Politics
CNG flay senate leader over comments on Ningi’s action
The North-East Chapter of the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has chided Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, for alleging that Senator Abdul Ningi is propagating an impeachment agenda against Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, despite the Northern Senators Forum not being in support of it.
Bamidele, representing Ekiti Central, on Tuesday, maintained that what Ningi did was tantamount to a failed civilian coup, adding that he only wanted to use the Northern senators’ forum to push his agenda.
The Senate leader further said the attempt to take over the Senate’s leadership beyond June 13, 2023, must stop.
Senator Ningi had, in an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (Hausa Service) on Saturday, alleged that N3.7tn was untraceable in the budget.
However, Bamidele, while reacting, alleged that Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central Senatorial District, attempted to unseat the senate president by allegedly inciting the Northern Senators’ Forum which he led against Akpabio, a southern senator, who took over from Ahmad Lawan.
He said: “What my big brother, distinguished Senator Abdul Ningi, whom I respect so well, planned to do or set out to do was tantamount to a civilian coup which has failed. And in doing this, he wanted to use the platform of the Northern Senators’ Forum. God bless all those who have dissociated themselves from the Northern Senators’ Forum.”
Weighing in, the North East chapter of CNG, in a statement by Isah Abubakar Waziri, its
Zonal Coordinator, condemned Bamidele for his utterances.
The statement read in part: “We observed with rather a shock, that a ranking senator, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, stooped so low to profiling northern senators and by implication, the northern people for planning to stage what he described as ‘a civilian coup’. Senator Bamidele descended further to portray northerners as unreliable who are hell-bent on removing Godswill Akpabio as the President of the 10th Senate.
“It is imperative to educate Bamidele that the North he is insulting gave the highest and most decisive number of votes to the incumbent President Bola Tinubu just as the northern senators who constitute the majority facilitated the emergence of Godswill Akpabio as the Senate President.
“For the avoidance of any doubt, it is important to unravel this dangerous rhetoric woven around our differences by a senator through provoking sectional sentimental calculation over and above the priority of collective and cohesive struggle to enshrine accountability and transparency in the Senate.
“Let it be vivid to Bamidele that the Northern lawmakers always make robust legislative engagements irrespective of who is superintending the National Assembly which is why for example Abdulmumini Jibrin challenged Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara and Sen. Ali Ndume confronted Sen. Bukola Saraki with allegations, yet, it was only the issues that were dissected and debated.
“It is necessary to deploy every plausible means to disabuse the ilk of Bamidele from such narrow political conjecture that can only gain currency in a situation that stifles democratic etiquette.”
Cross River chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has objected to the recall of the suspended state Chairman of the party, Mr Venatius Ikem, by the National Working Committee (NWC).
This is contained in a statement issued by the state Secretary of the party, Mr Anthony Edako, on Monday in Calabar.
The party’s State Executive Committee (SEC) insisted that the chairman remained suspended until NWC and stakeholders met to decide otherwise.
According to the party, any purported decision to reinstate the suspended chairman without first having an expanded meeting to look into SEC’s complaint is null and void.
“We have been made aware of a letter circulating on social media, purportedly written by the national organising secretary reinstating the suspended state chairman.
“We wish to state categorically state that this letter is null and void, as it did not emanate from the proper channel having the authority to write such a letter,” the statement said.
The party said that only the national chairman and national secretary were authorised to write such a letter.
“So, the national oganising secretary overstepped his bounds, and his actions are consequently deemed ultra-vires,” it said.
The secretary recalled that on Nov. 20, 2024, NWC dismissed the suspension of the chairman of Cross River Chapter of PDP, Venatius Ikem, which was made on Nov. 15, 2024.
“The reason for the dismissal of the suspension was communicated to the SEC of the party.
“Consequently, the SEC of the party, on Nov. 22, 2024, suspended the state chairman based on the recommendation of the disciplinary committee of the state and communicated same to the national,” he said.
He further stated that SEC was invited by the NWC and after deliberations, it was unanimously agreed that NWC should convene a meeting with stakeholders from Cross River to determine Ikem’s fate.
“The meeting between the NWC and stakeholders from Cross River has not been convened yet.
“The meeting is a crucial step in ensuring that the decision-making process is transparent, fair and in line with our party’s constitution,” he said.
The secretary said that any purported decision taken to reinstate the suspended chairman without first having the expanded meeting to look into SEC’s complaint was, therefore, null and void.
He urged party members and stakeholders to disregard the said letter and continue to recognise the suspended chairman as such. (NAN)
The heightened security follows the controversial impeachment of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa on January 13, 2025, over allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of power.
A heavy security presence has been deployed at the Lagos State House of Assembly complex in Alausa, Ikeja, amidst escalating tensions ahead of a crucial court hearing on March 7.
The hearing is related to the ongoing leadership crisis within the Assembly. To maintain order, operatives from various security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Lagos State Task Force, have been strategically positioned around the complex.
They are conducting thorough checks on individuals and vehicles attempting to enter the premises.
The heightened security follows the controversial impeachment of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa on January 13, 2025, over allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of power.
In response, Obasa filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of his removal, with the Lagos State High Court scheduling a hearing for March 7.
The leadership tussle has led to a tense atmosphere within the Assembly.
On Monday, an emergency plenary session was convened amid speculations that current Speaker Mojisola Meranda might resign to align with the party’s zoning arrangement.
Security personnel cordoned off the premises, thoroughly searching staff and visitors before granting entry.
Following reports that journalists were denied entry into the premises of the State House of Assembly, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin refuted the claim.
He said, “To forestall breakdown of law and order, CP Olohundare Jimoh ordered the proactive deployment of human and operational resources to the House of Assembly. This is also to ensure water-tight security and prevent miscreants and thugs from causing mayhem.
“For clarification, entry is allowed into the Assembly complex for journalists and every other person with genuine business to carry out there.
“Furthermore, part of the measures employed is diversion of vehicular traffic around the Assembly complex. This is necessary to ensure firm grip and control over the security architecture.
“For emphasis, there is no restriction of movement into the Lagos State House of Assembly, and the diversion of traffic was proactively emplaced to forestall breakdown of law and order in the Assembly and its environs.”
The situation has also impacted Assembly operations, with civil servants directed to work remotely until further notice due to the ongoing leadership dispute.
The Lagos House of Assembly has been embroiled in a leadership crisis following the removal of Speaker Obasa.
The crisis stems from internal power struggles within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and growing dissatisfaction among lawmakers regarding Obasa’s leadership style and alleged financial mismanagement.
Tensions escalated when Obasa was ousted, leading to the emergence of a new Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, by the majority of the lawmakers.
However, the situation took a dramatic turn last week when Obasa, refusing to accept his removal, stormed the Assembly complex with a team of security operatives. His presence, accompanied by heavy security, was seen as an attempt to reclaim his position and assert control over the legislature.
This development has deepened the crisis, with divisions among lawmakers and interventions from key political figures, including President Bola Tinubu, who is reportedly pushing for Obasa’s reinstatement despite resistance from some legislators.
The directive was issued during a plenary session in Port Harcourt on Monday by lawmakers loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, following a recent Supreme Court judgment.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has issued a 48-hour deadline for Governor Siminalayi Fubara to present the 2025 budget.
The directive was issued during a plenary session in Port Harcourt on Monday by lawmakers loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, following a recent Supreme Court judgment.
Elanzanews previously reported that Governor Siminalayi Fubara had pledged to implement the Supreme Court verdict that nullified the local government elections conducted by the state in October 2024.
However, he noted that his administration disagreed with the court’s ruling delivered on Friday. He made this position known in a statewide broadcast on Sunday.