Tinubu: Akpabio, Abass’ Emergence Good Development for Nigeria
•Says it’s time to get on with serving the people
•Declares readiness to transparently work with legislature
•Vows to remain a partner for peace, stability of country
•Senate President, Speaker pledge effective cooperation
•Adamu: APC will waste no time filling other principal offices
•HURIWA doubts 10th National Assembly will be independent
•SGF, governors, others congratulate new National Assembly leadership
Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha, Olawale Ajimotokan, Sunday Aborisade, Udora Orizu in Abuja, James Sowole in Abeokuta, Oyewale Ibrahim in Lokoja, Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt, Sylvester Idowu in Warri, and Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia
President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, congratulated Senator Godswill Akpabio and Hon. Tajudeen Abass on their election as Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively, saying their emergence is a good development for the country.
Tinubu, in a congratulatory message he personally signed, said it was time to get on with delivery of promised service to the people. He declared his readiness to transparently work with the legislature, and vowed to remain a partner for peace and stability of the country.
Akpabio and Abbas pledged their commitment to effective cooperation with the executive arm, without compromising the independence of the legislature.
Equally, National Chairman of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu, assured that the party would waste no time sorting out the issue of those that would occupy the remaining principal offices in the 10th National Assembly.
However, Human Rights Writers Associates (HURIWA) doubted whether Nigerians would witness a robust, independent, and pro-people federal legislature during the Tinubu administration, with the manner in which the leadership of the 10th National Assembly was chosen.
Nonetheless, prominent Nigerians, including Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, and governors across political parties, congratulated the new leadership of the National Assembly.
Amid tight security, the senator for Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District, Akpabio, yesterday, emerged winner of the 10th senate presidency. The new Chairman of the National Assembly defeated his only rival, Abdulaziz Yari, a former governor of Zamfara State, representing Zamfara West Senatorial District in the red chamber.
From the votes of the 109 senators in attendance, Akpabio polled 63 votes while Yari scored 46 votes at the end of the voting, which was conducted by Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Sani Magaji Tambawal.
The voting process was largely peaceful.
After preliminary comments by the CNA, the chamber was set for the election of President of the Senate and Deputy President of the Senate.
APC senator for Borno South Senatorial District and Director-general of Akpabio Campaign Council, Ali Ndume, nominated Akpabio. His nomination was immediately seconded by Senator Solomon Adeola, representing Ogun West Senatorial District.
But Senator-elect Isiaku Abbo from Adamawa State nominated Yari, who defied the APC zoning arrangement to stand for the election.
After Yari had accepted his nomination, Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno) raised a point of order to oppose his nomination. Monguno said Yari was not qualified to participate in the contest, as he was never a member of the senate in the past.
But Monguno was not able to substantiate his claim, because Order 2(2) said senators-elect, who had been members of the House of Representatives were under the category of ranking senators and were, therefore, qualified to contest.
Many people complained about the sudden change in the time of the programme, which commenced by 8am, instead of the scheduled 10am.
There was also a serious complaint that overzealous security agents forced lawmakers, like Senators Barau Jibrin, Gbenga Daniel, and Ned Nwoko, among others, to walk about half a kilometre to the chamber. This was because a combined team of men of the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) shut the gate to the National Assembly from the office of the SGF.
In the House, Abbas, who represents Zaria Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, scored 353 votes to defeat the immediate past Deputy Speaker of the House, Ahmed Idris Wase (APC, Plateau), and Aminu Sani Jaji (APC, Zamfara), who scored three votes each.
The open ballot system was adopted for the election, with members-elect, one after the other, announcing their choice of Speaker.
The total number of accredited voters for the election in the lower chamber was 359, out of 360, due to the death of member-elect from Taraba State, Ismaila Yushau Maihanci.
The former university lecturer, who was endorsed by APC, was nominated by former Majority Leader of the House, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa (APC, Kano), and seconded by Nnaji Nnolim (PDP, Enugu).
The returning officer for the election and Clerk to the National Assembly, Tambuwal, said Abbas satisfied the requirements of the law and was returned elected.
