Tag: House of Representatives

4May By MosesianNo Comments

Celebs

James Ibori, Gbajabiamila, Orji Uzor Kalu, others attend Terry Waya’s birthday dinner

Billionaire businessman and father of BBNaija star, Kiddwaya, Terry Waya, turned a year older on Monday, May 3. He had a dinner to celebrate his birthday. The dinner had in attendance the speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, former Delta state governor James Ibori, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, and others See more photos below

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30Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Impeachment: Senators, Reps Divided As Afenifere Backs Mbaka’s Verdict On Buhari

Some senators and members of the House of Representatives as well as sociocultural organisations on Thursday expressed divergent views on the call by the spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Father Ejike Mbaka, on President Muhammadu Buhari to resign or be impeached. The cleric, who publicly supported the candidature of President Buhari in the build-up to the 2015 elections, said “God is angry with the president.” His call for Buhari’s resignation or impeachment came 24 hours after a renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi raised the alarm that nobody is safe anymore in the country, and challenged the president to act. While some members of the National Assembly said Father Mbaka was right, others said the suggestion was overkill. The Yoruba sociocu...

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30Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Nigeria’s Debt Stock To Hit ₦34 Trillion With New Loans

The total debt stock for Nigeria could rise from N33 trillion to N34tr soon as the National Assembly approves another N1.1tr external loan request for the federal government. The House of Representatives yesterday approved the external loan of $1.5 billion (about N571.5bn) and €995 million (about N528.4bn) for the federal government while the Senate had approved the request last week. The Debt Management Office (DMO) had in March 2021 placed Nigeria’s Public debt at N32.915tr as of December 31, 2020. This included the debt stock of the federal and state governments as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). “Total Public Debt to Gross Domestic Product as at December 31, 2020 was 21.61 percent, which is within Nigeria’s new limit of 40 percent.” According to the recomme...

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29Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Reps May Impeach Buhari If Nothing Changes After Security Summit – Dachung Bagos

President Muhammadu Buhari could face impeachment proceedings if the security summit to be held by the House of Representatives fails to improve the security situation in the country, an opposition lawmaker has said. Dachung Bagos (PDP, Plateau), who represents Jos South/Jos East federal constituency of Plateau State, said the security summit to be organised by the House is the last opportunity for the President. He said this while appearing on a Channels TV Sunrise Daily programme on Thursday. On Wednesday, the House inaugurated a special ad-hoc committee, chaired by the Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila. The committee will organise a security summit between May 24 and 28. Mr Bagos said if the summit fails to yield the needed changes, the lawmakers will call for the ...

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29Apr By MosesianNo Comments

Politics

The House of Representatives Should Impeach the President if he Doesn’t Want to Resign”- Fr Mbaka says

Worried by the alarming spate of insecurity in the country, the Catholic Priest and Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Fr Ejike Mbaka, has called for the impeachment of President Buhari. Speaking at the Adoration Ministry in Enugu recently, the clergyman wondered how the President will maintain grave silence despite the wanton killings across the country. “Let me tell you; if it is in a civilized country, by now, President Buhari would have resigned with what is happening. Nigerians are crying because there’s no security in the country, the House of Representatives should impeach the president if he doesn’t want to resign. A good coach cannot watch his players be defeated when he has players sitting down on the bench. It is either Buhari resigns by himself or he wi...

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27Apr By dthataNo Comments

News

Reps Ask Buhari To Declare State Of Emergency Over Insecurity

The house of representatives has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency over Nigeria’s growing security challenges. The green chamber also resolved to invite Mohammed Monguno, national security adviser (NSA), service chiefs and paramilitary chiefs to appear before them to speak on the country’s security situation. The lawmakers passed the resolutions on Tuesday after an executive session that lasted for about four hours.

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25Apr By MosesianNo Comments

News

‘Inability to put youths on career paths has turned them into rebels – Dogara

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara has decried the inequality and unfairness in appointment and distribution of public utilities which he claimed creates perception of marginalization, especially among youths. Speaking at the 10th convocation of Achievers University, Owo, Ondo state on Saturday April 24,  Dogara added that the inability of those in public service to put youths on career paths has turned them from dutiful labourers to disaffected rebels. He also disclosed that the immediate challenge now is to bring disparate peoples together and pull down barriers. Dogara said; “Inequality and unfairness in appointment and distribution of public utilities create a perception of marginalisation by a section of the people, especially the youths, who h...

