Politics

Gbajabiamila Resigns House Membership, Assumes Duty as Tinubu’s CoS

By Web News 866

The immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has resigned his membership of the 10th House following his resumption of work as the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu.

Gbajabiamila tendered his resignation letter on Wednesday on the floor of the House before Abass and members of the House.

After laying his letter of resignation before the House, the new Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, read it out to the members.

The former Speaker subsequently took a bow before the new Speaker and the members before walking out of the chamber amidst cheers and standing ovation from the lawmakers.

During his two-decade law-making career in the House, Gbajabiamila was Minority Leader, Majority Leader, and Speaker at various times.He was reelected to represent Surulere 1 Federal Constituency in Lagos State before his new appointment and was sworn in as a member of the House at the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly on Tuesday.

Punch/Olaolu Fawole

Politics

House of Representatives Vows to Appeal Electoral Act Judgement 

By Web News 411

The House of Representatives says it will appeal the court judgement directing the Attorney General of the federation to expunge section 84 12 of the electoral act.

This followed a matter of personal explanation raised by a member from Katsina State, Alhaji Sada soli at plenary.

The lawmaker described the development as an insult to the National Assembly saddled with the responsibility of enacting laws.

Alhaji Soli stressed the need for the National Assembly to take appropriate measures to protect its integrity.

The House leader, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa who described the judgement as abrasion of the law, said no individual should be allowed to shortchange the system.

Speaker of the House, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, said he will not allow the legislature to be ridiculed under his watch. 

Mr Gbajabiamila, while resolving to report the judge to the Nigeria Judicial Council, NJC, directed that the Attorney General should stay action on the matter until the National Assembly appeals the case.

Ibrahim Shehu

Foreign

Ukraine War: Evacuation Of Nigerians Begins Wednesday

By Web News 560

Air Peace and Max Air may begin the evacuation of Nigerians from Ukraine on Wednesday, the Federal Government has announced.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, stated this on Monday during a meeting with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Onyeama said the evacuation will be done following the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari.

With Ukraine still at war with Russia and a no-fly zone effective across the country, the evacuation is expected to take place from neighbouring countries.

Earlier on Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said hundreds of Nigerians have been received in Poland, Hungary and Romania by Nigerian embassies in those countries.

Nigerians have continued to flee Ukraine after Russia invaded the East European nation last week.

Talks commenced between both parties on Monday but fighting has continued in Ukrainian cities.

Many Nigerian students in Ukraine have called for help in leaving the conflict hotspot.

The nation’s embassy in Ukraine initially asked citizens to take responsibility for their own security but have since reversed course.

On Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said 130 Nigerians have been received by the country’s embassy in Romania.

In a statement, the ministry explained that it has also provided accommodation for them while arrangements are being made to take them back home.

“Also, officials at Budapest, Hungary have received and accommodated 74 Nigerians safely, where they are being documented for subsequent travel arrangements back to Nigeria,” the statement, signed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Gabriel Aduda, read.

According to him, another batch of about 200 Nigerians is expected in Budapest later in the day. He also said 52 persons have been received in Warsaw, Poland. Of the number, 23 are being processed at the Polish Government Reception Point at Hala Kijowska.

“The camp is well organised with beds and beddings, food, heating, clothing, and medicals for evacuees,” the statement added.

“We assure Nigerians that all hands are on deck and arrangements are being put in place to effectively evacuate our citizens, in safety and dignity.”

The Federal Government’s recent move was a sequel to the Russian invasion of Ukraine about five days ago. On Sunday, the ministry said the Hungarian and Romanian governments have approved visa-free access to Nigerians coming from the Eastern European nation.

“For now, movement to the Hungarian Zahony border and Romanian Suceava, Tulcea, Satu Mare County & Maramures borders is advised, as they have approved visa-free access to all Nigerians coming from Ukraine and arrangements for accommodation and feeding before evacuation is arranged,” Aduda said.

Politics

Buhari Assents To Electoral Bill

By Web News 473

 President Muhammadu Buhari has finally signed into law, the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.

The President assented to the bill at past midday on Friday, at a brief ceremony held at the Council Chamber of the Aso Villa in Abuja.

The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, witnessed the signing of the bill.

The President received the bill from the National Assembly on the 31st of January for a second time after he returned the bill to the legislative arm.

President Buhari had told the National Assembly to remove the clause that had to do with direct primaries for political parties from the electoral act amendment bill.


Oluwakayode Banjo

Politics

Gbajabiamila, Ghana’s New Speaker Seek Improved Parliamentary Relations

By Web News 671

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, and the new Speaker of the Ghanaian Parliament, Mr Albert Bagbin, have agreed to strengthen parliamentary relations in a bid to find lasting solutions to challenges such as the trade dispute involving some Nigerian traders in Ghana.

