Politics

10th House: How Abbas, Kalu Emerged As Reps’ Speaker, Deputy

Published

2 years ago

June 13, 2023

The 10th House Representatives came underway yesterday with the election of the Hon. Tajudeen Abass and Hon. Benjamin Kalu as the speaker and deputy speaker respectively.

It was three horse race which adopted an open ballot system where the members mentioned the names of their choice candidates for the offices.

While Abbas polled a total number of 353 to beat his rivals in the persons of the immediate past deputy speaker of the 9th House, Hon. Idris Wase and a former chairman of the House Committee on National Intelligence, Aminu Jaji who scored 3 votes each, Kalu was elected unopposed.

In his inaugural speech, Abbas dedicated his victory to his colleagues, saying it was all about a united House.

Acknowledging that the speakership position was keenly fought, the Speaker however said his administration would be just, fair and guided by the constitution of the land.

He pledged not to discriminate against any member or political party.

He said: “This victory is not just about me; it is about all of us coming together as a united House to serve the Nigerian people diligently. It is about honouring the trust that has been placed in us and working tirelessly to deliver on our promises of good governance and effective representation.

“It is worthy to note that the speakership campaign witnessed in the past few months was democracy at play. But today, all of that has come to pass, and it is time to forge ahead and work together for our people for our common good.

“I do not take this mandate bestowed on me as the Nigerian Speaker for granted. I want to assure you today that I shall be just and fair to every one of you irrespective of our perceived differences. I shall operate a House that you all will be proud of. I shall be guided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the House Rules. Our doors will be open for members of APC, PDP, Labour Party, NNPP, APGA, SDP, ADC and YPP as we strongly believe nation-building is a Joint Task.”

10th House to surpass gains of 9th parliamentary

Abbas also said that his administration will sustain and even surpass the gains recorded by the 9th House of Representatives.

“My dear colleagues, those of us that were privileged to serve in the just concluded 9th House of Representatives will attest to the fact that appreciable successes had been recorded under my predecessor, Rt. Hon. Femi Hakeem Gbajabiamila, CFR, who from tomorrow, will assume office as the Chief of Staff to the President/Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria. I will like to congratulate him for finishing his tenure as Speaker successfully and for his new national assignment. The former Speaker remains a great Nigerian whose service to the fatherland in the past 20 years as a legislator is unmatched. I commend him for his sacrifices for Nigeria and his support for the new 10th House of Representatives.

“Honourable Colleagues, under my watch, the 10th House shall sustain and even surpass the gains of the 9th House. That is my prayer. We shall carry out the task before us jointly. We shall introduce reforms and innovations for the benefit of Nigerians. In a few weeks, we shall be reeling out the legislative agenda that will shape the 10th House of Representatives”, he said.

We shall work in harmony with the executive, judiciary

The Speaker also said that the House will work in harmony with the executive and the judicial arms of government for the good of the country.

He also pledged robust cooperation with his deputy to deliver on their mandate even as he invited members to key into their vision of providing purposeful leadership.

“We shall work closely and inter-dependently with the Executive and Judiciary to give Nigerians the good governance they deserve. We stand at a crucial juncture in our nation’s history, where challenges abound, but so do opportunities. We will champion legislations that will uplift the lives of our fellow citizens, promote social justice, and drive sustainable development.

“We will focus on strengthening our security apparatus, collaborating with relevant stakeholders to combat insurgency, terrorism, and all forms of criminalities. We aim to help create a safe and secure environment that fosters economic growth and social stability.

“Through legislation, the 10th House will promote entrepreneurship and support small and medium-scale enterprises. We shall diversify our economy and provide sustainable employment opportunities for our youth. We are aware of the challenges in our education, healthcare, and infrastructure sectors amongst others.

“We will work in harmony with the executive arm while upholding principles of checks and balances. Our collaboration will be anchored on the principles of transparency, accountability, and respect for the rule of law.