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23Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Reps To Investigate Alleged Illicit Trade In Human Organs Between Nigeria, China

The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate alleged illicit trade on human organs between Nigeria and China. Reps to investigate alleged illicit trade in human organs between Nigeria and China. Moving the motion earlier, Kwewum said that about two weeks ago, Chinese authorities seized a cargo ship that sailed from Nigeria with 7,200 refrigerated penis’. According to him, they were found in 36 boxes labelled as plantain on the ship that harboured at the Shanghai port called Red Market. He said the Chinese General Administration of Customs had alerted that an increasingly large number of armed groups in Africa used organs which were harvested in unsanitary conditions to finance their nefarious activities. “The media was awash a few years ago with horrifying st...

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21Apr By dthataNo Comments

Education

Reps To Probe Payment Of ‘High Acceptance Fees’ In Public Varsities

The house of representatives has asked its committee on tertiary institution and services to investigate “high acceptance fees” charged by some government-owned tertiary institutions in the country. Acceptance fees are usually paid by students offered admission in universities. The resolution of the house to order an investigation into the payment of “high acceptance fees”, followed a motion moved by Julius Ihonvbere, lawmaker from Edo, during plenary session on Wednesday. Leading the debate, Ihonvbere said arbitrary high acceptance fees charged by some public universities for new students across the country has become a matter of great concern to many families. The lawmaker noted that acceptance fees in some institutions of learning have become “mere internal revenue-gener...

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13Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

General Attahiru Tells Reps To Invite Ex-Service Chiefs Over Arms Procurement

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, has told the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee investigating the Purchase, Use and Control of Arms, Ammunition and Related Hardware by Military, Paramilitary and Other Law Enforcement Agencies in Nigeria to invite his predecessors to shed more light on the arms procurement. Attahiru stated this on Monday, in Abuja when he appeared before the Ad hoc committee investigating arms purchase in the last ten years. Though he did not mention any name, his predecessors during the year under review included, Lt-Gen Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd) who was the COAS between September 2010 – January 2014, Lt-Gen Kenneth Minimah (rtd) who was the COAS between January 2014 – July 2015 and Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai (rtd). Attahiru said he was ea...

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13Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Reps Propose Upward Review Of Derivation Fund From 13 To 20 Per Cent

The House of Representatives will on resumption from the Easter recess, commence debate on the general principle of a bill which seeks to increase 13 per cent derivation fund to 20 per cent. The private member bill was sponsored by Hon Kingsley Chima. According to the ‘Explanatory Memorandum’, the proposed bill “seeks to alter Section 162(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, in order to cure the inherent imbalance and insufficiency of fund and development-driven agitations based on the revenue from natural resources.” In line with the legislative principles, the bill is to be referred to the Special Ad-hoc Committee on Constitutional Amendment chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Hon Idris Wase, for further legislative action. Clause 2 of th...

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8Apr By MosesianNo Comments

News

Lawmakers consider bill to permit Muslim female military officers to wear Hijab

The House of Representatives is currently deliberating on a bill seeking to compel the Armed Forces and paramilitary organizations to permit Muslim female officers to wear the Islamic veil, commonly known as hijab. The bill, known as the Religious Discrimination (Prohibition, Prevention) Bill, 2020, which has passed second reading at the House, is being sponsored by the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Member representing Bida/Gbako/Katcha Federal Constituency, Saidu Abdullahi. Hijab is a veil worn by Muslim women and has been a controversial issue in Nigeria. Recently in Kwara state, a crisis erupted in the education section when authorities of missionary schools in the state opposed a court injunction permitting Muslim students to wear hijab to school. A...

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31Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Chinese Loan: Selfish Lawmakers Have Put Nigeria In Jeopardy – Amaechi

Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, says the decision by the House of Representatives to go public on the Sovereignty Immunity Clause in the Chinese loan has delayed the approval for the $5.3bn Ibadan-Kano standard gauge project. Daily Trust reports that the House of Representatives and Amaechi were at daggers drawn last year over the sovereignty clause in the loan agreement with the China Exim Bank which funded the Abuja-Kaduna and Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge trains. The lawmakers had queried the inclusion of the clause which gives China access to some national assets in case the Federal Government is unable to fulfill its repayment obligations but the Minister had warned that such discussion could make China have a rethink on the loan. Speaking in an interview on...

