Politics

Buhari shelves plan to address NASS on security

Published

4 years ago

December 9, 2020

Reps step down motion to admit President
Lawmakers can’t summon him – Malami

Indication emerged on Wednesday that President Muhammadu Buhari has shelved his plan to address the joint sitting of the National Assembly on Thursday on the security situation in the country.

This came as the conventional legislative practice, ‘Admittance into the Chamber’ motion, slated on the Order Paper, which should have been sponsored by Hon Garba Alhassan Ado to suspend relevant House rules, was not entertained by the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila.

The motion provides that “that the House, pursuant to Order 19, Rule 8 (1) and (2) of the Standing Orders, do admit into the Chambers, the ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the service chiefs and other dignitaries for the purpose of receiving an address by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the security situation in the country.”

Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, on Wednesday said that the National Assembly lacked the constitutional power to summon President Buhari over security matters.

The President’s change of mind, it was learnt, might not be unconnected with an alleged plot by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus to embarrass him.

The resolution for Buhari not to attend the forum was reportedly reached at a meeting held on Tuesday night which lasted into the midnight at the Conference Room 028 New Building of the House of Representatives.

Some of the governors seen at the meeting are Aminu Masari of Katsina State and Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, as well as the former FCT Minister of State, Senator James Udoedehe.

One of the principal officers in the House of Representatives, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the decision was to avoid any form of embarrassment from the members of the opposition party, PDP.

Malami, in a statement, argued that the issue of security is confidential and how the president handles it should not be for public exposure.

“The confidentiality of strategies employed by the President as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is not open for public exposure in view of security implications in probable undermining of the war against terror”, he said.

He argued that Buhari had recorded tremendous success in containing the hitherto incessant bombings, colossal killings, wanton destruction of lives and property that bedeviled the country before attaining the helm of affairs of the country in 2015.

According to him national security is not about publicity and the nation’s security architecture cannot be exposed for the sake of getting publicity.

While stating that the President enjoys Constitutional privileges attached to the Office of the President including exclusivity and confidentiality investiture in security operational matters, which remains sacrosanct, he added that the National Assembly had no Constitutional Power to envisage or contemplate a situation where the President would be summoned by the National Assembly on operational use of the Armed Forces.

“The right of the President to engage the National Assembly and appear before it is inherently discretionary in the President and not at the behest of the National Assembly,” the statement added.

But immediate past Chairman, House Committee on Ethics and Privileges, Hon Uzoma Nkem-Abonta, said there was no justification for the President’s decision to turn down the invitation to brief Nigerians on the state of security.

“It was the House of Representatives of Nigeria that invited the President of Nigeria. It was not a summon; it was an invitation to bring us up to speed on the security matter in Nigeria, now that security is now topical and almost urgent.

“If he thinks to look at it legally, he may say you cannot summon because you can’t discipline. But one thing to look at is the security importance. He’s the commander in chief of all armed forces and the invitation is to tell us if there is any trouble in the security architecture so that we will know exactly what is the issue is.”

He also spoke on the reported role played by the governors to prevail on the President from honouring the House invitation.

He said, “We heard that the governors prevailed on him not to come, and it is very easy to understand why the governors said so because if he honours the invitation, the state assemblies will ask the governors to come, which is the proper thing. But because the relationship is master-servant; most parliaments in Nigeria run master-servant relationship; in that context, how can a servant order his master to come to render account?

“And if you are a governor, you owe the governed the duty to explain.”

Related Topics:Buhari Featured Malami NASS

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Politics

Kaduna LP rejects Nenadi Usman as Party’s national chair

Published

12 hours ago

September 7, 2024

Trends Admin

Kaduna LP rejects Nenadi Usman as Party’s national chair

The Labour Party, LP, in Kaduna State, has expressed its opposition to the appointment of a former Minister of Finance, Nenadi Usman as the party’s National Caretaker chairman.

Recall that the Usman-led National Caretaker Committee was inaugurated at a stakeholders’ meeting at Umuahia, Abia State, some days ago.

The party’s National Working Committee led by Barrister Julius Abure had rejected the outcome and resolution reached at the stakeholders meeting, saying Abia governor, Alex Otti, lacked the power to convene such meeting.

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Reacting to the development, Kaduna State LP chairman, Auwal Tafoki, in a statement, described the emergence of Usman, an indigene of the state, as illegal and unconstitutional.

Politics

APC rally turns chaotic in Edo, residents stone Oshiomhole, other party leaders

Published

1 day ago

September 6, 2024

Trends Admin

APC rally turns chaotic in Edo, residents stone Oshiomhole, other party leaders

A campaign rally organized by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ososo, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State descended into chaos on Thursday.

The rally, intended to drum up support for the APC’s candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo in the upcoming Edo governorship election, was met with fierce resistance from residents.