“Honourable Colleagues, may I remind all of us that we hold our respective offices in trust for the Nigerian people. We must, therefore, justify the confidence reposed in us by our constituents to represent their interests and work committedly for our dear nation.

“Working closely with my deputy, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, we shall provide purposeful leadership in the 10th House of Representatives.

“My dear colleagues, I invite you all to be on board for the next four years as we embark on this Nigerian Project to renew the hope of our people”, Abbas said.

How Abbas, Kalu emerged

Earlier, the deputy clerk to the national assembly, Kamaru Ogunlana kicked off the electoral process before his principal, Magaji Tambuwal emerged from the Senate at the end of a similar exercise to complete it.

It will be recalled that Abbas and Kalu were the preferred choices of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the offices.

But their unveiling on May 8 triggered fierce opposition from a number of their colleagues such as Wase, Jaji, Doguwa, Hon. Aliyu Betara, Hon. Miriam Onuoha, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi amongst others who later formed a Group of 7(G7), vowing to run against his nomination.

But at the twilight of the inauguration of the 10th assembly, Betara, Gagdi heeded the voice of wisdom and joined Doguwa who had long stepped down for the joint ticket.

But Wase and Jaji were adamant and vowed to run to the end.

At the inauguration, the majority leader of the 9th House, Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa from Kano State nominated Abass for the speakership position.

“I rise to present to my colleagues a humble man, a reliable man you can depend on and have your eyes closed, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abass”, he said.

The nomination was seconded by Hon. Nnolim Nnaji representing Nkanu East/Nkanu West.

Abbas was to later accept his nomination.

At this point, Ogunlana asked if there were “further nominations “.

A shout of “no, no” erupted from the chamber.

It however suddenly simmered down when Hon. Tijani Kayode, representing Offa federal constituency of Kwara State nominated Wase.

The nomination was also seconded by Mohammed Abdulmumuni, representing the Nasarawa/Toto federal constituency of Nasarawa State.

Accepting his nomination, Wase said: “My respected colleagues, Members-Elect, I stand to first of all appreciate God Almighty for the journey so far in my life. We are very few, 360 among the over 200 million Nigerians to represent them and act on their behalf. Colleagues, I want to thank you and appreciate it. I want to say that I believe democracy should strive. Democracy should strive. I believe in equity, fairness and justice. I believe that Nigeria must move forward. I believe that we don’t need to truncate and tie our hands down. It is in light of this that I pray that God Almighty continue from what our founding fathers have who have sacrificed their lives for democracy. My heart bleeds as I see what is going on in the country. Colleagues, we all fought and continue to fight for democracy. I hereby submit myself to be the voice of the voiceless to be the true representative of the Nigerian populace, to be a co-partner in the Nigerian development project. I hereby accept the nomination”.

Yet again, a third nomination for Jaji ensued from Hon. Ahmed Yusuf Doro who represents Katsina Bindawa/Mani federal constituency of Katsina State.

It was seconded by Hon. Mohammed Aliyu Ibrahim from the Malumfashi/Kafur federal constituency of Katsina State.

Accepting his nomination, Jaji said “Today is a day of history, a day that all of us reckoned with democracy. This nomination comes to me as a source of concern and I feel excited that today on the 13 of June, I’m one of those who stand to protect and defend democracy. It’s like yesterday that we concluded the general election where all the political parties participated despite the fragile unity that we have in the country and by the grace of God we were able to overcome it. So this election will not be different from the other one. We stand to believe power is from God. Is only God that will give power to whoever he wishes and if given the opportunity we will do the needful. Dear Honourable Colleagues, I rise to accept the nomination by my Honourable colleagues wholeheartedly”.

The speech signaled the end of the nominations just voting commenced immediately.

At the end of the exercise, the clerk, Tambuwal announced that Abbas polled a total of 353 while Wase and Jaji got 3 votes each.

“Members-elect, Abbas, having scored the highest number of votes cast is hereby declared the winner and returned as speaker of the House”, Tambuwal said.

