Ndume’s Suspension: The Nigerian Senate Is Becoming The Shallow Chamber

The Nigerian National Assembly especially the senate has been embroiled in one drama or the other in the last few months and most of these dramas are national embarrassment to the Nigerian people thus questioning the need for the Senate. The most recent one is the events that led to the suspension of Sen. Mohammed Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) and the speed at which the shenanigans was carried out questions the sincerity of the Senate under the leadership of Senate President Bukola Saraki.

As far as the facts available in the public domain are concerned, Sen. Ndume has not erred raising the point of order calling for the investigation into the allegations made against the Senate President and Sen. Dino Melaye (APC, Kogi West) by national Dailies which bothers on the Senate privileges. The intention of Sen. Ali Ndume raising the point of order is inconsequential here, the question is, does he have a legitimate ground to raise the point of order? And the answer is yes because he quoted Order 14 and 15 of the Senate Standing Rules and thereafter reeled out precedents for raising his point of order.

He started from the 4th Assembly where Hon. Salisu Buhari (former Speaker) in 1999 was impeached from office in 1999 after it was discovered that he forged his university certificate from Toronto University. Then to the 5^th Assembly where the former Senate President, Dr. Adolphus Wabara was accused of taking bribe, it was investigated and he resigned. In the 6th Assembly, former Speaker Dimeji Bankole was accused of not serving in the mandatory youth service and he presented his discharge certificate and he was cleared. All these are verifiable precedents and these are the bases on which Sen. Ali Ndume raised his point of order so the Senate President Bukola Saraki and Sen. Dino Melaye can be cleared of any wrongdoing so that the issue do not drag for too long thereby bringing the integrity of the Senate to disrepute.

It is on record that Sen. Dino Melaye "perjured" himself on the official rostrum of the Senate (at the Senate Media Centre) that he has 8 degrees from different institutions whereas the only degree that could be confirmed was the one from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria and he is walking a free man but Sen. Ali Ndume who raised a legitimate point of order bothering on privileges as provided for by the Senate Standing Rules is thrown under the bus with a 6-month suspension?

One would have expected the Senate Committee on Public Petitions, Ethics and Privileges would have done a better job during the public hearing of the Committee in which both Sen. Bukola Saraki and Sen. Dino Melaye were present to defend themselves but again, he who pays the piper dictates the tune. It is very obvious that the Senate Committee on Public Petitions, Ethics and Privileges chaired by Sen. Samuel Anyanwu acted the script mastermindedly written by Senate President Bukola Saraki and his goons.

You ever wonder why this 8th Assembly can never pass the Whistleblower Protection Bill? The House of Representatives made an example out of Hon. Abdulmumiin Jibrin (APC, Kano) and the Senate had just made an example of Sen. Ali Ndume yesterday.

My name remains Folusho Awosanya and I just want to add my one cent. This remains my personal opinion and does not represent the views of my boss and anyone else.

PDP Crises: Hon. Adekoya Charges PDP Reps Members on Neutrality

A member of the National Executive Committee of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and federal lawmaker representing Ijebu-North/Ijebu-East/Ogun Waterside Federal Constituency, Hon. Adekoya Adesegun Abdel-Majid, has appealed to colleagues on the platform of the PDP to maintain neutrality in the crises rocking the main opposition party.
The party has been enmeshed in series of crises in the last few weeks emanating from the several court cases, factional leadership of the party and the resultant parallel conventions held in Abuja and Port Harcourt on Saturday, May 21st, 2016. In a letter he sent to all PDP Reps Members yesterday, he stated, “As Honourable Members on the platform of the party in the Green Chamber, we should not be seen taking sides in the disputes currently rocking our great party.” He urged all parties concerned in the crises on the need to maintain status quo in the interest of the party and the nation at large. “It is my humble view and candid opinion that we should be guided by law to maintain status quo pending the final determination of the suits in Courts in the interest of our party and the nation.” “As a party, we need to be united so we can be a formidable and viable opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) whose “CHANGE” mantra has become “CHAIN”.” he stressed.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/05/pdp-crises-hon-adekoya-charges-pdp-reps-members-neutrality/

