Ex-Senate President Ebute charges President-elect on cabinet formation, harps on competence, integrity

Third Republic President of the Senate and a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ameh Ebute has charged the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Vice President-elect, Kassim Shettima to put the nation first in the composition of appointments into the coming administration.

Senator Ebute in his congratulatory message to Tinubu on the historic victory at the 2023 presidential poll, said Nigeria can only progress when personalities with proven integrity, competence and track records of performance are appointed into his government rather than relying on ineptitudes and incapacitation.

He applauded the electorates for believing in the APC and the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu adding that the nation was lucky to have elected APC at the Presidential level, “the president-elect is known as a results oriented and patriotic politician, I believe he will reciprocate the gesture Nigerians shown him by putting square pegs in square holes. I am also sure, Tinubu will not derail from the composition of fertile minds as his consummate team.

“For our nation to attain the desire goals in infrastructural developments, economic buoyancy, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu manifesto stated categorically that his administration is determine and will reform Agriculture and solid minerals so as to minimise government emphasis and over dependence on oil as the major sources of revenue.

“I am confident also that the President-elect will prioritise security of lives and properties of the citizens, as we all know, nothing thrives in a precarious environment apart from hardship, penury and devastation.

“I charge all Nigerians at all spheres of life to encourage the incoming administration of Bola Tinubu with prayers and unflinching support to enable him deliver on his mandate of dividends of democracy which are indivisible and developed entity called Nigeria," Ebute urged.

The two times Senator advised the President-elect to be weary of double faced individuals and panjandrum who specialize in rumour mongering and have position themselves as associates to be feeding the President-elect with half baked truth and unreliable information aimed at pulling down supposed developmental ideas that could be of help to his government.

He prayed God to give him the needed wisdom, sound health, virile mind and enablement to pilot the affairs of Nigeria to an enviable heights that generation even yet unborn will be proud of to the glory of God.

10th National Assembly: Former NASS Members Support Wase For Speakership

Plateau Stakeholders under the aegis of Concerned Former Senators, House of Representatives, Speakers and Members of the State Assembly, have thrown their weight behind the candidature of the current Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, to become Speaker of the 10th National Assembly.

The team led by a former Senator representing Plateau Northern Senatorial Zone in the 3rd Assembly, Senator. Timothy Adudu, while addressing newsmen in Jos on Saturday held at Jos Press Centre, demanded that the North Central geo-political zone should be given the chance to produce the speaker of the 10th National Assembly.

According to Senator Adudu, it is no longer news that the race for the leadership of both Chambers of the National Assembly is what is currently on the front burner in the Nigerian political arena and they have found it expedient to join in the discourse on those who are qualified to lead both the Houses in the 10th Assembly.

‘”In this race for the leadership of the National Assembly, the one we are most interested in is the leadership of the House of Representatives, where two of our illustrious sons have indicated an interest in contesting for the leadership.”

He noted that in going into a contest of this nature that is very competitive, one has to go with its best so as to compete with others.

” Given this scenario therefore, by our own estimation, our very best is Rt. Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase (popularly known as Maje in Plateau State), the current Deputy Speaker of the House. We believe Hon. Wase has the requisite credentials that can compete favourably with any member from around the country”, they enthused.

Adudu, however, appealed to Plateau sons and daughters in the National Assembly to consider this contest as a patriotic call to service and throw their weight behind Rt. Hon. Wase.

He described Hon Wase as their worthy son irrespective of party affiliation saying, “our brothers and sisters in Plateau State, this is the time for us to come together to persecute this agenda”.

"This is the time more than ever before to put aside our differences in whatever form. Our elders must take the lead in ensuring that we succeed in this endeavor. Hon. Idris Wase has done our state proud and this is payback time to show him love and appreciation for all he has done for our state and the entire country.."

"We are appealing to Nigerians particularly his colleagues in the Green Chambers to give this our son in whom we are well pleased the opportunity to lead the House of Representatives in this 10th Assembly. We wish to call on our amiable Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Simon Bako Lalong to use his connection with his colleagues to rally support for this our son" he appealed.
The former Senator, however, stated irrevocably that the choice of Hon. Wase, was drawn from their tracking and resolve in the quality of his person and they, as experienced former members of the National Assembly and Speakers of the Plateau State House of Assembly felt they have an insight than anyone and called whoever is contesting with Wase should fold his or her mat. Senator Adudu stressed.

POWER OF HUMILITY: The Rise of Rt. Hon Ahmed Idris Wase, Incoming Speaker of the 10 Assembly

By Bunu Abdul'aziz Adamu

I am very bad with prose writing (being a Young Social Commentator) But my recent crisis with overwhelming trails of thoughts over the meteoric rise of Honourable Ahmed Idris Wase to a Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives and Nigeria’s political centre stage compelled me to document these factual thoughts to mirror the lessons as a reckoning history for all of us in Wase federal Constituency. People are inclined to dismiss cliches, especially political ones for they generally represent manoeuvring rhetorics, political jargons if you like, by which politicians flirt with the minds of ordinary masses as they compete in chase moves to gain popular trust or consolidate their political dominance.

In contrast, *“all politics are local”* is one that stands out as a gospel certitude. This common saying is evident in Hon. Maje who was, as recent as (1989–1994), Said to be a Chairman, Non-Academic Staff Union, C.O.E., Gindiri up to Chairman, Non-Academic Staff Union, Plateau State Council (1999–2002). He clung-on to the masterpiece strategy of growth, gradual and consistent, and steadily rose to become a Deputy House Leader of the Federal House of Representatives, 2018–2019 and now doubling as the Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives and ECOWAS Parliament with multiple traditional titles. I try to examine the behaviour of Hon Maje in an attempt to find an explanation for the steep metamorphosis in his socio-political status. Character is the most defining factor in human development. Understanding rules of the game in any human endeavour is essential but is only efficient if accompanied by the right kind of character.

As legislators, what comes to mind while assessing ourselves is not the platforms we occupy but what we do for our people says Hon Maje, our capacity for debates, oversight, representation, lobby and persuasions to attract democratic dividends to our respective constituencies. Truth be told, Hon Maje is today one of the best federal legislators that has built experience and a wall of solid political friendship with other political players across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. There is no state of the federation that he has no friend or that he has not helped one way or the other. These estimable traits made him easily admired, trust-worthy to even the most paranoid amongst his political contemporaries. And these, in my opinion, are the secret of his remarkable pervasion largely due to unforeseen circumstances, either as a necessary (dependable?) partner or as a consensus messier when the searchlight is on for one.

This exceptional grassroots politician came to limelight first when his fellow elected Members found a leader in him and quickly made him their Deputy speaker of the Federal House of Representatives unopposed, (as he is fondly called) quietly grew to become a revered political figure in Plateau state within a very short while. This shining star, through his diplomatic approach to leadership, has, so far, resolved a chunk of the internal crisis, and under his watch, some opposition big-wigs were able to joined the all Progressive Congress.

Hon Wase has exhibited a shift from the norm in political appointments, bringing for the first time, a group of young educated progressives to hold important positions.

In terms of infrastructure, The near Completion of National Open University Wase study Center, the Smart Model School, modern Skills acquisition Centers across the the four Districts, The ongoing Road Construction from Jarmai, Bashar linking to Karin Lamido of Taraba State, the near Completion Bashar road Linking to Yola wakat, in addition to a Gigantic Federal Medical Center Wase, the Orthopedic Hospital Jos and Many other's. Let Considered the achievement and Re elect Rt. Hon Ahmed Idris Maje 2023.

Rt. Hon Ahmed Idris Wase has been rated as one of the most successful members of the 9th Assembly in terms of parliamentary activities, and this success story resonated with Wase federal constituency where his effective representation at the Green Chamber of the National Assembly is felt directly.

10th Nass Speakership; Groups Endorses Wase.

Prior to the commencement of the 10th National Assembly, Northern groups endorsed deputy speaker Hon Ahmed Idris Wase as their top choice for the speakership.

The Northern Patriotic Front and Arewa Youths Leaders Forum both declared their support for Hon. Wase as the house speaker, citing his qualifications, experience, and leadershSpeakershipip skills.

In separate press releases, the groups’ national presidents Alhaji Ali Abacha and Mohammed Muazu said they had closely observed Hon Wase’s activities and contributions as deputy speaker of the 9th Assembly and his tenacious support of the party. They had come to the conclusion that it was time for the party to reward loyalty and sacrifice.

While, urging the ruling party to zone the position of the speaker to the North Central zone, they argued that the bipartisan approach of the Plateau legislator is needed to stabilise the 10 house of Representatives.adding that the house needed a member with cognitive experience and bipartisan approach.

The group noted that as the ruling party is thinking of zoning the position of speakership of the house it must place loyalty, merit above other sentiments . It further noted that Wase having served Ggbajoabmila without rancour Wase should be considered as a result of the in road and contribution made to the success of the 9 th Assembly and the party.

The statement reads in parts ” We the Northern Patriots Front and Arewa Youths Leaders Forum having keenly watched the contributions of Hon Ahmed Idris Wase in the floor of the 9 Assembly as well as his bipartisan approach to politics, we do hereby endorse him as our preferred Candidate for the position of speaker. We urge the national leadership of the ruling ,All Progressive Congress APC to rally round his candidature. We believe that party loyalty should be adequately rewarded . Hon Wase has shown commitment to the success of the party defending policies and position of the party and entire nation. Besides, he is humble , easy going , unassuming and a bridge between the executives and the legislature”

In thesame vein , the Arewa youths forum said ” we have followed Hon Wase and have known him for sometime now , his brilliant outing as a deputy Speaker was impressive. We have no doubt in our minds that he has the right experience to lead the 10 house at this auspicious time, we therefore call on Nigerians and the members of the All Progressive Congress APC to zone the position of speaker to the North Central and support him as the incoming speaker of the house of Representatives “, the statement further stated

ARC Programme and Why It Should Be Sustained, By Olalekan Ibrahim

Babangida Abdullahi, a 12-year-old boy wakes up daily with his peers to lurk around the streets of Dalori, Borno State with no hope of food, shelter nor clothing. What is more important for Babangida is finding food to eat not minding where it comes from or if it is hygienic to consume.

