Tag: National Assembly

22Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Insecurity: Niger State Governor, Sani Bello Calls For Recruitment Of More Security Personnel

Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State has called on the National Assembly and the Federal Government to expedite actions on recruitment of more security personnel. Governor Sani Bello made the call when he received the Niger State caucus in the National Assembly on a visit to commiserate with the Government over rising cases of banditry in the State. The Governor expressed concern with the insecurity in the State in particular and the country in general despite concerted efforts to stop it, pointing out that security agencies have been overstretched, inadequate and abscence of sufficient surveilance equipment to manage security challenges very well. "We have being making all efforts to see that it is being curtailed but it's been extremely difficult mostly because of man...

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20Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Why Herdsmen In Ondo Forests Ignored Akeredolu’s Eviction Order – Senator Tofowomo

The Senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Nicholas Tofowomo, has said the herdsmen were still operating in the Ondo forests reserve because Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s eviction order was not backed by law. The governor had last month issued a quit notice to herdsmen who are hibernating in the state forests reserve to perpetrate criminal activities, especially kidnappings. But speaking with our correspondent in an interview in Abuja on Friday, Tofowomo said Akeredolu’s eviction order was not effective because it was a mere pronouncement, not backed by law. He said, “When the governor gave the directive, my thinking was that he would back it up with an executive bill to the Ondo State House of Assembly. “It is his duty as the Chief Secu...

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18Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Nigeria’s next war will be in the forests – Former Chief of Defence Staff, Abayomi Olonisakin

Former Chief of Defence Staff, Abayomi Olonisakin has said that Nigeria's next war will be fought in forests across the country.   Olonisakin said this while being screened at the National Assembly for an ambassadorial position.   He further disclosed that a research he conducted on forests three years ago, showed that there are over a thousand forest reserves in the country and there is an urgent need to protect the forests which have become hideouts for criminals.

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10Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Political Parties, Others Want All Elections Held In 1 Day

As the National Assembly resumes plenary to debate amendment to the Electoral Act, political parties and other stakeholders have called for the conduct of all elections in one day on grounds that it would save cost for the country. The Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC) said conducting elections in one day was feasible and doable the way it is done in other developing. The acting national president of IPAC, Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu, who spoke with LEADERSHIP, lamented the enormous resources and time wasted in organising staggered elections. He added that unified elections will address the unnecessary challenge of huge spending and the needless grounding of businesses during multiple elections. As the National Assembly resumes plenary to debate amendment to the Electoral Act,...

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6Feb By MosesianNo Comments

News

It will be illegal for SSANU and NASU to go ahead with its proposed strike – Ngige

Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige has described the proposed strike action by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities as illegal.   Ngige who asked the two unions to give the federal government three months to forward a supplementary budget to the National Assembly to cover arrears of the minimum wage that have not been paid to them, said it will be illegal for them to proceed on strike when discussions to sort out some of the contentious issues were still ongoing. The Minister warned that if the negotiation and what has been agreed is not obeyed, then the ministry might have to refer the dispute upwards from the industrial arbitration panel to the national industrial court.   He said; ...

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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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31Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Budget: We Have Nothing To Hide – President Buhari

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Saturday said the nation’s balance sheet is open for the National Assembly and all Nigerians. He said his regime has nothing to hide. According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President spoke during an interview with journalists in Daura, Katsina State, after the registration and revalidation exercise of the All Progressives Congress. The statement was titled “We have nothing to hide, our books will always be open President Buhari.” Shehu quoted the President as assuring Nigerians of full implementation of the 2021 budget, with all transparency and openness in meeting the targets, while appreciating the National Assembly for the effective and detailed attention ...

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24Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Calls For Restructuring: Go To National Assembly – Garba Shehu Tells Agitators

Prominent Nigerians, including the immediate past President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo; a chieftain of Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo and the Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum, Chief Audu Ogbeh, on Thursday said there was an urgent need to restructure  Nigeria for it to attain its full potential. They made the call at the 18th Daily Trust Dialogue with the theme: ‘Restructuring in Nigeria: Why? How? When?’ The prominent Nigerians suggested that the country should be restructured to make Nigeria work for all citizens. But in an interview with The PUNCH, the President’s Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said it was only the National Assembly that was empowered to restructure the country. He, therefore, advised proponents of restruc...