However, both Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu were elected unopposed in both chambers after the elections of their principals.
In his congratulatory letter to the winners, Tinubu said, “The election of Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, CON, and Rt. Honourable Tajudeen Abbas as the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 10th National Assembly is a good development.
“I heartily congratulate them and also rejoice with the new Deputy Senate President, Jibril Barau, and House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, for their well-deserved victories.
“Being elected by their peers as presiding officers and assuming the leadership of the National Assembly is a great honour that comes with huge responsibility. I trust that you will justify the confidence reposed in you by your members and many Nigerians.
“I wish Senator Abdulaziz Yari, Honourable member Idris Wase, and Honourable Aminu Jaji, who enriched the process with their participation in the leadership election, the best and a successful tenure in the 10th National Assembly.
“I urge them to sustain the same level of enthusiasm they brought to the leadership contest in the discharge of their duties to their constituents and Nigeria. My congratulations to all members of the National Assembly, across party lines, who, today, enlisted into the service of the blessed people of our great country.
“We have all been called upon and accepted the responsibility to diligently and faithfully serve our fatherland with the oath we took. It is time to get on and move swiftly with the business of governance in the service of Nigeria.
“As your President, I am prepared to transparently work with the National Assembly. Nigerians expect distinguished Senators and Honourable members to make laws and carry out oversight duties that will enhance the performance of government to achieve successful outcomes, including improving their quality of life.
“In the course of our work together, disagreements may occur. When we disagree it will not be out of malice, ill-will, and quest to diminish the institution of National Assembly or any individual member. Our people across the length and breadth of our country expect so much from us. They want us to lift their economic burden. They want us eliminate insecurity so our farmers in rural communities can go to their farms and produce the food we eat.
“Our people look up to us to change the fortune of our country for good and remove all barriers that impede progress. All of these we can make happen with dedication and commitment. We can only achieve all the good things we promised during our campaigns when we work together in harmony but with respect for our respective prerogatives and in the best interest of our country.
“We cannot afford to waste this opportunity, because Nigerians want us to make every day of the next four years count. Justifiably, our people want more from their government. They truly deserve progressive good governance that will improve their standards of living. We must give them our best.
“I will remain a partner in progress for peace, stability and prosperity of Nigeria. I count on the leadership of the 10th National Assembly and all members to work and walk with me on this governmental journey.
“Once again, I send my best wishes.”
Akpabio: I’ll Prioritise Wealth Creation, Gender, Disability Issues
Senate President Godswill Akpabio pledged to discharge the responsibilities of his office with utmost dedication, integrity, and fairness, promising to prioritise wealth creation, gender, and disability issues.
Akpabio, who said the outcome of the election reflected the collective will of the senate and the various constituencies the senators were representing, said he was mindful of the enormous responsibilities that his position placed on him.
He told his colleagues, “You will have my cooperation in all matters and our joint efforts will be one of team-work. I extend my sincere hands of fellowship to all of us, including those who, at a time may have had different opinions regarding the leadership of the senate. These expressions of differing and opposing opinions and views are but the fabric that democracy is made of.
“We should anticipate an executive that is proactive, progressive, and practical. Our laws must, therefore, align with the vision of Mr. President to protect and provide for our people at the innermost core of their essence while our actions must also guarantee the best and most efficient use of our national commonwealth.”
Akpabio explained that gender and disability issues as well as wealth creation would be given priority in the 10th National Assembly.
He said, “We must recognise and prepare for a mid-21st century global economy that places a premium on intellectual content and knowledge, and our young men and women must be supported to engage competitively.
“Expansion of the revenue streams available to the country, especially from our huge but largely unregulated natural and solid mineral resources base. These additional sources of revenue will build the nation’s resilience to shocks and stresses resulting from the fluctuation of oil prices in the international market.
“We will, as a forward-looking Senate, pass laws that emphasise economic viability, social acceptability and environmental sustainability, to encourage alternate and green technologies without prejudicing our developmental needs.
“We must, therefore, as a Senate, rise to partner His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and provide the required legislative framework and legal environment for him to anchor the policies and programmes that he espouses for the country.”
