Politics
Ningi’s voice cannot be suspended from people’s hearts – Atiku
By Francesca Hangeior.
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 general elections, Atiku Abubakar, described the Senator representing Bauchi North Senatorial District, Abdul Ninigi, as the bearer of true conscience.
In a post via his official X handle on Friday, the former vice president said Ningi’s voice represents the voice of truth and cannot be suspended from the people’s hearts.
The PDP chieftain asserted that Ningi and every politician who has a true conscience are welcome to his home.
He posted: “The voice of truth which Senator Ningi represents cannot be suspended from the hearts of the people. Every bearer of true conscience is welcome in my house.”
Recall that on Tuesday, Senator Ningi returned to the National Assembly, 75 days after he was suspended by the Senate.
Ningi’s suspension by the Senate on March 12, 2024, stemmed from a controversial interview in which he alleged discrepancies in the 2024 budget, claiming the National Assembly approved N25tn while the President signed N28.7tn.
In the interview with the BBC (Hausa Service), he claimed that the sum of N3.7tn in the 2024 budget was not traceable to any project of location.
He, however, had difficulty defending the allegation on the floor of the Senate when taken on, leading to his suspension for three months.
Following his suspension, Ningi lost his position as chairman of the Committee on National Identity and Population, which was taken over by Mustapha Musa (APC, Yobe East).
He was also replaced by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua representing Katsina Central as the Chairman of the Northern Senators’ Forum.
Last week Tuesday, the Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South) pleaded with the senators in a motion during plenary to recall Ningi, who had already spent 75 days on suspension. The prayer was subsequently granted.
On Tuesday, Ningi arrived at the National Assembly Complex alongside Suleiman Kawu (NNPP, Kano South), and Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (PDP, Sokoto South), among others.
Speaking on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday, Ningi told his colleagues that it was time to move on.
“It’s time to move on,” he said, just as the Senate President welcomed him on behalf of other senators, saying, “Bygones should be bygones.”
Citing Order 42 of the Senate Standing Rules, Ningi thanked his colleagues for the gesture, stating that he was away in Turkey when he learnt of his recall from suspension.
He said, “Mr President, distinguished colleagues, I rise with profound humility to commend the Senate, its President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Senate leadership and the minority caucus for recalling me from suspension.
“I was in Turkey when the news got to me last week and I’m very much appreciative of the gesture. I’m happy to be back at home because the National Assembly is like home to me, having served as House Leader and Deputy Senate Leader in the past and now, as one of the distinguished serving senators.
“I also thank my state governor, Bala Mohammed, the people of Bauchi State and other Nigerians who reached out to me in one way or another during the period that has now been put behind.”
Responding on behalf of the Senate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described Ningi as a resourceful person who is needed in the 10th Senate and asked him to “let bygones be bygones.”
…appoints Caretaker Committee
The PDP Ughelli North convened a meeting to update members on the party’s current situation following the defection of the Governor and other leaders to the All Progressive Congress (APC) .
Key stakeholders, including Chief Udu Omo Scott , Pharm. Simon Ohwo, and Mr. Alex Akporute , Chief Jawhono Orovwoni , Chief Rita Agba , Hon Majemite Joel Lucky and others addressed the gathering, urging members to remain faithful to the party, reassured members that the party would bounce back stronger, despite recent challenges.
The PDP Members present pledged their full support and promised to mobilize more supporters for the party.
The meeting’s highlight was the appointment of a Caretaker Committee to lead the party. The committee members include
Hon. Daniel Emaye as Chairman
Comr. Umukoro Oghenekaro as Vice Chairman
Comr. Efe Oberiko as Secretary.
The Caretaker Committee’s members are tasked with guiding the party’s affairs and strengthening its presence in the Local government.
Other key officials appointed include
Mr. Benedict Oghenerukevwe (Youth Leader)
Madam Ufuoma Omoru (Woman Leader)
Comr. George Oghenekevwe (Treasurer)
Comr. Aderiobor Blessing (Publicity Secretary)
Mr Ochuko Jonathan Arhiakpore (Financial Secretary)
and Mr. Thompson Akpososo (Auditor).
All Delta State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, House of Representatives members have officially defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Their defection was made public by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, during plenary on Tuesday.
Details shortly…
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State says the All Progressives Congress, APC, will welcome former governor of the state, Chief James Ibori, into the party’s fold.
Oborevwori who recently defected to the party from the Peoples Democratic Party, made the remarks during the vigil mass held in honour of the former deputy governor of the state, Prof Amos Utuama.
DAILY POST reports that the mass was held on Wednesday at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Otu-Jeremi, Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state.
The governor, who stressed the need for unity among the Urhobo political class, highlighted the selfless contributions of the transited former deputy governor.
“I am very happy to be here today, seeing this large gathering for one man. The preaching today is not about the dead, it is about the living.
“There are many things our former deputy governor did while he was alive. I will mention just a few key ones.
“He donated the land allocated to him in Asaba while he was deputy governor to the Catholic Church.
“He also contributed to building of the church. To me, that is a kingdom investment,” he said.
Oborevwori prayed that the passing of the deceased would bring peace and unity to Ughelli South and the entire Urhobo ethnic group.
In his exhortation, the Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Warri, Most Rev. Anthony Ewherido, affirmed that the late Prof. Amos Utuama lived an impactful life in both the church and the society.
Ewherido condoled with the family, urging them to uphold the legacies of their father which were: godliness, humility, charity and selflessness.
The bishop described the death of a Christian as a transition to eternal glory and reminded everyone of the need to accept Christ while alive to enjoy eternity after the physical death.
He also called for continued unity among the political class for the peace and development of the state.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Mr Ovie Utuama, son of the deceased, appreciated all for their support and requested prayers for the family during this difficult period.
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