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18Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Senate Kicks As Petroleum Ministry Spends ₦98.4 Million On Flyers

The Senate Public Account Committee has described as unacceptable the payment of N98.4m by the Petroleum Resources Ministry for the printing of leaflets. The flyers, according to the 2015 Auditor-General for the Federation’s report, was meant to create awareness campaign for the Petroleum Industrial Bill. The report, currently being scrutinised by the National Assembly, also stated that the fund was released without due process. The Chairman of the Senate panel, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, also faulted the payment of N39m was into the accounts of two persons for the purpose of monitoring the ministry’s project within the Federal Capital Territory. The AuGF query on the matter read in part, “Contrary to the procurement process, an entry in the cash book for the sum of N98.4m ...

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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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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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7Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

PDP’s Seriake Dickson Wins Bayelsa West Senatorial Seat

The former Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency, Chief Henry Seriake Dickson, has clinched the Bayelsa West Senatorial District seat in the National Assembly. The Returning Officer, Prof Ekechukwe, Okeke, Dean of Humanities, Federal University of Technology, Otuoke, returned Dickson as the Senator elect having polled 115257 to defeat his closest opponent, Hon Peremobowei Ebebi of the APC who polled 17541. Chief Dickson who spoke in his country home of Toru Orua shortly after his return dedicated the victory to God, the voters, Bayelsa and the Ijaw nation. He said that the mandate was beyond the Sagbama/Ekeremor Senatorial district but an opportunity to galvanize unity and solidarity in Bayelsa and the Ijaw nation. He said that his legislative mission would focus on the...

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3Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

National Assembly Can’t Deliver New Constitution – Omo-Agege

Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, has urged Nigerians not to engage in wishful thinking that the 9th National Assembly would deliver a new constitution, saying it lacks the mandate to do so. According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga, Omo-Agege made the comment when he hosted members of the Alliance of Nigerian Patriots led by Ambassador Umunna Orjiako in Abuja. The deputy senate president, who chairs the Adhoc Committee on Constitution Review, explained that the National Assembly had no powers to replace the current constitution of the country but could only amend it. He cited advanced democracies like the United States of America after which Nigeria’s presidential system of government was fashioned as well as Sections 8 and 9 ...

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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

2021 Budget: PMB Sends Finance Bill 2020 To NASS

President Muhammadu Buhari has forwarded the Finance Bill, 2020 to the National Assembly, seeking its expeditious passage into law to aid the implementation of the proposed 2021 budget. Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, read the President’s letter at plenary on Tuesday morning. Buhari’s transmission of the Bill to the lawmakers was done pursuant to Sections 58 and 59 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The Bill is proposing key reforms to taxation and Customs among other far-reaching decisions against the backdrop of the international oil price decline and effects of COVID-19 pandemic.

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1Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

#EndSARS Started In National Assembly – Alhassan Ado-Doguwa

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has said the campaign to put an end to atrocities of banned Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) began in the lower chamber. Gbajabiamila disclosed this yesterday in Abuja at a legislative conference with theme: “Legislative investigative powers: Expectations, challenges and way forward” organised by Hallowmace Media in conjunction with the National Orientation Agency (NOA). He said: “The #End- SARS movement started on the floor of the House where we passed a resolution calling on the Federal Government to scrap SARS.” Gbajabiamila, who was represented by the House leader, Hon. Alhassan Ado- Doguwa, lamented that the legislature has been undermined in the country despite the landmark achievements it has recorded....

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30Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Policemen Who Should Be Fighting Bandits Carry Bags Of VIP Wives – El-Rufai

Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has lamented that a sizeable number of officers of the Nigeria Police Force who should be fighting criminal elements in the country are involved in non-police duties like carrying the bags of the wives of Very Important Personalities. El-Rufai said he is frustrated over the killings in his state, adding that the situation at hand has overwhelmed the police. He urged the National Assembly to see to the amendment of the Nigerian Constitution to give states control of the police. The governor argued that the state governments are presently responsible for the day-to-day operational cost of the police, insisting that the states have the capacity to run the police. El-Rufai spoke on Monday night while featuring on Channels Television’s Poli...

