Legislature
10th NASS: NNPP Senator-Elect talks tough, cautions Tinubu against imposition of Leaders
***Urges President to learn from Yaradua
***Declares, Yari will be President of the 10th Senate
Senator-elect representing Kano South on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Sumaila Kawu, has cautioned President Bola Tinubu, against imposition of leaders of the 10th National Assembly as it is dangerous for Democracy.
Kawu who is a former Presidential Liason Officer to the National Assembly, said it will be counter productive for the President to interfer with the selection process of presiding officers of the federal parliament.
Kawu, who addressed journalists in Abuja on Monday, went back memory lane to justify reasons Tinubu should steer clear of the selection process and allow members to elect their leaders according to the nation’s constitution.
He urged the President to recognise the roles and responsibilities of the three arms of government in achieving an overall national interest.
He said, “The constitution is explicit about how the President and Deputy President of the Senate shall be elected. For instance, Chapter 2 of the 9th Standing Orders of the Senate 2022 (as amended) stipulates the procedures for selection of Presiding Officers of the Senate.
“Similarly, Section 50(1)a of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended) states that, there shall be a President and Deputy President of the Senate, who shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves.
“Section 50(1)b stipulates that, “A Speaker and a Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves.
“It is therefore clear that, the election of these Presiding Officers is purely an internal affair that concerns only members of the National Assembly and therefore, they should be allowed to decide who among them would occupy the positions in order to avoid repetition of the past mistakes – we may all recall the incidences of the 7th and 8th National Assembly.
“In my view, external interference in the election of the next Presiding Officers of the National Assembly would not only violate the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and Standing Orders of both the Senate and House of Representatives, but would also cause a serious misunderstandings between the Legislative and Executive Arms of government.
“Available information reveals that some desperate politicians are planning to use undemocratic means to impose Lawmakers-elect of their choice to become Presiding Officers against the wishes of the majority.
“This move is undemocratic, unacceptable and dangerous to our democracy as well as the nation as a whole.”
“I want use this opportunity to draw the attention of Mr. President to this unfortunate and undemocratic move by some elements to temper with the laid down procedures.
“Similarly, I want to also call on other Stakeholders, Civil Society Organisations and International Communities to stand firm in ensuring democratic consolidation in Nigeria.”
He said the 10th National assembly is entirely different from previous Assembly because the margin between the ruling Party and the minority parties in the senate is 52% to 48%.
“The Minority has 50 while the ruling party has 59. When you go to the House the minority parties are 183 and majority 177.
“What I am saying is that if you have a clear majority you can do your zoning select your candidate without consultation but in a situation like this where you don’t have the clear majority and there are so many interest in Nigeria now.
“Some are there to ask for physical Federation, some are there to promote true federalism, some are there to ask for State police and so many other agitations.
“The best way is to allow the members of the National Assembly to decide who will be their speaker or the Oresident of the Senate then at the end the President as a politician he will invite the leadership and work with them
“Let him learn from President Yaradua, this is what President Yaradua did and he succeeded. “We stayed with Yaradua for three years, I was in the leadership of the House of Representatives. We constantly met with him on some issues but there was no time he interfered.
“The issue of Etteh in the House was one of the serious issues but Yaradua said no let the House of Reps do their work.”
He also reminded President Tinubu that the Senate made up of people who were former governors, who were his colleagues.
“We have over 20 years experience in this business. Do you think you will dictate to us on what to do. I have the specific agenda of Kano South people vis a vis Kano State. Do you want me to just discard the interest of my people and follow somebody in Abuja?
“Let us meet on the 13th of June 2023 in the chamber, we will tell Nigerians who we are. By God’s grace on 13th june the new Sl President of the 10th Senate is Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari from Zamfara”
Senator Isah Jibrin ( APC Kogi East), has rejoiced with Nigerians on the occasion of 63rd Independence anniversary of the country.
In a statement he personally signed in Abuja on Saturday, the senator urged Nigerians to remain steadfast in their believe in building a strong, united and prosperous country.
“Let us be driven forward by our zeal to strengthen our diversity, culture and beliefs as we remain one nation bound in freedom.
“To my dear constituents, I want to assure you that I will continue to be your voice in the Senate, fighting for your rights and interests with integrity and dedication.