Akpabio urged senators in the minority caucus to jettison party politics and work collectively for national interest.
Abass: 10th House Shall Surpass Past Gains
Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, said on his watch, the 10th House would sustain and even surpass the gains of the ninth House. Abbas, who made the pledge in his acceptance and inaugural speech after his election, said the lawmakers would carry out the task before them jointly.
He said the 10th House would introduce reforms and innovations for the benefit of Nigerians, announcing that in a few weeks, the green chamber would be releasing the legislative agenda that would shape activities.
The speaker said the House would work closely and inter-dependently with the executive and judiciary to give Nigerians the good governance they deserve.
Abbas said, “We stand at a crucial juncture in our nation’s history, where challenges abound, but so do opportunities. We will champion legislations that will uplift the lives of our fellow citizens, promote social justice, and drive sustainable development.
“We will focus on strengthening our security apparatus, collaborating with relevant stakeholders to combat insurgency, terrorism, and all forms of criminality. We aim to help create a safe and secure environment that fosters economic growth and social stability.”
Speaking to newsmen after a thank you visit to Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, Abbas declared that the green chamber would not hesitate to move against the executive arm whenever it worked against the interest of the Nigerian populace. He assured that the 10th House would not be a rubber stamp in the hands of the executive.
The new speaker said, “We will always separate our independence and we will relate and be able to harmonise with the executive where necessary, but where there is a conflict of interest, where we feel that the executive is or wants to do something that is not in the interest of the public, they know that we’ll stand up against that.”
He emphasised that the wide acceptability, depicted by the cross-party support during his election, gave the lie to the picture previously painted that he was being imposed by the ruling APC.
Abbas stated, “If you talk about rubber stamp, look at the acceptance rate, those who have elected those across party lines, almost the whole PDP, SDP, ADC and all other minority parties voted us. So if they felt that we are going to be rubber stamps, do you think they will elect us? No. They believe that we will safeguard the sanctity of the National Assembly, the legislature.”
Kalu, on his part, said the 10th House of Representatives would be delivering the promises its members made to their constituents by working with the executive.
He said, “We promised during the time we went to all the constituencies in the Federal Republic, canvassing for votes, the promise that we’re going to ensure that nation-building remains a joint task that will not be left only for the executive, the judiciary to handle.
“We promised that we are going to be there to make sure we bring our own bricks to the nation-building work and this extends to creation of jobs, reduction of poverty, policies that go into enhancing our energy sources, policies that will help us create more local content usage in this country.
“Manufacturing now helps us reduce importation and increases exportation that will stimulate our economy. And as you see in the past 15 days, Mr. President has been taking the right decisions on issues. We want to sustain that through legislative support, legislative intervention to make sure that together, we build a nation we will be proud of.”
Adamu: APC Will Waste No Time Filling Other Principal Offices
National Chairman of APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, assured that the party would waste no time in filling the remaining principal offices in the National Assembly.
Adamu disclosed this on Tuesday evening while speaking to newsmen at the State House, Abuja, after a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu.
The national chairman disclosed that the process that produced the leadership of the 10th National Assembly had left the party with some lessons. He attributed the successful inauguration of the 10th Assembly and the election of the preferred candidates of the party into the leadership of the two chambers to thorough consultation and respect to those who deserved it.
Answering a question of how the party managed to have its preferred choices elected, Adamu said, “Very thorough consultations and respect for all those who deserved respect. This is what took us through this very important step in the important arm of government.
“For people who don’t know, for people who are into constitutional law, the legislature is the first estate and no government can claim to be stable without ensuring that the National Assembly is in state and that’s what we’ve achieved today.
“It wasn’t easy coming to this point, but we thank God Almighty that so much has been done and so much lessons have been learned in the course of this endeavour. There’s time for everything and God is the giver of power and influence. God has chosen the gentlemen today: President of the Senate and Deputy President of the Senate, and Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
“What is now left for us, as a party, is to sit and determine the remaining members. Each of these principal officers has got a deputy and, of course, the Majority Leader of each of the chambers.
