Politics
Insecurity: Buhari scheduled to appear before Reps next Thursday
The House of Representatives has scheduled next Thursday December 10 for President Muhammadu Buhari to appear before the lawmakers to brief them on what his administration is doing on the worsening insecurity situation in the country.
The lower chamber also gave an indication that the President could choose to come on December 15 if December is not convenient for him.
Spokesperson for the House, Ben Kalu, gave the dates on Thursday when he spoke to newsmen on the issue in Abuja.
He said although the date was not definite yet, the President might appear next Thursday (December 10) or the upcoming Tuesday (December 15).
According to him, the President is coming to meet minds with the lawmakers and proffer solutions to the insecurity challenges in the country.
The House had on Tuesday invited the president to come and discuss with the lawmakers, steps being taken by his administration to arrest the worsening insecurity.
It reached the decision after debating a motion moved on behalf of 10 other Borno State lawmakers by Hon. Satomi Ahmed.
The motion came on the heels of Saturday’s killing of over 43 rice farmers in Zabarmari village of Borno State by Boko Haram insurgents.
The lawmakers, among other things, had prayed that the president should declare a state of emergency on security matters and for the House to cause Buhari to appear before it to brief lawmakers on what his administration is doing to combat insecurity.
House Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Wednesday, led a delegation to the State House to meet the President, after which he told reporters that Buhari had agreed to honour the invitation.
He, however, declined to say when the president would appear before the lawmakers.
But Kalu, while addressing journalists, clarified that the president was never summoned by the House, but was only invited so that they could meet minds and seek better ways of tackling the insecurity in the country.
He said, “As the speaker said yesterday (Wednesday), it will be out of place since we were not summoning, when you summon, you give date and time, but this is back channel diplomacy, legislative diplomacy. We are not compelling, we are inviting, and when you invite, you rub (sic) minds to find out the availability of the person you’re inviting. That was what the leadership did yesterday (Wednesday). They engaged with Mr. President and instead of mandating him to appear on a particular day, they rubbed (sic) minds on when it will be convenient for him to appear and he accepted.
“We have an estimate of when we think it’s going to be. In every matter of urgent public importance, time is of the essence and based on that, and in the wisdom of the president, he’s not delaying but prioritising it. So, security is topmost on his agenda at the moment and that’s why in the course of next week since we just finished today, I’m sure he will be able to adjust his programmes. I know Tuesday may not be feasible because we have NEC meeting. So, we are looking at Thursday or upper Tuesday, the date is not yet definite.”
Asked why the House was still demanding the sacking of service chiefs since the president has refused to sack them, Kalu explained that the call for the sacking of the service chiefs would be one of the issues that the House would discuss with the President.
He said, “The (sacking of the) service chiefs will be one of the issues the House will discuss with the president. We are looking for solutions. It’s not about the visit of the president; it’s about solution-seeking mechanism. We are looking for strategies that will help us find solutions. The visit of the president happens to be one of them.
“What we want from him is to do a SWOT analysis of the security sector. Mr. President, what are your strengths so far, your weaknesses? We think these are your weaknesses.
“If we believe that not changing the service chiefs is a weakness, we will mention it as well. Mr. President, what are your threats? How can we help with this your threats, to covert them to opportunities? For example, declaring a state of emergency on security. We will lay everything on the table for him to see so that he will know what we think based on what they informed us at our constituents. It’s going to be a discussion.”
He explained that the House is still engaging the service chiefs because they are still serving the nation and the legislative arm can’t boycott them.
According to him, if the House refuses to engage them, it means it is doing a disservice to the nation and to the citizens.
He said the right thing was to keep engaging them and keep asking the president to explain why keeping them is the best strategy to curb the security problems in the country.
Politics
You will enjoy APC, Okpebholo assures defecting PDP lawmakers
You will enjoy APC, Okpebholo assures defecting PDP lawmakers
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has welcomed lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state’s House of Assembly.
Okpebholo assured them of a conducive environment to operate and collaborate for the state’s development.
The governor gave the assurance when he received Hon. Kaycee Osamwonyi, a member of the Edo State House of Assembly, who defected to the APC.
Osamwonyi, representing Uhunmwonde State Constituency, was received into the party by the Chairman of the APC Edo State chapter, Jarrett Tenebe.
Governor Okpebholo commended the lawmakers for joining the APC, stating that their defection has strengthened the party.
He expressed his desire to collaborate with them to drive development and improve the lives of Edo people.
“We congratulate you on returning home. Your coming is a plus for the party, as we have five of you who have joined, and you have made our party stronger.
“A lot of people from other political parties are ready to join our party, and soon there will be a carnival. I seek your help to drive development, and together, we will develop the state and make life better for our people.
READ ALSO:
- Why Obi’s 15-year-old supporter is in prison — Lawyer
- Lewandowski shines as Barcelona crush Dortmund in Champions League showdown
- Mo Salah poised to pen new Liverpool deal
“Uhunmwonde Local Government is very special to me, and together we can develop the area and open it for growth and development.
“The next election, especially the 2027 presidential election, we are ready in Edo State. We have kick-started our own campaigns for the president in 2027. We have to mobilise the youth in our state, and you are part of the youth. I promise you that you will enjoy our party, as you have chosen to join us,” he said.
