News

APC Youth Disown Group Over Protest Against Matawale

Published

4 weeks ago

November 13, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

***calls on DSS to investigate Akida’s links with Zamfara Gov

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The protest by some group against the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawale in Abuja on Tuesday, has been described as a “futile effort by mischievous elements and enemies of the Federal Government”, to distract the ongoing fight against terrorism and banditry in the north.

A statement Tuesday night by the President of Zamfara APC Youth Integrity Network (ZAYIN), Alhaji Idris Ibrahim, specifically alleged that Tuesday’s protest against Matawale at the headquarters of the Department of State Security (DSS) in Abuja, which was the second of such movement in one month, was one of the many antics of Governor Dauda Lawal to discredit the laudable effort of the Minister in nipping insurgencies to the bod.

It was reported Tuesday afternoon that a group, under the umbrella of APC Akida Forum (AAF), protested at the headquarters of the DSS, against the Minister, Matawale.

The AAF’s chairperson, Musa Mahmud, who spoke on behalf of the protesters, called on the DSS to investigate alleged Matawale’s linkage with bandits and terrorist groups.

But in a swift reaction Tuesday night, Alhaji Ibrahim said it was only those who didn’t know AAF and its evil antecedents in Kaduna State that would take it seriously.

ZAYIN further clarified that, the so called APC Akida Forum has no root in Zamfara state, rather Kaduna State, where Ramalan Tijani resides. “Ramalan Tijani is the person linked to a memo sometimes ago that detailed how the Zamfara State Governor was paying bandits and some media organisations to blackmail Matawalle”.

“APC Akida Forum is a group owned and operated by one Tijani Ramalan who is an ally of the Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal.

“The AAF was used in 2023 to stop APC members from voting for President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the current Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani; but both plots failed.

“Governor Lawal has been using the group to forment troubles within the ranks of the APC in Zamfara and neighbouring states. What baffles us is how the Governor thinks the DSS, of all agencies would not do background checks on such a questionable group and would just jump at whatever it was that they came to sell to the public in Abuja.

“Anyone who was around the venue of convergence today in Abuja, would testify that, the buses used to ferry the hired protesters to the DSS headquarters are Zamfara State Government official vehicles in the Liaison office at Abuja and normally used to commute Zamfara State pilgrims.

“We at the Zamfara APC Youth Integrity Network (ZAYIN) are calling on the DSS, the Police and other security agencies to quickly investigate this group called APC Akida Forum – know their leaders, their office, their bank account, if any and their communications with the PDP government and Zamfara Governor, then Nigerians would know the real enemies of the country.

“Tuesday’s unfortunate outing in Abuja, was a futile effort by mischievous elements and enemies of the Federal Government and Zamfara people. It was one of the ploys to distract our leader, the Honourable Minister of State for Defence and discredit his good efforts at fighting banditry and terrorism. Their plans have failed. We shall come out to tell Nigerians more about what is happening in Zamfara state.

“This was a man who belaboured to campaign against Matawale, using banditry as sole selling point to the electorate. He promised heaven and earth to end insecurity in the state if given the chance. With second year down the line, the monsters he created to win election are now receiving good dosages of the Federal Government’s offensive, and he is trying to distract the Minister so that the insurgency will continue.

“Alot of persons have cried out in recent past, showing evidences of how the Governor was patronizing notorious bandit leaders and some accomplice media influencers, but nothing has been done by the security agencies.

“We in APC will not allow anything to undermine the good work of Mr. President and his team in Zamfara State. Anyone who stands against the fight against terrorism and banditry in Zamfara, is an enemy of the State, be it Governor or anybody.

“The year 2027 is around the corner and we shall leave no stone unturn, to make sure we support our leader, His Excellency Bello Matawale to return President Tinubu to power, insha Allah”, the statement concluded.

News

NASC appoints Andrew Nwoba as Clerk to Senate, elevates others

Published

2 minutes ago

December 9, 2024

Naijablitznews

The National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) has approved the appointment of Mr Andrew Ogbonnaya Nwoba as the Clerk to the Senate.