The declaration prompted a spontaneous jubilation in the chamber.

The emergence of Kalu as Deputy Speaker

The emergence of Kalu as the deputy speaker of the House followed a call by the clerk.

On that note, Hon. Babajimi Benson representing Ikorodo Federal constituency of Lagos State nominated Kalu for the office of the deputy speaker.

He said “I rise today in the spirit of inclusion, marginalization, correcting the marginalization to nominate a man who has 45 bills in the House, a legal luminary, publicity chairman, spokesmen per excellence, a man of justice, character, a good conscience, a man who at 29 became an LGA chairman, 32 became a commissioner in Abia State. He’s prepared to compliment to the good effort of our speaker of the 10th assembly, I rise to nominate Benjamin Okezie Kalu as the deputy speaker of the 10th House of Representatives”.

Upon his nomination, the shout of “Kalu, Kalu” filled the air.

The nomination was seconded by Kadijat Buka Abba Ibrahim representing Damaturu/Guiba/Gulani/Tarmuna federal constituency of Yobe State.

Accepting his nomination, Kalu said: “My name is Benjamin Okezie Kalu representing Nigerians, starting from Bende federal constituency of Abia State.I rise to accept the nomination ably presented by Hon. Babajimi Benson and ably seconded by Hon. Kadijat”.

At this juncture, the clerk asked “Are there other nominations”?

Shouts of “no-no” resonated, making the clerk declare and return Kalu elected unopposed.

How Wase, Jaji got 3 votes each

Wase and Jaji’s votes came from the two of their colleagues that nominated and seconded them. The others were their personal votes.

359 members take oath

Meanwhile, a total of 359 members took their oath of office. It will be recalled that the House has the membership of 360 but only 359 will be participating in the elections due to the death of a member-elect from Taraba State, Isma’ila Maihanchi.

He was elected to represent Jalingo, Yerro, and Zing Federal Constituency but died shortly after the February 25 general elections.

Gbajabiamila hands over to Abbas

Meanwhile, the immediate past speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila on the sidelines of the inauguration formally handed over to Abbas.

Performing the ritual, Gbajabiamila said: “On behalf of the members of the ninth assembly and I believe the 10th assembly, I congratulate you on your election as the speaker of the 10th assembly. I wish you well. It is not an easy feat. But from what I know, you’ll do a good job. We are your members. On behalf of them, I hand over handover notes as the speaker of the 9th assembly. This will be a guide to you and I hope you continue from where I left”.

Dignitaries

Amongst the dignitaries that graced the event were some former speakers and the deputy speakers of the House which included Hon. Yakubu Dogara, Alhaji Ghali Umar Nabba, Hon. Patricia Etteh, Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, Hon Babangida Nguruje amongst former clerks of the House.
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Politics

JUST IN: Rivers Administrator Ibas Bows Out, Hands Over To Governor Fubara

Published

1 hour ago

September 18, 2025

Editor

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), on Thursday, formally handed over power to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, marking the end of six months of emergency rule in the state.

In his farewell address at Government House, Port Harcourt, Ibas declared that his assignment, which began in March when President Bola Tinubu appointed him to stabilise the state amid political turmoil, had “restored law and order” and delivered what he described as “milestones of progress.”

He listed some of the achievements under his tenure to include the conduct of local government elections, the reconstitution of statutory boards, and the passage of the State’s 2025 budget by the National Assembly.

Reflecting on his stewardship, Ibas stressed the need for restraint and dialogue in the exercise of power.

“One of the enduring lessons of this season is that the exercise of power without restraint can cripple institutions, and rivalry without dialogue clearly endangers democracy,” he said.

Handing the reins of leadership back to Governor Fubara, he urged Rivers people to give the governor their full support.

“Now, as I hand back the reigns of leadership to His Excellency Governor Siminalayi Fubara, I do so with confidence and respect. I call all Rivers people to support him wholeheartedly because leadership and followership is a shared responsibility,” Ibas stated.