By evening, Babangida will walk kilometres with his peers in their tattered cloth and rest their head anywhere the darkness of the day meets them. For Babangida, his hope of acquiring quality education is dashed and he is always at the mercy of passers-by.

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), 10 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have eight million out-of-school children. Also, 10.5 million children are unable to access safe and quality education, due to the ongoing crisis in the North-east. The latest data from UNESCO says there are now about twenty million Out-of- School children in Nigeria.

To tackle this menace, the Federal Government, in 2021, established the At-Risk Children Programme (ARC-P) to protect and promote children’s rights, assure their survival, growth, learning and development to their fullest potential and lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty over the next 10 years.

The programme, which is domiciled under the Office of the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, and steered by the Special Adviser to the President on Social Investment (OSAP-SI), Hajiya Maryam Uwais MFR, has implemented programmes that are impacting the lives of vulnerable children.

In Niger State, the ARC Programme is taking practical steps towards addressing the problem of drug and substance abuse among vulnerable young people by working with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to discourage the illicit and distressing habit and practice of drugs. Prior to the programme, young people including women indulged in drug abuse and those who cannot afford the expensive heroine and cocaine quickly go for cheaper alternatives that are readily available.

To mitigate the immoral behaviour, ARC Programme identified 105 vulnerable children and introduced them to basic literacy and empowered them with life changing skills to stay productive.

In Borno State, the programme trained a total of 968 youth facilitators to mentor vulnerable children to be reliant and self-sufficient. Each of the trainees were carefully drawn from various local government areas of the state and are currently training about 67,000 children with the program expected to last for two years after which the State will take over.

Another step taken by the programme is the use of sports to effectively address the plight of vulnerable youth and children across the country. Themed “Line up, Live up training for coaches” (LULU), twenty sports coaches drawn from Kaduna, Gombe, Ekiti, Sokoto and Borno State were trained to use the instrument of sports to empower street children across the country, with a view to redirecting them away from social vices such as violence, crime, drug abuse, drug trade, human trafficking among others.

Through the carefully designed implementing tools and well-thought strategy of experts, the ARC-P is also able to protect the girl-child either from street hawking, sexual violence, and social exclusion. Displaced persons and orphans particularly in the terrorism-ravaged north-east and north-west sub-regions now have access to basic education and can learn daily to achieve their full potential.

With the At-Risk Children Programme (ARC-P), likes of Babangida can now live a productive life through learning, combined with improved health outcomes, values and skills and contribute their quotas to make Nigeria a more prosperous country.

Considering the many successes recorded since the implementation of this programme, it is expected that the programme would be institutionalised to continue beyond the President Muhammadu Buhari administration so that many more vulnerable children would be impacted with basic literacy and numeracy, health and nutrition, entrepreneurial, financial literacy and vocational skills and digital skills.

Olalekan Ibrahim writes from Abuja.

Yusuf calls on APC to Zone Reps Speaker to North Central.

A member representing Okene/Ogori-Magongo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Yusuf Tijani Damisa, has called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, to zone the speakership of the House of Representatives to the North Central geo-political zone.

While speaking with one of our correspondents on why he is hell bent that Hon Ahmed Idris Wase becomes the speaker of the 10th House of Representatives against his other colleagues vying for the revered position, Hon. Tijani said his support for him is primarily based on character, competence and capacity.

“Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase is an astute politician, a de-tribalized Nigerian, a technocrat per excellence, a team player, a unifier, a man who believes in the ability of humanity irrespective of religion or region, a high ranking legislator full of legislative experience both in Nigeria and beyond, an advocate for peace and peaceful coexistence. He is the most experienced of all other aspirants currently eyeing the seat.”

On the issue of zoning, Tijani said, “In line with the principle of Federal Character enshrined in the constitution, after the presidency in the South West, Vice President in North-East and the senate presidency expected to be zoned to the South-East or the South-South, the next zone to be settled is the North-Central or North-West.

“But looking at the advent of democracy in Nigeria since 1999 till date, the North-West has produced four speakers, namely: Salisu Buhari, Ghali Na’abba, Aminu Masari and Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

“And again, we cannot take the speaker to the North-East where our Vice President is from or put it in the North-West that has produced four speakers before and now abandoned the current Deputy Speaker who hails from the North-Central, a region that has never occupied that seat; the Deputy Speaker whose shoulder the famed anchor of stability of the 9th House has been resting due to his diligence and loyalty to the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila and the party, APC.

“If such thing is allowed to happen, by the time a Speaker emerges, where will he be placed? Do you want him to be a floor member, where a whooping number of 300 out of 360 members will be stepping into the chamber for the first time ever? No, I don’t think it will be fair enough.”

When asked if his state governor is in support of Hon. Wase’s aspiration, he said, “His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello is my leader and great benefactor. Thus, I cannot take such a decision alone without his directive or approval. Of course, he gave his blessings. And as we all know, Governor Yahaya Bello doesn’t mince his word. He is not only courageous but straightforward. And by the grace of God, he will be the most senior governor on May 30 as many other governors will go on May 29. Therefore, he has a significant role to play which he has already started.”

Kogi State Governorship: Why Aggrieved APC Members Must Unite Behind Hon. Ahmed Usman-Ododo's Candidacy

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has been the dominant force in Nigerian politics since its formation in 2013. The party's victory in the 2015 presidential election, as well as winning the majority of legislative seats in the National and State Assemblies, and again in the 2019 General Election, proves its dominance. However, the unity of purpose that brought together the members of the party in achieving this feat has fragmented in Kogi State with the outcome of the recently concluded gubernatorial primary election. Hon. Ahmed Usman-Ododo, a former Auditor-General in the state, emerged as the flag bearer, defeating political heavyweights, including the Deputy Governor Edward Onoja, Senator Smart Adeyemi, Hon. Abdulakarim Jamiu Asuku, Hon. Yakubu Murtala Ajaka, amongst others.

The emergence of Hon. Usman-Ododo has thrown up some challenges of internal misalignment and disagreements among members, particularly the aspirants. While their loss at the primary election may be painful and disappointing, especially after the endorsement of Hon. Usman-Ododo by the incumbent governor, His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello, these aggrieved aspirants who are equally qualified to fly the party's flag must understand that the party is supreme and bigger than any single individual. Some aspirants are unhappy with the endorsement of the governor or even the conduct of the primary election, but history remembers that some of them have either benefited from similar endorsements or were party to it in the past.

While it is within the rights of the aggrieved parties to seek redress through the right process, such redress must not be at the detriment of the party. To ensure the continued success of the APC in Kogi State, it is essential for all aggrieved politicians and leaders to rally behind and support Hon. Usman-Ododo's candidacy for the governorship election. There are several reasons why this is necessary.

Firstly, he has a track record of success in public service. He has served in various capacities in Kogi State, which demonstrates his ability to deliver on his promises and his commitment to improving the lives of Kogi State residents. His strides as the Auditor-General in charge of Local Government are enviable, and his successes remain indelible.

Secondly, Hon. Usman-Ododo is a unifying figure who has the ability to bring together all aggrieved personalities within the APC. Although some are aggrieved over his endorsement by Governor Bello, it is important to note that heavy-weight politicians within and outside the state have endorsed his candidacy, indicating that he has the support of the party's leadership and is capable of uniting its members towards a common goal of victory in the forthcoming election and the sustenance of APC's and Governor Bello's outstanding legacy of security, infrastructure, agriculture, and education in Kogi State.

Thirdly, he is a grassroots politician who understands the needs and aspirations of the people of Kogi State. He has been actively involved in community development initiatives and has demonstrated a deep commitment to improving the lives of ordinary citizens. This is a quality that is highly valued by voters and is likely to give him an edge in the governorship election.

Fourthly, Hon. Usman-Ododo has a clear vision for the development of Kogi state. He has outlined his plans for improving infrastructure, creating job opportunities, and enhancing the state's agricultural sector. His plans are realistic and achievable, and are designed to address the needs of all Kogi state residents, regardless of their tribe, creed, or political affiliations.

The APC has a proven track record of delivering good governance, and this can only be sustained through the election of capable and committed leaders like Hon. Usman-Ododo. It is therefore incumbent on all members of the party to set aside their personal interests and focus on the bigger picture: the continued progress and development of Kogi state under the APC.

In conclusion, the recent APC gubernatorial primary election in Kogi state may have caused some internal disagreements and misalignment among party members, but it is important for all aggrieved parties to unite behind the party's flag bearer, Hon. Usman-Ododo. His track record of success, his ability to unite the party, his grassroots connections, his clear vision for development, and his reputation for honesty and transparency make him the best candidate to continue the great work of Governor Bello and lead Kogi state to even greater heights. It is time for all members of the APC to put aside their differences and work together for the greater good of the party and the people of Kogi state.

Abubakar Sidiq Usman is a Media Aide to the President of the Senate.

