News
Dr. Abbas and 10th National Assembly, What to expect
BY Obute James
The 10th National Assembly and President Ahmed Bola Tinubu Administration will be significant and unique in several ways as this is the first time in the history of Nigeria that a former lawmaker will be President, Vice President, Secretary to the Federal Government, Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff.
This is also the first time in the history of Nigerian Parliament that a lawmaker who sponsored highest number of bills will emerge as the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Dr. Abbas sponsored 75 bills in the 9th National Assembly while Mr. President assented to 21 of them, the highest Private Member Bills by an individual lawmaker to be signed into law in the history of Nigerian Parliament.
Traditionally, during inauguration of the legislators, the Clerk to the National Assembly conducts
the election in the Senate where the President and Deputy President of the Senate will emerge. He will then swear-in these two presiding officers and other 107 senators before proceeding to the House of Representatives to conduct the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
However, with the recent amendment of the House of Representatives Rules which allow the Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly to conduct the election in the absence of the Clerk, the elections of the presiding officers of the two Chambers can be conducted simultaneously. This indicates that whatever is the outcome of election in the Senate will have minimal or no effect in the election in Green Chamber.
In 2015, the preferred candidates of the APC for the principal positions in the Senate and House of Representatives did not emerge during the inauguration of 9th National Assembly due to several factors including the one mentioned above.
The emergence of Abubakar Bukola Saraki from Kwara State (North Central) as Senate President paved the way for the emergence of Yakubu Dogara from Bauchi (North East) to emerge as Speaker of the House of Representatives because the then ambition of Ahmad Lawan from Yobe State (North East) had been thwarted. As a result of that, lawmakers from the North East in the House of Representatives had to withdraw from the camp of Femi Gbajabiamila and pitch tent with Dogara’s camp, having lost the opportunity to produce the Senate President.
Several things had changed since then including the approach of the ruling party’s NWC and Presidency which allow enough time for consultations before the inauguration of 10th National Assembly.
The ruling party on May 8 ahead of the Inauguration of 10th National Assembly announced the preferred candidates for the principal positions. They are Godswill Akpabio, Jibrin Barau, Tajudeen Abbas and Benjamin Kalu for Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives respectfully.
Dr. Tajudeen Abbas, a one time lecturer was first elected as a representative of Zaria Federal Constituency of Kaduna State under the platform of Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, a political party that merged with other political parties to form All Progressives Congress, APC ahead of 2015 general election.
In 2015, Tajudeen was re-elected under the platform of APC. He was also given the mandate to represent his people in 2019 and 2023 due to his landmark achievements.
Since Abbas’ emergence as a representative of Zaria Federal Constituency, there is hardly any ward in his constituency that did not feel his impact in every legislative session, (2011 to 2015; 2015 to 2019 and 2019 to 2023) in respect of constituency projects and programmes.
Though National Assembly Service Commission, takes the responsibility of paying salary and allowance of legislative aides, (about 5 to 7 aides) of each legislator, Dr. Abbas on his own has over 50 people (including less- privileged people) on his personal pay roll which he pays periodically.
This is apart from from various constituency projects like rural & urban electrification (provision and installation of transformers), provision of portable drinking water (solar powered boreholes), grant to youths and women for empowerment, provision of ICT centres and scholarship to students both within and outside the country, among others
Despite the fact that only few people are allowed to work as aides to a Member or a Senator (apart from principal officers) base on National Assembly Service Commission’s rules, the appointment of Abbas’ aides is spread across the geo-political political zones.
The immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, recently at a function at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja in an interface with Members-elect said unlike other House committee chairmen where their deputies always complained bitterly about their actions (negligence and inability to carry them along), Hon. Abbas’ Deputy on Land Transport Committee, surprised him when he came pleading that Abbas should be given support for the position of the Speaker of the House of Representatives because of his good leadership qualities.
Gbajabiamila also noted that a Member of the House of Representatives, Christian from Southern Kaduna nominated Abbas as the Caucus Leader of Kaduna Reps Members.
Abbas also recently hinted that the House of Representatives will be dynamic under his leadership if elected as the Speaker.
Tajudeen Abbas said the appointment of statutory and standing committee chairmen and their deputies will be based on merit (discipline and experience. According to him, the number of deputy committee chairmen will be increased and they will be relevant in the committee activities.