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21Mar By MosesianNo Comments

Lifestyle

President Buhari’s nephew shows off his newly completed Abuja mansion

President Buhari's nephew and member of the House of Representatives, Fatuhu Muhammed, has showed off his newly completed mansion located in Gwarimpa area of Abuja. The lawmaker, who represents Daura/Maiadua/Sandamu Federal Constituency on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC, said it took him four years to build the house. Sharing a photo of the beautiful mansion in a Facebook post, Muhammed said he will announce when he will be moving into the house. "Alhamdulillah I’ve completed building my house in Gwarinpa (Abuja) which took me about four years but once again Alhamdulillah and I need your prayers. The date for moving in will be notified soon InshaAllah,” he wrote. However, the lawmaker has taken down the post for reasons best known to him.

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16Mar By MosesianNo Comments

News

Deputy speaker, Idris Wase explains why he rejected petition on insecurity from Nigerians living abroad

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Idris Wase has explained why he rejected a petition on insecurity from Nigerians living abroad which was presented on the floor of the lower chamber of the national assembly by Mr Mark Gbillah who represents Gwer East-Gwer West constituency of Benue State. Wase in a statement released by his media aide Umar Puma, stated that the petition from a socio-cultural association based in the United States which alleged that indigenes of their community have not been resettled in their ancestral land after being sacked by gunmen, was rejected "based on rules of parliamentary procedures”. The Deputy Speaker who alleged that the reports in circulation had been “doctored, slanted and bent to give political and ethnic coloration to an event that...

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12Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

National Assembly Is Broke, Needs Bigger Budget To Be Efficient – Benjamin Kalu

The House of Representatives has said the National Assembly is underfunded to function efficiently and effectively as a national parliament. The House decried that the paucity of funds has made the working environment not conducive for lawmakers while they have not been able to carry out their legislative activities to the best of their ability. The lamentation came from Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Benjamin Kalu, at his weekly media conference on Thursday. The National Assembly had a budget of N139.5bn in 2018, N125bn in 2019 and N128bn (N125bn proposed, N3bn added) in 2020. While the sum of N125bn was proposed for the National Assembly in 2021, it along with its affiliates got about N134bn. Kalu was asked if it was true that the House reduc...

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11Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Take The Fight To Boko Haram Enclaves, Reps Tell Military

The House of Representatives on Wednesday called on the military to re-strategize and take the fight to the Boko Haram enclaves. It specifically urged the Federal Government to tackle constant Boko Haram attacks on Maiduguri. This was a sequel to a motion by Rep. Abdulkadir Rahis, who decried recurring attacks on Maiduguri by the Boko Haram terrorists. The House urged the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development and the National Emergency Management Agency to provide relief materials to the victims of attacks.

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11Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

I Sponsored The Bill To Reduce Minimum Wage Because Govt Is Broke – Reps Member, Datti-Babawo

FOLLOWING the protest by the National Labour Congress (NLC), Garba Datti-Babawo, a member of the House of Representatives representing Sabon Gari federal constituency, who sponsored a bill to move the national minimum wage from the exclusive legislative list to concurrent list, has given reasons for presenting the bill before the National Assembly. According to Datti-Babawo, many state governments could not afford to pay the new 30,000 naira minimum wage to their workers which may lead to of retrenching workers if they were to pay. “Since it has been changed to 30,000 naira, you will find out that most of the states could not pay until the federal government intervened by giving them bailouts to pay. Now that there is no bailout, they cannot pay and most of the states are threate...

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5Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Reps To Investigate Abandoned Projects In Nigeria

The House of Representatives has vowed to track all abandoned projects in the country to ensure their completion. Rep. Makki Abubakar, Chairman of the house ad hoc committee on abandoned projects said this in Abuja on Thursday. ‘The committee was set-up to investigate executed, funded and repeated capital projects in the Appropriation Act,” he said. He said that there were many abandoned projects in the annual budgets scattered across the country. Abubakar said that the committee would engage the services of consultants to help in tracking and aggregating all abandoned projects in the country. Rep. Francis Ottah Agbo (PDP-Benue) a member of the committee observed that there were many duplicated projects in the country. According to him, the sad aspect of the whole iss...

