Tag: House of Representatives

3Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Reps Working On Six Bills To Improve Food And Health Sectors – Gbajabiamila

The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, began a two-day public hearing on six bills, which the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, said will improve Nigeria’s food and health sector. Gbajabiamila noted that the Legislative Agenda of the 9th House outlined the ambitions the lawmakers hold regarding reform and overhaul of the country’s health care infrastructure. He said, “We expect that when these six bills become law, they will each serve to improve our national health system in specific, and significant ways that will impact the lives of our nation’s people for a long time.” The hearing was on the ‘Bill for an Act to establish a National Electronic Health Record System for the storage and access of electronic health records in Nigeria’ and the ‘Bill for an Act to amend the Compulso...

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2Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Reps’ Bill Empowers NBC To Decide Tariffs For DSTV, Others

A proposed law to give the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission the sole power to decide the per-view cost for Digital Satellite Television Services, DSTV and other Broadcasting outfits in the country, is before the House of Representatives. The bill exclusively obtained by VANGUARD on Monday, is sponsored by Rep. Unyime Idem (PDP-Akwa Ibom). The Bill amends Section 2(1) of the Principal Legislation to read that the NBC, will “regulate and review through its broadcasting codes, the tariff being charged by the Digital Satellite Television Services and other broadcasting outfits in Nigeria and subscription policy for subscribers”. Section 2(2), states that: “The Commission, shall further oversee the operations of the operators in the industries in the following manners: guarantee op...

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1Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Reps Demand Documents On ₦2.2 Trillion Foreign, Domestic Debts Utilisation

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts has asked the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to forward the financial statement on the utilisation of the N2.2tn revenue accruing from foreign and domestic debts raised by Debt Management Office. Chairman of the committee, Oluwole Oke, made the request based on a query issued against the DMO for the 2018 financial year. Oke said apart from details of the utilisation of the fund, the committee also wanted to know the reason it reflected in the DMO’s financial statement. He asked why the office could not account for the money that was appropriated for, which also did not appear in the books of the OAGF. The lawmaker said, “We should hold you liable to the actual sum released to you. If it is in the ...

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26Feb By MosesianNo Comments

Politics

US House of Representatives Passes Equality Act,Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

The US House of Representatives on Thursday, February 25, passed the Equality Act, a landmark LGBTQ rights bill that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Lawmakers passed the legislation on a 224-206 vote. It was largely along party-line with three Republicans throwing their support behind the bill with all Democrats. The bill is one of President Joe Biden's top legislative priorities, one he wants to pass in his first 100 days in office. During his campaign, he said passage of the Equality Act would be a priority in his first 100 days in office. “Today’s vote is a major milestone for equality bringing us closer to ensuring that every person is treated equally under the law,” Human Rights Campaign President Alphonso David said ...

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24Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Reps Reject Motion To Allow Citizens Carry Arms

The House of Representatives on Wednesday shot down a motion to reverse President Buhari’s Executive Order prohibiting the issuance of licenses for fire arms by the police in Nigeria. The sponsor of the motion, Rep. Uzoma Nkem Abonta (PDP- Abia), failed to present the motion on notice when the public address system went off just after the Speaker had introduced it. The lawmaker, however pressed to be heard, when the House Leader, Rep. Alhassan Doguwa (APC-Kano), interjected saying the motion was “dead on arrival”, because according to him, it was an unpopular subject. The motion was entitled “Need to Reverse the Executive Order and Police Directive banning Possession and Issuance of New Licenses for Firearms in the Country”. Sensing a strong swell of opposition to the motio...

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24Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Reps Insist NNPC Must Account For N1.3 Trillion Alleged Illegal Deductions

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts has stated that the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation must account for the alleged illegal withdrawals from the Federation Account in 2017, totaling N1.3tn. Chairman of the committee, Oluwole Oke (PDP-OSUN), stated this in Abuja on Tuesday at the committee’s investigative hearing on audit queries issued by the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation against ministries, departments, and agencies of the Federal Government. The committee had grilled the representative of the Accountant General of the Federation, Mr Ezeh Ekwueme, who appeared before the panel to explain the unauthorised deductions from Federation Account by revenue-generating agencies in the year under review. Oke stated that it was improper fo...