The retired naval chief, who previously served as Chief of Naval Staff and Nigeria’s ambassador to Ghana, described his service in Rivers State as “another chapter in a life devoted to service at sea, in diplomacy, and now in governance.”

In an emotional close, Ibas prayed for unity and stability in the state, “My dear people, may this state never again be brought to the brink of collapse. May we always choose unity over division, dialogue over discord, and progress over paralysis. The Garden City must never lose its fragrance. May God bless us all. May God bless Rivers State, and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Recall that President Tinubu had in March declared a state of emergency in Rivers following an escalating political crisis, suspending Governor Fubara, his deputy, and the State House of Assembly while dissolving political structures. Ibas was appointed sole administrator to restore order.

On Wednesday, however, Tinubu lifted the emergency rule, paving the way for the return of democratic governance and the reinstatement of Governor Fubara and other elected officials.

Politics

Anambra Govt Insists Ekwunife Retracts Defamatory Statements Against Soludo, Wife

Published

15 hours ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

The Anambra State Government has insisted that Senator Uche Ekwunife’s contrite apology must follow a personal and direct retraction of her defamatory statements against Governor Chukwuma Soludo and his wife, Nonye.

Senior Special Assistant to Governor Soludo on New Media, Ejimofor Opara, in a statement on Wednesday said Senator Ekwunife’s purported apology is another fabrication fit for the waste bin.

“Our attention has been drawn to a press statement purporting to emanate from an entity described as the “Ekwunife Campaign Organization” and captioned “EKWUNIFE CAMPAIGN ORGANIZATION DISOWNS AND CONDEMNS MALICIOUS ARTICLE ASSOCIATED WITH HER”. This purported apology from a seemingly fictitious organization raises more questions than answers,” Opara said.

“Worse still, the statement was signed by an unknown person who was not the source of Madam Ekwunife’s slur remarks against the Governor and his wife.

“The publication, authored by one Tony Ezike, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, presents several issues: The publication purporting to be an apology for the defamatory statements made against the Governor and his wife personally by Senator Ekwunife, does not appear to have emanated from the Senator herself, given that her defamatory statements were made directly via recorded video and leaked audio conversation.”

Opara said it is a known fact that there is no campaign organization known as the Ekwunife Campaign Organization since Senator Ekwunife’s ticket is a joint one with the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said this suggests that the statement did not truly emanate from Senator Ekwunife and therefore cannot be credited to her, adding that at best, it may be a ploy to prevaricate the fundamental issues posed by the First Lady in her personally signed statement.

Opara added that wherein Soludo’s wife challenged Senator Ekwunife to two key issues, first of which, is that she, as a converted Catholic, agrees to swear to an oath before the blessed sacrament that she has not known any other man since her marriage to Chief Larry Ekwunife, and she (Dr. Nonye Soludo) would also do same.

The second is for her to accept an all expense paid DNA test of her four children, three of whom were allegedly fathered by men other than her husband. In like manner, Mrs Soludo would present her six children for same test.

Opara argued that the defamatory publications were directly made by Senator Ekwunife through audio recordings and statements, stressing that any apology or retraction should logically come from the same source to carry significance.

He added that sadly, the so-called apology never referenced Ekwunife’s initial video and audio but chose to focus on an unsigned article.

Opara further said: “The purported apology referencing an unknown article with unknown authors, only points to one thing, and that is her complicity directly or indirectly as the source of the article—which contains only one of the many accusations she made against the Governor’s wife—it implies that no genuine apology was intended or tendered.

“The publication is not considered an apology or retraction by Senator Ekwunife and is believed not to emanate from her. If she intended to apologize, she should present it in a manner that leaves no doubt about its source or reliability.

“More importantly, slander or libel directly made by an individual cannot be vicariously dismissed by any agent or person other than the individual who made them.

“We consider the purported apology as another unsubstantiated social media gossip/fabrication that is neither verifiable nor credible. It leaves ample room for plausible deniability.

