Politics
Buhari shelves plan to address NASS on security
- 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.”
Politics
Nine political parties merge with APC ahead of Edo gov election
Nine political parties merge with APC ahead of Edo gov election
Ahead of the highly anticipated 2024 governorship election in Edo State, nine political parties have announced their merger with the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The decision, revealed by Chief Sam Arase, Chairman of the Edo State chapter of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), marks a significant political shift in the state.
The political parties involved in this coalition include the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Action Democratic Party (ADP), All Peoples Party (APP), Accord (A), Young Progressive Party (YPP), Action Alliance (AA), and the National Rescue Movement (NRM).
Chief Arase, speaking on behalf of the Assembly of Registered Political Parties in Edo, highlighted their collective endorsement of APC’s candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
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“We believe Senator Monday Okpebholo is the best choice for Edo State,” Arase said, adding that they are confident of his victory in the forthcoming election.
The coalition also called for a peaceful and violence-free election, urging the people of Edo State to vote in large numbers for the APC candidate.
The merger of these parties strengthens Okpebholo’s chances as the state heads to the polls on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
This unification under the APC banner is seen as a strategic move to consolidate political strength and ensure a competitive edge for the party in the governorship race.
Nine political parties merge with APC ahead of Edo gov election
Politics
BREAKING: PDP BoT, national assembly caucus hold closed-door meeting amid party crisis
BREAKING: PDP BoT, national assembly caucus hold closed-door meeting amid party crisis
The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continues to address internal turmoil as members of its Board of Trustees (BoT) meet with the party’s National Assembly caucus behind closed doors.
The meeting, which took place at the PDP office, Legacy House in Abuja, comes amid growing concerns over the state of the party since the lead-up to the 2023 elections.
The PDP has been embroiled in internal conflicts, with several party stakeholders voicing frustration over the failure of Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, to introduce significant reforms.
Tensions escalated further after the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, openly criticized Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara, and the PDP Governors Forum concerning the party’s leadership structure.
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According to reports, the PDP BoT, led by Chairman Adolphus Nwabara and Secretary Senator Ahmed Makarfi, had earlier held a private meeting with Wike in Abuja on Tuesday.
The following day, the BoT also met with Bauchi State Governor and Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Bala Mohammed, in an effort to resolve the party’s ongoing challenges.
The current meeting is seen as an attempt by the BoT to gauge the perspective of the PDP National Assembly caucus regarding the party’s issues.
In attendance are key figures such as Senate Deputy Minority Leader Lere Oyewumi, House of Representatives Minority Whip Hon. Ali Isa JC, and Hon. Pastor Ojema Ojotu.
The outcome of these discussions remains uncertain, but it is expected that the BoT will propose recommendations aimed at steering the party back on course.
BREAKING: PDP BoT, national assembly caucus hold closed-door meeting amid party crisis
Politics
Edo poll: Set back for PDP as ex-deputy speaker dumps party
Edo poll: Set back for PDP as ex-deputy speaker dumps party
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has suffered a significant setback following the exit of Omon Ezomon, a three-time member and former Deputy Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly.
Ezomon, who represented Owan West Constituency from 1999 to 2007, announced his decision to leave the party ahead of the crucial September 21 governorship election, which Governor Godwin Obaseki has termed a “do or die” affair.
Ezomon attributed his departure to the deepening internal crisis within the PDP. According to him, the unresolved conflicts and infighting have weakened the party’s position, particularly in his area of influence.
His exit is expected to further diminish the party’s control in the Owan West constituency, where the Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt. Hon Blessing Agbebaku, claims leadership.
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In a letter dated September 16, 2024, addressed to the PDP Chairman of Ward 5, Avbiosi, Iuleha, Owan West LGA, Ezomon explained that after “considerable reflection” and consultations, he could no longer tolerate the alienation he faced within the party.
Despite his long-standing service as a foundation member and a two-term representative, he lamented that the party’s leadership had sidelined him from important decision-making processes at the ward, local government, and state levels.
Ezomon expressed deep frustration over what he called the rise of “neophytes” controlling the local party machinery, undermining his political legacy, which included serving as Deputy Speaker during his tenure.
He highlighted the disunity and lack of leadership within the PDP, warning that it could severely impact the party’s chances in the upcoming governorship election.
“For my own peace of mind and mental health, I have made the painful decision to leave,” Ezomon stated, while also acknowledging the opportunities the PDP had provided him and wishing the party well.
His departure has sent shockwaves across Edo’s political landscape. Although his next political move remains uncertain, there are speculations that Ezomon may align with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
His exit from the PDP underscores the internal struggles that may shape the party’s future in the state.
Edo poll: Set back for PDP as ex-deputy speaker dumps party
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