APC Majority: Tambuwal Blocks Leadership Change In Reps


With the emergence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the majority in the House of Representatives, a plot by the federal lawmakers from the APC to effect a leadership change in the House failed yesterday.

At yesterday’s plenary, the House deputy minority leader, Hon Suleiman Kawu Sumaila (Kano/APC) raised a point of order, reminding the House of the new majority status of the APC following mass defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He said based on this, APC should be the party occupying the positions of House leader and deputy House leader as well as chief whip and deputy chief whip in accordance to the Rules of the House.

The House speaker, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, however, cautioned against any move to change the House leadership, reminding lawmakers of a court action on the issue of defections.

Following six defections (all from PDP) yesterday, the 360-member House now features APC with 181 seats; PDP 156 seats and other parties 23 seats.

The members that defected yesterday were Tobias Okwuru, PDP to LP (Ebonyi); Peter Ali, PDP to LP (Ebonyi); Chinenye Ike, PDP to APGA (Abia); Micah Umoh, PDP to ACCORD (A/Ibom); Robinson Uwak, PDP to APC (A/Ibom) and Ibrahim Garba, PDP to APC (Jigawa).

In January, APC emerged as the political party with majority members in the House, a first by an opposition party since 1999. The PDP had dominated the House since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.



Poll Shift, A Dent On Integrity Of 2015 Election – Tambuwal

Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has said that the postponement of the general elections has “inflicted an indelible dent on the integrity of the 2015 Elections and indeed the country’s entire electoral process”.

Tambuwal said majority opinions showed that the postponement was ill-timed, the excuse of security concerns notwithstanding.

“Government owes Nigerians a duty to make deliberate and honest efforts to restore public confidence in the process and in it’s commitment to free, fair, peaceful and transparent elections,” Tambuwal stated in his welcome remarks as House members resumed from their month-long recess yesterday.

Ahead of the March elections, Tambuwal said recent inflammatory utterances by some Nigerians which are inimical to the nation’s unity, peace and public order give cause for serious concern.

He said, “I am persuaded that the nonchalance or at best reluctance of the security agencies in resorting to the laws of the land in arresting the trend constitutes a direct affront on the revered doctrine of the rule of law. Nigerians have never needed intimidation or threats from any quarters to vote candidates at elections and they surely do not need any now.

“Our Constitution makes elaborate provisions for the rights and liberties of all citizens and, therefore, when certain misguided individuals or groups seek to unlawfully curtail these rights and liberties, the appropriate agencies of state must rise as a bulwark against such infractions”.

Tambuwal added that Nigerians will elect their leaders through the ballot and will resist all retrogressive forces that seek to truncate democracy.

On the 2015 national budget, Tambuwal assured of speedy passage despite the budget’s “belated submission”.



Constitution Amendment: Reps Approve Free Education, Healthcare For Nigerians

Deputy speaker, House of Representatives, Hon Emeka Ihedioha, yesterday presented the report of the concluded nationwide review process of the 1999 Constitution, highlights of which include the right to free basic education and free healthcare services for all Nigerians.

The House members unanimously adopted the report.

The report is a summation of the resolutions of the State Houses of Assembly on the amendment of the constitution which is a culmination of the process for amending the nation’s grundnum after both chambers of the National Assembly have harmonised their positions as stipulated by law.

In another landmark amendment which returned approved from the states, national security agencies, the Nigeria Police, State Houses of Assembly, attorneys-general and auditors-general are now listed as bodies and offices to enjoy a first line charge from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation.

“This shall grant them financial autonomy to enable them carry out their assignments without the hindrance of non-release of their allocations and ensure their operational autonomy,” Ihedioha said, quoting the report.