10TH NASS SPEAKERSHIP: WHY WASE IS THE BEST

There is no doubt that the nation is in dire straits hence the need to get competence, experience and capable hands to drive the process of the renewed hope agenda. this , therefore, means that in as much another sensitive factors are being considered in the sharing of positions, competence, experienced and character much not be sacrificed at the alter of primordial considerations.

Mean while Rt Hon Ahmed Idris Wase is not only the deputy speaker of the house of reps but also the highest ranking lawmaker from north central zone , who was first elected in 2007. in fact because of his experience, it would be appropriate to say that wase Should be accorded the right of 1st refusal.

It can only be proper if takes introspection and sees how best the lawmaker achievements by wase led leadership could be sustained and improved upon. He is one of the most experience of all the returning lawmaker in the house with 16years cognate experience in the parliament holding key positions, wase stands shoulders high.

In his four terms as a legislative, wase has held chairmanship key committees such as federal character, his experience is indeed not in doubt as he has amassed many ground breaking bills to his credit. one of such bills is the creation of additional orthopedic hospitals in the three of the nation's six geopolitical zones, jos north Central, Benin ,(south_south) and taraba (north east) another one is the federal medical center, wase(establishment)acts.

He was the deputy majority leader in the 8th assembly and is currently the 1st deputy speaker of the ECOWAS parliament. this is not mean feat. as the 1st deputy speaker of ECOWAS parliament,he has been a champion of Nigerians national interest within the broader interest of the west African sub region.

10th Nass Speakership: Group Pray For Wase.

The Chief Imam of Jos, Sheikh Lawal Adam, led special supplications seeking God’s intervention towards actualising the House of Representatives speakership aspiration of Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon Ahmed Idris Wase CON.

The prayer sessions, held at the instance of Joint Forum, in the main bowl of the Jos Central mosque, featured the reading of the Holy Qur’an.

The Chief Imam also prayed for smooth and peaceful transition at all levels of Governance in the Country.

The convener of the prayer, who is also the Chairman Joint Forum, Alhaji Bashir Jibril, said they deemed it wise to support Hon.Wase using prayer, for the fact that he had been putting good representations of the people.

“We gathered, read the Quran, and also prayed that Allah will make one of our sons, Hon. Idris Wase, the Speaker of the House of Representatives,” he said.

Alhaji Bashir, said Hon. Wase remains the best, most experienced, fifth term member of the House of representatives, reasons why they held the prayer for his success.

“We prayed and asked for Allah’s intervention, so that Hon. Ahmad Idris Wase, become the new Speaker,” he said.

Alhaji Bashi said all other aspirants are competent, but Hon. Wase stand better chance of being the Speaker, he urged the entire members yo support him.

Meanwhile, the national coordinator, Exemplary Leadership, Hon. Hassan Isa Maimadara, expressed the goodwill of the group during the prayer session.

He said: “The Exemplary Leadership, appreciates the convener, we equally thank the Chief Imam of Jos, and all Qur’anic reciters as well as all that turned out during this pray.

10th Nass Leadership: Zone Speaker Seat To North Central, Forum Tells APC.

A pressure group under the aegis of Zango Consultative Forum (ZCF) has called on the National Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other stakeholders to zone the position of the speaker of the 10th National Assembly to the North Central geopolitical zone.

The chairman of the forum, Alhaji Yahaya Kega made the call when he addressed newsmen in Jos, the Plateau State capital at the weekend.

The forum called on the National Executive Committee of the APC and all persons concerned to as a matter of fair play and balance zone the position of the speaker of the 10th Assembly to North Central.

“Since the emergence of APC in 2015, the North Central geopolitical zone has been a strong base of the party.

This act of loyalty and support deserves reward. The North Central geopolitical zone has never enjoyed the position of the Speakership of the House of Representatives despite its contribution to APC in all elections,” he said.

Kega also said that the zone is consistently a bastion of support and mobilisation for APC, hence the recent victory of the party in almost all the states in the North Central geopolitical zone.

10TH NASS SPEAKERSHIP: NORTHERN REGION SUPPORT GROUPS, PLATEAU STATE CHAPTER, DRUMS SUPPORT FOR RT. HON. AHMED IDRIS WASE, URGE GAGDI, OTHERS TO STEP DOWN.

The Northern Region support groups, Plateau State chapter, has resolved to drum support for Rt. Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, urged Gagdi, others to step down for the race and support the clamour best on his track record and antecedents in the National Assembly.

Therefore, the group drums support for Rt. Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, as Nigeria needs a leader with the capacity, credibility, experience, decipline, and focus, described it as the attribute that stood him out of other candidates.

The group disclosed that the North Central geopolitical zones had often helped for others to produce a speaker of the national assembly, it's high time, equity, fairness and justice for every zone to support us.

However, we have shown strength, we have shown commitment, we have shown respect, we have shown honour and this is the time for pay back that Speakership should consider North Central geopolitical zone.

Group also disseminate that the members of the group, were people with respect, and adding values, we are not beggars, and we are serious minded people, only that we have decided to support Rt. Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase in the 10th National Assembly speakership.

The group said Rt. Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase speakership race would require little or no Campaign, as Nigerians across board are already agitating for him to become the speaker. It is, therefore, political wise to support his aspiration.

Signed:
Musa Inusa. Member, (Support Groups) North Central for Tinubu/Shettima presidential Campaign Council PCC. planman012@gmail.com

LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT

UPDATE ON BANANA ISLAND BUILDING COLLAPSE



One body has been recovered from the rubble of the collapsed building at 1st Avenue, Banana Island, Ikoyi.

Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) workers’ search and recovery efforts unearthed the remains of the adult male hitherto unaccounted for by site supervisors.

The excavation of the site, using the architectural designs, continues. The site has been divided into quadrants for a painstaking search and rescue operation. Quadrants 2 and 3 have been levelled to ground zero, with the search operation completed. Quadrant 4 is ongoing.

Twenty-five people were rescued from the site when the building went down on Wednesday. They are all doing fine.

When a roll call was done by the site supervisors, everyone was accounted for. Nobody could ascertain whether the victim whose body was found this morning was on the site – as of the time the roll call was taken.



Gbenga Omotoso

HC, Information & Strategy

14th April 2023

Experience Counts in Choice of 10th House Speaker’.

By Umar Muhammad Puma

President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a statement titled “Nigeria at the Cusp of Renewed Hope,” recently declared that he would rather seek a government of national competence in putting together his cabinet, instead of considering primordial sentiments such as religion.

The president-elect said: “I seek a government of national competence. In selecting my government, I shall not be weighed down by considerations extraneous to ability and performance…Whether your faith leads you to pray in a church or a mosque will not determine your place in government. Character and competence will.”

With the governorship and state House of Assembly elections over, all eyes will be on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as it settles down to roll out a zoning formula for the presiding and principal officers’ positions in the National Assembly. And in doing so, it is imperative that the party should be guided by the position enunciated by the national leader of the party and president-elect.

There is no doubt that the nation is in dire straits hence the need to get competent, experienced and capable hands to drive the process of the ‘Renewed Hope” agenda.

This, therefore, means that in as much as other sensitive factors are being considered in the sharing of positions, competence, experience and character must not be sacrificed at the altar of primordial considerations.

Of course, looking at the geopolitical zones, one would discover that the North Central has never occupied the position of speaker since the return to civil rule in 1999. The North Central has held the position of the Senate president, deputy Senate president and deputy speaker. And in the just concluded governorship and House of Assembly elections in the North Central, the APC was able to win Benue, Kwara, Nasarawa and Niger.

The party already controls Kogi State and returned massive votes during the presidential and National Assembly elections. So, it is only natural to reward the geopolitical zone with the position of the speaker. Coming down to the North Central, Ahmed Idris Wase (CON) is not only the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives but also the highest-ranking lawmaker from the zone, who was first elected in 2007.

In fact, because of his experience, it would be appropriate to say that Wase should be accorded the right of first refusal. It can only be proper if the APC takes introspection and sees how best the landmark achievements by the Femi Gbajabiamila-led leadership could be sustained and improved upon.

One man who towers above others in this regard is the current deputy speaker. But, does Wase deserve the position? The deputy speaker is one of the most experienced of all the returning lawmakers in the House. With 16 years of cognate experience in the parliament holding key positions, Wase stands shoulders high. In his four terms as a legislator, Wase has held the chairmanship of key committees such as Federal Character.

As chairman of the Federal Character Committee, Wase’s sense of generosity knew no bounds. He didn’t care about your family background or creed. It is on record that children of the less-privileged in society were able to secure more employment in top MDAs such as the CBN, FIRS, NCC, and NDIC through him, a privilege that used to be reserved only for the children of the elite.

His experience is indeed not in doubt as he has amassed many groundbreaking bills to his credit. One such bill is the creation of additional National Orthopaedic Hospitals in three of the nation’s six geopolitical zones (Jos, North Central), Benin, South-south) and Taraba (Northeast). Another one is the Federal Medical Centre, Wase (Establishment) Act.

He was deputy majority leader in the 8th Assembly and is currently the first deputy speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament. This is no mean feat. As the first deputy speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, he has been a champion of Nigeria’s national interest within the broader interest of the West African sub-region.

Last year, when there were concerns about the recruitment process at the regional parliament, which tended to have undermined Nigeria’s leading role in the body, Wase stood his ground in the fight to place Nigeria in its rightful place.

As the chairman of the Adhoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, Wase achieved uncommon milestones as the president has just assented to some of the bills passed in the amendment of the constitution. Some of these assented bills will promote true federalism, devolution of powers from the centre to the states and the strengthening of government institutions.

As the chair of the House Committee of the Whole, Wase has been very key to the passage of critical bills and his efforts towards the successful passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (now PIA) and the new Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), for ease of doing business, cannot be erased.