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9Feb By dthataNo Comments

News

Nigerian Legislature Poorest In The World – Benjamin Kalu

The Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, on Tuesday said the National Assembly is the poorest parliament in the world. Mr Kalu stated this while responding to a question on the status of investigative reports and alleged compromise of the lawmakers on some of the reports. He refuted the claims of compromise and blamed COVID-19 for the delays on consideration of the reports. Mr Kalu added that the lawmakers are falling sick due to pressure from constituents making financial demands. “As per being compromised, you would have seen it on the lawmakers. This is the poorest parliament. You don’t see the lawmakers living in luxury. Compromised with what? With position or money? These guys are suffering,” Mr Kalu said. “That is why most of the sickness th...

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4Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Reps Panel Alleges Theft Of $20b Crude Oil In Seven Years

House of Representatives Adhoc Committee on Oil Theft, yesterday, alleged that 329,420,319 barrels valued at over $20 billion were not accounted for between 2005 and 2012. Chairman of the committee, Mr. Peter Akpatason, who spoke during hearing on the matter, accused Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) of not doing enough to render account of the alleged missing monies. The committee alleged that similar trend of infractions was also observed between 2016 and 2019. Akpatason, therefore, demanded explanation from DPR on the alleged stolen crude oil. Akpatason said: “The effects of crude oil theft cannot be overemphasized, and this has lasted for too long. As patriots, it is our collective responsibility to see to the end of this stealing. The adhoc committee has identified ...

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4Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Rep Decries Corruption, Mismanagement Of Nation’s Resources By Executive

The Federal lawmaker representing Gwer/Gwer West federal constituency, in the House of Representatives, Mr. Mark Gbillah has decried the level of corruption and mismanagement of the nation’s resources by the executive. The lawmaker who spoke Tuesday in Makurdi lamented that the executive presides over the expenditure of over 98 per cent of Nigeria’s annual budget without commensurate developmental projects to show for the huge funds. According to him, “the budget of the National Assembly every fiscal year never exceeds N138billion. In fact, it is usually around N125billion. Now let’s take this year’s budget, for instance, that is about 1.1 percent of the entire budget. The judiciary takes about one percent while the executive sits on about 97 to 98% of the annual budget and yet N...

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1Feb By BobbyNo Comments

News

Lawmaker Reveals How Civil Servants Allocate N1.2M To Inspect N40M Project

A member of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Adefisoye, has revealed how civil servants are inflating amounts for nominated constituency projects. Adefisoye, also known as Small Alhaji in a tweet on Monday disclosed details of a N40m project he nominated. According to him, the bill of quantities reveals some details about the project, and he vowed to take on the matter. He reveals that N1.5million was allocated for inspection and N400,000 for fueling of operational vehicles. Also, N700,000 to be spent on procuring generator to power the project after completion. Adefisoye who is a first timer in the House disclosed that N2m is set aside for contingency fee. “While going through the BOQ of a nominated project that is only worth N40m, one will nearly cry for Nigeria. Sadly, ...

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24Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

12 APC Governors, Senators, Reps Want New Generation Chairman

A COALITION made up of 12 governors, influential leaders, Senators and House of Representatives members has emerged in the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the national convention of the party in June. The aim of the coalition, The Nation gathered, is to enthrone a new generation chairman for the party. The governors and other stakeholders involved are said to be opposed to anyone older than 65 years leading the party. The coalition is also seeking the understanding of APC leaders to concede the national chairman slot to the North-Central zone because both the North-East and the North-West have had their fair shares of political offices. Some of the aspirants who fall in this category include a former chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and former Zamfara...

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17Jan By dthataNo Comments

Education

Reps Oppose School Resumption, Propose Three-Month Postponement

The House of Representatives has faulted the Federal Government for giving schools the go-ahead to resume on Monday despite the increasing cases of COVID-19. The House said government officials did not consult the relevant committees of the National Assembly, contrary to their claim that all relevant stakeholders were consulted before arriving at the January 18, 2021, resumption date. It, therefore, demanded postponement of resumption for three months, where necessary safety measures weren’t put in place and compliance with protocols low. Chairman of the House Committee on Basic Education and Services, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, disclosed these in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Saturday. “They did not consult us; at least in my committee, nobody from the minist...