Dr Abbas journey’s to the office of the Speaker, seems to become easy due to the withdrawal of major contenders from race. Courtesy of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima as well as Abbas’ consultation with relevant stakeholders.
Abbas in display of his humility did not only meet with leadership and chieftains of the governing APC but also met with leadership and chieftains of the opposition parties, these include former presidents, governors, lawmakers, traditional rulers, clergymen among others.
Though Dr Abbas is expected to unfold his agenda either before the inauguration or after if he emerges as the Speaker, the legislative business in the House of Representatives will never remain the same.
Obute James is a Journalist and Public Affairs Analyst.
HaAN OPEN LETTER TO ALHAJI ATIKU ABUBAKAR: THE CASE OF GOING TO EQUITY WITHOUT CLEAN HANDS
My attention as a Public Affairs Commentator and Citizen of Wukari in Taraba State has been invited to various invectives of unprecedented dimension directed at His Excellency, Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON by my brother, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar ostensibly to give oxygen to resurrect his endless political odyssey and sordid presidential ambition. I am weighing into this public narrative to interrogate various disruptions triggered by some notable politicians like Atiku Abubakar in our national life.
It is hardly possible to build anything out of frustration and bitterness. This is sadly the predicament of a one-time Vice President, Atiku Abubakar who is on course to being enlisted in the Guinness Book of Records, as the only person globally, who has unsuccessfully contested for President for six times spanning 33 years.
These bitterness and frustration have beclouded his reasoning. Atiku Abubakar, who is shamefully a dominant mention in every page of the corruption history in Nigeria, an insipid and serial sodomist, could have rather used the Ramadan period to seek for the atonement of his many mortal and monumental sins from the Almighty Allah, but his engagement in chicanery and unbridled umbrage in the most malicious and defamatory manner is the sad characterization of a man reputed for low family values and child abuse.
The series of pernicious lies peddled by Atiku deserve response in this era of positive and innovative Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which has invited collective actions for the growth and prosperity of Nigeria. Atiku Abubakar’s putrid and repulsive corrupt practices have made Nigerians to reject him for a record six times. A master of failure indeed!
It is an established fact that Atiku Abubakar is the most corrupt Nigerian, having been associated with every high-profile corruption allegation in the country across the private and public sectors. In 1996, the then Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha seized control of the NICOTES shares belonging to him and renamed it Integrated Logistics Services Inc.
In 2006, Atiku was indicted by the EFCC and the Federal Government Administrative Panel of Inquiry after a Special Audit /Forensic Investigation of PTDF from 1999 to May 31, 2006.
Internationally, he is known as a super conman. Atiku’s association with American Congressman William Jefferson, who was jailed for 13 years in 2009 over bribery and other charges is well known to millions of Nigerians.
For those who don’t know, Atiku was the subject of a probe about 15 years ago by the United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs chaired by Senator Carl Levin. He was indicted for using offshore companies to siphon about 40 million dollars from Nigeria between 2000 and 2008 to his fourth wife in the United States, Jennifer Iwenjiora Douglas Abubakar (now divorced).
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, whom Atiku served for 8 years as Vice President, in his book ’MY WATCH’, in the chapter, titled “Atiku and US Justice Entanglement”, gave a vivid account of “corrupt involvement” of Atiku with a company called iGATE and William Jefferson. Obasanjo equally linked Atiku to the embezzlement of $20 million, funds that were to be utilized by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), and another $125 million to fund PTDF during 2003 fiscal year.
The immediate past governor of Kaduna state, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has also spoken eloquently about Atiku’s corrupt adventure. In his book, ’The Accidental Public Servant’, El-Rufai gave a detailed account of Atiku’s corrupt involvement in Ericsson’s deals, the PTDF scandal, Abuja Water Treatment Plant contract and his obsession with marabouts – these marabouts that have been deceiving him since 1991 that he will be president.
A serial women abuser, Atiku has divorced two of his wives since 1971 (Ladi and Jennifer). In the case of Jennifer, even after the divorce, he threatened and bullied her out of Nigeria. Jennifer had to sell her law chambers in Nigeria and relocated to the UK.
He has been after the woman in an attempt to dispossess her of her assets and properties.