It is axiomatic that Deputy Speaker Hon Ahmed Idris Wase is a party man to the core and who, following in the steps of the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has never defected or changed parties. He started with the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) until the party collapsed into the APC in 2014. He has remained consistent to date. One thing the party must not lose sight of is Wase’s humility and loyalty to the party’s decisions.

Recalled in the build-up to the election of the speaker in 2019, Wase as a loyal party man obeyed his party’s zoning formula and stepped down for the candidate of the party, Femi Gbajabiamila despite the overwhelming support he enjoyed from his colleagues.

This popularity was confirmed when he was subsequently elected unopposed as deputy speaker. Four years after such a huge sacrifice, he’s on the threshold of the speakership race again. Up till today, his popularity is still intact.

Most significantly, Wase is a reliable team player and a humble man. It will be recalled that Wase and Gbajabiamila have been working together since 2017 when he deputised the speaker, who was then the House Leader. The duo never had any issues up to the end of the 8th Assembly. In the 9th Assembly, as deputy speaker, he has maintained a cordial working relationship with the speaker.

In almost four years, there has never been any conflict between the two presiding officers. This has created an ambience of peace and tranquillity in the lower chamber. In fact, Wase’s stabilizing effect in the chamber is unequalled.

There is no doubt that he is a hard and relentless worker. He is recorded to be the deputy speaker with the highest number of sessions chaired and the highest number of reports considered in the history of the House of Representatives.

A highly principled and respected man, who believes in equity, fairness and justice in resource allocation and distribution, Wase has over the years developed a reputation amongst colleagues and non-colleagues alike of being a very generous Legislator who freely gives his time and resources for the benefit of all.

The deputy speaker is known for his persistent and unrelenting quest to pursue the interest and welfare of fellow members.

Flowing from these, the party will do itself and Nigerians a big favour by zoning the position of the speaker to the North Central and thereafter endorsing the candidature of Ahmed Idris Wase as the speaker of the 10th House of Representatives. What is good for the goose is good for the gander.

•Umar Muhammad Puma is the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

10th Speakership Race; NMCYC Commends Gov, Sule for Endorses Wase.

Northern Muslims and Christians Youth Coalition ( NMCYC), have commended Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, for endorsing, Hon. Hon Ahmed Idris Wase for the Speakership Job of the 10th assembly.

This was contained in a latter addressed to the Gov. Sule, signed by Mallam Yahaya Ali Ali and EVANG. Ibrahim Aliyu Co- Chaimen respectively.

" Our attention was drawn on a series media publication both in print and electronics on your executive decision not only endorsed, Hon. Wase but availed yourself to champion his campaign team for the Speakership position. Latter.

In view of the above we jointly write as coalition of Northern Muslims and Christians Youth organisation to express our profound appreciation for your support and commitments towards ensuring the success of, Hon. Wase as the 10th speaker of house of representatives. The latter continued.

" The aspiration of, Hon. Wase is not far from his wealth of experience in the lawmaking process of this country henced there is a need for all to support him.

" This Coalition NMCYC has issued release which collaborated with you position (Sule's), regards to whom to be the next speaker of, national assembly should be best on merit and experience to pilot the affairs of the 10th assembly with hitches. According to the latter.

10th National Assembly Leadership: Competence, Character, Experience or Regionalism?

By Rev. Dominic Alancha

The Federal Legislature is the major crucible where the laws guiding our corporate existence as a nation are enacted. It’s at the National Assembly that we have the highest convergence of elected public officials in Nigeria; making it undoubtedly the key fulcrum of our democracy. Practically every ethnic group and tribe in the country is duly represented at the Federal Parliament.

Interestingly, all the parliamentarians in a particular Chamber are regarded as equals. Therefore by composition and function, the National Assembly as an institution is duly reflective of the Federal Character Principle. However, it’s imperative to delineate functions amongst the various Senators and Members of the House of Reps to foster harmony, coordination, efficiency and focus; necessitating the election of Principal Officers, with the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House designated primus inter pares, in other words, first amongst equals.

From the foregoing, what should constitute the basis for determining the Principal Officers of the National Assembly, particularly the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Reps? Should our legislators latch onto the primordial sentiments of religion, ethnicity and regionalism in electing the leaders amongst themselves, or should they consider the competence, experience and capacity of the individual lawmakers jostling for the top positions?

Notwithstanding the equality status enjoyed by all members of a particular Chamber of the National Assembly, not all the parliamentarians are truly equal in terms of their educational qualifications, pedigree, competence, experience and capacity. Hence, it is absolutely important that only the most eligible contenders are elevated to the prime positions of Senate President and Speaker, as only then can they command the loyalty and respect of their fellow lawmakers, as well as the Executive, the Nigerian public and the international community, which is indispensable if they must discharge their functions effectively.

This piece intends to highlight the credentials of Rt. Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, the current Deputy Speaker, who was recently re-elected to the House. He is undisputedly a foremost contender for the position of Speaker in the 10th National Assembly, having previously indicated interest for the position in the 9th National Assembly before stepping down for the current Speaker, in deference to the resolve of his political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

A consummate civil engineer, public servant, unionist and alumnus of the prestigious Kennedy School of Government at the Harvard University, U.S.A., Rt. Hon. Wase is arguably the highest ranking serving House of Reps Member that would be returning to the 10th National Assembly. He was first elected into the Green Chamber to represent Wase Federal Constituency in 2007, on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). He is presently serving his fourth consecutive term as a Member of the House, and billed to return for his fifth term.

With hundreds of relevant Bills and Motions to his credit, Rt. Hon. Wase enjoys the untrammelled respect and admiration of his entire colleagues.

They fondly christened him the “Stabilizer,” in view of his rare comportment, maturity and tact in speech and conduct. These qualities are essential for the holder of the position of Speaker, as it means that he can easily rally his colleagues to a common cause, which would no doubt be in the overall best interest of the nation.

Born 1st of June, 1964 in Plateau State, Rt. Hon. Hon Ahmed Idris Wase attended the Plateau State Polytechnic, where he obtained an OND in Civil Engineering in 1986, and subsequently the Kaduna State Polytechnic for his HND in Civil Engineering in 1995. He further bagged an Executive Certificate in 2016, following the completion of a course in Strategic Governance at the Harvard University, U.S.A.

The current Deputy Speaker unleashed his innate disposition as an activist/unionist at the Kaduna State Polytechnic, where he served as the President, Civil Engineering Students Association (KADPOLY Branch) between 1994 and 1995; and concurrently as the Director of Organization for the Gamji Memorial Club, Kaduna Polytechnic Branch.

Before his expedition into partisan politics, Rt. Hon. Wase worked with the Bauchi State Ministry of Environment, between 1988 and 2002, rising steadily through the ranks from a Technical Assistant to attain the position of Acting Director of Works, and subsequently Acting Director of Physical Planning. He equally served as a Non-Academic Staff of the College of Education, Gindiri, between 1996 -2005 where he held the position of the Chairman, Non-Academic Staff Union between 1989 and 1994; serving concurrently as the Chairman, Senior Staff Welfare Committee from 1990 to 1993. He was eventually elected Chairman, Joint Academic & Non-Academic Staff Union of the entire tertiary institutions in Plateau State from 1992 to 1994.

His sterling pedigree as an activist/unionist stood him out as a frontline advocate for the masses and members of the working class. Hence, Rt. Hon. Wase was appointed as the Executive Secretary of Plateau State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board from 2005 to 2006.

Following his successful first term at the House of Reps, Rt. Hon. Wase was re-elected in 2015 on the same dais of the defunct ACN, and subsequently in 2015 and 2019 respectively on the platform of the APC. As a clear testament to his astuteness, popularity and acceptability in the House, Hon. Wase was elected UNOPPOSED as Deputy Speaker in 2019. It’s on record that he is the Deputy Speaker with the highest number of Chaired Sessions, and highest number of Reports considered, in the entire history of the Nigerian House of Representatives.

As the Deputy Speaker of the 9th Assembly, Rt. Hon. Wase sponsored several bills targeted at improving access to healthcare in different geopolitical zones of the country. He championed the establishment of Orthopaedic Hospitals in each of the Six Geopolitical Zones by amending the Orthopaedic Hospitals Management Board Act to create 3 additional Orthopaedic Hospitals in geopolitical zones that previously had none, viz: Edo (South South), Jos (North Central) and Jalingo (North East). The Deputy Speaker also sponsored a Bill for an Act to Establish a Federal Medical Centre at Wase, Plateau State, to promote access to quality and affordable healthcare services for his people.

Furthermore, as Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Committee of the Whole, Rt. Hon. Ahmed Idris galvanized popular support for the passage of the Companies and Allied Matters (Repeal and Re-enactment) Act, 2020; and the Petroleum Industry Act, 2020 – two critical Acts that became the cornerstones of the Buhari Administration with respect to the national economy.

As the Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Rt. Hon. Wase championed several constitutional amendments that were meant to entrench true federalism; establish local government autonomy; grant financial autonomy to state legislatures and the Judiciary; ensure devolution of powers from the Centre to the States; allocate special quota of political offices to women and several other far-reaching amendments. On 17th March 2023, President Muhammadu Buhari signed 16 of the 35 amendment bills into Law; making it an unprecedented achievement for the Wase-led Ad hoc Constitution Review Committee of the 9th National Assembly.

Rt. Hon. Idris was appointed in 2015 as a Member of the Governing Board, National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) and in June 2018, as the Regional Representative for West Africa to serve on the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) International.