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14Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

National Assembly Proposes ₦10Bn As Presidential Candidate’s Election Spending

The Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committees on the Independent National Electoral Commission and Electoral Matters, has proposed an extension to the tenure of Local Government Chairmen, in the Federal Capital Territory, from three to four years. The committees equally proposed an upward review of the amount to be spent by candidates seeking elective public office to N10bn. Our correspondent also learnt in Abuja, on Wednesday, that the panel also recommended that other elected officials of the six area councils which make up the FCT should equally benefit from the proposed amendment. These proposals are contained in recommended amendments to the Electoral Act, which the committee is prepared to submit before Senators and House of Reps members for consideration and ...

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10Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Reps Move To Criminalise Secret Recruitment By Government Agencies

The House of Representatives is considering outlawing secret recruitments by ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government. With this move, any recruitment by any MDA without publishing the vacancy will become illegal and attract a fine. This is being proposed in the Prohibition of Secret Recruitment in the Federal Civil Service Bill 2020 sponsored by Mr Teejay Yusuf. The bill, which is awaiting second reading, is titled, ‘A Bill for an Act to Prohibit Secret Recruitment in the Federal Public Service and to Make Elaborate Provisions for Transparency in Recruitment in the Public Service through Publication of Vacancies and for Other Matters Connected Therewith.’ Yusuf, in the explanatory memorandum, said, “The bill seeks to promote integrity and transparen...

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8Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Reps May Allow States To Determine Minimum Wage

The Federal Government may soon lose its exclusive power to negotiate and determine the minimum wage for workers across the three tiers of government. The House of Representatives is considering an amendment to the 1999 Constitution by removing matters relating to wages from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List. When a bill becomes law , respective states and local governments will determine different wages for their workers. The legislation is titled, ‘ A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) to , Among Others, Transfer the Subject Matter of Minimum Wage Prescription from the Exclusive Legislative List Set Out Under Part I of the Second Schedule to the Concurrent Legislative List Set Out Un...

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7Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

NASS Set For Showdown With Buhari Over Service Chiefs

The refusal of President Muhammadu Buhari to re­place the service chiefs de­spite repeated calls by the National Assembly and oth­er eminent Nigerians will be the major point of dis­cussion when the president meets with the House of Representatives on Thurs­day, Daily Independent has gathered. The lawmakers said they are ready to confront the president over the continued stay of the service chiefs, who they said lacked ideas on how to tackle the rising insecurity in the country. The lawmakers, who were disturbed by the worsening insecurity in the country, last week, summoned President Buhari over the murder of about 43 farmers by Boko Ha­ram terrorists in Zabarmari village, Jere Council of Borno State. The president later met with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, F...

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6Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

PDP Reps Demand Impeachment Of Buhari

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caucus of the House of Representatives has called on members of the Green Chamber, to commence impeachment proceedings against President Muhammadu Buhari. They opine, he is incapable of continuing as the leader of the country. Besides, the section of PDP lawmakers in the Green Chamber, urged members of his cabinet to declare him incapacitated, invoking section 144 of the 1999 constitution. By Clever Advertising The caucus “wants Nigerians to compel their representatives in the National Assembly to immediately commence impeachment proceedings against President Muhammadu Buhari for gross incompetence and persistent and continuous breach of Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution. The Section provides ” the security and welfare of the people shall b...

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3Dec By dthataNo Comments

News

Buhari’s Acceptance To Address Reps Proof of Executive And NASS Synergy – Kalu

Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has described Buhari's acceptance to address the green chamber over insecurity summon, as a proof of great synergy between the executive and the 9th National Assembly. MCI had earlier reported how the Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari has agreed to appear before the House as requested by the lawmakers. In a statement forwarded to us Wednesday night, while reacting to the development, the Reps Spokesman who represents Bende Federal Constituency, said the president's acceptance was quite commendable. Kalu, who had on Tuesday hinted that President Buhari would honour the Reps’ invite, said he had been proven right, following the president's acceptance. “I said ...

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2Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Insecurity: Buhari Agrees To Honour Reps Summon

  President Muhammadu Buhari has agreed to face the House of Representatives to address the country on recent security crisis bugging the nation. Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, disclosed this to State House Correspondents after a meeting with President Buhari in his office at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, Wednesday evening. It would be recalled that the House of Representatives, on Tuesday, passed a resolution, inviting the President to the chambers of the House to answer questions over the security situation in the country. The summon on the President was a reaction to the unabated activities of terrorists and bandits in different parts of the country, especially in the north, and the killing of tens of rice farmers in Z...