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26Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

We Will Shock Political Space With Unprecedented Defections – APC Threatens

THE National Leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC has threatened Nigerians that the party will soon shock Nigeria’s political space with what it described as the massive and unprecedented defections ever witnessed in the political history of Nigeria as a country. Speaking yesterday at the National Assembly when he met with the Senate Caucus of the APC at Senate Hearing Room 1, Caretaker Committee Chairman of APC and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni has also boasted that the party will remain the country’s leading political party. The Chairman said, “In fact, I want to assure you all that APC will soon shock Nigeria’s political space with massive and unprecedented defections ever witnessed in the political history of our great country, and by the grace of G...

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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

Kleptocrats In Government Are Betraying Buhari’s Policies – Ali Ndume

The lawmaker representing Borno South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Ali Ndume believes that President Muhammadu Buhari is being betrayed by some kleptocrats in his government. Senator Ndume who was a guest on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics said “the president is a genuine person that has the interest of the common man at heart. “He has integrity and the competence but unfortunately, the kleptocrats in the government have formed the majority and therefore betraying the laudable policies that the president wants to implement”. Ndume who said the present government came in with three major agendas which are to secure the country, to fight corruption, and to provide infrastructure, argued that President Buhari has performed on all counts. He howev...

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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

FG Owes 3,504 Contractors N69.9bn – Fashola Tells National Assembly

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, said on Thursday that his ministry owed 3,504 contractors handlings its various housing projects, about N69.9bn. Fashola stated this when he appeared before the joint National Assembly Committee on Housing, to defend his ministry’s 2021 budget estimates. He, therefore, said the N76.4bn allocated to the ministry in 2021 would be grossly inadequate to execute 186 projects across the country.

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7Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

SERAP Wins Battle Forcing Lawan, Gbajabiamila To Publish Details Of Corruption

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday gave SERAP a victory in round one of our attempt to secure the release of completed public hearings and corruption probes by the National Assembly since 1999. Justice Ogunbanjo gave SERAP the permission to apply for judicial review and seek an order of mandamus directing and compelling the leadership of the National Assembly to publish completed public hearings and corruption probes by the National Assembly since 1999. The order by Justice Ogunbanjo has now cleared the way for SERAP to advance our case against @nassnigeria @DrAhmadLawan @femigbaja The suit followed recent public hearings by the National Assembly on corruption allegations in ministries, departments and agencies, including NDDC, and NSITF. Reports of several public...

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6Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

No plan to increase VAT again – Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed

Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed has debunked claims of having plans to increase the Value Added Tax (VAT) and other taxes in 2021. Ahmed who defended her Ministry’s budget before the Senate Committee on Finance in Abuja, dismissed claims of an imminent increase in VAT and other taxes in the proposed Finance Bill to be presented to the National Assembly soon. The minister said;    “There will be no increase in VAT or any form of taxes because we see 2021 as a year of recovery – not only for government but businesses as well.”

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2Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Senate Denies Fashola’s Claim On Budgetary Allocations To Road Construction

The Senate has taken exception to a statement credited to Mr Babatunde Raji Fasola, the Hon. Minister of works that the National Assembly should be held responsible for the dilapidated state of Federal roads in Benue State, describing it as a "fallacy of the highest order" The Hon. Minister was quoted to have made the allegation in his office in Abuja during a courtesy call by retired Generals and 'other leaders of thought' from Benue South Senatorial District led by Air Vice Marshal Morgan Monday who came to complain about the deplorable state of roads in the senatorial district. Speaking through its Chairman of Media Committee, Senator Ajibola Basiru, the Senate said the National Assembly can not and should not be held responsible for the dilapidated state of roads whether in B...