In 2017, Rt. Hon. Wase was appointed through popular support as the Deputy House Leader, to replace the late Buba Jubril who passed on in June of the same year. In the first few weeks of his appointment, he led the debate over 5 Executive Bills, including:

DEEP OFFSHORE AND INLAND BASIN PRODUCTION SHARING CONTRACTS (AMENDMENT) BILL 2018 intended to plug leakages in Government revenue streams and ensure that FG maximizes sufficient royalties from Production Sharing Contracts between NNPC and International Oil Companies.

COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990 CAP C.20, LFN 2004 (REPEAL AND RE-ENACTMENT) BILL 2018; a revolutionary bill intended to totally overhaul Nigeria’s corporate regime and promote ease of doing business.

NIGERIAN MINERALS AND MINING BILL 2018, meant to reorganize the Nigerian Mining Industry to effectively develop and harness mining potentials in Nigeria in line with global best practices.

In August 2016, our Deputy Speaker was selected as a member of the FG Delegation to the 89th Session of the United Nations General Assembly held in New York. He was also elected as 1st Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament in 2019, a position he used to defend and promote the strategic interests of Nigeria within the ECOWAS sub region.

Indeed, it is a herculean task to summarize the stellar pedigree of Rt. Hon. Wase, a man who has undoubtedly brought good governance and quality representation to bear in impacting positively on the lives of not only his immediate constituents, but all Nigerians. However, the aforementioned should suffice to project him as the very best material for the position of Speaker of the 10th House of Reps.

*Dominic Alancha is a Social and Political Commentator*

APC Is Morally Bound To Zone Speakership To North Central – Hon Adelegbe

Hon Timehin Adelegbe, who recently won a return bid to the National Assembly, represents Owo/Ose Federal Constituency of Ondo State in the House of Representatives. In this interview with CHIBUZO UKAIBE, he speaks on the intricate tussle for the 10th National Assembly leadership..

As a member of that chamber who recently won a fresh mandate, can you give us an appraisal of that Assembly in terms of performance?

To the best of my knowledge and ability, the 9th Assembly is a stable Assembly because if you look at the past, there were threats of impeachment here and there which usually mar a tenure of an Assembly. However, this 9th Assembly has been very stable. That stability of the 9th Assembly under the leadership style of the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, speaks volume. He has done very well for the Assembly. However, this will not be complete without a loyal deputy. His deputy, Idris Wase, has been there for him, he has done very well for him and the 9th Assembly has come out victorious. A lot of bills and motions have been passed which the executive has worked on.

There is a perception that both chambers were a rubber stamp parliament of the executive. Obviously, those of you on this other side see it as building harmony between the executive and the legislature. How do you disabuse the minds of those who believe you did not put the executive on its toes?

No, I don’t really believe that we were a rubber stamp because for this country to grow at this period, the executive needs much of the cooperation of the National Assembly. All we are looking for is for Nigeria to grow. We cannot grow when we are fighting. There are many ways of correcting the executive through various oversight functions which the House is noted for and we have done that excellently well. We don’t need to wash our dirty linens outside. All we want is for Nigeria to be prosperous and grow.

The smooth, cordial relationship between the executive and the parliament is predicated on the fact that the 9th Assembly has a comfortable majority but the fear out there is that the emerging 10th Assembly might not enjoy that in terms of having a comfortable majority to pull through?

Yes, you are correct. However, you know we are all politicians. The structure or composition of the National Assembly as we speak of the 9th Assembly is not a straight jacketed thing because no party can make claim to a huge majority. However, the trust we have is that the leadership of our party knows the right thing to do. We are all politicians, and we know about relationship building. Anyone that is campaigning now to be the Speaker has to carry everybody along. So that is why I said we are all politicians, we know how to navigate on all these things.

That brings us to the issue of zoning of different positions in the National Assembly. They have four positions that are being contested for. From what you have seen with the current President from the South West and his Vice from the North East, which region would you advise the party to zone the speakership and deputy positions to?

Naturally, it is a very simple thing if we don’t put emotions into it. The North and South have three regions each. The South West has produced the President, naturally, the Speaker can not come from the South West. North East has picked the Vice President, naturally the Speaker can not come from that area which means from the two bipolar levels of South and North, two regions are left. So, in the North, we are left with North West and North Central. And looking at the advent of democracy till today, the North West has produced four speakers. They produced Aminu Tambuwal, Salisu Buhari, Ghali Na’abba and Aminu Masari.
So, morally this should not be a big thing. Naturally, it should just go to the North Central without causing instability in the National Assembly. Yes, North West has contributed hugely to the electoral victory of Asiwaju Tinubu. Can we say that because of the electoral victory, the South East and South South should be blocked out from taking any leadership position in National Assembly? No.

So in this case where will you put North West which by peoples estimation contributed the highest votes for the president-elect if you are to advise the party?

In fact, if I am to advise, this is very simple, there is no way again that since the North Eaast has picked the Vice President, South West has picked the President, naturally the Senate President should either come from the South South or South East. And since North West has produced four speakers before, they should look into the area of Deputy President of the Senate and allow North Central which has enjoyed the luxury of being President of the Senate before now to taste the speakership. There shouldn’t be too much emotion in this. This is very simple.

So, even within that same North Central, can you narrow it down to an individual or it should be left open for any ranking member?

If you look at it like I said, for now to me, we have three formidable members that are in this race generally, we have my friend, Hon Muktar Aliyu Betara, chairman of Appropriation, we are very close but he is from North East (from Borno). Quickly people will say Gbajabiamila is from Lagos but do we continue to make wrong decisions always? A time will come that we should make the right decision. So because our Vice President-elect is from Borno State we will also go and pick the Speaker from there. Nigeria is big, no matter the volume of what you want to have, Nigeria is big. Now, the other guy is also my friend, Tajudeen Abbas who is also contesting from North West. You should know that having produced four speakers from there, it is a place you don’t have to look at again. You have to take the interest of the country at heart, not the volume of votes. Yes, the volume of votes is necessary but it’s not the ultimate because there are other positions that they can equally enjoy. So, my friend Betara, this might not be the best time for him because the Vice President comes from his place and Nigerians, we are learned and we know what to do.

North West should also be content that they have produced four speakers before. They should allow the North Central to take it. And coming to the North Central, we need to equally understand that in the 9th Assembly, I mentioned earlier on the stability that we enjoyed in this 9th Assembly.

With the brilliance of our Speaker with his cerebral attitude he has done very well. He wouldn’t have achieved it if he didn’t have a good deputy and when he was contesting at that time, the deputy was talked to and he slowed down for him to be the Speaker. So, Idris Wase is the natural successor without emotions. He should be a natural successor to that place and for him to maintain the stability of the National Assembly. Because if you don’t allow the party voice to matter and we allow somebody who is against the party decision to emerge then it will be difficult for the person to relate very well with our incoming President. So, that brings me to the relationship between Wase and our Speaker, they have a very good relationship. I know that at a time, our speaker, Gbajabiamila will raise Wase hands up because he has given him very good support. He is a loyal ally so Wase should be a natural successor. It is not a thing that we should be making too much noise on.

Wase has visited the governor of your state, Rotimi Akeredolu. Should that be taken that Wase has been adopted as the favoured candidate of the South West governors?

I am an Akeredolu person to the core. I believe in him because he is always not only courageous but straightforward. He has told me that what is fair is fair and that Wase should be a natural successor to maintain the stability of the National Assembly and also enhance the relationship between the Assembly and the executive. So, my governor said that it is his own personal opinion. He said for his own personal opinion he is supporting Wase and North Central to pick it. You know Akeredolu is not the person that will mince his words. So I have met with him, I have told him, he said (Timehin) please it is not a thing you should think about. Can we take the speaker to the North East where our Vice President is from or do we put it in the North West where we have produced four speakers before and now abandoned the current Deputy Speaker? By the time a Speaker emerges, where will you place him? Do you want him to be a floor member having served the current Speaker diligently and loyally? So, he said he has adopted what he said and not only him, a lot of governors; Governor Yahaya Bello who will be the most senior governor on May 30 has also said this is where to go. Many of these governors will go on May 29 so it means he will be the most senior governor on May 30.

Statistics show that only 60 members of the 9th will be returning and drawing from the arguments of stability and also going from the fact that parliament is about experience, knowledge, antecedents. Considering that a whooping number of 300 members will be stepping into the floor of the chamber for the first time ever. How do you think the next leadership will cope with this thing in trying to stabilise early enough because stability is very important before you start talking about projects and laws?

You have made a very valid point. Yes, less than 100 members are returning out of 360. The turn over is very, very high. We have not gotten to that in this country where a member will stay there for life. If you go to western world there are some members of the parliament that have been there for 40 to 50 years but here it is difficult because Nigeria has not gotten to that level. Number one, the poverty level is very high so it brings in competition.

However, coming to the National Assembly that is where we need an experienced leader. And experienced leadership, Wase is capable, he has good character and he can deliver very well. He has been here for a very long time. He came to this House as an Action Congress representative moved to the Action Congress of Nigeria and then to APC. He is a progressive to the core. He respects the party very well so I know that he has the capacity to galvanise support and ensure a smooth relationship at the Chamber.

Back to the House leadership, there were press statements released by some youths calling on the national leadership of the party and the President-elect to consider zoning the Deputy Speaker of the House to South West and particularly Ondo State. Only four of you are returning members out of the nine that Ondo State produces. If you are offered the Deputy Speaker’s position will you consider it?

I think that we should take one step after the other. What is important now for our party is to come up with a Speaker that has the capacity. That is the centre point of everything. And before we will now say we want to look at the South West is it not important we wait for the zoning of these positions? If the Deputy Speaker comes to the South West, I think the leadership of the region will meet at one point or the other.