“We’re going to sit over this and we want to believe that we’re going to waste no time whatsoever, we’ll come up with what we’ll give the president to get his buy-in before it’s made public or before it goes to the National Assembly. This day is very historic.”
Adamu expressed the belief that the leadership of the National Assembly would do well and work to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people of the country.
Meanwhile, Adamu hailed Tinubu for signing the Student Loan Bill into law, describing it as “an extremely positive step.”
According to Adamu, the new law would go a very long way in alleviating the burdens of indigent students in their quest for education.
He said, “This law is virtually guaranteeing every child of this country an opportunity to get good education. We support it and we stand with the president shoulder to shoulder in ensuring that its implementation becomes easy.”
HURIWA Doubts 1oth National Assembly will Be Independent
Human Rights Writers Associates (HURIWA) expressed doubt that Nigerians would witness a robust, independent-minded and pro-people national legislature.
The rights group predicted that the current session of the National Assembly, with candidates, allegedly, handpicked by President Bola Tinubu, would be a docile and rubber stampe legislature, just like the ninth session of the National Assembly headed by Ahmed Lawan.
HURIWA said it was unfortunate that the ruling party created the impression that the senators and members of the House of Representatives were persons of very low integrity, whose consciences could be bought by either money or political patronage to do the bidding of the president. He said this was antithetical to the fundamentals of constitutional democracy.
HURIWA accused the executive arm of government of arm-twisting the legislators to accept the docile leadership it had all the while prepared for the 10th session of the National Assembly.
It stated, “We are shocked by the amount of interest and the high levels of threats and intimidation that the few senators, who dissented from the mainstream position of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the leadership composition in the National Assembly, were subjected to, including the attempted deployment of armed law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies against them just so they can step down for Akpabio, who incidentally has been accused by the EFCC of financial indiscretion as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.”
HURIWA, while reacting to the emergence of Akpabio as Senate President and Tajudeen Abbas as Speaker of the House of Representatives, alleged that both legislators, including their deputies, were handpicked by the president, who is the head of the executive arm of government. It said it would be almost impossible for such a hierarchy to provide robust legislative activities or oversight functions over the executive and judicial arms of government in the current dispensation.
The rights group urged Nigerians to be vigilant and defend the integrity of the constitutional democracy that the country had embraced.
HURIWA said, “The processes that threw up the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives smacks of executive interferences and as far as rational-minded people are concerned, the National Assembly is already hijacked by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and unless miracle happens, the interests of the people of Nigeria, who are the real owners of the sovereignty of Nigeria, won’t be protected.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who fixed Akpabio and Tajudeen Abbas as heads of Senate and Federal House of Representatives, already has his secret plot that he intends to achieve and these are all about himself and his political dynasty. Nigerians must be ready to fight for their rights.”
Prominent Nigerians Greet Akpabio, Abass, Others
Prominent Nigerians from different walks of life had since yesterday been sending congratulatory messages to the new leadership of the National Assembly, advising them not to abuse the trust the people have in them.
SGF George Akume
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, congratulated the newly elected President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and his deputy, Senator Barau Jibrin, as well as Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, and his deputy, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, on their victory as the presiding officers of the 10th National Assembly.
In a statement yesterday, the SGF described the legislators’ emergence as victory for democracy. He said it epitomised the unity of purpose, inclusivity in governance and stability in the polity for the realisation of the Renewed Hope agenda of the administration.
Akume stated that with the emergence of Akpabio and Abbas as President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively, the National Assembly’s principal officers would guarantee a robust, close and collaborative working relationship between the executive and the legislative arms of government while safeguarding their independence for the overall benefit of the country.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, charged members of the 10th National Assembly to surpass the laudable record of the Ninth Assembly, saying they are expected to settle down quickly to begin to pass laws and make decisions that would be beneficial to all Nigerians.
Speaking to journalists after the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly in Abuja on Tuesday, Sanwo-Olu urged the legislature to support the work of the executive, led by Tinubu.