A viral video, widely shared on social media, shows footage of a large crowd of Ososo residents hurling stones and other objects at APC leaders, including former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, House of Representatives member Ohio Akpatason, former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Kabiru Adjoto, and Honourable Anslem Agbabi.

The rally, meant to be a platform for political engagement, quickly deteriorated into a scene of pandemonium.

Eyewitnesses described how the crowd’s initial chants of disapproval rapidly escalated into violence, with stones striking the APC leaders and their entourage.

“It was shocking to see how quickly things went from bad to worse,” said one resident, who witnessed the events unfold.

“The people of Ososo were clear in their rejection of the APC. When the stones started flying, it was clear that the rally was no longer under control,” he added.

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Meanwhile, reports indicate that APC thugs retaliated by shooting a resident. The victim, whose identity has not yet been disclosed, was reportedly rushed to a nearby hospital.

The exact circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear, but eyewitnesses confirmed the incident.

Osagie, another witness, said: “The atmosphere was already tense, but when the shooting happened, chaos erupted. People were running, screaming, and trying to get away from the violence. It was a terrifying experience.”

Following the outbreak of violence, former Governor Adams Oshiomhole and other APC leaders were swiftly escorted away from the scene by security personnel.

The APC has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident, but sources suggest that the party is deeply concerned about the escalation.

A close associate of Oshiomhole commented, “The situation was regrettable, and we are currently reviewing what happened. We are committed to ensuring that the incident is thoroughly investigated and that such violence is addressed appropriately.”

The violent turn of the rally has sparked widespread condemnation, with social media users and political commentators calling for accountability.

Osaze Samuel, coordinator of the pro-democracy group Movement For Democracy, criticized the APC’s approach to campaign rallies.

His words: “The use of violence to suppress dissent and manipulate political outcomes is unacceptable.

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“We demand that those responsible for the violence, including the shooting of an innocent resident, be held accountable.”

Residents have also voiced their frustration, accusing the APC of attempting to force its way into communities despite growing opposition.

“We have made our stance clear. We do not want them here, and we won’t be intimidated by violence,” said a local activist who spoke anonymously.

On its part, the Edo State Police Command has confirmed that it is investigating the incident.

A spokesperson for the command stated, “We are taking this matter very seriously. An investigation is underway to determine the full extent of what happened and to bring those responsible to justice.”

As tensions remain high in Ososo and across Edo State, there are growing concerns that similar incidents could occur as the governorship election approaches.

The election, scheduled for September 21, 2024, features Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Okpebholo of the APC, and Barr. Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party as the major candidates.

In light of the recent violence, various civil society groups and political analysts are calling for peaceful campaigning and respectful engagement.

“Our political process must not be marred by violence,” said a representative from the Edo Election Monitoring Group.

“It is imperative that all parties conduct their campaigns in a manner that respects the democratic rights of the people and ensures a free and fair election,” she added.

APC rally turns chaotic in Edo, residents stone Oshiomhole, other party leaders

Politics

Those trying to lure Peter Obi away from LP wasting their time – Senator Umeh

Published

2 days ago

September 5, 2024

Trends Admin

Peter Obi

Those trying to lure Peter Obi away from LP wasting their time – Senator Umeh

The senator representing Anambra Central, Victor Umeh has said those trying to get the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi, to leave the party in 2027, are on a wild goose chase.

He disclosed that Obi was a formidable force in the 2023 polls because of the platform the Labour Party provided for him, stressing that it would not be wise for him jump ship.

Umeh spoke at an extended stakeholders’ meeting of the Labour Party in Umuahia on Thursday,

His statement came amid speculations that Obi is being pressure to return to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, where he might be given the ticket to contest against the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, with the full backing of PDP forces.

However, Senator Umeh said Obi would rather build and further strengthen the LP ahead of 2027 than dump it.

He said, “Wooing Peter Obi out of the Labour Party will not be the right thing because LP gave him the limelight with which Nigerian people embraced him in the last election.

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“So, whatever is happening is for him to build on the party and continue to make efforts to advance his interest. Those who are calling on him to abandon the Labour Party may be on a wild goose chase.”

The LP chieftain and former national Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, commended Obi and Governor Alex Otti of Abia State for their bold steps towards repositioning Labour Party by convening the Umuahia stakeholders meeting which made far-reaching decisions in the interest of the party.

He said the party cannot have questionable characters who are not recognised by INEC managing its affairs.

“We are happy that issues affecting the party have been addressed. No organization would like to operate with a leadership that is a suspect or not recognized.

“We were concerned about how our last National Working Committee, NWC, was not recognized by INEC, and that was why we came to correct things. It was obvious that its tenure had elapsed, so, it will be foolhardy for us to continue with them because you cannot build on a faculty foundation.

“So, we thank Peter Obi and Governor Alex Otti for what they have done. Their courage to convene the stakeholders’ meeting has saved our great party,” he added.