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3Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Reps Working On Six Bills To Improve Food And Health Sectors – Gbajabiamila

The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, began a two-day public hearing on six bills, which the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, said will improve Nigeria’s food and health sector. Gbajabiamila noted that the Legislative Agenda of the 9th House outlined the ambitions the lawmakers hold regarding reform and overhaul of the country’s health care infrastructure. He said, “We expect that when these six bills become law, they will each serve to improve our national health system in specific, and significant ways that will impact the lives of our nation’s people for a long time.” The hearing was on the ‘Bill for an Act to establish a National Electronic Health Record System for the storage and access of electronic health records in Nigeria’ and the ‘Bill for an Act to amend the Compulso...

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2Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Reps’ Bill Empowers NBC To Decide Tariffs For DSTV, Others

A proposed law to give the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission the sole power to decide the per-view cost for Digital Satellite Television Services, DSTV and other Broadcasting outfits in the country, is before the House of Representatives. The bill exclusively obtained by VANGUARD on Monday, is sponsored by Rep. Unyime Idem (PDP-Akwa Ibom). The Bill amends Section 2(1) of the Principal Legislation to read that the NBC, will “regulate and review through its broadcasting codes, the tariff being charged by the Digital Satellite Television Services and other broadcasting outfits in Nigeria and subscription policy for subscribers”. Section 2(2), states that: “The Commission, shall further oversee the operations of the operators in the industries in the following manners: guarantee op...

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1Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Reps Demand Documents On ₦2.2 Trillion Foreign, Domestic Debts Utilisation

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts has asked the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to forward the financial statement on the utilisation of the N2.2tn revenue accruing from foreign and domestic debts raised by Debt Management Office. Chairman of the committee, Oluwole Oke, made the request based on a query issued against the DMO for the 2018 financial year. Oke said apart from details of the utilisation of the fund, the committee also wanted to know the reason it reflected in the DMO’s financial statement. He asked why the office could not account for the money that was appropriated for, which also did not appear in the books of the OAGF. The lawmaker said, “We should hold you liable to the actual sum released to you. If it is in the ...

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26Feb By MosesianNo Comments

Politics

US House of Representatives Passes Equality Act,Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

The US House of Representatives on Thursday, February 25, passed the Equality Act, a landmark LGBTQ rights bill that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Lawmakers passed the legislation on a 224-206 vote. It was largely along party-line with three Republicans throwing their support behind the bill with all Democrats. The bill is one of President Joe Biden's top legislative priorities, one he wants to pass in his first 100 days in office. During his campaign, he said passage of the Equality Act would be a priority in his first 100 days in office. “Today’s vote is a major milestone for equality bringing us closer to ensuring that every person is treated equally under the law,” Human Rights Campaign President Alphonso David said ...

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24Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Reps Reject Motion To Allow Citizens Carry Arms

The House of Representatives on Wednesday shot down a motion to reverse President Buhari’s Executive Order prohibiting the issuance of licenses for fire arms by the police in Nigeria. The sponsor of the motion, Rep. Uzoma Nkem Abonta (PDP- Abia), failed to present the motion on notice when the public address system went off just after the Speaker had introduced it. The lawmaker, however pressed to be heard, when the House Leader, Rep. Alhassan Doguwa (APC-Kano), interjected saying the motion was “dead on arrival”, because according to him, it was an unpopular subject. The motion was entitled “Need to Reverse the Executive Order and Police Directive banning Possession and Issuance of New Licenses for Firearms in the Country”. Sensing a strong swell of opposition to the motio...

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24Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Reps Insist NNPC Must Account For N1.3 Trillion Alleged Illegal Deductions

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts has stated that the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation must account for the alleged illegal withdrawals from the Federation Account in 2017, totaling N1.3tn. Chairman of the committee, Oluwole Oke (PDP-OSUN), stated this in Abuja on Tuesday at the committee’s investigative hearing on audit queries issued by the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation against ministries, departments, and agencies of the Federal Government. The committee had grilled the representative of the Accountant General of the Federation, Mr Ezeh Ekwueme, who appeared before the panel to explain the unauthorised deductions from Federation Account by revenue-generating agencies in the year under review. Oke stated that it was improper fo...