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1Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

We Will Reconvene Plenary To Address Youth Bills – Gbajabiamila

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila says the House will reconvene plenary to address youth-related bills next week. Gbajabiamila made the announcement on Saturday in Abuja, at a national strategy retreat organised by the Young Parliamentarians Forum (YPF) of the National Assembly. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the  retreat was titled, “Rethinking Youth Development in Nigeria”. Gbajabiamila said that the retreat was coming at a time of a new and intense wave of restiveness sweeping across every part of our country. The Speaker said that there is a large majority of young people who are tired of the way things are going. He said the youth want to see rapid and progressive change in the structure of the country and in the practi...

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25Oct By BobbyNo Comments

News

350 motorcycles, 400 deep freezers, 350 generators – Senator Folarin lists things hoodlums looted from his house

Senator Teslim Folarin, representing Oyo Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, has listed the things he lost after angry youths invaded his home to loot.   The lawmaker revealed in a statement on Saturday, October 24, that over 1,100 empowerment items such as motorcycles, deep freezers, generators, and grinding machines, among others were looted.   The youths attacked his house at the Oluyole Estate extension in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.   Senator Folarin described the looters as "coordinated hoodlums", adding that the invasion was evil, barbaric and unfortunate.   He insisted that the invaders and looters were not the same youths protesting against police brutality and calling on the government to End SARS.   He d...

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21Oct By dthataNo Comments

Politics

#EndSARS: “Impeach Buhari Now!” – Farooq Kperogi To NASS, Gives Reasons

An associate professor of Journalism and Critic, Farooq Kperogi has called on the National Assembly to launch impeachment proceedings against President Muhammadu Buhari amidst the #EndSARS protests. Kperogi, in a tweet on Tuesday, disclosed that the impeachment was in order because the President allegedly has Dementia, a mental disease. "I'd called on the National Assembly to impeach and remove Buhari because his dementia has caused him to lose the mental presence to govern." "Amid the conflagration that has enveloped Nigeria, he's been absent. His minders won't allow him to talk unmediated because his sick and vacant mind would become apparent." President Buhari is yet to address Nigerians since the protests began. The #EndSARS protests against police brutality and bad gov...

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14Oct By dthataNo Comments

Politics

2021 Budget Is Unrealistic – Abaribe

Enyinnaya Abaribe, minority leader of the senate, says the 2021 budget of N13.08 trillion presented to a joint session of the national assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari is unrealistic. Speaking on Tuesday during a debate on 2021 budget estimates, Abaribe faulted the assumptions the appropriation bill was premised on. The budget is based on an exchange rate benchmark of N379/$ and crude oil production of 1.86 million barrels per day (including 400,000 barrels of condensate) at $40 per barrel. Capital expenditure in the budget is estimated at N2.083 trillion which represents 29 percent of the total budget. It targets three percent GDP growth and 11.95 percent inflation rate. However, the minority leader said the budget is “nothing but old news.” “This budget is nothin...

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9Oct By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Debts, Salaries Take 52.6% As FG Budgets N13.08tn For 2021

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Thursday, presented to the National Assembly, N13.08tn budget estimates for 2021 with N3.12tn (23.85 per cent) earmarked for debt servicing. Buhari, who said the nation’s economy might relapse into recession, stated that N3.85tn (29.43 per cent) was voted for capital projects, while personnel costs (salaries and allowances) would gulp N3.76tn (28.75 per cent). With 23.85 per cent allocated for debt serving and personnel costs gulping 28.75 per cent, it means 52.60 per cent of the budget or N6.88tn will be spent on both items next year. Giving other highlights of the appropriation bill, Buhari said the budget was premised on daily crude oil production of N1.86m and oil price of $40 per barrel. The President, who tagge...

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8Oct By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Only University Lecturers On IPPIS Would Get Salaries – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has insisted that members of the Association of Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will get salaries. He stated this on Thursday in his annual speech to the joint session of the two Chambers of the National Assembly which is currently ongoing. In the highlight of the 2021 Appropriation budget being presented to the National Assembly, he explained that all sectors of the economy would get attention in 2021 budget allocation, but reiterated the Federal Government’s position on payment of salaries of University lecturers, saying that those lecturers who were captured in the IPPIS will continue to draw their salaries without any hitch. He advised the leadership of ASUU to understand the position of government, which he believes would remove fraud from th...