The governor said, “We need to wish them all the very best, pray for them, and hope that this 10th Assembly can, indeed, also do better than the Ninth Assembly. We understand that the Ninth Assembly was one of the biggest in terms of the bills and everything, but the 10th Assembly has a target to meet and surpass.
“So, I imagine they are going to settle very quickly and begin to pass laws and make decisions that will be beneficial to all Nigerians, irrespective of what part of the country you come from. I wish them all the very best and I want to say, congratulations to all Nigerians.”
Dapo Abiodun
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, yesterday, congratulated former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for emerging President of the Senate.
The governor, who witnessed the elections both at the Senate and House of Representatives, also congratulated Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, who emerged Speaker of the House of Representatives with Hon. Benjamin Kalu as his deputy.
Abiodun, in a statement by Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Mr. Waheed Adesina, described the emergence of the new National Assembly leadership as the final fulfilment of the installation of transformational leadership in the country, which began with the election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Describing the new leadership as a round peg in a round hole, Abiodun said Akpabio had the wealth of knowledge to deploy in managing the affairs of the senate, having been a governor and a minister. Abbas also has garnered the requisite legislative knowledge for a smooth working relationship with the executive, Abiodun said.
Godwin Obaseki
congratulated Senator Godswill Akpabio on his emergence as Senate President.
Obaseki said Akpabio came with immense experience as a former governor and minister, garnering wide-ranging expertise that would benefit the 10th Senate and advance the development of the nation.
Obaseki stated regarding Akpabio, “His understanding of the machinery of state will smoothen executive-legislative collaboration, which will enhance good governance and engender sustainable development. I am confident that he will give a good account of himself and deliver on this new national assignment.”
Yahaya Bello
Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello felicitated with Senator Godswill Akpabio on his resounding victory and election as President of the 10th Senate.
In a statement by the press secretary to the governor, Muhammed Onogwu, Bello commended the flawless and peaceful conduct of the election, which he said stood as a testament to the commendable workings of internal democracy within the National Assembly.
The governor stated that he believed Akpabio’s wealth of experience as a former governor and minister would enable him to effectively lead the 10th Senate, and foster a harmonious relationship with the other arms of government for the greater good of the nation.
He also congratulated Hon. Tajudeen Abbas on his election as Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives, saying his distinguished presence in the parliament has equipped him with the necessary knowledge and understanding to fulfill his responsibilities harmoniously.
PANDEF
Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) congratulated Senator Godswill Akpabio on his emergence as President of the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
A political pressure group, Niger Delta Rights Advocates (NDRA), also hailed the emergence of Dr Tajudeen Abbas and Hon Benjamin Okezie Kalu as Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 10th National Assembly.
National Publicity Secretary of PANDEF, Dr. Ken Robinson, in a statement yesterday, said the victory had provided some degree of balance in the national government, and described the attempt by some groups and individuals to foist an “all-Muslim” leadership on the country as not only unfortunate but also incendiary.
Similarly, National Coordinator of the Niger Delta Rights Advocates, Bright Ngolo, stated that the emergence of Abbas and Kalu as House leaders in the 10th Assembly was a reward for patriotic zeal, hardwork and loyalty to the party.
Bernard Okumagba
A chieftain of APC in Delta State, and member of the Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Olorogun Bernard Okumagba, congratulated Obong (Senator) Godswill Akpabio on his historic election as President of the Senate.
Okumagba, in a statement, noted that Akpabio’s election came at a time governance, under President Bola Tinubu, was being re-tooled for the benefit of the masses. This, according to him, was to regain the trust and interest of the citizens in the national project.
Ikechi Emenike
Governorship candidate of APC in Abia State, Chief Ikechi Emenike, congratulated the new Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and their deputies on their emergence as presiding officers of the 10th National Assembly.
Emenike, in a statement, said he was satisfied with the emergence of these “fine crop of leaders for the nation’s hallowed chambers of legislative business.”
His words, “I have no doubt that with these intelligent and patriotic lawmakers leading the National Assembly, there I’ll be harmony and synergy between the executive and legislative arms of government for the overall growth and prosperity of the nation.”