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2Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Ohanaeze, Afenifere, NCF Ask Buhari To Honour Reps’ Summons

Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo so­cio-cultural organisation; Pan-Yoru­ba socio-political organi­sation, Afenifere; National Consultative Front (NCF), and Prince Tony Momoh, chief­tain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), have thrown their weight behind the House of Representatives, asking President Muhammadu Bu­hari to honour the House invi­tation following the killing of farmers in Borno on Saturday by Boko Haram Insurgents. The House of Represen­tatives on Tuesday resolved to invite President Buhari to appear before it to explain cir­cumstances surrounding the current state of insecurity in the North-East and other plac­es in the country. The members of the House of Representatives are representing their various constituents and they have right to invite the president to app...

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2Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Insecurity: It’s Unconstitutional For PMB To Ignore Reps Summon – Adegboruwa

Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), Lagos-based human rights lawyer has said President Muhammadu Buhari must honour the invitation of the House of Representatives to explain what he is doing about the security situation in the country, saying it will be unconstitutional for him to ignore it. He said Nigerians can no longer leave the issue of insecurity which has collapsed in the hands of the President alone. Angered by the worsening insecurity in the country, the House of Representatives on Tuedsay summoned the President over the cold-blooded murder of about 43 persons by suspected Boko Haram Islamists insurgency group in Zabarmari village, Jere council of Borno State. Adopting a motion under urgent matters of national importance sponsored by Satomi Ahmed at the plenary presided by Spe...

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1Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Rep Members Demanding Buhari’s Invitation Should Expect EFCC Invitation – Fayose

Former Ekiti state governor, Ayo Fayose, has reacted to the decision of the House of Representatives to invite President Buhari over the worsening security situation in Nigeria. Reacting via his tweets, Fayose said the lawmakers demanding the citation should expect EFCC invitation, freezing of their accounts, or arrest. His tweet reads: ''I will be surprised if the President honours the House of Reps invitation. The National Assembly that is supposed to be representing the people should know by now that in the eyes of this President, they only exist on paper because they are mere toothless bull dogs." "Some of those Rep members at the forefront of the invitation of the President to appear before the House should expect EFCC invitation, freezing of their accounts or arrest for ...

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1Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Reps Summon Buhari Over Slain Borno Farmers

Members of the House of Representatives were divided at Tuesday plenary on whether or not to invite President Muhammadu Buhari to appear before them and offer explanation on the true security situation of the country. An earlier circulated motion had prayed for the invitation of the president. But the motion eventually moved by Hon. Satomi Ahmed on behalf other 10 Borno State lawmakers on the floor prayed the president to amongst other things, declare a State of emergency on security matters. But the motion as presented didn’t sit down well with another Borno lawmaker, Hon. Ahamdu Jaha who relied on Order 6, Rule 1 of the House to say that the original motion to which all the lawmakers agreed on was to call on the President to address them on the security situation especially ...

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24Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

2021 Budget Not Capable Of Addressing Nigeria’s Recession – Reps

House of Representatives Commitee on Science and Technology Monday said that the 2021 budget as presented by President Muhammadu Buhari was incapable of lifting Nigeria from the current economic recession. It will be recalled that Buhari in early October this year presented 2021 budget estimate of N13.08 trillion to the national assembly for approval. Last Saturday, the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, announced that Nigeria had slid into recession, the second time in five years. Sharing his views on the budget at a session, a member of the committee, Hon. Awaji-Inombek Abiante from Rivers State said the documents had allocation flaws that should be corrected. His dissatisfaction however followed the absence of the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed and the Director-Gener...

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16Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Reps Summon Mele Kyari, Emefiele Over Non Remittance Of ₦3.24 Trillion In 2014

The House of Representatives has summoned the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mele Kyari; and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, over non-remittance of $19.25bn (approximately N3.24tn) revenue that accrued from sales of crude oil in 2014 Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts, Wole Oke, issued the summons based on audit queries issued by the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation for the period. The committee had penultimate week accused the NNPC GMD of refusing to respond to an audit query issued against the corporation over alleged illegal withdrawals from the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited’s Dividends Account, totalling of $20.3bn. Kyari, who has yet to appear before the lawmaker...