“May this Independence day anniversary bring further positive turnaround, unimaginable fortune, unity of purpose, and breakthrough for Nigeria and Nigerians.
“Once again, I felicitate with all the good people of Kogi East, Kogi State, Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, and wish you all the merits of democracy”.
***boosting industrialization, creating jobs
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has indicated that China’s diplomatic and trade relationships with Nigeria, as well as the cultural exchanges between them have fostered a deep understanding and appreciation of each other’s heritage.
He said that the ties between both countries has fast tracked the industrial development of Nigeria with projects such as the Abuja-Kaduna Railway and the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Project standing as a testament to the enduring collaboration.
Kalu spoke while delivering his goodwill message at the China’s 74th National Day celebrations in Abuja on Thursday.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary ( CPS), Mr. Levinus Nwabughiogu quoted the Deputy Speaker to have further remarked that Chinese products have become a staple in Nigerian households also stressed that Nigeria’s agricultural exports to China has continued to grow.
Kalu added that the symbiotic relationship has created jobs, boosted local industries, and increased the welfare of the people, adding that currently, Nigeria is China’s second largest trading partner in Africa.
He said: “The decades-long relationship between our two great nations, Nigeria and China has been mutually beneficial, particularly in recent times.
“The rich tapestry of our partnership has woven threads of cooperation in various sectors, from infrastructure development to trade, technology exchange, and cultural engagement. China’s significant investments in Nigeria have contributed immensely to the growth and development of our nation, fostering economic prosperity and stability.
“China has been a steadfast partner in Nigeria’s infrastructural development,
with projects such as the Abuja-Kaduna Railway and the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Project standing as a testament to our enduring collaboration. These initiatives have not only improved connectivity within Nigeria but have also laid the foundation for sustainable economic growth.
“In the realm of commerce, our bilateral trade has flourished, opening up
new opportunities for both nations.”
The Deputy Speaker also urged the government of the People’s Republic of China to join Nigeria in her efforts to identify and resolve the tendencies that encourage xenophobic attacks at the world stage.
“I look forward to both countries taking increasing steps to engender people to people diplomacy in order to troubleshoot matters that encourage xenophobic tendencies”.
Legislature
Join Nigeria in fight against xenophobia at world stage, deputy Speaker, Kalu tells China
***Commends diplomatic, trade relationship between both countries
The government of the People’s Republic of China should join Nigeria in her efforts to identify and resolve tendencies that encourage xenophobic attacks at the world stage, the deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Okezie Kalu has charged.
Kalu also applauded the diplomatic and trade relationships between both countries, acknowledging that the cultural exchanges have fostered a deep understanding and appreciation of each other’s heritage.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary ( CPS), Mr. Levinus Nwabughiogu qoted Kalu to have made the submissions while delivering his goodwill message at the China’s 74th National Day celebrations in Abuja on Thursday.
He said that the ties between the two nations has fast tracked the industrial development of Nigeria with projects such as the Abuja-Kaduna Railway and the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Project standing as a testament to the enduring collaboration.
Kalu who indicated that Chinese products have become a staple in Nigerian households also stressed that Nigeria’s agricultural exports to China has continued to grow.
According to him, the symbiotic relationship has created jobs, boosted local industries, and increased the welfare of the people, adding that currently, Nigeria is China’s second largest trading partner in Africa.
He said: “The decades-long relationship between our two great nations, Nigeria and China has been mutually beneficial, particularly in recent times.
“The rich tapestry of our partnership has woven threads of cooperation in various sectors, from infrastructure development to trade, technology exchange, and cultural engagement. China’s significant investments in Nigeria have contributed immensely to the growth and development of our nation, fostering economic prosperity and stability.
“China has been a steadfast partner in Nigeria’s infrastructural development,
with projects such as the Abuja-Kaduna Railway and the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Project standing as a testament to our enduring collaboration. These initiatives have not only improved connectivity within Nigeria but have also laid the foundation for sustainable economic growth.
“In the realm of commerce, our bilateral trade has flourished, opening up
new opportunities for both nations.
“I look forward to both countries taking increasing steps to engender
people to people diplomacy in order to troubleshoot matters that encourage
xenophobic tendencies”.
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