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CoS to president can’t take over NASS oversight role, says Agbese

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7 months ago

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The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Rep. Philip Agbese, says the Chief of Staff (CoS) to the President Bola Tinubu cannot take over the oversight duties of the National Assembly.

Agbese said this in Abuja while refuting a statement allegedly credited to him that the CoS has the power to oversee Ministry Department and Agencies (MDAs) of Government.

According to him, only the legislature has the power for close supervisory checks and monitoring of agencies to ensure things are done correctly.

It would be recalled that Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, the CoS to President Tinubu on Aug. 22, allegedly began a fact-finding exercises and familiarisation tours of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

He was alleged to have conducted on-the-site assessment of key MDAs under the presidency.

Agbese, however, said that such oversight by Gbajabiamila was in conflict with the legislative role, adding that it was only the National Assembly that had the constitutional role.

Agbese quoted Section 88 of the 1999 Constitution, saying “each House has the power to cause an investigation into the matters on which it has the power to make laws and the conduct of any person or ministry charged with certain responsibilities.”

According to him, I think I was quoted out of context; the paper quoted me out of context because the pretext and post-text were not fully reported.

He further emphasised that only the National Assembly, which is the Senate or House of Representatives, could oversee the executive.

He further said that the power to amend the Constitution rests squarely in the parliament, and that had been done.

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According to him, what I said was that visits within the executive are okay, but when it is called an oversight, then it’s in conflict with the Constitution.

He further said that friendly visits by the executive in the form of courtesy visits are allowed, but not oversight.

He stated that the concerns raised by the various stakeholders and particularly the civil society organisations that have called to clarify such claims are justifiable.

“As a People’s House, we will promote the Constitution as lawmakers and not cede such powers given to us by the Constitution to any individual outside the executive.

“The Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila was a speaker of the parliament and had voluntarily resigned to take up an executive responsibility.

“He should therefore understand the difference between the executive and the legislature,” he said. (NAN

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Politics

Ighodalo Will Fail At Appeal Court—Edo Governor

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22 hours ago

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April 5, 2025

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Monday Okpebholo, governor of Edo, says Asue Ighodalo, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 21 election, and the opposition party will fail in their bid to overturn his electoral victory at the appeal court.

On Wednesday, the Edo state governorship election petition tribunal affirmed Okpebholo as the elected governor of the state and dismissed Ighodalo’s petition.

Ighodalo, who rejected the tribunal’s ruling, said he respects the judiciary but noted that Edo people’s right to credible elections must not be compromised.

The PDP gubernatorial candidate also said his legal team has been instructed to challenge the judgment at the court of appeal.

However, speaking on Friday during a celebration hosted by his supporters, Okpebholo boasted that he would win at the appeal court and even at the supreme court.

The Edo governor said the opposition party is “wasting money on court cases,” adding that his “mandate cannot be hijacked”.

“The opposition party has been talking and shouting, but Edo people spoke very clear and loud with their votes on September 21, 2024,” Fred Itua, spokesperson to the governor, said in a statement.

“Edo people voted for the right person in Senator Monday Okpebholo. The people will speak again when the time is right.

“We have defeated them at the tribunal, and they said they want to appeal the ruling. If they like, let them appeal and even get to the Supreme Court. We will defeat them.

“They have stolen enough money from Edo State. So, they are wasting the money on court cases. If they like, let them spend the whole money they stole from the people.

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“They will never steal Edo people’s mandates given to me and the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the September 21st governorship election.”

In 2024, the Independent National Electoral Commission declared Okpebholo of the APC as the winner after he polled 291,667 votes to defeat Ighodalo, his closest challenger, who scored 247,274 votes.

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S’Court Verdicts: Abure Remains Chairman —LP

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22 hours ago

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April 5, 2025

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The Labour Party (LP) says the judgment of the supreme court on Friday is an endorsement of Julius Abure’s leadership.

Reacting to the verdict, Obiora Ifoh, the party’s national publicity secretary, said Abure remains the LP chairman.

The apex court had nullified the judgment recognising Abure as national chairman of the party.

The court held that the issue of leadership is an internal affair of a party over which courts lack jurisdiction.

“Supreme Court strikes out Nenadi, Abure suits, says only Political Parties can determine who their leaders are,” Ifoh wrote on the party’s X page.

“It also said that the courts shouldn’t dabble into the affairs of the political parties. Abure is still the National Chairman of the Labour Party.”

The supreme court had allowed the appeal filed by Nenadi Usman, a former senator representing Kaduna south, and one other — and held that there were meritorious.

The apex court also dismissed the cross-appeal filed by the Abure-led faction of the LP, describing it as lacking in merit.

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Ighodalo vows to Appeal tribunal verdict upholding Okpebholo’s election victory

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3 days ago

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April 3, 2025

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 19 September governorship election in Edo, Mr Asue Ighodalo, has said he will challenge the tribunal’s judgment at the Court of Appeal.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Edo election tribunal, sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, reaffirmed Gov. Monday Okpebholo’s victory and dismissed the petitions from the PDP and Ighodalo.

Ighodalo, in a statement in Benin, said his decision to challenge the judgment aimed to protect Edo people’s collective rights and ensure they freely determine their future.

“Today, the Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal delivered its judgment on our petition challenging the outcome of the Sept. 21, 2024 election in our dear state.

“While we may not all agree with the verdict, we remain steadfast in our belief that the rule of law must continue as democracy’s foundational bedrock.

“Our pursuit of justice affirms our firm belief that Edo people’s right to freely choose their leaders through credible, free, and fair elections must always prevail.

“As a committed democrat, I respect the judiciary as the last hope of the common man and urge all Edo people to remain peaceful, calm, and law-abiding,” he stated.

Ighodalo said this was not the end of their journey but the beginning of a greater struggle for justice, democracy, and the sanctity of the people’s mandate.

He commended the people for their massive support, sincere love, and belief in their shared vision for a prosperous Edo, which had fuelled their journey.

“For us, this has never been about personal ambition but about our conviction to create a clear ‘Pathway to Prosperity’ for Edo while upholding democracy’s core values.

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“I have, therefore, instructed my legal team to proceed to the Court of Appeal to challenge this decision, which we consider a serious miscarriage of justice.

“This is not about me or any single individual; it is about democracy’s essence, our collective right to determine our future, and our legacy for generations unborn.

“We remain resolute. We remain committed. We shall not waver in our pursuit of truth and justice,” Ighodalo said. (NAN)

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