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13Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Buhari, Ministers Should Cut Cost Of Governance Before NASS – Benjamin Kalu

The spokesperson of the House of Representatives says it is deceitful that Nigerians are being made to focus only on the national assembly. The House of Representatives has called on the Executive arm of Government to lead by example by cutting its own salaries, allowances and other office running costs, before advising others to do so. The spokesperson of the house, Benjamin Kalu, stated this on Thursday while briefing journalists in the National Assembly. Mr Kalu’s call is coming on the heels of calls by Nigerians for the reduction of salaries and allowances of members of the National Assembly.A section of Nigerians also called for part time legislative work to save the country from the needless financial haemorrhage. In August 2015, President Muhammadu Buharihad issued a...

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12Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

IGP Adamu Seeks N24.8bn To Fuel Vehicles, Motorcycles

The Inspector-General of Police, Muhammad Adamu, on Tuesday said the Force would need N24.8bn to fuel its fleet of vehicles and motorcycles in a year. He said this when he presented the 2020 budget performance and and defended the 2021 budget proposal before the House of Representatives Committee on Police. Adamu said the police was being bogged down by the low envelope budgetary provisions. “The implication is that under an ideal situation, the amount that has been reviewed cannot meet up with the requirement of policing the country. “If you take for example, the daily fuel consumption for our vehicles; vehicles that have petrol engine take about N22.5bn to fuel it within the year. “The motorcycles we have will require N834.4m to fuel. And those vehicles using diesel wi...

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4Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

FG Seeks Fresh $1.2 Billion Loan From Brazil

The Federal Government is seeking a $ 1 .2 bn external borrowing from China to finance agricultural programmes in the 2021 budget . A request for approval has also been transmitted to the National Assembly . The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, who appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Finance in Abuja on Tuesday to defend the budget proposed by her ministry , made this known . Ahmed disclosed that the Federal Government sent a request to the National Assembly to approve the loan from the Brazilian government to address issues in the agriculture value chain as Nigeria . Ahmed also said the Federal Government would acquire 100, 000 hectares of land in each state for food production, adding that link roads would be built in suc...

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21Oct By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Prosecute Soldiers Involved In Lekki Shootings, Reps Tell Buhari

The minority caucus of the House of Representatives has called on the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to order the arrest and prosecution of soldiers who attacked #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki Tollgate on Tuesday night. The Minority Leader, Mr Ndudi Elumelu, in a statement issued on Wednesday, “strongly” condemned killing of “peaceful and unarmed” protesters by security operatives at Lekki Tollgate and other parts of the country. The protesters were attacked by soldiers, who fired live ammunition at them after the Closed Circuit Television Cameras in the vicinity were reportedly removed and lights were turned off. In the statement titled, ‘Reps Minority Condemns Killing of Protesters,’ the caucus said, “such wicked act of extrajudicial killing of defenc...

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21Oct By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Shina Peller flares up after he was allegedly not allowed to speak at the House of Representatives (video)

Shina Peller flared up after he was allegedly not allowed to speak at the House of Representatives.   The Honorable Member of the  Federal House of Representatives, representing the Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa/Kajola Federal Constituency in Oyo state, is seen in a viral video insisting he must be allowed to speak.   "I will not allow you to speak," the speaker of the House of Representative is heard saying in the background.   In anger, Peller threatens to go to the press if he's not allowed to speak for the people he's representing.   He soon flares up and starts moving to the front of the hall but was stopped by another Honourable member who ushered him out of the venue.   Peller later took to Twitter to write: "As a HoR member, I r...

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20Oct By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Reps To Bar Courts From Sacking President, Governors

A law to bar courts and election tribunals from voiding the election of a President-elect and governors-elect, because of blemishes in the educational qualifications of their running mates, is underway in the House of Representatives. The Bill to that effect, obtained on Monday, by VANGUARD, is entitled: “An Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, to Preserve the Elections of a Candidate to the Office of the President and Governor whose running mates are found to have Defected in their Qualification”. The Bill, sponsored by Rep. Solomon T. Bob (Rivers-PDP), seeks to alter ” Section 142 (1) of the Principal Act, by “inserting a proviso to the subsection as follows: Provided that a person who has been elected to the office of the Pre...

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17Sep By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Akpabio’s Visit Has Nothing To Do With NDDC Probe – Benjamin Kalu

House of Representatives spokesman, Hon. Benjamin Kalu has dismissed media reports that reason behind Tuesday’s visit of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio to the National Assembly was to settle issues with regards to the probe of the Niger Delta Development Commission. Hon. Kalu explained that there was no way the Minister could interfere with the probe, stating that investigation had already been concluded and the report had been submitted by the committee. The Minister on Tuesday, paid visit to the newly appointed clerk of the National Assembly, Ojo Amos Olatunde, in his office at the National Assembly Complex. Igbere TV reports that Akpabio had initially met with the NASS clerk, told reporters that the purpose of the visit was primarily to familiarize wi...