The governor highlighted his administration’s developmental strides, aiming to boost the state’s economy and enhance the lives of its citizens.
He specifically mentioned Uhunmwonde Local Government, stating his commitment to its growth and development.
Okpebholo also announced the kickoff of the campaign for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, calling on the youth to join the party’s efforts.
Also speaking, Tenebe stated that the party is now in full control of the State Assembly, as it now has the majority of the members in the house.
“Hon. Osamwonyi joined the party following the developmental strides your administration has achieved in the few months you have led the state,” he said.
Osamwonyi, on his part, said his decision to join the party was a result of the disunity in his former party, the PDP, from the national to unit level, as well as the achievements of Governor Okpebholo in a very short time in office.
“The division in my party, the PDP, made me join the APC. For me, it is a homecoming, as I was once in the APC. Your developmental strides attracted me back home, as I want the best for my people.
“The several projects captured in the budget for the Uhunmwonde people are impressive. I had no choice but to join the party for the development of my people,” he said.
You will enjoy APC, Okpebholo assures defecting PDP lawmakers
Politics
Lamidi Apapa Announces Takeover as Labour Party National Chairman
Lamidi Apapa Announces Takeover as Labour Party National Chairman
Alhaji Bashiru Lamidi Apapa has declared himself the Acting National Chairman of the Labour Party, citing a recent Supreme Court ruling as justification for his takeover.
Addressing journalists at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Apapa cited the Supreme Court judgment delivered on April 4, 2025, in Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/1217/2024 and Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1271/2024, which he claims validates his position.
According to him, the apex court ruling invalidates all decisions and actions taken by Barrister Julius Abure since April 4, 2023.
“The Supreme Court lambasted the two lower courts for exceeding their jurisdiction,” Apapa said during the briefing. “They rightly noted that issues regarding the internal leadership of a political party are non-justiciable and outside the jurisdiction of the courts.”
Relying on Article 14(2)(a)(b) of the Labour Party Constitution, Apapa asserted that, as the most senior Deputy National Chairman, he is now constitutionally empowered to assume leadership in an acting capacity. Alongside his announcement, he named Alhaji Farouk Umar Ibrahim as the Acting National Secretary of the party.
READ ALSO:
- Bandits controlling 64 communities in Plateau, says Mutfwang
- Nigerian woman admires polygamy, seeks co-wife for husband
- US honours Soyinka, Okundaye at African Cultural Festival 2025 Pennsylvania
Apapa also revealed that the National Working Committee (NWC), as constituted in 2022, will convene on Monday, April 14, 2025. At the top of the agenda is a new strategic roadmap for the party, including plans to zone the National Chairmanship to the North and the Secretary position to the South.
“We are also taking proactive steps to resuscitate the moribund Board of Trustees and make it functional again. The time has come for real internal democracy and inclusion in our great party,” Apapa declared.
He disclosed that preparations are underway for fresh congresses at all levels—ward, local government, state, and national—aimed at re-establishing grassroots participation and internal legitimacy. According to him, only financial members will be eligible to vote or contest.
It should be recalled that a separate faction loyal to 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti convened a National Executive Meeting earlier today.
Lamidi Apapa Announces Takeover as Labour Party National Chairman
Politics
Obi, Datti, Otti, others attend Nenadi Usman-led NEC of LP
Obi, Datti, Otti, others attend Nenadi Usman-led NEC of LP
The Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, his running mate
Datti Baba-Ahmed and Abia State Governor Alex Otti were some of the prominent figures that attended the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Wednesday in Abuja.
The meeting was held amid ongoing controversy over the Supreme Court’s judgment on the party’s leadership crisis.
The meeting, which took place at the Transcorp Hilton, was presided over by Nenadi Usman, a former minister of finance and current chairperson of the party’s caretaker committee.
Also present were Olumide Akpata and Athan Achonu, the party’s governorship candidates for Edo State and Imo State, respectively.
It came 48 hours after Julius Abure, the factional chairman of the LP, threatened to sanction Obi and Otti for convening the meeting.
Many LP lawmakers, including senators and members of the House of Representatives, showed up at the Usman-led NEC meeting.
The LP NEC passed a vote of confidence in Obi, Baba-Ahmed, Otti, the Usman-led caretaker committee, and the Obidient movement.
Usman, in her remarks, appealed to “members of the former National Working Committee (NWC) to sheathe their swords and join in the process of rebuilding the party”.
-
metro1 day agoWhy Obi’s 15-year-old supporter is in prison — Lawyer
-
metro2 days agoNigerian woman admires polygamy, seeks co-wife for husband
-
Education24 hours agoEasiest way to pass UTME, by JAMB registrar Oloyede
-
metro1 day agoINEC names Sam Olumekun as acting chairman
-
metro3 days agoNational grid: FG officially splits TCN, inaugurates NISO
-
News3 days agoAli Baba spills what Obasanjo told him on how to become Nigeria’s President
-
Sports3 days agoChampions League: Arsenal stun Real Madrid 3-0 as Rice delivers free-kick masterclass
-
International3 days agoI don’t want wahala, I’m not cheating again – Davido
You must be logged in to post a comment Login