It is time to make PDP stronger than APC against 2019 – Adekoya Abdel-Majid

A Federal Lawmaker representing Ijebu-North/Ijebu-East/Ogun Waterside Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Adekoya Adesegun Abdel-Majid, has congratulated the newly sworn-in PDP party Excos in Ijebu-North Local Government Area of Ogun State and other councils in the state while stressing that it is time the party gets stronger against the APC in 2019. The Chief Toke Motara-led party leadership took oath of office alongside other elected executives on Thursday, May 19, 2016 at the party LGA Secretariat in Ijebu-Igbo. In a statement released by his Media Aide, Ogbeni Folusho Awosanya in Ago-Iwoye earlier yesterday, he charged the new party Excos to work with all the Party’s elected public office holders to harmonise all aggrieved parties to kick start the process of rebuilding the party. “I congratulate the new excos and wish them successes as they paddle the ship of the party for the next four years at the council level. I look forward to seeing them rejuvenate the party and make it the pride of the party as a major voting bloc in the State that should not be left in the hands of charlatans. Both Sen. Kashamu Buruji, only PDP Senator from Ogun State from Ijebu-Igbo and Hon. Adekoya Adesegun Abdel-Majid from Ago-Iwoye are from Ijebu-North Local Government Area of Ogun State. He further charged the leadership of the party on rebuilding and harmonisation. “This is the time to heal wounds, reunite aggrieved members, win new members and make the party stronger against the APC in 2019.” he said.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/05/time-make-pdp-stronger-apc-2019-adekoya-abdel-majid/

Hon. Adekoya Commiserates with Ota Town Over Monarch's Death

A federal lawmaker has commiserated with the people of Ota on the passing of Olota of Ota, Oba Moshood Oyede who joined his ancestors on Tuesday, May 31, 2016 as announced by Ogun State Government.

Hon. Adekoya Adesegun Abdel-Majid who represents Ijebu-North/Ijebu-East/Ogun Waterside Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives described the late king as a prominent Oba who contributed immensely to the development of Ota Town and Ogun State at large.

He said he had a personal interaction with the late Olota while he was the Ogun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

"My family and I commiserate with people of Ota on the passing of Oba Moshood Oyede, Olota of Ota. During this difficult time, I share in the grief of the people of Ota and urge them to take solace in the good memories of the late king."

The monarch, who spent 19 years on the throne, passed away at University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan following protracted illness.

Passage rites for the traditional ruler have already commenced as his remains were due in the town on Sunday.

Salient Questions For Finance Minister By Hon. Adekoya Adesegun

Economic Diversification: Salient Questions for Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun
Sequel to the presentation of the Finance Minister on the floor of the House of Representatives yesterday. As a lawmaker and financial expert, I have these salient questions for Finance Minister on the state of Nigeria's economy and the Buhari-led administration's plan to diversify the economy in continuation of the 8th Assembly's legislative agenda.

1. It is generally agreed that in today's economy, that there are two major routes to revamping the economy: the stimulus route and the austerity route: which route is the administration taking as there seems to be confusion? And how will it impact on the economic fortunes of Nigerians i.e reduce unemployment, reduce the threat of inflation? How are the sub national governments carried along in this so that there won't be conflict of policy administration?

2. You are currently running a mono product economy, other commodity exporting countries such as Saudi Arabia have come up with what they call a diversification plan covering education technology promotion of industrialization: What are the specific programs for diversifying the economy in the short run and in the long run especially when you consider the fact that the combined capital budget of Agric and solid mineral sector of N53billion is barely 3% of the nation’s  N1.8trillion capital budget?

