Politics

10th NASS Leadership Crisis: N-Central Govs Kick Against Zoning, To Meet Tinubu, NWC

Published

2 years ago

May 16, 2023

Editor

The 10th National Assembly leadership crisis on zoning rocking the the All Progressives Congress, APC, has deepened as the North-Central Governors’ Forum, and National Assembly members kicked against exclusion of the zone from the sharing of principal officers of the legislature.

They, however, resolved to meet with the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the party’s National Working Committee, NWC to express their grievances.

Also, aggrieved speakership aspirants vowed to take their battle to the plenary, today and some of the aspirants have commenced fresh moves to undermine one another.

In the Senate, core loyalists of President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Vanguard gathered, have initiated moves to thwart the action of a Senate adhoc committee to probe Senator Godswill Akpabio, who has been endorsed by the APC NWC, and Tinubu as the next Senate President.

The outgoing Senate President, Ahmad Lawan had last week instituted a probe against Akpabio over allegedly questionable unapproved expenditure in the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, while Akpabio supervised the interventionist agency.

Those present at the meeting include Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State, Governor Abdulrahaman Abdulrazak of Kwara State, Governor Abdullahi Sule of

Nassarawa State, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, the Governor-elect of Benue State, Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia; Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Idris Wase; Senator Mohammed Musa and Mr Yusuf Gagdi.

Speaking after its meeting held at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa Abuja, chairman and Governor of Niger State, Abubakar Bello, said: “The meeting reviewed the proposed zoning structure released, and promised to reach out to the President-elect, Bola Tinubu and APC National Working Committee to appeal for re-consideration of the zoning of the Presiding offices of the National Assembly as released by the NWC.

“The meeting discussed the zoning as released and raised reservation with the allocation of the positions of the Deputy Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives of the 10th National Assembly to a particular geopolitical zone of the country.

“That the meeting resolved and agreed to fully utilize all necessary dialogue and consultations to resolving the NASS leadership issue, they all agreed to reach out to all major stakeholders for an amicable and acceptable zoning framework that will be all inclusive.”

Aggrieved aspirants opt to battle zoning at plenary

Vanguard gathered that today’s plenary session might be stormy owing to the preparedness of most members of the House of Representatives to probe the mystery behind the amendment of the House Standing Rules in respect of the election into leadership position, especially the speaker and deputy.

Yari ignores APC’s zoning template

Meanwhile, one of the Senate presidency aspirants and Senator- elect for Zamfara West, Abdulaziz Yari, yesterday, said he is in the race in line with the constitution of the country and not the zoning arrangement by any political party.

Fielding questions from journalists at the International Conference Centre, ICC, Abuja at the ongoing Induction Programme for Members- elect organised by the National Assembly and National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, NILDS, Yari noted that his aspiration was not an affront.

His words: “My aspiration for Presidency of the 10th Senate is covered by relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution, which to me, is superior to any other law or arrangement. I am a loyal party man, nobody has told me that any position has been zoned to anywhere as far as the 10th National Assembly is concerned.

“The position of President of the Senate is first among equals among the 109 Senators Any Senator-elect, who wants to occupy the position must seek for support of others which I am doing.”

Masari, Radda, Aliero endorse Abass for Reps’ speaker

Ahead of the inauguration, Mr Tajudeen Abbas, has been endorsed by the outgoing and incoming governors of Katsina State, Mr Aminu Masari and Dr Dikko Radda respectively.

Abass is the APC and Tinubu’s choice for the speakership

The endorsements came when Abbas led a delegation of members-elect from the Joint Task – 10th Assembly, a coalition of members from the eight political parties that won seats in the 10th Assembly, on separate visits on Masari and Radda.

In a statement the Abbas’ campaign office in Abuja, explained that both Masari and Radda emphasized party supremacy, saying the political party under whose platform a legislator got elected should be respected at all times.

Speaking during the visit, Masari, a former speaker of the House, said: “You said I’m a party man; you’re right. So, I’ll align myself with what the party says. Once the party takes a position, I’ll make sure that I stand with the decision and make it succeed.”

On his part, Dr Radda said: “I am a party man and I believe we should work with what the party said. I called all our members-elect and told them to work with whatever the party decided. This is our project. This visit is just a formality.

“We in the North-West thank the party and the president-elect for ceding the position of Speaker to us. We have done a lot for the party, so we may ask for more. I am happy to see the kind of people with you. This is a pan-Nigerian project.”

In the same vein, a former governor of Kebbi State, Adamu Aliero also backed Abbas.

Aliero said: “When I learned that Tajudeen Abbas was visiting me, I said this is the moment I was waiting for. I had eminent Nigerians waiting for me, but I decided to wait for you.

“I know very well that APC has taken a stand on zoning. I want to congratulate you for getting the APC endorsement. All we’re waiting for is the inauguration day. God willing, you’ll be there. I must commend you on your bi-partisan approach. The best advice anyone can give you is to be fair and just to all the people that give you their support.

I’m best for Speaker — Jaji

Another contender for the position of Speaker, Mr Aminu Jaji, said some aspirants have no reason to become the Speaker of the House.