The Commission approved the appointment, which takes effect from December 11, 2024, at its meeting held on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.

Before his appointment, Nwoba was the Secretary of the Directorate of Legislative Budget and Planning.

A statement by the NASC Deputy Director (Information), Mr Emmanuel Anyigor, said that the Commission also endorsed the promotion of other key officers of the National Assembly bureaucracy.

According to the statement, “Mr Emmanuel Odo was appointed Deputy Clerk (Administration) Senate, while Vivien N. Njemanze was appointed Deputy Clerk (Administration) House of Representatives.

“Also, Dr Obasi D. Ukoha is now the Secretary of the Directorate of legislative Budget and Planning.

“On the other hand, Mr Rawlings Agada was deployed from his former position of Deputy Clerk (Administration) Senate to Deputy Clerk (Legislative) Senate while Florence Kehinde A. was deployed from her former position as deputy Clerk (Administration) House of Representatives to Deputy Clerk (Legislative) House of Representatives.”

The statement said that the Commission had earlier approved the appointment of Ogundayo Mofoluwake Olufunmilayo as Secretary of the Directorate of Special Duties; Alkali Umar Abubakar as the Secretary of the Directorate of Human Resources & Staff Development and Essien Eyo Essien as Secretary of the Directorate of Zonal Liaison Offices.

THE CONCLAVE

News

Affirmative Action for Women is Essential for Equity – Speaker Abbas

Published

37 minutes ago

December 9, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

…as Reps engage state speakers on gender-Based violence, constitution amendment bills

By Gloria Ikibah

The Speaker, House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, has emphasized that affirmative action for women is not a privilege or an undemocratic measure but a necessary corrective step to promote fairness and achieve gender balance in Nigeria’s political landscape.

In his keynote address at a session with Speakers of State Houses of Assembly, held to mark the conclusion of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Speaker Abbas called for the integration of women’s and gender issues into the constitution, policies, statutes, and budgetary processes of the country. The session took place at the National Assembly on Monday.

Reflecting on the significance of the campaign, Speaker Abbas noted, “This action signified our resolve to combat violence against Nigerian women and to reinforce our collective commitment to creating a safer and more equitable society.”

He recalled leading an advocacy walk from the National Assembly to the Force Headquarters, where a petition was submitted to the Inspector General of Police; this, he said, demonstrated the resolve of lawmakers to address GBV comprehensively.

The Speaker commended the 16 Days of Activism campaign, which began on November 25, for uniting various stakeholders in the fight against GBV and the push for women’s empowerment across the nation. He highlighted the National Assembly’s leadership role in legislative reforms aimed at protecting women and promoting gender equity. These efforts include the enactment of key laws such as the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, the Child’s Rights Act, and the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act.

Speaker Abbas stressed that the 10th House of Representatives has intensified these efforts through its Legislative Agenda, prioritizing constitutional amendments that will enhance women’s participation and representation in governance. He underscored the critical role women play, stating, “Women are the cornerstone of our families and communities, yet their political representation remains unacceptably low. This imbalance must change—not for improved statistics but for the transformative value women bring to governance, leadership, and policymaking.”

He further elaborated on the barriers hindering women’s full participation in political and public life, citing cultural norms, economic disparities, and insufficient legal protections as systemic obstacles. According to him, “A society that protects its women and leverages their potential is one that secures its future.”

To address these issues, the 10th Assembly has initiated constitutional amendment processes early, allowing time for thorough consultation and consensus-building. The House Committee on Constitution Amendment has been engaging stakeholders through sensitization and advocacy to garner support for provisions that institutionalize greater women’s representation.

“These efforts go beyond tokenism,” Speaker Abbas asserted. “Affirmative action for women is not undemocratic; it is a necessary corrective measure to address historical inequities and unlock our nation’s full potential. Many African countries, such as Rwanda and South Africa, have successfully enshrined affirmative action in their constitutions.”