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9Feb By dthataNo Comments

News

Nigerian Legislature Poorest In The World – Benjamin Kalu

The Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, on Tuesday said the National Assembly is the poorest parliament in the world. Mr Kalu stated this while responding to a question on the status of investigative reports and alleged compromise of the lawmakers on some of the reports. He refuted the claims of compromise and blamed COVID-19 for the delays on consideration of the reports. Mr Kalu added that the lawmakers are falling sick due to pressure from constituents making financial demands. “As per being compromised, you would have seen it on the lawmakers. This is the poorest parliament. You don’t see the lawmakers living in luxury. Compromised with what? With position or money? These guys are suffering,” Mr Kalu said. “That is why most of the sickness th...

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4Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Reps Panel Alleges Theft Of $20b Crude Oil In Seven Years

House of Representatives Adhoc Committee on Oil Theft, yesterday, alleged that 329,420,319 barrels valued at over $20 billion were not accounted for between 2005 and 2012. Chairman of the committee, Mr. Peter Akpatason, who spoke during hearing on the matter, accused Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) of not doing enough to render account of the alleged missing monies. The committee alleged that similar trend of infractions was also observed between 2016 and 2019. Akpatason, therefore, demanded explanation from DPR on the alleged stolen crude oil. Akpatason said: “The effects of crude oil theft cannot be overemphasized, and this has lasted for too long. As patriots, it is our collective responsibility to see to the end of this stealing. The adhoc committee has identified ...

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4Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Rep Decries Corruption, Mismanagement Of Nation’s Resources By Executive

The Federal lawmaker representing Gwer/Gwer West federal constituency, in the House of Representatives, Mr. Mark Gbillah has decried the level of corruption and mismanagement of the nation’s resources by the executive. The lawmaker who spoke Tuesday in Makurdi lamented that the executive presides over the expenditure of over 98 per cent of Nigeria’s annual budget without commensurate developmental projects to show for the huge funds. According to him, “the budget of the National Assembly every fiscal year never exceeds N138billion. In fact, it is usually around N125billion. Now let’s take this year’s budget, for instance, that is about 1.1 percent of the entire budget. The judiciary takes about one percent while the executive sits on about 97 to 98% of the annual budget and yet N...

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1Feb By BobbyNo Comments

News

Lawmaker Reveals How Civil Servants Allocate N1.2M To Inspect N40M Project

A member of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Adefisoye, has revealed how civil servants are inflating amounts for nominated constituency projects. Adefisoye, also known as Small Alhaji in a tweet on Monday disclosed details of a N40m project he nominated. According to him, the bill of quantities reveals some details about the project, and he vowed to take on the matter. He reveals that N1.5million was allocated for inspection and N400,000 for fueling of operational vehicles. Also, N700,000 to be spent on procuring generator to power the project after completion. Adefisoye who is a first timer in the House disclosed that N2m is set aside for contingency fee. “While going through the BOQ of a nominated project that is only worth N40m, one will nearly cry for Nigeria. Sadly, ...

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24Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

12 APC Governors, Senators, Reps Want New Generation Chairman

A COALITION made up of 12 governors, influential leaders, Senators and House of Representatives members has emerged in the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the national convention of the party in June. The aim of the coalition, The Nation gathered, is to enthrone a new generation chairman for the party. The governors and other stakeholders involved are said to be opposed to anyone older than 65 years leading the party. The coalition is also seeking the understanding of APC leaders to concede the national chairman slot to the North-Central zone because both the North-East and the North-West have had their fair shares of political offices. Some of the aspirants who fall in this category include a former chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and former Zamfara...

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17Jan By dthataNo Comments

Education

Reps Oppose School Resumption, Propose Three-Month Postponement

The House of Representatives has faulted the Federal Government for giving schools the go-ahead to resume on Monday despite the increasing cases of COVID-19. The House said government officials did not consult the relevant committees of the National Assembly, contrary to their claim that all relevant stakeholders were consulted before arriving at the January 18, 2021, resumption date. It, therefore, demanded postponement of resumption for three months, where necessary safety measures weren’t put in place and compliance with protocols low. Chairman of the House Committee on Basic Education and Services, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, disclosed these in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Saturday. “They did not consult us; at least in my committee, nobody from the minist...