Jaji, in a chat with journalists, reiterated that his executive and legislative experience and exposure in the National Assembly among other qualities, stood him out among those aspiring for the Speakership of the 10th Assembly.

His words: “I have the exposure to pilot the affairs of the House of Representatives. Being a presiding officer goes beyond just lawmaking, there are so many things involved. At times when crisis erupts between the executives the only people that can get it right and fix it is the National Assembly because they are representing 360 constituencies. I have all these in abundance and even more.

“I think I’m the best candidate for Speaker of the House of Representatives for many reasons. For some people, if not by right they don’t have any reason to say they want to become the Speaker because they lack the necessary qualification to be the presiding officer. I have the exposure to pilot the affairs of the House of Representatives. Being a presiding officer goes beyond just lawmaking, there are so many things involved. At times when crisis erupts between the executives the only people that can get it right and fix it is the National Assembly because they are representing 360 constituencies.”

Party supremacy should be upheld — Kalu

On his part, the Deputy Speakership candidate, Mr Benjamin Kalu, yesterday, said that the call to jettison party supremacy for other political interests was illogical.

Kalu spoke while playing host to Coalition of Abia Stakeholders, under the aegis of Advocacy for Good Governance Initiative, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Campaign Secretariat of the Joint Task – 10th Assembly Coalition in Abuja.

He said: “I’m a man who believes that the party’s supremacy should not be jettisoned for our political interest. The party provided the vehicle for us to get to where we are, and their decision should be binding on us. That’s the only way we are going to make our party stronger, that’s the only way we are going to make people respect our party. Because our victories came through them.

“So the tripartite arrangements established by this current government is going to be sustained by the incoming administration where the party will sit with the Executive and the Legislature to come up with policy directions that will help our nation grow.”

Speaking earlier, the Convener of the Coalition, Mr Dike Uche told the Deputy Speakership candidate that they were at the Joint Task Secretariat to pledge their support.
VANGUARD

Politics

Why I Visited Tinubu —Gov Fubara

Published

23 minutes ago

September 23, 2025

Editor

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has revealed that he met President Bola Tinubu to officially inform him of his return after his suspension was lifted.

The governor, who was recently reinstated after six months of emergency rule in the state, was at the State House on Monday evening.

Addressing journalists shortly after the closed-door meeting, Fubara said he had a father-and-son discussion with the president on the way forward.

According to him, he sought Tinubu’s advice on certain matters to prevent another round of crisis in the state.

He said, “You are aware that the suspension was lifted midnight, 17th and I resumed on the 19th. I’m here to tell Mr President that I’m back and have also resumed my responsibility as Governor of Rivers State.

“It was a father and son discussion, telling him thank you and the areas he should guide me properly, so we don’t have a crisis again.”

Politics

Why I Refused To Challenge Emergency Rule – Fubara

Published

3 days ago

September 20, 2025

Editor

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has explained why he resisted the pressure from his supporters to challenge the emergency rule declared in the state by President Bola Tinubu, saying his decision was guided by a desire to secure peace, stability, and progress for the people.

Fubara stated this on Friday during a statewide broadcast after his return to the state following the expiration of the emergency rule.

The governor and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and the Chief of Staff, Rivers State Government House, Edison Ehie, arrived at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, two days after President Bola Tinubu lifted the state of emergency imposed on the state and ordered his reinstatement.

Their aircraft with number 5N-BTX touched down at 12:15 pm and they were received to a heroic welcome.

On the ground to receive Governor Fubara were several of his supporters, including a former Commissioner for Information and Communications, Emma Okah; former Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh; former Nigerian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Orji Ngofa; former Commissioner for Environment, Sydney Gbara; and former factional Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo.

Others present were former Commissioner for Youths, Chisom Gbali; former Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Evans Bipi; former President of NUPENG, Igwe Achese; former Commissioner for Education, Dr. Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja; as well as former council chairmen of Port Harcourt City, Ezebunwo Ichemati, among others.

President Tinubu, on Wednesday, announced an end to the emergency rule, which ended the six-month tenure of ex-naval chief, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), as Rivers State sole administrator.

Rivers State has faced one of Nigeria’s fiercest political crises, pitting Fubara against his predecessor and FCT minister, Nyesom Wike.

Once allies, their fallout over control of state structures and resources split the House of Assembly, sparking impeachment moves, protests, and violence, including the burning of the Assembly complex.

President Tinubu intervened with a peace deal, which failed to calm frayed nerves, before the declaration of emergency rule.

In a statement on the cessation of the emergency rule on Wednesday, made available by the Presidency, the President said, “The Governor, His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, the Deputy Governor, Her Excellency Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the speaker, Martins Amaewhule, will resume work in their offices from September 18, 2025.

“It, therefore, gives me great pleasure to declare that the emergency in Rivers State of Nigeria shall end with effect from midnight today (Wednesday).”

Fubara was expected to resume on Thursday as many of his supporters thronged the gate of the Government House along Azikiwe Street, Port Harcourt, as early as 6am on Thursday, but the governor failed to resume.

On Thursday, at its first plenary after six months, the state House of Assembly called on the governor to immediately forward the list of commissioner-nominees to it for screening and confirmation.