A certified child abuser, Atiku’s exploits with hapless boys and young men are well known. No wonder, in his eight years as vice president and many years as wealthy man (though filthy), Atiku could not boast of a school that could cater for the educational needs of the less privileged, especially boys (Almajiri’s), but now runs the exotic ABTI University and a host of other businesses that are out of the reach of the common man.
In the contrary, unlike Atiku Abubakar, Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON has for over two decades, conducted himself with integrity and transparency. His accomplishments in Akwa Ibom State, in particular, and Nigeria in general, are symbolized in the countless legacies of infrastructure, human capacity development and tourists’ hub.
Just yesterday (Tuesday), the Super Eagles of Nigeria hosted The Warriors of Zimbabwe in a World Cup qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo. The stadium, which is the only FIFA approved facility in Nigeria, was built by Akpabio as governor of the state. What did Atiku do for Adamawa state and Nigeria?
The Zimbabwean delegation also flew Ibom Air and landed at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo- all legacies of the Uncommon Transformer. But where are Atiku’s legacies for the people? He can only lay claim to a chain of businesses, which are products of pillaging and corrupt investments.
In all of these, it is crystal clear that Akpabio’s unflinching support for President Tinubu, who blocked Atiku’s emergence as the presidential candidate of the APC in 2015 and frustrated his return bid in 2019 and yet floored him in the 2023 general elections is the reason for Atiku’s hostile charge against the Senate President.
But using Akpabio as a ladder to get to the president cannot do Atiku any good. Both Tinubu and Akpabio are united by the resolve to rejig and reset the nation and give Nigerians dividends of democracy, which Atiku as vice president worked tirelessly to undermine for personal aggrandizement.
It is also axiomatic that Atiku has started preparation for the 2027 general elections. As for Akpabio and Tinubu, they are preoccupied with state and governance issues and would not swim with the former vice president in his quest to distract the duo from delivering good governance to Nigerians. When 2027 comes, Nigerians will, for the umpteenth time give, Atiku a black eye and vote the best candidate.
DANJUMA ISAIAH writes from
Wukari in Taraba State
The Honourable Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubaka mini visited the Executive Governor of Katsina State, Mallam Umar Dikko Umaru Radda, at the Government House in Katsina to express condolences following the passing of his beloved mother, Hajiya Safara’u Umar Bare-Bari Radda.
During the visit, Minister Abubakar, on behalf of himself, his family, the Minister of State for Defence H.E. Dr. Bello Matawalle MON and the entire staff of the Ministry of Defence, conveyed heartfelt condolences to Governor Radda, his family, and the people of Katsina State during this difficult time.
In his remarks, he prayed for Almighty Allah to forgive the deceased, grant her mercy, and bestow upon her a place in Jannatul Firdaus. He also offered prayers for the Governor and his family, asking for strength and fortitude to bear this profound loss.
The Minister was accompanied by Hon. Idris Garba Jahun, former Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, along with Hon. Abubakar Sadiq Jallo and Hon. Mas’ud A. Naruwa, members of the Katsina State House of Assembly representing Hadejia and Babura, respectively.
All political office holders who were appointed by the embattled governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara have been suspended from office by the Sole Administrator of the State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas.
They were suspended from office with immediate effect, according to a statement by the Chief of Staff to the Sole Administrator, saying the decision followed powers granted the Sole Administrator by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff to Fubara were among those suspended from office.
Commissioners, chairpersons and members of boards, agencies, commissions, and parastatals, as well as all Special Advisers, Special Assistants, and Senior Special Assistants were all relieved of their appointments.
“This suspension takes effect from Wednesday, March 26, 2025. The affected officers are to hand over to the permanent secretaries in their MDAs.
“Where there may be no permanent secretary, they are to hand over to the most senior director/head of administration,” the statement read.
Ibas was sworn in as Sole Administrator on Wednesday, March 19, by President Bola Tinubu after the President declared a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The President also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
Ibas, who is a former Chief of Naval Staff, vowed to maintain law and order in the state.
“If the main issue is that of maintaining law and order in the state, I think for any meaningful activities to take place in Rivers State, that is the utmost task that I have,” he said to State House correspondents after the swearing-in.
He also promised to work together with other stakeholders to ensure that order is restored in the state.
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