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3Sep By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Gbajabiamila Urges Ghana To Revisit Law On $1 Million Business Capital

The Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has made some far-reaching proposals that would bring an end to the attacks on Nigerian traders doing business in Ghana. During a 'Legislative Diplomacy' bilateral meeting with Ghanaian lawmakers and some top government officials as part of his ongoing visit to Ghana to resolve the crisis, Gbajabiamila advocated for an amicable settlement of trade disputes through arbitration and fair judicial processes. The Speaker also said he would be glad to champion a law to improve the bilateral trade relations between Nigeria and Ghana, noting that citizens of the two countries remain brothers and sisters. He called on Ghanaian authorities to revisit the component of the law that requires a capital base of $1 millio...

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3Sep By dthataNo Comments

News

“Ghana Persecuting Us Since 2007” – Nigerians Tell Gbajabiamila

THE leader of Nigerian traders in Ghana, Chief Chukwuemeka Nnaji, on Wednesday told the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, how Nigerian traders had been subjected to hardship by the Ghanaian authorities since 2007. He added that Nigerian traders had their businesses registered with appropriate agencies while they pay their taxes as and when due, yet they were still subjected to harsh treatment by the Ghanaian authorities. Nnaji said many Nigerian traders could not afford the latest $1m trade registration fee, adding that those who could not pay the sum still had their shops under lock and key. Nnaji was quoted to have said this in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the Speaker on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, titled, ‘Gbajabiami...

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19Aug By dthataNo Comments

Politics

774,000 Jobs: Keyamo Slams Lawmakers For Demanding More Slots

Festus Keyamo, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, has slammed lawmakers at the House of Representatives for demanding more slots in the Special Works Programme of the Nigerian Government. With 30 out of 1000 slots per local government to each member of the House, the minority caucus of the lower chamber rejected the slots, saying the sharing process was not transparent. In a reply to the lawmakers, Keyamo said the slots were only a privilege not a right. He also said that the constituents of the lawmakers will benefit from the special works, adding that the threat of the lawmakers to reject the slots given to them was inconsequential. He said, “The question of slots to certain persons was never a question of a right or entitlement, it is just a privilege given to...

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11Aug By dthataNo Comments

Politics

House Of Representatives Not Investigating Yemi Osinbajo – Wole Oke

The House of Representatives on Tuesday disclosed that it’s Committee on Public Accounts is not investigating the office of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as insinuated in some quarters. Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts, Hon. Wole Oke who gave the clarification while addressing the Permanent Secretary of Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget & National Planning, Mrs Olusola Idowu, explained that the ongoing investigation was aimed at getting documentary evidences of the school feeding procurement carried out by Federal Ministry of Budget & National Planning. While frowning at the misgivings being associated with the Committee’s activities, Hon. Oke said: “By our records, the office of the Vice President is responsible for policy formulation and monitor...

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8Aug By dthataNo Comments

Politics

NDDC Probe: PDP Reps Split Over Alleged Cover-up By Gbajabiamila

A member of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP Caucus of the House of Representatives, Rep. Nnolim Nnaji, has distanced himself from allegations by some members of the opposition in the House that Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila is shielding some of his colleagues from allegations of contracts Sleaze at the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. Nnolim who is the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, “faulted the media report accusing the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Right Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila of shielding some members of the House listed by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio as beneficiaries of the Niger Delta Developments Commission (NDDC) contracts”. He described the news report “as untrue and didn’t repres...

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24Jul By BobbyNo Comments

News

‘N100bn vanished in one year’- House of Representatives probes North East Development Commission

The House of Representatives has ordered an investigation into allegations of a missing N100 billion from the coffers of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) established in 2017 to reconstruct states affected by insurgency in the north-east.   Moving a motion for the probe of the agency, minority leader of the house, Ndudi Elumelu, said the N100 billion given to the commission by the federal government has “vanished” with nothing to show for it . Elumelu while moving the motion, accused Mohammed Goni Alkali, commission’s managing director, of awarding non-existent contracts. In his words “The N100 billion so far disbursed to the commission by the federal government is said to have vanished under a year without any visible impact on the refugees nor any infrastructural d...