The two speakers reached out to each other during a zoom meeting.

Speaker, House of Representative Mr Femi Gbajabiamila during a zoom meeting with the new Speaker of the Ghanian Parliament, Mr Albert Bagbin. Photo: Ibrahim Shehu

Mr Gbajabiamila told his counterpart that the two countries were like siblings and should continue to explore the avenue of parliamentary diplomacy in addressing shared challenges, adding that there was much both could learn from one another. 

The Nigerian Speaker also introduced the project he initiated with five other African Speakers, namely the Conference of Speakers of African Parliaments (CoSAP), saying that last year they worked together to advocate debt relief. 

He further stated that this year, African Speakers and Heads of Parliaments were expected to gather in Abuja to explore how they could work better together to tackle collective challenges. 

Mr Gbajabiamila updated his Ghanaian counterpart on his visit to Ghana late last year in an effort to douse tensions and extract commitments from the Ghanaian government over the trade dispute. 

“I look forward to working with you. There are a lot of issues for both our countries, that, I think through Parliamentary Diplomacy and backchannel discussions, we can resolve for the people of both countries.

“I’m sure you are aware of a couple of them, including the relationship between Ghana and Nigeria in terms of our traders and residents over there and yours over here too. I think the onus rests upon both of us to try and resolve whatever issues there are. We started on this trajectory last year with the former speaker and we made very significant inroads and headway.

Gbajabiamila said COSAP would have its inaugural meeting this year in Nigeria where hopefully they will be able to concretise on that issue and address other issues going forward for this year. 

On his part,  Bagbin said he welcomed the idea of having a better relationship with the Nigerian Parliament and that he was ready to reciprocate the Nigerian Speaker’s visit so that they would discuss issues.

He also applauded Gbajabiamila for coming up with the idea of CoSAP, which he described as a noble project.

The two Speakers agreed it was important to meet sooner rather than later and concluded with an agreement to meet in Abuja before the first half of this year.

Ibrahim Shehu

Security

Gbajabiamila Seeks Intense Military Action over Killing of Farmers

By Web News 620

Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, has condemned in the strongest terms, the killing of about 50 Rice farmers in Zabarmari, Borno State by Boko Haram insurgents.

Mr Gbajabiamila, who expressed sadness over the killings of the innocent rice farmers, said the incident had once again brought to the fore the need for more military action against the terrorists.

He said it was unfortunate that at a time the country was focusing on self-sufficiency in rice farming; about 50 of the farmers were killed in a most gruesome manner.

In a statement by his spokesman, Mr. Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker commiserated with the families of the victims, the people and government of Borno State over the sad incident.

The Speaker said the House was determined and ready to provide all necessary support, including the ongoing budgeting process to ensure that funds were allocated for the security agencies to carry out their mandate of wiping out the terrorists.

Ibrahim Shehu

Economy

2021 Budget will put Nigerians first – Gbajabiamila

By Web News 624

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila has assured that the National Assembly would give thorough and speedy consideration to the 2021 budget estimates presented by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Mr Gbajabiamila said the promise that members of the 9th Assembly made to return the country’s annual budget to the January to December cycle, which they achieved last year, remains unchanged, hence the resolve to ensure a thorough job on the budget at hand.

In his remarks during the budget presentation, the speaker also assured that members of the National Assembly would hold themselves to the highest standards of integrity in the budget process.

He said they would work with relevant government agencies to ensure that the budget meets the yearnings and aspirations of the Nigerian people.

“We have once again just experienced the beauty and majesty of our democracy – The Laying of the Budget proposals before the Legislature for consideration and approval.”

“I believe I speak on behalf of the entire National Assembly, in assuring you that this proposal will receive thorough and speedy consideration.

“We will collaborate with the Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Executive to deliver a budget that meets the needs and matches the ambitions of the Nigerian people.

Mr Gbajabiamila announced that henceforth, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies who come to defend their budget proposals, will do so without their security details present.

He thanked the president, the Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, the Budget Office, Honourable Ministers and all those who have laboured to develop the budget proposal.

Ibrahim Shehu

Lifestyle

Gbajabiamila Mourns Demise of Senator Ayo Fasanmi

By Web News 854

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Mr Femi Gbajabiamila has expressed sadness over the demise of the leader of the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Pa Ayo Fasanmi.

Pa Fasanmi, who passed away on Wednesday night, was also a former Federal legislator in the First and Second Republics.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker said though the demise of the late patriot would be felt by the nation, the progressives and his family, solace would, however, be taken in the fact that his footprints have been firmly entrenched in the sand of time. 

The Speaker noted that Pa Fasanmi’s passionate quest for democracy and good governance saw him leave pharmacy to join politics and later became the leader of the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere.

