News
Drama as Senator Accuses Colleagues Of Consuming, Dealing In Drugs
There was drama on Tuesday as Senator Kawu Sumaila (Kano South) alleged that many of his colleagues at the National Assembly were involved in drug abuse while carrying out their official duties.
Sumaila made this declaration while contributing to a debate on a Bill to establish the National Institute for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation on the floor during plenary.
He alleged that most of his colleagues possessed hard drugs and kept them in their various constituency offices and homes.
He also claimed that majority of the senators have ties with drug dealers.
Sumaila said: “As I am speaking now, most of our offices in our constituencies, most of our political offices in our constituencies, most of our houses, when you go there, you will find out that there is a mountain of drugs and there are drug dealers in our offices and in our houses. All in our houses.”
Sumaila also said he knows some senior politicians supporting drug dealers in carrying out their illegal activities.
“I can take you to some of the political leaders who are in so many ways contributing or supporting drug abusers in Nigeria. Therefore, Mr. President, we need to be serious.
“If we are talking, we need to understand, we are all one here. We need to fight it from our own side. We need to be serious. Let us go for test and see who and who are not”.
Sumaila challenged his colleagues to swear with the Qur’an and the Bible that they did not encourage drug abuse during their electioneering campaigns.
Sumaila said: “Let us ask ourselves during our campaigns, what are we doing with the so-called youth? How many of us can swear with Quran or Bible that in any way they are not supporting drug abusers in their constituency?
“I am happy if all of us can swear with Holy Quran that they are not in any way in support of drug abusers or interacting with youth in their constituency to take drugs because of their political interests,” he added.
He advocated for drug tests for politicians before contesting elections and assumption of political offices.
He said: “Whether we are allowing this bill to create an agency or we are strengthening NDLEA, we need a situation where before contesting elections, or before taking up an office at whatever level in government, you must go for a drug test.”
He said the country will not achieve the essence of the bill until the upper chamber collaborates with relevant stakeholders to stop drug abuse in the country.
“There is one aspect which we need to look into. Whether we create this agency or strengthen the activities of NDLEA, we need to do something. We, as politicians, we, as leaders in this country, we, as stakeholders, we need to do a lot.
“We all believe that religiously, both Islam and Christianity, even in our traditional religion, drug abuse is prohibited. But, who are those encouraging and supporting it?
“We cannot achieve the intent of this bill unless and until we all agree that we will put our heads together with relevant stakeholders to stop drug abuse in Nigeria,” he said.
Responding, Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary, ruled Sumaila out of order because the comment was not relevant to the debate on the Bill.
“Order 56. Debate upon any motion, bill or amendment shall be relevant to such motion.
“While we are speaking, while we are contributing, our contributions should be relevant to the subject matter.
“In this case, your contribution is not relevant to the subject matter. I therefore rule you out of order,” Barau said.
News
Impeachment Plot: Akpabio Cautions Nigerians To Disregard Media Report
By Gloria Ikibah
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has admonished Nigerians to disregard stories of his planned impeachment, even as he described it as an illusion.
Naijablitznews.com recalled that an online publication, (Name withheld on Wednesday, published a story titled “DSS Takes Over National Assembly Amid Impeachment Speculations Against Senate President Akpabio”, which has since been republished by other media outlets.
The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President of Senate, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh in a statement on Wednesday said the report was a figment of the reporters imagination.
He said: “Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, wishes to state without equivocation that the speculation and misinformation circulating about an alleged impeachment plot against him is the handiwork of fifth columnists who are perpetual merchants of misinformation and purveyors of mischief.
“As a Head of one of the Arms of government, the President of the Senate categorically denies these baseless claims and reaffirms his commitment to transformational leadership of the Senate particularly and effectively collaborates with the other arms of government. There is no crack in the Upper Chamber and no Senator or Caucus is plotting any impeachment against the President of the Senate. Every Senator is focused on raising the bar of Legislative Agenda and Nation building.
“The allegations are nothing but a desperate attempt to create division and discord among the esteemed senators. It’s unfortunate that some individuals would resort to spreading falsehoods to promote the invidious reins of their blackmail enterprise.
“Senator Godswill Akpabio remains focused on the implementation of the 10th Senate’s Legislative Agenda and working tirelessly to address the pressing National issues of growth and prosperity.
“The Senate President will not be distracted by these unfounded rumours and wants to assure the public that his commitment to Nigeria’s progress remains unwavering.
“We therefore urge the public to disregard these baseless claims and instead focus on the meaningful work being done by the Senate to improve the lives of all Nigerians”.
News
BREAKING! FG delegation in meeting with NLC, TUC
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Federal government delegation is currently meeting with the leaders of organised labour at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The meeting is centred on the state of the nation, especially the petrol pricing system.
The meeting is taking place at the Secretary to the Office of the Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume.
At the meeting are Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, NSA; Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, the Labour Minister; and Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.
Others are the Information Minister, Petroleum Minister, State Minister of Gas, and representatives of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Limited.
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