However, everybody is qualified to have the aspiration to be deputy speaker. As we speak, people from Ondo, Ekiti, Osun and even Lagos were the speaker comes from, want to be Deputy Speaker. So when we get to that level first, let’s bring it to our area. If we are honoured with the Deputy Speaker, I know the leadership of the party will sit down to decide.

For me as a person, you can not put a sweet in my mouth and I will swallow it because I have the capacity. I came into the National Assembly having done well as a banker and I think my first four years were a huge success. So, there is no parameter or hardline you give that I will not qualify to be but I just believe in us doing one thing after the other. For now, the speakership position is important. We don’t even need to push it too much because there is a natural successor. All of us should galvanise our support towards Idris Wase

You have just talked about zoning as promised by the hierarchy of the party. So you want to wait for that time before you will make up your mind but a lot of your colleagues are already making subterranean moves. Are you already making moves to at least galvanise support for yourself?

I think that I will not liken myself to the era of Obasanjo where they just brought him from prison to come and become President of this country. So, naturally, I think I am doing that but it is not the first thing in my mind because I don’t jump gun. I am a loyal person to the core and I am answerable to my governor, Akeredolu. Anything he tells me I will do. If he tells me to leave the National Assembly today, I will resign and leave. So, that is my own life.

So if it comes to the South West, I know he will not take decisions on his own. He will sit down with his colleagues to decide where to put it and if it comes to Ondo State all of us here believe in the leadership of our governor. He will sit us down and we will look at it together. It is not a thing that I will be fighting for and we are all party men. It is what the party says that we will follow. If the party says Timehin takes it, I will grab it.

Timehin Adelegbe
member representing Owo/Ose Federal Constituency,

10th Assembly: For the Sake of Equity and Fairness, North Central Deserves Speakership.

Three election circles have come and gone and in all three, North Central has always delivered for APC. Since 2015, despite nicknaming the Zone and proclaiming it “a battle ground” for all political parties in the political ecosystem, APC has always come out triumphantly in the zone with vote margins that always eclipse and left other political parties in despair.

Such commitment to the progressives course has distinguished North Central as a region that never fails. It’s hurt though that politically, particularly when elections beckons, the zone gets its due recognition as an independent zone but as soon as elections are over and the spoils are put forward to be shared, the zone gets subjugated and shortchanged especially after being merged to the ‘North’.

This time again, the zone has delivered as always against all odds and it’s only fair that the zone be considered for the country’s number four seat and not the North West. North West shouldn’t produce the country’s President in the last election circle and be allowed to produce the speaker of the 10th Assembly in this election circle.

It’s on record that the 9th Assembly was when the North Central should have clinch the speakership and with plateau State as direct beneficiary of such magnanimity and even though Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila later emerged, Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase who withdraw for him made a bold statement with his insistence that the region should be recognized.

Recognizing and rewarding North Central with the speakership seat would only affirm the party’s position of being a fair political component with recognizable prudent rewarding system. It’ll also go further to show that the faith and commitment the zone has shown and demonstrated to APC in the previous two elections and the recently concluded one, the party appreciates the zone.

From Kwara to Kogi to Benue to Niger to Nassarawa and especially Plateau State, APC got 25% of total votes. Equally, plateau state currently have the most outstanding representatives in the country. which is Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase who have all the credentials to be a speaker with needed impetus to lead the 10th Assembly fairly.

Engr kabiru Abdulhamid DG on Youth Rt. hon. Ahmed Idris Wase for Speaker 10th assembly

Wase receives Royal blessing from Ooni of Ife

This occurred when the Deputy Speaker visited the Ooni at his Abuja lodge to consult him on his Speakership ambition and seek his wise counsel and Royal blessings.

Responding, the Ooni extolled the sterling qualities of Hon Wase describing him as a humble and gentleman. "You know one thing I love about you is your humility. In 2019 when we spoke to you to step down for our son, Femi Gbajabiamila, you obeyed us due to your respect and loyalty for order and leadership. It is time for you to be rewarded for you humility and loyalty"

The Ooni assured the Deputy Speaker to speak with all Members-Elect from the Southwest on the need to support his Speakership aspiration.

Enugu Guber Election Heavily Rigged – Speaker Ubosi

The Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Chief Edward Ubosi on Tuesday said that the governorship and House of Assembly election held on 18th of March was massively rigged.
Ubosi said this while accepting the motion presented at the plenary in Enugu on Tuesday by the member representing Nsukka East constituency Chinedu Nwamba.

Hon. Ubosi urged President Muhammad Buhari to investigate military excesses, intimidating and harassment in Enugu State during March 18th governorship/State assembly elections, with a view to sanctioning anybody found wanting to serve as a deterrent to others.

“There was massive electoral malpractices and intimidation that marred the 2023 governorship and state assembly Elections in parts of Enugu State,” he said.

In a motion of urgent public importance, Nwamba said that the constitutional role of the Military as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria, chapter 6. Part 3. Section 217 sub section 2a and 2b, which was to defend Nigeria from external aggression.

Nwamba said that other roles of the military was to maintain its territorial integrity and securing its borders from violation on land, sea, or air.
He said, “on March 17, Enugu State citizens woke up to notice the heavy deployment of combat-ready fierce-looking AK47 wielding Soldiers in all the 17 Local Governments Areas of the State as they were prowled about the roads and streets,” he said.

The lawmaker explained that heavy armoured vehicles and high military armaments as though they were headed for war were also seen on the March 18, the day of the Guber and State Houses of Assembly elections.
He, however, said that the manhandling and fragrant intimidation especially of members and supporters of the ruling party during the elections to provide cover for the electoral heist that went down in the state calls for a deeper concern.
“It was also more worrisome and ignoble how the armed forces and security agencies were enabling the electoral brigandage and frauds, including the abduction of electoral officers, the inflation of votes under duress, the barricading of collation centres especially in all the LGA headquarters of INEC and refusing agents and officials of the ruling party entrance into the centres.

“Whereas, other party agents and supporters has unfettered access to the centres where election results from various wards were rigged against the ruling party” he said.
While contributing, Mr, Paul Nnajiofor of Nkanu East constituency, Mr Chima Obieze of Ezeagu, Ezenta Ezeani of Igbo Etiti East, Mr Iloabuchi Aniagu of Nkanu West and Mr Ibenaku Onoh of Enugu North constituency unanimously applauded the the initiator of the motion for being apt.

Reps Speakership: Why I’m Backing Idris Wase – Olusegun.

Former Governor Olusegun Osoba of of Ogun state, has justified why he is backing the incumbent Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Idris Wase for the speakership of the House of Representatives.

Wase got the endorsements during a trip to Lagos and Port Harcourt on Monday.

Osoba’s backing for Wase is coming ahead of the June inauguration of the 10th National Assembly.

The former governor, who said the north central deserves the speaker slot described Wase as his “experienced and beloved son.”

Osoba also described the deputy speaker as his beloved son whose zone, the north central, deserves the position of speaker.

He said, “This is your home. You are an experienced and beloved son of mine. North central has been very crucial in APC electoral victories.

“North central deserves to be speaker even by performance. Awo said: we must reward performance and allocation was based on performance in those days.

“So in the case of north central, that should be done; be rest assured. It will be zoned to north central and then we go into the next stage. Wase, you are my beloved son, I repeat.”

Recall that plots by the country’s main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party PDP to mobilize its members and other minority parties in the House of Representatives for relevance suffered a major setback on Monday following the decision of two of its leaders to support the ruling party.

Both the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike and a former governor of Delta State, James Ibori have thrown their weight behind Wase.

These developments came on the heel of alliance talks between the PDP’s House of Representatives members and an aspirant for the speakership, Aliyu Betara on one hand, as well as the PDP and other minority parties on the other hand.

Sensing that his party, the ruling All Progressives Congress APC might zone the position of speaker outside his region, the north east, Betara was said to have opened talks with leading lights of the PDP to add their numbers to his handful of supporters ahead of the contest.

However, some influential leaders of the PDP, especially returning members of the House, had an alternative plan to join forces with other parties to outsmart the APC which expectedly, might go into the contest divided.

The number of opposition parties put together, is more than APC’s 162. The Peoples Democratic Party PDP has 102 seats; Labour Party LP, 34 seats; New Nigerian Peoples Party NNPP, 18 seats; All Progressives Grand Alliance APGA four seats while the Social Democratic Party SDP and African Democratic Congress ADC have two seats each.

This puts the membership of the opposition parties at 163, even as all the parties scramble for more seats in the April 15 supplementary polls which hold across 33 constituencies.

Ibori, while receiving the deputy speaker, said he has made up his mind to direct his supporters who are members of the House, to support and vote for Wase.

Ibori said, “I am with you. I have done my checks on you and I am convinced you are well prepared for the job and I am happy you are here even though I have sent words to you through our Representatives that they should go with you. I wish you all the best.

“Don’t hesitate to come to me anytime you are in need of whatever thing that will enhance this project. I will help you speak to all my friends, as many as I have. Many are waiting to put the right things properly to make Nigeria the envy of Africa and the world. You are good to go, you are in that mood”, the former Delta governor told Wase and his team.

While welcoming Wase and his delegation to Government House, Port Harcourt, Wike reiterated his resolve to collaborate with the government at the centre.

“I have no apologies to make to anyone. I have said it severally that I will support your party at the national level. You are an experienced person, our people will support you. You will stabilize the House and we need you. We will give necessary support and ensure your victory. Count on us”, he stated.