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21Jun By dthataNo Comments

Health

Resident Doctors Suspend Nationwide Strike

The National Association of Resident Doctors has announced the suspension of its strike with effect from Monday, June 22, 2020. The organisation said it took the decision in order to enable the government time to fulfill outstanding demands following an appeal by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and other stakeholders. NARD made the announcement in a communique read to journalists by its President, Dr. Aliyu Sokomba, on Sunday in Abuja after its National Executive Council meeting attended by over 300 members.

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21Jun By dthataNo Comments

Business

Adebutu, Kashamu’s Firms Fight Dirty Over Betting Game Rights

The clash between betting and gambling firms owned by a Peoples Democratic Party chieftain, Senator Buruji Kashamu; and billionaire businessman and philanthropist, Sir Kensington Adebutu, has got messier. While Adebutu owns Premier Lotto, Western Lotto belongs to Kashamu. The battle between the companies over the rights to a Ghana-based game, leading to a N500bn suit, is now being resolved by the House of Representatives. The House of Representatives had begun its intervention in the crisis on Tuesday. Its Committee on Inter-Governmental Affairs had met with stakeholders in the industry in Abuja, asking that a new date be fixed, pending the time the panel studied the submissions made to it. Our correspondent obtained some of the presentations to the committee. At the hea...

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13Jun By BobbyNo Comments

News

Over 1,000 Nigerian Asylum Seekers Disappear in Netherlands

About 1,089 Nigerian asylum seekers who arrived Netherlands between last year and January this year are reportedly missing, raising serious concern in the country. The National Research Council (NRC) Handelsblad which collaborated with Lost in Europe in its June 2020 report, said the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) identified a significant number of the cases. It was further learnt that there's been a upsurge in the number of Nigerians seeking asylum in The Netherlands, with 2,461 persons recorded in 2019. While 961 of them went missing in 2019, 128 could not be accounted for in January 2020. Some of the assylum seekers reportedly returned to Nigeria or moved to Italy, but “at least 961 disappeared without a trace”. It is speculated that the missing pe...

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11Jun By BobbyNo Comments

News

Reps Meet Security Chiefs Behind Closed Doors, Embark on Two Weeks Holiday

The House of Representatives on Thursday, shortly before embarking on a two weeks holiday, met with Security Chiefs behind closed doors to discuss the security situation in the country. At the executive session were the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu, Chief of Defense Staff, Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, Director of State Security Service, Yusuf Magaji Bichi and National Security Adviser, Mohammed Monguno. It would be recalled that the green chamber last week, following the adoption of a motion moved by the Chief Whip, Muhammed Monguno resolved to invite the aforementioned heads of security outfits to brief the House on efforts being made to improve the security situation in the country and bring an end to incessant killings, kidnappings and armed banditry. ...

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11Jun By BobbyNo Comments

News

Senate Passes Revised 2020 Budget of N10.8 Trillion

The Senate has passed the revised 2020 budget of N10.8 trillion. The budget was passed this morning Thursday, June 11 during plenary. The passage of the budget comes a day after the House of Representatives passed the same figure as the 2020 budget. The lawmakers increased the budget by N300 billion from N10.5 trillion. The budget was initially passed in December but the executive sent it back to National Assembly after the executive reworked it to reflect the current economic realities. According to the new budget, N500 billion was allocated as an intervention fund for COVID-19 while N186 billion was earmarked for the health sector. In the revised budget, N422 billion was fixed for statutory transfers, N4.9 trillion for recurrent expenditure and N2.4 trillion is for capital e...

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10Jun By BobbyNo Comments

News

House of Representatives Pass Revised 2020 Budget of N10.8trn

The House of Representatives has passed the revised 2020 Federal budget of N10.8 trillion from the initial N10.5 trillion submitted by the president. The Executive had written to the lawmakers for a downward review of the budget from N10.6 trillion to N10.5 trillion based on the global economic realities as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. The lawmakers however increased the budget to N10.8 billion, higher than the initial approved budget. Based on the revised appropriation as passed by the house, statutory transfers also known as the first line charge (a category into which the National Assembly budget falls), was increased from N398 billion (398,505,979,362) to N422 billion (N422,775,979,362). Others are N2.6 trillion for debt service and N2.9 trillion for sinking funds...