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6Oct By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Be Patient With Any Law You Have Misgiving About – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday appealed to Nigerians to be patient with any legislation or law which they have certain misgivings about. President Buhari also urged the citizenry especially critics to engage the process for reviewing such laws in line with democratic practices, adding that the interest of his administration was to promote collective will and aspiration to build a nation where justice, peace, and progress are the norms. This is as the Senate President, Dr.Ahmad Lawan, said that the National Assembly was not bothered about being referred to as “a rubber stamp” as long as it works with the executive to make the country better. Recall that there has been stiff opposition by a section of Nigeria over the Water Bill and the Land Use Act. In his remarks at t...

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17Sep By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Buhari Assents To Police Bill 2020

According to a statement issued by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity), in Abuja, on Thursday, said the President in a memo dated September 16, 2020, communicated his assent to police bill 2020 to the National Assembly, through the Clerk of the legislature. The statement informed that the Act repeals the Police Act Cap. P19. Laws of the Federation, 2004, and provides for a more effective and well organized Police Force, driven by the principles of transparency and accountability in its operations and management of its resources. It added that among others, the Act establishes an appropriate funding framework for the Police in line with what is obtainable in other Federal Government key institutions, enhances professionalism in the Force through in...

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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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16Sep By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Akpabio Denies Accusing NASS Members Of NDDC Contracts Fraud

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, Tuesday, denied that he accused members of the National Assembly of fraud concerning contracts from the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. The minister had, during an investigative hearing at the House of Representatives, claimed that 60 percent of NDDC contracts went to the federal lawmakers. However, as the House threatened to initiate a criminal complaint of perjury and explore the possibility of a civil defamation suit against him, Akpabio denied he ever referred to members of the 9th House of Representatives as beneficiaries of contracts in NDDC. He noted that NDDC was yet to fully implement any budget since the commencement of the 9th National Assembly. Also, Akpabio while responding to questions after a vi...

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1Sep By dthataNo Comments

Politics

2023 Presidency: No Zoning In APC — Orji Uzor Kalu

The Chief Whip of the National Assembly, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has said there is no zoning of presidential ticket in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) come 2023 presidential race, adding that “the position is an open basket for anyone that intends to vie for it.” Kalu stated this after his private visits to former President, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida and Former Head of State, General Abdulsalam Abubakar at their Uphill residence in Minna. He noted that zoning is a party issue, stressing that there is no zoning in the All Progressives Congress (APC) which makes the presidency an open basket for anyone to fight for in 2023. “Zoning is a party issue, every party has the right to say where they want a position to come from but in APC, there is no issue of zoning. ...

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30Aug By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Ortom Urges NASS To Reject Water Resources Bill

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has called on the National Assembly to reject the National Water Resources Bill in the interest of the country. Ortom said the bill which seeks to bring all water sources (surface and underground) as well as river banks under the control of the Federal Government through its agencies is anti-federalism and negates the right of Nigerians to their God-given resources. The Governor quoted Section 13 of the Bill, which states: “In implementing the principles under subsection (2) of this section, the institutions established under this Act shall promote integrated water resources management and the coordinated management of land and water resources, surface water and ground water resources, river basins and adjacent marine and coastal environment an...

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28Aug By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Concerns About CAMA Can Be Addressed Through Ammendments – Osinbajo

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENTPRESS RELEASE OSINBAJO TO CHURCH LEADERS:CONCERNS ABOUT CAMA CAN BE ADDRESSED THROUGH AMMENDMENT BY NATIONAL ASSEMBLY *VP adds: “We are in a democracy, there is a process by which things can be done” In an effort to allay fears expressed by the leadership of the Church about the recently enacted Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN has said concerns can be processed through possible amendment of the contentious section of the law through a proposal to the National Assembly. The Vice President stated this on Thursday during a special conversation at the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference. Responding to a question about reactions to CAMA, the Vice President said “what can ...

