News

JUST IN: Zamfara PDP Member Defects to APC

Published

3 weeks ago

October 30, 2024

By Gloria Ikibah

A member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Suleiman Abubakar Gumi, representing Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency of Zamfara state has defected from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

This defection was transmitted in a letter read by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas on Wednesday at plenary.

Rep. Gumi in the letter, said his reasons for defection was as a result of the crisis in his Constituency where there are two PDP chairmen.

The letter reads in part: “It is as a result of the internal and external crisis in the PDP in the state. The party lacks structure in the state”.

Meanwhile, the Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda, raised a constitutional point of order that having two chairmen in a Constituency cannot be defined as a problem in the PDP and not enough reasons according to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“You are aware that when a member leaves his political party the rules are very clear. According him these two chairmen are in his Constituency.

“I ask Mr Speaker, that you act according to our rule and Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“You sit here today as our leader. The constitutional provision on what happens when one decamps to another party is clear.

“There is a time to do the right thing and the time has come for the Speaker to do the right thing. You swore to protect the constitution of this country at all times.

“I ask Mr Speaker that you act according to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Chinda said.

Naijablitznews.com reports that Rep. Gumi’s defection is coming barely two weeks after he was made the chairman House Committee on North West Development Commission, a newly created Committee approved by the leadership.

Gumi until his recent appointment was the chairman House Committee on Safety Standards.

News

Bill On 6 Years Single Term, Rotational Presidency/Governorship To Be Introduced – Rep Ugochinyere

Published

5 minutes ago

November 22, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

Leader of the opposition coalition Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere and 33 other members of the House of Representatives who sponsored the bill seeking to amend the 1999 constitution to provide for a single term of six years for the Offices of the President, State Governors and Local Government Areas Chairmen, have said the bill will be reintroduced again on the floor of the House.

In a statement issued by the lead sponsor and member representing Ideato North South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives on Thursday in Abuja, Rep. Ugochinyere said all hope is not lost as more consultation will be done on the bill and represented at a later time.

Naijablitznews.com recalled that the bill which also seeks zonal rotation of presidential and governorship seats, as well as holding of the elections in one day was rejected at the plenary on Thursday 21 November, 2024.

Rep. Ugochinyere said, “the decision on the floor of the House today does not put an end to agitation and hope as they will realize this objective.

“The struggle to reform our constitutional democracy to be all inclusive and provide Avenue for justice, equity and fairness has not been lost. The decision on the floor of the House today not to allow the bill for 6 year single tenure for presidency/governorship and for power to rotate between north and south, all elections to hold in one day, not to scale 2nd reading does not put an end to agitation and hope that we will realize this objective.

“This is a temporary set back which does not affect the campaign for all inclusive democratic process. We are going to review these decision and find possible ways of reintroducing it after following due legislative procedures. All I can tell Nigerians is that we will continue the advocacy and convince our colleagues to see reason with us. If elections are held in one day, it will reduce cost, reduce rigging. If power rotates, it will help de-escalate. political tensions and six year single term will go a long way in helping elective leaders focus on delivering their democratic mandate. All hope is not lost, we will continue the advocacy and we hope that when reintroduced our colleagues will support it.”

News

Trump Announces Pam Bondi For Attorney General after Rep Gaetz Withdrawal

Published

1 hour ago

November 22, 2024

Naijablitznews

After Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida abandoned his quest for U.S. attorney general, President-elect Donald Trump wasted no time in choosing another candidate for the position.

On Thursday evening, Trump announced his decision on social media.

“I am proud to announce former Attorney General of the Great State of Florida, Pam Bondi, as our next Attorney General of the United States,” he posted on Twitter. “Pam was a prosecutor for nearly 20 years, where she was very tough on Violent Criminals, and made the streets safe for Florida Families,” according to him.

“Then, as Florida’s first female Attorney General, she worked to stop the trafficking of deadly drugs and reduce the tragedy of Fentanyl overdose deaths.”

News

SAD! 38 Casualties As Gunmen Ambush Shiite Convoys

Published

1 hour ago

November 22, 2024

Naijablitznews

No fewer than 38 people, most of them Shiite Muslims, were killed in northwestern Pakistan on Thursday as gunmen ambushed convoys of vehicles that had been under the protection of security forces.

The attack was one of the deadliest in months of sectarian violence in the Kurram region, a scenic mountainous district bordering Afghanistan. Pakistan is overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim, but Kurram’s population of 800,000 is nearly half Shiite Muslim, contributing to a cauldron of tribal tensions.

Conflicts, often rooted in disputes over land, frequently escalate into deadly sectarian clashes. The violence highlights the government’s persistent struggle to maintain control in the region.

The vehicles had been traveling in opposite directions on the main road connecting Parachinar, a Shiite-majority town in Kurram, to Peshawar, the provincial capital 135 miles away.

The road, a vital lifeline for the district, had only recently reopened after being closed for three weeks because of an ambush on Oct. 12 that left at least 16 people dead.

During the closure, residents of Parachinar were cut off from essential supplies, including food and fuel, leading to a growing humanitarian crisis.