The plenary was presided over by Speaker Martin Amaewhule at the Conference Hall of the Legislative Quarters in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

The Assembly also called on the governor to submit the Rivers State Appropriation Bill, while noting that members would review how funds were spent during the six months of emergency rule.

In a statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media to the Speaker, Martins Wachukwu, the Assembly gave details of the resolution.

The statement read, “Returning from a six-month emergency rule induced by the political impasse in the state in the recent past, the Rivers State House of Assembly, on Thursday, at its first legislative sitting, through a motion, set the legislative agenda for the remaining part of the third season of the 10th Assembly.”

The statement indicated that the House Leader, Major Jack, on behalf of eight co-sponsors, in a motion, averred that the House considered it imperative to set the agenda to reflect current realities, while House members, in their contributions to the debate on the motion, applauded the motion and expressed support for all the prayers therein.

Addressing the state, Fubara described the emergency rule period as “enormously challenging” but said he willingly abided by the declaration to allow room for peace to be restored.

“As your governor, I accepted to abide by the state of emergency declaration and chose to cooperate with Mr President and the National Assembly, guided by my conviction that the sacrifice was not too great to secure peace, stability, and progress of Rivers State.

“This was why I also resisted the pressure to challenge the constitutionality of the declaration of the state of emergency, the suspension of democratic institutions and all other actions that we endured during the difficult period,” he said.

The governor commended President Tinubu for brokering a peace deal between all parties involved in the crisis, noting that the intervention helped reconcile him, Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“Our leader, Nyesom Wike, all members of Rivers State House of Assembly, and I as your governor have all accepted to bury the hatchet and embrace peace and reconciliation in the best interest of our dear state,” Fubara said.

Expressing gratitude to Tinubu, the governor reaffirmed his loyalty to the president, promising never to take his intervention for granted. He also appealed to residents who remain sceptical about the peace process.

“To those who have expressed genuine fear, frustration and uncertainty over the nature of the peace process, I assure you that your concerns are valid and understood.

“However, nothing has been irretrievably lost. There remain ample opportunities for necessary adjustments, continued reconciliation, and inclusiveness,” Fubara assured.

Fubara, however, charged political leaders, stakeholders, and institutions in the state to ensure that the peace achieved endures.

Fubara noted that with peace restored, his administration’s focus would now return fully to governance and service delivery.

‘Bond with Rivers continues’

Speaking shortly after he arrived at the Government House, Port Harcourt, the governor assured the people of the state that his government would continue to work in their best interest.

He expressed his gratitude to the people and residents of the state for the warm reception he received earlier at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa in IKwerre local government area of the state.

However, no prominent politician loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike or any of his known supporters were present at the airport to welcome the governor.

Meanwhile, at the Government House, Port Harcourt, thousands were already jubilating when the news of the governor’s arrival at the airport became public knowledge.

The celebration changed into singing and dancing as musical bands supplied appropriate tunes to sustain the tempo as the governor’s convoy drove into the abode where he had been absent for the last six months.

Right inside the Government House, the atmosphere was also electric as workers also celebrated the governor’s return.

Fubara immediately inspected some offices and facilities in the seat of power before answering questions from the Government House press crew, where he expressed happiness with the show of love by the people and residents of the state.
(PUNCH)

Politics

Nigeria Sliding Into One-party State – Catholic Bishops Warn

Published

3 days ago

September 20, 2025

Editor

Catholic Bishops in Nigeria have raised the alarm over what they described as the suppression of opposition voices, warning that Nigeria is gradually sliding into a one-party state.

The bishops expressed this concern in a communiqué issued at the end of the plenary meeting of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria held in Akwa Ibom State, which ended on Friday.

The communiqué was signed by the Archbishop of Owerri and President, CBCN, Lucius Ugorji; and Bishop of Uromi and Secretary, CBCN, Donatus Ogun.

The bishops cautioned politicians against pushing the nation towards a one-party state which they argued is unhealthy for democracy.

The bishops expressed dismay at the growing preoccupation of politicians with securing and retaining power ahead of the 2027 general elections, rather than delivering good governance.

They noted that this obsession with political dominance had fuelled corruption, inefficiency, and the neglect of citizens’ welfare.

The bishops further criticised political defections, alignments and realignments, describing them as self-serving moves by politicians with little intention to serve the people.

The communiqué read, “In the face of many live threats, politicians are more preoccupied with securing and retaining power and less concerned with good governance for the common good of the electorate.

“Abandoning their duties, they seem more concerned with the pursuit of their personal political agenda and perfecting strategies to grasp power in 2027.

“In fact, there seems to be suppression of opposition as Nigeria appears to be tilting to a one-party state, the development of which is not a good omen for democracy.

“We observe that many politicians are merely strategising, aligning and realigning, defecting from one party to another; and posturing for future political offices with little or no intention to contribute to the common good and make better the lives of the citizens.”

Ahead of the 2027 elections, the bishops demanded electoral reforms that should not only ensure electronic transmission of results from the polling units, but also their electronic collation in real time.

They also urged the judiciary to remain impartial in electoral matters, stressing that judicial credibility was vital to national stability.