“We will proceed as if this piece of propaganda never happened, while maintaining the position that a proper and direct retraction of all fabrications against the Governor and his wife by Senator Ekwunife is necessary.”

Opara added that such a retraction should be made through a medium that leaves no doubt about its authenticity.

Therefore, he said that a contrite apology must follow a personal and direct retraction of Ekwunife’s defamatory statements.

Politics

Why Ibadan Shouldn’t Produce Next Oyo Gov — Group

Published

18 hours ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

A group of eminent indigenes across 22 local government areas outside Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, under the aegis of Oyo G22 Renewed, has lamented what it described as decades of marginalisation in the governance of the state.

The group, in an open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and the national and state chairmen of the All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, and African Democratic Congress, decried what it called a “historic and intolerable imbalance and insensitivity being perpetrated in Oyo State as far as the governorship slot is concerned.”

Among those who signed the letter were Prof. Wande Abimbola, Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu, Prof. Sulaiman Gbadegesin, Dr. Adesokan Ojebode, Prof. Nurain Tanimowo, Mr. Dokun Alagbe, Dr Akin Onigbinde and retired General Kunle Togun.

Since 1983, the group pointed out, Ibadan had produced Omololu Olunloyo, Kolapo Ishola, Lamidi Adesina, Rashidi Ladoja, Abiola Ajimobi, and the incumbent Makinde as governors.

They therefore called on all political parties in the state to ensure that their 2027 governorship candidates emerge from the non-Ibadan zones of Ogbomoso, Oyo, Ibarapa, and Oke-Ogun.

They noted that the only non-Ibadan indigene to emerge governor was the late Adebayo Alao-Akala from Ogbomoso, who governed between May 2007 and May 2011.

The letter read, “A cursory look at the pattern of governorship candidates and elections in other South-West states has revealed that, contrary to the winner-takes-all situation in Oyo State, no particular zone has been dominating the political landscape of their respective states.

“All told, the voting pattern in Oyo State has consistently shown that only 30 per cent of the voting population in Ibadan are Ibadan indigenes. The implication of this is that the remaining 70 per cent belong to the other zones of the state as well as non-indigenes of Oyo State.”

They urged Ibadan indigenes to abandon what they termed an uncompromising posture and, in the interest of “justice, peaceful co-existence, equity, and fairness,” ensure that candidates from the 22 LGAs outside Ibadan produce the next governor.

“We, on behalf of the 22 local government areas outside Ibadan in the state, are determined to make the following changes: that all political parties in the state should support this peaceful and legitimate demand of the remaining four zones in the state by ensuring that their respective parties nominate governorship candidates from among the 22 local government areas for the 2027 general election.

“That you prevail on your political platform to make this a reality and a realisable objective in the interest of all.

“While we are not oblivious of the fact that you belong to different political platforms, apart from our current interest in rotating the governorship seat in Oyo State, as a neutral body, we wish every platform success in the forthcoming general election in 2027.

“However, we would be earnestly delighted to give our unflinching support to those who support this, our only aspiration.

“In thanking you for giving thoughts to this, our humble consideration, we are confident that your intervention, as the leaders of your various platforms, would soften the hearts of our Ibadan co-compatriots on this vexed issue,” the letter read.

Citing examples from neighbouring states, the group further argued that governors of Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti States were typically not indigenes of the state capitals, unlike in Oyo, where Ibadan has largely dominated the governorship.

“For instance, since the creation of Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti States, apart from rotating the governorship slot, no indigene of the state capitals—Akure, Osogbo, and Ado-Ekiti—has been elected governor of these three states. The citizens of the state capital have always ensured that the governor comes from outside the state capital. In Ogun State, the slot oscillates between the Egbas and the Ijebus.

“Even at the federal level, if the North had weaponised its famed voting population, no Southerner would have emerged as president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This is where the seeming uncompromising posture of Ibadan becomes an issue,” the letter read.