We Must Live Above Divisive Politics - Shettima

Vice President-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima has enjoined Nigerians to eschew divisive politics as it offers nations nothing but retrogression.

Shettima spoke on Monday when he received the All Progressives Congress’ Professionals Forum, led by former Governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda at his Asokoro office in Abuja.

Quoting Martin Luther King's, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy", Shettima thanked the group for its support and sacrifice, just as he assured the delegation of his principal, Bola Ahmed Tinubu being a man of ideas who will hit the ground running immediately on assuming office.

“The world is a knowledge-driven world. We have moved from the agricultural age to the industrial age and now we are in the post-industrial, knowledge-driven age, and hence the readiness of my Principal to deliver the goods Nigerians expect of him as soon as possible", the VP-elect stated.

Shettima also stated the need to embrace one another as brothers and sisters as against divisive politics, saying it was made to look like a tough election, based on how divisive some went about it.

He cited how the Nigerian candidate won in the most northern of States, and the most Christian of States with 90% population of Christians (Benue), saying what bound Nigerians together, superseded what divided them.

“The task before us is to transform this nation into a just and fair society where everyone will have a sense of belonging. We should learn to accommodate and embrace each other.
"It is a dawn of a new era to celebrate the progress of this nation", Shettima submitted.

In his remarks earlier, the Chairman of the forum, Mal. Isa Yuguda congratulated the Vice President-elect and his Principal, saying his delegation, consisting of ‘rocket scientists to bricklayers’, had come to congratulate them. He thanked Shettima for always honoring invitations by the forum in relation to its various activities.

“We thank you for always honoring our invitations, and we are in prayers with you, and appreciate you, as you are always close to us, having your aides Ahmed Ningi and Ameen Amshi as active members. We thank you for all the support and encouragement”, Yuguda stated.

He proposed a retreat by the forum for National Assembly members and key stakeholders in Government geared at setting an agenda for the incoming administration, as well as redefining APC's ideological blueprint for all political office holders in the Party, stressing this will go a long way in shaping its programmes and policies and also recreate synergy between the party, National Assembly, and the Executive.
He further explained that the retreat will aim to create service delivery consciousness in the mind of policy makers and implementers in the forthcoming administration especially with the complementary roles of development partners.

The delegation included former Governor of Adamawa State, Mr. Bala James Ngilari, former Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Nkem Okeke, Adviser to the President on Ease of Doing Business, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, amongst other professionals.

Also in attendance was Mutawalle Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, Chairman, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) Board.

Southeast Nigerian Bishops Decry Enugu Governorship Results, Say Mbah’s Victory Is ‘Coup d’état Against Residents……

Christian clerics in Southeast Nigeria, under the platform of the Network Evangelical Bishops of Nigeria (NEBN), have decried the alleged manipulation and rigging that characterised the March 18 governorship election in Enugu State.

The clerics, who rejected the results of the Enugu State governorship election as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, described the conduct of the election as an insult to the people of Enugu State.
 
INEC earlier declared Peter Mbah of the Peoples Democratic Party as the winner of the poll.

However, clerics in a statement issued on Sunday after a two-day meeting in Umuahia, Abia State, signed by Bishop Samuel Ani, the NEBN president, and Bishop Emeka Nwafor, its publicity secretary, said the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Chijioke Edeoga, “won the election fair and square”.
 
The bishops stated that the INEC headquarters in Abuja was clever by half by thinking that the public would consider it evenhanded if it “awarded Abia to the Labour Party and Enugu to the PDP when it looked into grave reports by different parties that the ruling PDP in Abia and Enugu states had inflated votes in some LGAs on an industrial scale”.

According to the bishops, INEC’s declaration that Mbah won the election “is nothing other than a coup d’état against the people who trooped to the polls to vote for change, after 24 years of being under PDP’s imperial rule”.
 
“This is why the whole state has been like a graveyard, in contrast to neighbouring Abia State where the rightful winner, Dr Alex Otti of the Labour Party, was declared victorious, a development which saw hundreds of thousands of people in towns, cities and villages of the state wildly celebrating the dawn of a new era," the statement said.


The religious leaders observed that the PDP could not have possibly polled 16,000 votes in Nkanu East Local Government Area as announced by the electoral commission when only 6,179 voters were accredited.
 
“We are convinced that the 16,000 votes were conjured up so that the compromised INEC would pronounce the PDP candidate the winner," he said.
 
They argued that even in the presidential election which generated voter enthusiasm throughout the country, there were not up to 9,000 persons who voted in Nkanu East LGA.


The bishops remarked that the LP’S success in the governorship election is consistent with the pattern of voting in the 2023 general election in the state which saw the LP win seven out of the eight House of Representatives seats, two of the three Senate seats, 14 of the 24 House of Assembly seats and 87.7 per cent of the votes cast in the presidential election.
 
It added, “The Enugu governorship election petition should be one of the easiest that the Election Petitions Tribunal will deal with because it is a straight case of outright falsification and fraud."

*Tinubu At 71: A Conundrum Untameable*

...*Dr. Mustapha Abdullåhi Salutes A Political Generalissimo*

The office of the Convener, The Asiwaju Group (TAG) and Deputy Chairman, APC UK Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Dr. Mustapha Abdullåhi, has issued a congratulatory message to the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as he attains 71.

The press release signed by Dr. Mustapha Abdullåhi congratulated the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on his 71st birthday.

Dr. Abdullåhi described the former Lagos State Governor as a true democrat who has proven over the years his political philosophy and wizardry. The Kogi-born politician also described Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a political juggernaut who has altered Nigeria's political landscape as he emerged winner at the last Presidential election against all odds.


While praying for the former Senator in the aborted 3rd Republic, Dr. Abdullåhi said there was no better time than now in the life of the nation for Asiwaju's emergence. According to him, "Nigeria needs Asiwaju at this critical period to build on already existing milestones of the Buhari-led administration to better the lives of the citizens."

"We pray for stronger health for him, abundant wisdom as he prepares to take up the challenge of leading a heterogeneous country like Nigeria. May the Almighty grant him the requisite wisdom to delivering an egalitarian Nigeria."

"Those who believe in your style of people-centric leadership are in the multitude and we believe you will deliver in your electoral promises to Nigerians and that Nigerians will begin to feel a sense of belonging and pride themselves as true Nigerians, Dr. Abdullåhi averred.


While calling for calm across the country, Dr. Abdullåhi urged all political parties to join hands with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Mr. President-elect to drive the country on the path of prosperity.

He said with the achievements of Tinubu during his time as Lagos State Governor, there is no doubt that Nigeria will be in safe hands when he begins his administration on 29th of May. He therefore calls on every Nigerian to eschew violence and any act capable of throwing the country into avoidable conflagration to embrace peace. He hinted further that Nigeria cannot afford to truncate the ongoing democracy which has been sustained for 24 uninterrupted years.

Press Conference by Nigerians Unite for Tinubu/Shettima (NUFTS) on "Suing for Peace, Unity and Respect for Rule of Law" after the General Election, Abuja, Nigeria - 29th March, 2023

1. The 2023 general election in Nigeria has come and gone, and as a nation, we have a duty to come together and build a prosperous and united Nigeria. As an organization, Nigerians Unite for Tinubu/Shettima (NUFTS) is proud of the peaceful and democratic process that led to the emergence of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shettima as the President and Vice-President elect respectively.
2. We recognize that this election was not without its challenges. There were a few areas where we can still do better. We also acknowledge the efforts of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to address these issues towards ensuring more credible elections in the future.
3. We understand that in every competitive exercise, there may be some grievances and concerns from various parties. However, it is important to note that there are laid down procedures to seek redress. Therefore, we call on all aggrieved persons or parties to explore those avenues and avoid resorting to violence or any act and utterance that may disrupt the peace and orderliness in the country.
4. We urge all political parties to accept the outcome of the election in good faith and support the incoming government in its efforts to build a prosperous and united Nigeria. It is important for all political leaders to recognize that they have a role to play in building a stable and peaceful nation, and they must therefore act responsibly and with restraint at all times.
5. We have noted with utmost dismay and disappointment that some people are trying to ferment trouble and disturb the peace that we currently enjoy as recently alerted by the Department of State Services (DSS). We use this medium to call on all such persons to desist and retrace their steps in order not to disturb the peace and unity of the nation or encroach on the rights and freedom of other law-abiding citizens.
6. We also call on all political parties, especially the opposition, to refrain from making inciting comments or taking actions that may heat up the polity. We urge them to channel their grievances and concerns through the appropriate legal and democratic processes.
7. We commend the efforts of security agencies in ensuring the safety and security of Nigerians during the election period. We call on them to remain vigilant and ensure that they continue to discharge their duties of protecting the lives and properties of all Nigerians, especially during this post-election period.
8. As an organization, we are using this opportunity to call on all well-meaning Nigerians who believe in a united and prosperous Nigeria to continue to remain law-abiding and trust in the process and institutions of the state towards building a better Nigeria. We believe that Nigeria can achieve greatness if we all work together, and the incoming government of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shettima will need the support and cooperation of all Nigerians to achieve this feat.
9. Just like many Nigerians who participated in the process of the elections, we call on all and sundry to put their trust and faith in the incoming government of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shettima with the hope and conviction that it will meet the legitimate yearnings and aspirations of our countrymen and women.
10. In conclusion, we urge all Nigerians to uphold the principles of peace and orderliness, and refrain from any act that may threaten the peace and stability of our great country. We also call on the media, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to play their part in ensuring that this country remains peaceful and prosperous, anchored on stable democracy.