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26Aug By dthataNo Comments

Politics

NASS’s Many Probe Reports Gathering Dust In Presidency

President Muhammadu Buhari’s insistence on retaining the nation’s service chiefs despite opposition to it is just one out of the many instances the executive arm of government undermine efforts by the National Assembly to contribute to the security and wellbeing of Nigerians. The House of Representatives had, in February, asked the president to declare a state of emergency on insecurity and sack all the service chiefs for not living up to expectation. The Deputy Speaker of the House, Mr. Ahmed Wase, who spoke on the vexed issue of insecurity, expressed regrets that in spite of the vote-of-no-confidence passed on the service chiefs, they were yet to be sacked, just as the security situation keeps getting worse in communities and states across the country. “How do we survive as a ...

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21Aug By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Petroleum Industry Bill Ready For National Assembly – Timipre Sylva

The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, on Thursday assured that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) will be presented to the National Assembly in the next few weeks. Sylva said the executive arm would be requesting the lawmakers to specially reconvene to receive and begin deliberations on the bill. According to him, the bill is key to repositioning of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry under its post COVID-19 agenda. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister spoke during a webinar organised by the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) with the theme: “Fiscal Regime Design, Government Revenues and Investors’ Interest in Nigeria Oil and Gas Sector. “In the coming few days, we will be requesting the National Assembly to spe...

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8Aug By dthataNo Comments

Politics

President Buhari Signs Amended Companies And Matters Allied Act

President Muhammadu Buhari Friday in Abuja assented to the Companies and Allied Matters Bill, 2020 recently passed by the National Assembly. The President’s action on this important piece of legislation, therefore, repealed and replaced the extant Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990, introducing after 30 years, several corporate legal innovations geared toward enhancing ease of doing business in the country. Such innovations include: a. Filing fee reductions and other reforms to make it easier and cheaper for small and medium-sized enterprises to register and reform their businesses in Nigeria; b. Allowing corporate promoters of companies to establish private companies with a single member or shareholder, and creating limited liability partnerships and limited partnersh...

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11Jun By BobbyNo Comments

News

Non-performing Service Chief Should be Sacked — Senate President, Ahmad Lawan

Senate President Ahmad Lawan on Thursday June 11, called for the sack of underperforming service chiefs. The senate president made the comment after Borno North senator, Abubakar Kyari raised a point of order over the massacre of over 81 people in Gubio village, part of the district he represents.   Ahmad said; “The Senate has passed several resolutions on the insecurity in the country with all stakeholders carried along, but the issue has persisted.” “The stand of the Senate should be that people who have performed in office should be allowed to stay in such office." The federal government was also urged to deploy the armed forces and other security agencies to beef up personnel around the Lake Chad shores. The is coming ahead of a meeting between the leaders...

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10Jun By dthataNo Comments

Politics

COVID-19: Ndume Calls For Part-time National Assembly To Save Cost

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Senator Ali Ndume, on Wednesday called for conversion of the National Assembly to a part-time legislature during the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to save cost. Ndume who spoke to reporters during an interview in Abuja, however denied calling on the Federal Government to cut the salaries of civil servants in the country. He said that the report which credited the claim to him quoted him out of context. He insisted that Public Servants across the three arms of government “not working full-time” during the present pandemic should no longer be paid 100 per cent of their salaries. “The statement credited to me was not a complete statement and I was quoted out of context,” Ndume said. He added: “When they asked me questions ab...

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10Jun By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Buhari Yet To Send Supreme Court Justice Nominees For Senate’s Confirmation

The delay by President Muhammadu Buhari to forward to the National Assembly for confirmation, the four Supreme Court justice-nominees approved by the National Judicial Council (NJC) eight months ago, to fill the vacancies at the apex court, has triggered concerns in the judiciary, THISDAY’s investigation has revealed. Some senior lawyers described the delay in the confirmation of the justices as not in the interest of justice. The bench of the Supreme Court consists of 12 justices instead of the stipulated number of 21. Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, had on several occasions lamented the excruciating workload of justices of the apex court as a result of the depletion of the bench. NJC, on October 24, 2019, had approved and forwarded names of four just...