The Speaker also acknowledged the critical role of state Houses of Assembly in advancing these reforms, urging state speakers to actively participate in ensuring that gender-focused constitutional amendments and legislation are adopted at the sub-national level.

News

Inefficient Systems, Outdated Regulations Stifle Petroleum Sector Growth – Speaker Abbas

Published

2 hours ago

December 9, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

….as lawmakers deliberate on Petroleum sector regulations

By Gloria Ikibah

The Speaker of the House of Representatives has said the petroleum sector has always been impeded by inefficiencies and outdated regulatory frameworks.

Speaker Abbas stated this at a one-Day retreat on “Legislative Measures Towards the Realisation of the Mandate of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for members of the House Committees Gas Resources, Petroleum Resources (Downstream, Upstream and Midstream) on Monday in Abuja.

Naijablitznews.com reports that this critical workshop is aimed at enhancing lawmakers’ understanding of the petroleum sector and equipping them with the necessary legislative tools to support the NUPRC.

The workshop was designed to deepen the understanding of the NUPRC’s operations, the legal framework governing its activities, and the broader dynamics of the petroleum industry.

According to Abbas, this initiative is part of efforts to ensure effective oversight and accountability in the sector.

He said the petroleum sector has long been the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, contributing substantially to the nation’s GDP and serves as the primary source of foreign exchange earnings.

Abbas stated that the National Assembly has played a critical role in driving these reforms, from legislative enactments to oversight, ensuring the sector’s sustainability and effectiveness, adding that there is a need for continued support for the NUPRC and other stakeholders in achieving the full benefits of these reforms for all Nigerians.

He said: Legislative oversight is a cornerstone of democracy and good governance, adding that the Petroleum Industry Act underscores the importance of parliamentary scrutiny in ensuring accountability within the oil and gas sector.

“The petroleum sector has long been the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, contributing substantially to our GDP and serving as the primary source of foreign exchange earnings. However, its potential has often been hindered by inefficiencies and outdated regulatory frameworks.

“The enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 marked a significant turning point, introducing reforms that have redefined the governance, operations, and transparency of the oil and gas industry

“It provides a robust framework for oversight, empowering the National Assembly to monitor the operations of regulatory agencies like the NUPRC.

“Central to this transformation is the NUPRC, which was established to regulate the upstream petroleum sector. Its mandates, as outlined in Section 94 of the PIA, include ensuring transparency, accountability, and sustainable resource management.

“Some immediate gains include improved regulatory clarity, increased investor confidence, and a structured approach to addressing environmental and community issues. However, challenges remain, including the need for further infrastructural development, capacity building, and the full implementation of the PIA’s provisions.

“However, effective oversight is not without challenges. The technical complexity of the extractive industry, information asymmetry, and the ever-evolving nature of the sector can limit the ability of parliamentarians to perform their duties effectively.

“To overcome these obstacles, members must develop technical expertise, engage in continuous learning, and foster collaborative relationships with stakeholders”.

Soeaker Abbas noted that it is all important to fully utilise all oversight tools at our disposal, including inspections, public hearings, investigations, and interpellations. Effective engagement between legislative committees and the NUPRC is critical to avoiding unnecessary conflicts or repetitive invitations.

“By fostering open communication and mutual understanding, we can create a more productive working relationship.

To this end, I urge the committees to adopt a strategic approach that prioritises constructive dialogue and aligns legislative priorities with the operational realities of the NUPRC. Regular updates, joint assessments, and targeted inquiries can streamline oversight processes and improve outcomes”, he added.

Naijablitznews.com reports that the NUPRC was established to regulate the upstream petroleum sector, plays a critical role in ensuring transparency, accountability, and sustainable resource management.

The workshop is expected to foster a more productive working relationship between legislative committees and the NUPRC, ultimately ensuring that the upstream petroleum sector serves the interests of all Nigerians, promotes sustainable practices, and remains globally competitive.