Mr Gbajabiamila said as a federal lawmaker at the national level, first as a member of the House of Representatives and later a Senator, Pa Fasanmi came across as a symbol of humility, selflessness and integrity, which have continued to inspire lawmakers across the country.

Pr/Ibrahim Shehu

Lifestyle

Kyari was dedicated, selfless – Gbajabiamila

By Web News 632

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila has described as shocking and sad the passing away of the Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari.

Mr Gbajabiamila said it was unfortunate that Abba Kyari died as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is now ravaging countries all over the world.

He said Kyari would be remembered for his selfless and dedicated service to Nigeria right from his days as a private citizen through the time he served as the Chief of Staff to the President.

In a condolence message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker said Nigeria has lost a patriot in the person of Kyari.

With Kyari’s and other Nigerians’ death as a result of COVID-19 pandemic, the country needs to do everything possible to avoid further spread of the disease, while taking care of those that tested positive so far.

PR/IBRAHIM

News Analysis

On the Purchase of Exotic Cars by the House of Representatives

By Web News 1934

Recently, the House of Representatives placed orders for the supply of four hundred units of Toyota Camry 2020 model.

At an executive closed-door session, the lawmakers rejected Nigerian brands, insisting on foreign ones, preferably imported and not locally assembled.

The four hundred saloon cars will be allocated to each of the three hundred and sixty members and some top members of management staff, chiefs of staff to the two presiding officers as well as some of their special advisers and assistants.

Before now, about fourteen Toyota Land Cruiser Prado were shared to the presiding and principal officers as well as chairmen of select House committees.

The House discovered that the national assembly had been turned into a dumping ground for smuggled and refurbished automobiles.

It is in the light of this that, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, and one hundred and ninety-two concerned Nigerians have filed a lawsuit asking the Federal High Court in Abuja to stop the speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, and all members of the House from spending an estimated five billion naira to buy cars.

SERAP is also seeking a court order to restrain and stop the National Assembly Service Commission from releasing any public funds to the House of Representatives to buy the vehicles, until an impact assessment of the spending on access to public services and goods like education, security, health and clean water, is carried out.

SERAP argued that lawmakers make up a small fraction of the country’s population and their needs should not be placed above the welfare of two hundred million Nigerians.

In the statistics of the World Poverty Clock, the number of extremely poor Nigerians has risen to over ninety-one million as at February last year.

The plan by the National Assembly to spend over five billion naira to buy vehicles for principal members of the Senate is a conflict of their personal interests with national interest of financial competence.

The nation’s lawmakers earn about thirteen point five million naira monthly which is one of the highest in the world.

For instance, in America, a senator earns one hundred and seventy-four thousand dollars and in the United Kingdom, a member of parliament earns about sixty-four thousand dollars a year.

It is unbelievable that the House of Representatives could shun indigenous auto assembly plant, in order to buy the 2020 edition of Toyota SUVs.

This is coming at a time when the government is asking Nigerians to tighten their belts by patronising made-in-Nigeria goods.

Government officials should also be seen as doing so.

It is not right for customs officials to impound imported rice, turkey and toothpicks while government officials are seen to be doing otherwise.

If the nation must be on par with developed countries of the world, the government needs to use the resources at its disposal for the development of the country.

It is therefore imperative that the idea of the National Assembly in purchasing imported cars should be discarded forthwith.

Fawzeeyah Kasheem

Transportation

Akokoland Monarchs Appeal to FG over Bad Roads

By Web News 865

Some Traditional rulers in Ondo state have appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to order immediate construction of deplorable federal roads in Akoko area of the state which have been causing nightmare for travelers to Abuja and Lagos.

The monarchs who are from Akoko Southeast and Akoko Southwest Local Government Areas of the state, made the plea while receiving the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila who visited them at Oka-Akoko.

The Royal Fathers who spoke through the Olubaka of Oka, listed some of the bad federal roads to include: Owo-Ikare Akoko Road, Akungba-Oka-Isua Road, Epinmi-Ugbe-Ikare Road, lkare-Ajowa Road, Kabba-Isua-Idoani-Ipele-Owo road and lkare-Ogbagi-Irun Akoko-Ado Ekiti Roads.

The Traditional rulers who said the Akoko people voted massively for the All Progressives Congress, APC and President Buhari in 2015 and 2019, lamented that the bad roads had crippled socioeconomic activities, aided insecurity and made travelling to Abuja and Lagos difficult.

The Speaker, Federal House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila who was accompanied by federal lawmaker representing Akoko Southwest/Southeast Federal Constituency, Mr. Ade Adeogun, said he would deliver their message to the federal government and work with relevant ministry and agency to address the poor state of roads in Akokoland.

Leke Adegbite