3. According to the CBN Governor, we are practically on the eve of major recession; having negative growth in 2 successive quarters what steps do you intend to take to cope with the recession in an already depressed economy?

These and many more questions are begging for answers.

Leadership Crisis: Why Sheriff Remains PDP National Chairman – Legal Opinion By Titi Banjoko

The leadership crisis rocking Nigeria's main opposition party, Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) has been of concern to members and non-members alike which formed the basis for expressing the legal opinion below as a legal practitioner having read through several court cases instituted by warring factions of the party and court orders given thereof.

The National Convention of the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) was slated to take place in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Saturday, the 21st day of May, 2016. At the convention, elections of officers into the national offices were to take place except the offices of National Chairman, National Secretary and National Auditor held by Senator Alli Modu Sheriff, Professor Wale Oladipo and Alhaji Fatai Adeyanju respectively pursuant to an order of interlocutory injunction granted by a Federal High Court holding in Lagos presided over by His Lordship, Honourable Justice Ibrahim Buba.

The said Orders of injunction restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from monitoring/supervising and Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) from conducting elections or purport to conduct elections into the offices afore-mentioned. The said order was published in most of the widely spread national newspapers such as The Punch Newspaper etc to constitute a valid notice not only to the Respondents i.e INEC and PDP but also to the world at large. It is therefore not in dispute that the Respondents were duly aware of the subsistence of the valid orders or injunction against them.

By the said order of interlocutory injunction which has not been over-turned on appeal by the Court of Appeal, the subsisting orders MUST be obeyed to the letters and without any reservations.
The Respondents had flagrantly disobeyed and disrespected the said orders of the court by purporting to appoint and/or constitute a National Caretaker Committee headed by Senator Ahmed Makarfi as Chairman which acts they had been refrained from doing by the said order(s) of the Court.
It is my humble view that all or any steps or acts taken or purported to be taken by the Respondents, their privies, agents or representatives in appointing a National Caretaker Committee with Senator Ahmed Makarfi as Chairman an act contrary to the subsisting order of the court are null and void and of no effect whatsoever. One cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stand.

The purported appointment or constitution of a National Caretaker Committee in the face of the subsisting order(s) of the court was a contempt of court for which the Respondents are liable to punishments. The contemnors and their identified allies or agents should be made to face the rot of the law to purge themselves of their contempt.
It is indeed unnecessary to file in court an application to set aside the unlawful and illegal acts of the Respondents by putting in place a National Caretaker Committee since such acts are deemed to be non-existent in law.

About Author:
Barr. Titi Banjoko Esq is a legal practitioner and the Senior Legislative Aide to Hon. Adekoya Adesegun Abdel-Majid, MHR.

Ogun PDP Crisis: Reps Member, Adekoya Sues For Peace

Rep. Adekoya Adesegun Abdel-Majid, MHR

Ahead of forthcoming Congresses of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, a Federal lawmaker from the State has reiterated the need for a peaceful and restructured State Chapter.

Hon. Adekoya Adesegun Abdel-Majid said the party will end up having more factions, if the crisis currently rocking the Party in the State is not addressed and resolved before the commencement of the congresses which are slated for next month.

He recounted the losses recorded by the Party in the last elections, which he attributed to the leadership in the State Chapter of the Party. He said the leadership crisis prompted some aggrieved members to defect to other parties and this, worked against the winning chances of PDP.
He made the call earlier this week, due to a petition submitted to the Acting Chairman of the Party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, by a youth group in Ogun State.

Hon. Adekoya Adesegun Abdel-Majid who represents Ijebu-North/Ijebu-East/Ogun Waterside Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives is a Party leader in the State and also a member of the National Executive Council, the Party’s highest decision-making body.

In a related development, in continuation of Hon. Adekoya’s empowerment programme, a new set of empowerment items such as tricycles, motorcycles, deep freezers, sewing machines and others are ready for distribution. The empowerment programme will be held on a date to be communicated to the beneficiaries, constituents and the media.