Politics

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

Published

11 months ago

June 13, 2023

Editor

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.
VANGUARD

Politics

Rivers Crisis: Clark Asks PDP, APC Chairmen To Caution Wike

Published

5 hours ago

May 20, 2024

Editor

Elder statesman and national leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum, Chief Edwin Clark, has asked the acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Umar Damagum, and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdulahi Ganduje, to dissociate themselves from the alleged attempt by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to bring down the government of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

Clark made the call in a letter dated May 20, 2024 and addressed to both party chairmen.

The letter was made available to The PUNCH on Monday

According to him, the letter was in the interest of peace and stability in the country, adding that the support given to Wike by both men resulted in the attempt to topple the Fubara-led administration.

“I am therefore appealing to you, in the interest of peace and stability in Nigeria to disassociate yourselves from plan by Wike for no just cause to bring down the government of his successor, Governor Fubara.

“I strongly advise both of you to retrace your steps and take charge of your political parties in Rivers State and not leave it for Wike who is neither PDP nor APC.

“The support given to Nyesom Wike by both party’s chairmen has made him courageous enough to intimidate and anger the Rivers State Governor and government and this is seen as an act to overthrow the duly elected Governor, which is criminal”, the letter read.

He faulted the Chairman of the APC for relating with the Caretaker Committee in the state, whom he alleged Wike appointed under the former Chief of Staff to ex-Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Chief Tony Okocha, after the legitimate Chairman, Emeka Beke, was suspended.

“One may be tempted to ask the National Chairman of the APC why he chose to deal with a caretaker committee of APC which the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, had earlier presented the committee to him in the APC secretariat in Abuja, before constituting it as a caretaker committee.

“But curiously, you now deal with a caretaker committee instead of the elected Chairman. I hope you are aware of the court action filed against you and APC by the elected Chairman of APC in Rivers State, Emeka Beke. The old APC members by law are the APC leaders because they were never removed before the illegal caretaker committee was imposed on Rivers State, who are loyalists to Wike.”

The Ijaw leader similarly questioned the PDP Chairman’s knowledge of the FCT Minister’s anti-party activities, by seeking court injunctions against certain party chieftains, to prevent them from attending the National Executive Council meeting of April 18, 2024.

“Ambassador Damagum cannot honestly claim to be unaware of the grave anti-party activities being executed by Wike when he (Wike) secretly took court injunction against founding and senior members of PDP and senior officials from Rivers State like the former National Chairman of PDP Prince Uche Secondus, His Excellency Celestine Omehia, former Governor of Rivers State, Austin Okpara who was Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives in Abuja, Dr Abiye Sekibo, former Minister of Transportation, Sen Lee Maeba, etc to prevent them from attending the PDP NEC meeting of 18th April 2024.”

Clark therefore asked the party chairmen to caution Wike and to withdraw from what he described as the “madness of politics” of Rivers State while alleging that both men were equally involved in the crisis.

“As a patriotic old statesman, I strongly believe that I should address this letter to you to call to order FCT Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike because he is dancing naked in the open market in the politics of madness in Rivers State with one leg each in the two parties.

“I know both of you are fully aware of and involved in the political crisis in Rivers State, which is caused by Wike, who is controlling the two parties in Rivers State, particularly the PDP. I strongly advise both of you to withdraw from the madness of politics of Rivers State to avoid the dangerous crisis facing Rivers State, one of the most important states producing the resources used to sustain the economy of this country,” he added.

Politics

Edo Guber: Obaseki Inaugurates PDP Gov’ship Campaign C’ttee For Oredo, Boasts ‘We Play Politics Of Evidence, Achievement’

Published

7 hours ago

May 20, 2024

Editor

…targets 40,000 new votes

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has boasted that his government plays politics of evidence amd achievement, not lies or propaganda.

The Governor boasted at the inauguration of over 200 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Committee for Oredo Local Government Area (LGA) for the September 21 2024 Governorship Election in the state.

The governor, while inaugurating the Campaign Committee at the Party’s Secretariat along Airport Road in Benin City on Monday, noted that his administration’s performance over the last seven and a half years will guarantee the party’s victory in the forthcoming guber poll.

He described Oredo as the barometer of politics in the State, noting that the party was presenting the best and most qualified candidate with the know-how to sustain the State’s growth trajectory.

He said, “We are changing the politics in Oredo to ensure the voters’ turnout is high as against the low turnout recorded before. Our pensioners will not vote for people that will eat their money.

“Our campaign is based on what we have done and achieved in the last seven and half years. We have done well in terms of infrastructure, schools, health, sports, and other areas.

“We have the best candidate in this election and will support him as he is not new. He knows what to do to continue from where we will stop. We all must participate in this election as it’s for the future of our youths.”

Obaseki continued: “The Committee that we are inaugurating today is to manage the election, and we must focus on the units. In the last election, INEC created new units and people can’t find their new units. We should help people find their new units.

“Help and make sure all those young people that don’t have PVCs register and get their own. This election is for the youth and our future. It’s to show the young people and assure them that hope is not lost as we have brought the right candidates in this election to support what we have done and to ensure it continues.

“We have a 30-year development plan that will guide Edo State and Asue Ighodalo knows what to do. He is an experienced manager of men and materials. He will not go through what I went through.”

The governor added, “I have laid the foundation and he will build on it. I worked to build the foundation and system and we have achieved that today. I will not leave you but will give you all the support you need to succeed in your assignment.

“I am here to launch the campaign team and support you. We will give you all the list of roads we have done and our achievements. We know we will win but are concerned about the landslide victory in this election. I formally inaugurate the Oredo Campaign Committee for the forthcoming governorship election scheduled for the 21st of September, 2024.”

The Director General (DG) of Oredo Federal Constituency, Raymond Enogieru said politics is all about results, noting that “this is not a time to experiment.”

A party leader in the Council area, Edose Ebonwonyi said Oredo is special in the political landscape of the State, adding, “We will not make excuses but deliver our candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo in the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State.”

Politics

Edo Guber: Ex-Speaker Rejoins APC With Over 2000 Followers

Published

1 day ago

May 20, 2024

Editor

A Former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Francis Okiye, rejoined the All Progressives Congress.

The former Speaker had resigned his membership of the People Democratic Party on May 10, assuring that he would announce his next political move in the coming days.

Speaking at a rally in Edo Central, he said that about 2500 people moved to APC in Esan West, Esan Central, Esan North East, Esan South East and Igueben.

He said, “About 2500 people from Labour, PDP joined the APC on Sunday. Prior to today (Sunday), we had met, discussed and asked Governor Godwin Obaseki led PDP government to address the issue of alienation, disillusionment and high handedness and despotic tendencies.

“Nothing has been done to address the issue, so we the “aborigine” PDP, have just given the Obaseki led PDP a red card.

When asked how his return to APC will help the party, he said, “My movement to APC will help the party and I will be simple with my analysis.

“In a democracy, votes matter. So my exit from PDP is a minus to the party whether anybody likes to interpret other wise. If they are Democrats, they will know that at least they have lost my vote not to talk of many others that moved with me to APC.

“With what happened today, they have lost a minimum of 500 votes and these 500 people also have people they can convince to work for APC.

“We will begin the house to house campaign soon and let people know why they must leave PDP and join in the APC. They musy vote a candidate that is humane and not business people who are in the state to make profit,” he added.