend Ugochinyere over politicisation of oversight function

    Reps move to suspend Ugochinyere over alleged politicisation of oversight functions

    Privilege
    By Femi Ogunshola
    Abuja, June 6, 2024(NAN) The House of Representatives is set to suspend Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere, the Chairman House Committee on Petroleum DownStream over politicisation of oversight function in Rivers State.

    Rep. Yusuf Gagdi (APC-Plateau), while moving a motion of personal explanation at the plenary in Abuja on Thursday told the House that his privilege as a member of the house had been bridged.

    He said that some media publication reported that about 50 members of the House paid a solidarity visit to Gov. Similaye Fubara of Rivers during their visit to the state.

    He added that such a statement issued by Ugochinyere was in a 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 oversight function and decided to greet the governor.

    Gagdi said that after the visit, Ugochinyere issued a statement which was published in the media, adding that this made their visit look like they were a delegation of the House to visit the governor.

    Rep. Mark Essien (PDP-Akwa-Ibom) however, said that the matter was irrelevant and should not be entertained as there were more matters of national importance to be addressed.

    In his ruling, the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the plenary 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.

    Some dissatisfied members indicated to speak to the issue but Kalu denied them the opportunity saying that matters of personal explanation were not opened to debate.(NAN)www.nannews.ng
    ODF/SH
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    edited by Sadiya Hamza