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10Jun By BobbyNo Comments

News

BREAKING: Reps Approve Buhari’s $5.5 Billion Foreign Loan Request

The House of Representatives on Wenesday approved the $5.513 billion foreign loan request by President Muhammadu Buhari. The $5.513 billion foreign loan requested by President Muhammadu Buhari according to Premiumtimes was approved by the Senate last week. The three loans requested by President Buhari so far have been passed by both House. Recall that last month, ₦850 billion loan reequested by the President was approved by both Houses. It was is to be sourced from domestic markets “to fund critical capital projects in the 2020 budget.” $22.7 billion foreign loan requested in March was also approved by the Senate in March was, last week, approved by the House of Representatives. The new $5.513 billion foreign loans are the latest of the string of loans eyed by the federa...

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4Jun By BobbyNo Comments

Politics

Reps Reject Castration as Punishment for Rapists

House of Representatives members on Thursday June 4, rejected castration as punishment for people convicted of rape. Hon James Faleke made the suggestion during a debate on the motion of increased sexual violence against women particularly the rape and murder of two girls in Oyo and Edo states recently. The lawmakers who identified “weak institutions, poor enforcement, poverty and unacceptable social practices” as part of the reasons for sexual violence against women, rejected Faleke's suggestion when Speaker of the house, Femi Gbajabiamila subjected it to a voice vote.= Gbajabiamila also asked what would happen to an older female who rapes a younger male. This generated noise in the chamber. Debating the motion brought forward, the lawmakers condemned the increasing cases ...

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2Jun By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Reps Approve Buhari’s $22.7 Billion Loan Request, South East Reps Kick

The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved President Muhammadu Buhari’s request to take $22.7 billion in foreign loans. The House approved the request after it considered the report of its committee on aids, loans and debt management. President Buhari had said in 2019 that the loan was intended to fund key infrastructure in the country. The Senate had earlier given its nod to the request in March. Lawmakers at the House of Representatives had earlier kicked against the bill, forcing debates to be suspended. The lawmakers, especially those of the south-east caucus, complained about the government’s failure to include projects in the region amongst those to be financed from the loan. However, following debates that were accompanied by pleas from House Speaker Femi Gbajab...

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30May By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Reps Ban Airlines From Canada, UK For Denying Nigeria Landing Rights

The House of Representatives has said airlines from Canada and UK will no longer be allowed landing rights in Nigeria. The Committee on Aviation said this was in retaliation for denying Nigerian carrier the same rights. The Chairman, Rep. Nnolim Nnaji, stated this in a statement issued on Saturday. He explained that the committee reached the decision on Friday at the end of an investigative hearing. Nnaaji said the hearing was on the use of foreign airlines to evacuate stranded Nigerians out of the UAE, UK and USA by Emirates Airline, British Airways and Ethiopian Airlines, respectively. The lawmaker declared that their engagement in earlier evacuations undermined the integrity of Nigeria as a leading economy in Africa. He disclosed that the House, via a motion, urged...

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18May By BobbyNo Comments

News

Bill Gates Foundation Denies Offering Lawmakers $10m Bribe to pass Controversial Infectious Disease Bill

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has denied allegations of offering $10 million bribe to members of the House of Representatives for the passage of the controversial ‘Infectious Diseases Control Bill 2020″. The spokesperson of the Coalition of United Political Parties, (CUPP), Ikenga Ugochinyere, had on May 4, 2020, issued a press statement in which he alleged that the House and its leadership had received a financial inducement to the tune of $10 million to rush the passage of the controversial bill. Some Nigerians went ahead to ahead that second richest man in the world, Bill Gates, was behind the financial inducement. The House of Representatives last week set up an investigative panel headed by Henry Nwawuba to investigate the allegation and expose the people behind the ...

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14May By BobbyNo Comments

News

Governors ask National Assembly to Halt Infectious Diseases Bill

The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) has asked the national assembly to suspend the infectious disease bill which has triggered mixed reactions in the last few days. The Bill which is sponsored by the speaker of the house of representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, seeks to repeal the  Quarantine Act, ensure compulsory vaccination of citizens against infectious diseases and also make possession of health card mandatory for international travellers leaving or arriving in Nigeria  just like yellow fever card. In a statement issued by Chairman of the forum, Governor Kayode Fayemi after a virtual meeting with other Governors, the national assembly was asked to step down on the bill pending an appropriate public hearing to gather public opinion and concerns. A three-member committee was al...

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