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14Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

National Assembly Proposes ₦10Bn As Presidential Candidate’s Election Spending

The Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committees on the Independent National Electoral Commission and Electoral Matters, has proposed an extension to the tenure of Local Government Chairmen, in the Federal Capital Territory, from three to four years. The committees equally proposed an upward review of the amount to be spent by candidates seeking elective public office to N10bn. Our correspondent also learnt in Abuja, on Wednesday, that the panel also recommended that other elected officials of the six area councils which make up the FCT should equally benefit from the proposed amendment. These proposals are contained in recommended amendments to the Electoral Act, which the committee is prepared to submit before Senators and House of Reps members for consideration and ...

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10Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Reps Move To Criminalise Secret Recruitment By Government Agencies

The House of Representatives is considering outlawing secret recruitments by ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government. With this move, any recruitment by any MDA without publishing the vacancy will become illegal and attract a fine. This is being proposed in the Prohibition of Secret Recruitment in the Federal Civil Service Bill 2020 sponsored by Mr Teejay Yusuf. The bill, which is awaiting second reading, is titled, ‘A Bill for an Act to Prohibit Secret Recruitment in the Federal Public Service and to Make Elaborate Provisions for Transparency in Recruitment in the Public Service through Publication of Vacancies and for Other Matters Connected Therewith.’ Yusuf, in the explanatory memorandum, said, “The bill seeks to promote integrity and transparen...

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8Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Reps May Allow States To Determine Minimum Wage

The Federal Government may soon lose its exclusive power to negotiate and determine the minimum wage for workers across the three tiers of government. The House of Representatives is considering an amendment to the 1999 Constitution by removing matters relating to wages from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List. When a bill becomes law , respective states and local governments will determine different wages for their workers. The legislation is titled, ‘ A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) to , Among Others, Transfer the Subject Matter of Minimum Wage Prescription from the Exclusive Legislative List Set Out Under Part I of the Second Schedule to the Concurrent Legislative List Set Out Un...

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7Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

NASS Set For Showdown With Buhari Over Service Chiefs

The refusal of President Muhammadu Buhari to re­place the service chiefs de­spite repeated calls by the National Assembly and oth­er eminent Nigerians will be the major point of dis­cussion when the president meets with the House of Representatives on Thurs­day, Daily Independent has gathered. The lawmakers said they are ready to confront the president over the continued stay of the service chiefs, who they said lacked ideas on how to tackle the rising insecurity in the country. The lawmakers, who were disturbed by the worsening insecurity in the country, last week, summoned President Buhari over the murder of about 43 farmers by Boko Ha­ram terrorists in Zabarmari village, Jere Council of Borno State. The president later met with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, F...

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6Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

PDP Reps Demand Impeachment Of Buhari

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caucus of the House of Representatives has called on members of the Green Chamber, to commence impeachment proceedings against President Muhammadu Buhari. They opine, he is incapable of continuing as the leader of the country. Besides, the section of PDP lawmakers in the Green Chamber, urged members of his cabinet to declare him incapacitated, invoking section 144 of the 1999 constitution. By Clever Advertising The caucus “wants Nigerians to compel their representatives in the National Assembly to immediately commence impeachment proceedings against President Muhammadu Buhari for gross incompetence and persistent and continuous breach of Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution. The Section provides ” the security and welfare of the people shall b...

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3Dec By dthataNo Comments

News

Buhari’s Acceptance To Address Reps Proof of Executive And NASS Synergy – Kalu

Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has described Buhari's acceptance to address the green chamber over insecurity summon, as a proof of great synergy between the executive and the 9th National Assembly. MCI had earlier reported how the Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari has agreed to appear before the House as requested by the lawmakers. In a statement forwarded to us Wednesday night, while reacting to the development, the Reps Spokesman who represents Bende Federal Constituency, said the president's acceptance was quite commendable. Kalu, who had on Tuesday hinted that President Buhari would honour the Reps’ invite, said he had been proven right, following the president's acceptance. “I said ...

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2Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Insecurity: Buhari Agrees To Honour Reps Summon

  President Muhammadu Buhari has agreed to face the House of Representatives to address the country on recent security crisis bugging the nation. Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, disclosed this to State House Correspondents after a meeting with President Buhari in his office at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, Wednesday evening. It would be recalled that the House of Representatives, on Tuesday, passed a resolution, inviting the President to the chambers of the House to answer questions over the security situation in the country. The summon on the President was a reaction to the unabated activities of terrorists and bandits in different parts of the country, especially in the north, and the killing of tens of rice farmers in Z...

