Connect with us

News

Motion to immortalize ex-INEC boss, Humphrey Nwosu shut down amid fireworks in Senate

Published

on

255 Views

The Nigerian Senate Wednesday shut down a motion to immortalize the late Prof. Humphrey Nwosu.

Nwosu, as Chairman of the National Electoral Commission, presided over the June 12 1993 election that was annulled by former military dictator, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.

The motion which was raised by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe representing Abia South, was declined during a plenary presided by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau.

Abaribe rose under Order 41 and 51 which border on personal explanation to draw the attention of the chamber to the need to immortalize the late INEC boss.

The development was contrary to the provision in the Senate Standing Order as the Senate leader, Michael Bamidele Opeyemi contended that the order raised by Abaribe was inappropriate and the plenary had gone beyond the privilege Abaribe would have enjoyed to make senators consider it.

Earlier, the Deputy Senate President declared the point of order as controversial and expressed skepticism of its approval before allowing Abaribe to speak to the order.

Reacting to the Senate Leader’s submission, Senator representing Kebbi North, Yahaya Abubakar Abdullahi insisted that Abaribe should be allowed to speak on the matter despite not getting the order correct.

Abaribe at this point insisted on consideration of his order, while he read a relevant provision of the Standing Order, saying: “In all cases not provided for in the standing order or by the sectional or other orders of practice of the Senate, the Senate shall by resolution, regulate its procedure so even if the Senate leader says that it doesn’t follow by the fact that a Senator wants to make a personal explanation you must give that Senator a chance to make that personal explanation.

“We are not under a dictatorship, Mr President. That is why I’m using Order 1(b) though this is at your discretion.”

Reacting, Barau said: “We are all experienced legislators here. Those who are grounded in our rules and I refer you to Order 42 once again. Order 42, by the indulgence of the Senate and the leave of the President of the Senate, the senator will make a personal explanation as though there is no question before the Senate, but no controversial matter may be brought forward nor may debate arise from the explanation.

“When we came this morning let me be frank, I’m a frank person. When we came this morning you approached me in respect of your desire to bring forward this motion under Order 41 and 51.

You never told me you were bringing it under Order 42 and when it came under Order 41 and 51, it was defeated.

“Now you change your mind to bring it under Order 42. We know we respect you very well. That wasn’t discussed. When the Senate Leader came in, I called him and I said Senator Abaribe is bringing a motion under Order 41 and 51.

And we agreed, normally I have to consult with the leadership, and we agreed that it was going to go forward.

“But, leader, did I tell you that he’s going to bring a motion under Order 42? So you didn’t approach me, you didn’t tell me, and I just want to be transparent and plain.

You didn’t tell me. If you had told me, there’s no way I would have stopped you. If you have told us that you are going to bring this motion under Order 42, we will”

Abaribe insisted that the motion to immortalize late Nwosu wasn’t a controversial one as posited by the Deputy Senate President.

He said: “Mr President, I don’t know what is controversial in immortalizing Humphrey Nwosu on June 12th. What is controversial there? What is our problem? What is controversial? It’s not controversial. Mr. President, just one more time, I will refer to our rules.

”Abaribe’s motion was overruled and he was told to bring it up through a motion on another legislative day.

News

Governor Radda , Deputy Survive Road Accidents

The accidents resulted in four deaths and left ten others with varying degrees of injuries.

Published

on

By

18 Views

•Governor Dikko Radda

The convoys of Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda , and his Deputy, Faruk Lawal Jobe, were yesterday involved in a separate road accidents.

The accidents resulted in four deaths and left ten others with varying degrees of injuries.

A statement issued by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary confirmed that the Governor’s convoy recorded two incidents in Matazu and Charanchi Local Government Areas while returning to Katsina after a tour of several communities.

The accident in which the Deputy Governor’s convoy were involved occured accident along the Zaria–Kaduna highway, where six people including Buhari Ahmad of Katsina State Radio sustained injuries.

The statement adds that Governor Dikko Radda has condoled with the families of the deceased and assured citizens that his administration will continue to strengthen support systems that protect lives and ensure timely response during emergencies.

Continue Reading

News

PDP Slams Tinubu’s Ambassadorial List as ‘Scandalous,’ Demands Withdrawal

Published

on

28 Views

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly condemned President Bola Tinubu’s recently submitted list of ambassadorial nominees, describing it as “scandalous” and a direct reflection of the administration’s values.

In a press release signed by National Publicity Secretary Comrade Ini Ememobong, the PDP criticized the inclusion of “disgraced propagandists, characterless politicians, and public officials” with “integrity deficits” and histories of “anti-democratic activities.”

The party called the nominations a “sad commentary” on Nigeria’s diplomatic representation, arguing they undermine the country’s global standing.

The PDP expressed particular outrage over the nomination of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the immediate-past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The party accused Yakubu’s tenure of being marred by “double-speaks, flip-flops, and undelivered promises,” which they claim facilitated the current administration’s rise. Offering him an ambassadorial post now, the PDP alleged, is a “skewed reward system” intended to incentivize the new INEC Chairman to deliver “flawed elections” in 2027.

“A nominee is a clear and direct reflection of the values and estimation of the nominator,” the statement read, asserting that the list—submitted nearly three years into Tinubu’s term—reveals a “paucity of excellent people” within the President’s circle.

The opposition party warned that appointing ambassadors with “tainted political profiles” would lead to a “diplomatic all-time low,” as a nation’s international respect hinges on the integrity of its representatives.

The PDP demanded that President Tinubu immediately withdraw the list and renominate candidates with “stellar democratic credentials and high moral standing” capable of commanding global respect.

The controversy erupts as the National Assembly prepares to screen the 32 additional nominees announced earlier this week, intensifying political tensions ahead of the 2027 elections. The Presidency has yet to respond to the PDP’s allegations.

Continue Reading

News

Jonathan Updates Tinubu on Guinea-Bissau Developments

Published

on

25 Views

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan met with President Bola Tinubu on Thursday to discuss the ongoing political standoff in Guinea-Bissau, shortly after his return to Abuja.

The briefing comes amid heightened tensions in the West African nation, where political instability has persisted following recent disputes over government formation and parliamentary sessions.

Jonathan, who has been actively involved in regional mediation efforts, provided Tinubu with a detailed update on the situation.

Speaking at the State House, moments ago , Jonathan who had been in Guinea Bissau as part of a joint observer mission for the African Union, ECOWAS and the West African Elders Forum reiterates that what happened there was neither a traditional military coup nor a palace coup.

He describes it instead as “a ceremonial coup”, carried out as a kind of ceremony led by the head of state himself.

He is urging ECOWAS leaders to engage directly with the military authorities in the country , secure the release of the detained opposition candidate, whom he says committed no offence and ensure the official results are announced.

Continue Reading

Trending