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9Jun By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Orji Kalu Arrives National Assembly To Resume Duties As Senate Chief Whip

The Nigerian Senate, Tuesday, was on stand still as Chief Whip of the Senate , Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and former Governor of Abia State resumed for his Senatorial duties at the Red Chambers. Orji Kalu’s resumption could be described as a “triumphal” entry as he was greeted with thunderous cheers from hundreds of staff , security personnels , lawmakers and other well wishers who gathered to catch a glimpse and welcome the Chief Whip after his 6 months absence. The Chief Whip arrived the Senator building at exactly 9:00AM , spent minutes acknowledging greetings and cheers from people. When asked by Journalists to comment on his experience at the Kuje correctional centre , he responded “Keep Hope Alive”. Recall that, Senator Kalu was released after over 6 months of incarcerati...

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4Jun By dthataNo Comments

News

SERAP Drags Buhari, NASS To UN Over Cuts In Health, UBE Budgets

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an urgent appeal to three UN special rapporteurs urging them to use their “mandates to urgently request the Nigerian government and the leadership of the National Assembly to immediately reverse the unlawful, disproportionate and discriminatory budget cuts to education and healthcare, and to stop the authorities from spending N27bn to renovate the National Assembly complex.” The special rapporteurs are: Ms. Koumbou Boly Barry, Special Rapporteur on the right to education; Mr. Dainius Puras, Special Rapporteur on the right to health; and Mr. Olivier De Schutter, Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights. In the revised 2020 budget approved yesterday, the Federal Government reportedly gave the National A...

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30May By BobbyNo Comments

News

National Assembly PASAN writes Lawan, Gbajabiamila on condition of service

Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, (PASAN), National Assembly chapter has written to the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, appealing to them to wade into a brewing crisis occasioned by an alleged plot to stop the implementation of the revised condition of service for members. The group said that the revised condition of service of the National Assembly which came into full implementation in May 2019 has become a subject of controversy as some very senior personnel were said to be working hard behind the scenes to scuttle the new deal. But in a letter endorsed by nine executive members of PASAN to the National Assembly leadership, the Chapter dissociated itself from what it called an “ugly trend” that was threate...

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30May By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Infectious Disease Bill More Dangerous Than Coronavirus – Sen. Ike Ekweremadu

The former Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, has said the controversial “Infectious Diseases Bill” currently before the National Assembly may not pass because provisions of the bill are inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution. He said the bill was more dangerous than the virus. Ekweremadu, who represents Enugu West Constituency in the Senate, said this while featuring on a radio programme, Political Voices, monitored by our correspondent in Enugu on Friday. Ekweremadu said, “Let me use this opportunity to reassure Nigerians that the bill as presently presented will likely not be passed by the National Assembly; a lot of parliamentarians have lined up to oppose it. “Now, looking at that bill which is intended to deal with dangerous or other infectious ...

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16May By dthataNo Comments

News

Do Not Fear Failure But Rather Fear Not Trying, Says Melaye

The former member representing Kogi west senatorial district in the national assembly, Dino Melaye has advised his followers that they should not fear failure but rather fear not trying.Speaking via her official Twitter handle, he added that the person who fails and gets up is stronger than the person who never tried. “The person who falls and gets up is stronger than the person who never tried. Do not fear failure but rather fear not trying. You can conquer fear. Be courageous and resolute”, Melaye tweeted.

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15May By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Sell Presidential Jets, Cancel N27bn National Assembly Renovation Fund – Atiku

Former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, has faulted the latest review of the 2020 budget by the Federal Government, saying it shows that the regime has lost touch with current global economic realities. Rather than reviewing the budget, Atiku advised the FG to sell eight or nine of the presidential jets and cancel the N27bn earmarked for the renovation of the National Assembly complex. Atiku said this in a statement in Abuja, on Thursday. He expressed disappointment that despite the crash of oil prices in the international market and the nation’s inability to expand its revenue base, the regime only slashed the budget by a “mere 0.6 per cent.” The former Vice President explained that significant cuts in funds budgeted for presidential feeding and transport as well as non-essent...

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