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2Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Ohanaeze, Afenifere, NCF Ask Buhari To Honour Reps’ Summons

Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo so­cio-cultural organisation; Pan-Yoru­ba socio-political organi­sation, Afenifere; National Consultative Front (NCF), and Prince Tony Momoh, chief­tain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), have thrown their weight behind the House of Representatives, asking President Muhammadu Bu­hari to honour the House invi­tation following the killing of farmers in Borno on Saturday by Boko Haram Insurgents. The House of Represen­tatives on Tuesday resolved to invite President Buhari to appear before it to explain cir­cumstances surrounding the current state of insecurity in the North-East and other plac­es in the country. The members of the House of Representatives are representing their various constituents and they have right to invite the president to app...

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2Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Insecurity: It’s Unconstitutional For PMB To Ignore Reps Summon – Adegboruwa

Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), Lagos-based human rights lawyer has said President Muhammadu Buhari must honour the invitation of the House of Representatives to explain what he is doing about the security situation in the country, saying it will be unconstitutional for him to ignore it. He said Nigerians can no longer leave the issue of insecurity which has collapsed in the hands of the President alone. Angered by the worsening insecurity in the country, the House of Representatives on Tuedsay summoned the President over the cold-blooded murder of about 43 persons by suspected Boko Haram Islamists insurgency group in Zabarmari village, Jere council of Borno State. Adopting a motion under urgent matters of national importance sponsored by Satomi Ahmed at the plenary presided by Spe...

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1Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Rep Members Demanding Buhari’s Invitation Should Expect EFCC Invitation – Fayose

Former Ekiti state governor, Ayo Fayose, has reacted to the decision of the House of Representatives to invite President Buhari over the worsening security situation in Nigeria. Reacting via his tweets, Fayose said the lawmakers demanding the citation should expect EFCC invitation, freezing of their accounts, or arrest. His tweet reads: ''I will be surprised if the President honours the House of Reps invitation. The National Assembly that is supposed to be representing the people should know by now that in the eyes of this President, they only exist on paper because they are mere toothless bull dogs." "Some of those Rep members at the forefront of the invitation of the President to appear before the House should expect EFCC invitation, freezing of their accounts or arrest for ...

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1Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Reps Summon Buhari Over Slain Borno Farmers

Members of the House of Representatives were divided at Tuesday plenary on whether or not to invite President Muhammadu Buhari to appear before them and offer explanation on the true security situation of the country. An earlier circulated motion had prayed for the invitation of the president. But the motion eventually moved by Hon. Satomi Ahmed on behalf other 10 Borno State lawmakers on the floor prayed the president to amongst other things, declare a State of emergency on security matters. But the motion as presented didn’t sit down well with another Borno lawmaker, Hon. Ahamdu Jaha who relied on Order 6, Rule 1 of the House to say that the original motion to which all the lawmakers agreed on was to call on the President to address them on the security situation especially ...

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24Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

2021 Budget Not Capable Of Addressing Nigeria’s Recession – Reps

House of Representatives Commitee on Science and Technology Monday said that the 2021 budget as presented by President Muhammadu Buhari was incapable of lifting Nigeria from the current economic recession. It will be recalled that Buhari in early October this year presented 2021 budget estimate of N13.08 trillion to the national assembly for approval. Last Saturday, the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, announced that Nigeria had slid into recession, the second time in five years. Sharing his views on the budget at a session, a member of the committee, Hon. Awaji-Inombek Abiante from Rivers State said the documents had allocation flaws that should be corrected. His dissatisfaction however followed the absence of the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed and the Director-Gener...

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16Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Reps Summon Mele Kyari, Emefiele Over Non Remittance Of ₦3.24 Trillion In 2014

The House of Representatives has summoned the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mele Kyari; and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, over non-remittance of $19.25bn (approximately N3.24tn) revenue that accrued from sales of crude oil in 2014 Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts, Wole Oke, issued the summons based on audit queries issued by the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation for the period. The committee had penultimate week accused the NNPC GMD of refusing to respond to an audit query issued against the corporation over alleged illegal withdrawals from the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited’s Dividends Account, totalling of $20.3bn. Kyari, who has yet to appear before the lawmaker...