I like to extend my appreciation to men and women of the media and everyone who took time off their busy schedule to join us today in sharing these important national highlights.

Thank you.

APC and Tasks of Negotiating 10th NASS Leadership

Salihu Moh. Lukman
All Progressives Congress
North-West Zonal Office
Kaduna

It was Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, while declaring to contest for the position of National Chairman of APC on Thursday, May 10, 2018 at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, who argued that “party supremacy comes from decisions of the party made by the relevant party organs. The decisions of the party have to emerge from the debate by party organs at various levels, and the conclusions reached will constitute the party’s position on any matter which will then be binding on all the members of the party from the President to every member.”

Comrade Oshiomhole must have had at the back of his mind the sad experiences of having to accommodate the rebellious leadership of the 8th National Assembly who defied efforts by APC leaders to regulate conducts of some APC elected National Assembly members in 2015, partly because of absence of clear decisions of party organs.

At the time of inaugurating the 8th National Assembly on June 9, 2015, the Chief John Odigie-Oyegun-led National Working Committee (NWC: 2014 – 2018) was unable to regulate the conduct of elected party members in the National Assembly, notably Sen. Bukola Saraki and Hon. Yakubu Dogara who respectively emerged as Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Their emergence as leaders of the 8th National Assembly was a defiance against the preference of APC’s leadership for Sen. Ahmed Lawan and Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila for the position of Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives respectively.

In 2015, the consultative process for the selection process of the leadership was narrowed to the NWC. No NEC meeting or National Caucus was convened. The party’s Board of Trustees was not constituted.

Somehow, the Saraki/Dogara groups in both Chambers of the National Assembly were able to defeat the groups loyal to the party’s NWC. Good enough, this situation was corrected in 2019 and a wider consultative process involving both the NWC, elected members of the two chambers of the National Assembly and other party leaders, including President Muhammadu Buhari was initiated by the Comrade Oshiomhole-led NWC.

This accounted for the successful emergence of the Sen. Ahmed Lawan and Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila-led 9th National Assembly.

As a party, it would seem that APC has relapsed back to 2015 mode of allowing elected National Assembly members to proceed with the business of constituting the leadership of the 10th National Assembly in an unregulated manner. This is very risky, not just for APC but for the country. Given that as a party, we contested the 2023 elections with a Muslim-Muslim ticket of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Sen. Kashim Shettima, unregulated contest for the leadership of the 10th National Assembly could produce another Muslim as Senate President.

In fact, there is also the high probability that a Muslim could also emerge as Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives.

At a time when irrationality has become overbearingly manifest in the politics of the country, no thanks to the so-called Obidient politicians who thrive in peddling lies and falsehood as a strategy to mobilise support, every care should be taken to manage our diversity.

It is quite frustrating for many members of the APC NWC that as leaders mandated to provide leadership in managing affairs of the party, we have become onlookers in matters that we should be directing. This must be urgently corrected.

The APC NWC led by Sen. Abdullahi Adamu need to become more aggressive in driving the process of negotiating leadership of the 10th National Assembly. Laidback attitude of the NWC being the administrative organ of the party has produced the embarrassing situations of public disagreement with the National Chairman over the issue of consensus Presidential candidate before the party’s Presidential Primary in June 2022.

It is also responsible for some of the disagreements between some members of the NWC with the party’s Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) before the 2023 elections.

Part of the challenge is that it has become a practice whereby NWC continue to appropriate powers of superior organs of the party, especially the National Executive Committee (NEC). So long as the NWC continue to govern the party based on the strategy of usurping the powers of NEC, elected representatives of the party will continue to organise rebellion against what could be regarded as positions of the party. We need to strongly appeal to the National Chairman, Sen. Adamu to consider wider consultative process in managing affairs of the party. Adopting wider consultative process will require invoking provisions of the party constitution to convene NEC and National Caucus meetings.

This public appeal has become necessary given the flood of aspirants for leadership of the 10th National Assembly, which if left to continue unregulated could throw up unexpected people in the leadership of the 10th National Assembly. Should that be allowed to happen may result in producing the undesirable consequences of destroying the electoral viability of APC in future elections.

As a ruling party, mandated to provide political leadership to the country for the next four years, everything must be done to sustain the confidence of Nigerians.

As a concerned party member and leader, I make this appeal conscious of where we are coming from. We have proven to Nigerians that nothing is impossible in Nigerian politics. We have successfully consummated the first and only merger of opposition parties in the political history of the country.

We are the first party to successfully defeat a ruling party. It is therefore not impossible to be the party that can facilitate the emergence of Nigeria as a strongly united country. For that to happen, we need to douse the current ethnic and religious tension in the country.

Dousing ethnic and religious tension in the country will require sacrifices on the part of all of us both as leaders and members of APC. Without going into the details of the sacrifices required, we certainly would need to invoke the powers of superior organs of the party where all proposals could be tabled, debated and decisions taken, which should be binding on everyone, including elected representatives in the National Assembly.

Perhaps, we need to acknowledge that the critical issue before us as a party today is decision about zoning formula for offices in the National Assembly and in the Asiwaju Tinubu-led government.

Partly, because of the ineffectiveness of the party’s National Secretariat, no proposal is on the table for consideration of any organ of the party. Instead, we have many fake proposals circulating with hardly any attempt to initiate alternative proposals for debate within the constitutional structures of APC.

It may however interest all of us that the configuration of the leadership that will be assuming office on May 29, 2023 is about the same with that of 1999. Recall that in 1999, we had former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar respectively from South-West and North-East. Taking bearing from that, we had Senate President from the South-East and Deputy Senate President from North-Central. Recall that also we had the National Chairman of the ruling party from North-Central.

In the House of Representatives, we had a Speaker from North-West and Deputy Speaker from South-South. Other positions in the leadership of the National Assembly were distributed accordingly to other zones. Given the challenge of neutralising religious tension in the country, this would appear to be advantageous. For instance, if Senate President is to come form South-East, he would certainly be a Christian. The only problem is the experience of 1999 – 2003, which highlight problems of instability with the South-East holding the position of Senate President. Also, as at 1999, the South-East strongly voted for the PDP to emerge as the ruling party. The same could not be said today.

Perhaps, to avoid that, and to compensate the South-South, which gave more votes to the APC, including winning the Governorship election in Cross River and majority members of the Edo State House of Assembly, consideration can be given for the South-South to produce the Senate President. If that is to be considered, then the position of Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives should be given to the South-East. All these are issues to be debated, around which a decision would have to be taken one way or the other. Once there is a decision, it will be binding on everyone.

So far, we only have individual aspirations for leadership positions in the 10th National Assembly. Most of the aspirations hardly recognise the challenges of national cohesion. Unfortunately, most of those aspiring for positions of leadership in the 10th National Assembly appear to be disrespectful to structures of the party and their membership, including the NWC. Hardly do they show any interest to consult the NWC as an organ or its members individually. Somehow, there is also the demeaning perception that aspiring leaders could always acquire (however defined) the support of party organs. This must be remedied.

For instance, I have people from North-West declaring to contest for the position of Senate President without the courtesy of consulting any of us from North-West in NWC. As much as I respect every elected National Assembly member from North-West, I will appeal to those aspiring for the position of Senate President to step down their aspiration in the overall interest of national cohesion and to ensure that in line with our commitment as leaders of the North-West to support the administration of Asiwaju Tinubu to assume office in May 29, 2023 with a good support base from Nigerians across every section and irrespective of ethnic and religious divide.

The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) is in receipt of petitions against three frontline candidates in the Enugu governorship election.

THE CONCLAVE reports that the three candidates are Mr Peter Mba of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Chijioke Edeoga of the Labour Party (LP) and Mr Frank Nweke Junior of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

The Bureau, according to credible feelers, has set machinery in motion to invite them for preliminary interviews preparatory to their being arraigned at the Code of Conduct Tribunal for breach of the Code of Conduct for public officers.

The crux of the separate petitions against the trio submitted to the Bureau some times last year is their alleged non declaration of assets while they occupied public offices in Enugu State and at the Federal level.

A petition by Enugu State Lawyers for Good Governance dated November 11, 2022 said that Peter Mba, who was the State Finance Commissioner between 2005 and 2007, did not declare his asset with the CCB as constitutionally required.

In a petition dated November 8, 2022, by Enugu Transparency Network, the group claimed that Chijioke Edeoga as Commissioner of Local Government Affairs between 2015 and 2022 failed to declare his assets.

In its petition, dated November 8, 2022, Enugu Youth Against Corruption claimed that Frank Nweke Junior as Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Special Duties and Youth Development from 2004 to 2005, and as Minister of Information and National Orientation from 2005 to 2007 did not declare his assets at the CCB.

THE CONCLAVE reports that the CCB has perfected plans to arraign them for the alleged violation after they must have been interviewed by officials of the Bureau.

celinajumbo11:


https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-ongoing-firs-promotional-examination-saga

The Nami these lazy staff are insulting today was the same one that gave them "let my people go" promotion for two years, in 2020 and 2021. Then they did not complain.

If anything, nami has been fair to them and we can’t have a large number of incompetent employees occupying space and getting paid yet contributing nothing to the development of the country.

Go and write your exams!

celinajumbo11:


https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-ongoing-firs-promotional-examination-saga

Tax is equals to government revenue. Those who must collect it must have the competence to do so. Jokers who dont want to write exams should be kicked out.

celinajumbo11:


https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-ongoing-firs-promotional-examination-saga

These staff are just panicking. That exam will hold and nothing will happen. In fact, one must commend the Chairman, Nami for his pragmatic approach to clear the Augean table. He is a man with boldness and very courageous.