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13Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Buhari, Ministers Should Cut Cost Of Governance Before NASS – Benjamin Kalu

The spokesperson of the House of Representatives says it is deceitful that Nigerians are being made to focus only on the national assembly. The House of Representatives has called on the Executive arm of Government to lead by example by cutting its own salaries, allowances and other office running costs, before advising others to do so. The spokesperson of the house, Benjamin Kalu, stated this on Thursday while briefing journalists in the National Assembly. Mr Kalu’s call is coming on the heels of calls by Nigerians for the reduction of salaries and allowances of members of the National Assembly.A section of Nigerians also called for part time legislative work to save the country from the needless financial haemorrhage. In August 2015, President Muhammadu Buharihad issued a...

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12Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

IGP Adamu Seeks N24.8bn To Fuel Vehicles, Motorcycles

The Inspector-General of Police, Muhammad Adamu, on Tuesday said the Force would need N24.8bn to fuel its fleet of vehicles and motorcycles in a year. He said this when he presented the 2020 budget performance and and defended the 2021 budget proposal before the House of Representatives Committee on Police. Adamu said the police was being bogged down by the low envelope budgetary provisions. “The implication is that under an ideal situation, the amount that has been reviewed cannot meet up with the requirement of policing the country. “If you take for example, the daily fuel consumption for our vehicles; vehicles that have petrol engine take about N22.5bn to fuel it within the year. “The motorcycles we have will require N834.4m to fuel. And those vehicles using diesel wi...

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4Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

FG Seeks Fresh $1.2 Billion Loan From Brazil

The Federal Government is seeking a $ 1 .2 bn external borrowing from China to finance agricultural programmes in the 2021 budget . A request for approval has also been transmitted to the National Assembly . The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, who appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Finance in Abuja on Tuesday to defend the budget proposed by her ministry , made this known . Ahmed disclosed that the Federal Government sent a request to the National Assembly to approve the loan from the Brazilian government to address issues in the agriculture value chain as Nigeria . Ahmed also said the Federal Government would acquire 100, 000 hectares of land in each state for food production, adding that link roads would be built in suc...

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21Oct By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Prosecute Soldiers Involved In Lekki Shootings, Reps Tell Buhari

The minority caucus of the House of Representatives has called on the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to order the arrest and prosecution of soldiers who attacked #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki Tollgate on Tuesday night. The Minority Leader, Mr Ndudi Elumelu, in a statement issued on Wednesday, “strongly” condemned killing of “peaceful and unarmed” protesters by security operatives at Lekki Tollgate and other parts of the country. The protesters were attacked by soldiers, who fired live ammunition at them after the Closed Circuit Television Cameras in the vicinity were reportedly removed and lights were turned off. In the statement titled, ‘Reps Minority Condemns Killing of Protesters,’ the caucus said, “such wicked act of extrajudicial killing of defenc...

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21Oct By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Shina Peller flares up after he was allegedly not allowed to speak at the House of Representatives (video)

Shina Peller flared up after he was allegedly not allowed to speak at the House of Representatives.   The Honorable Member of the  Federal House of Representatives, representing the Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa/Kajola Federal Constituency in Oyo state, is seen in a viral video insisting he must be allowed to speak.   "I will not allow you to speak," the speaker of the House of Representative is heard saying in the background.   In anger, Peller threatens to go to the press if he's not allowed to speak for the people he's representing.   He soon flares up and starts moving to the front of the hall but was stopped by another Honourable member who ushered him out of the venue.   Peller later took to Twitter to write: "As a HoR member, I r...

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20Oct By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Reps To Bar Courts From Sacking President, Governors

A law to bar courts and election tribunals from voiding the election of a President-elect and governors-elect, because of blemishes in the educational qualifications of their running mates, is underway in the House of Representatives. The Bill to that effect, obtained on Monday, by VANGUARD, is entitled: “An Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, to Preserve the Elections of a Candidate to the Office of the President and Governor whose running mates are found to have Defected in their Qualification”. The Bill, sponsored by Rep. Solomon T. Bob (Rivers-PDP), seeks to alter ” Section 142 (1) of the Principal Act, by “inserting a proviso to the subsection as follows: Provided that a person who has been elected to the office of the Pre...

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