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Speakership Race: Women Groups Throw Their Weight Behind Hon Gagdi
As the battle for the Speakership of the 10th National Assembly continues, Hajiya Mairo Mohammed-led civil society activist group under the aegis of Women Progressive Movement has leant their weight behind Rt Hon Yusuf Adamu Gagdi.
Gagdi is a serving Member of the House of Representatives and Member-elect for the 10th National Assembly in the Green Chambers for the coveted position.
In a statement signed by the president of the group, Hajiya Mohammed stated that Gagdi has acquired the status of a Ranking Member of the House of Representatives, having been elected to the House for two consecutive times, where he represents Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam Federal Constituency of Plateau State as well as being the Chairman, House Committee on Navy.
Hajiya Mohammed also pleaded the support of Gagdi’s fellow members-elect for a purposeful leadership of the House of Representatives that will give proper legislative direction and harmonious working relationships with other arms of government (Executive and Judiciary).
Mohammed maintained that a vote for Gagdi for the Speakership of the House is a vote for the peaceful coexistence, economic prosperity and social cohesion of Nigeria.
She noted that Gagdi’s simplicity, compassion, philanthropism, modesty and love for humanity has endeared him to his people whom he has served creditably as their representatives for over a decade in his political career
Hajiya Mohammed added that the kind of political leadership that Nigeria requires in the Green Chambers is one with resilience in leadership coordination and prowess devoid of sectional, regional, religious and ethnic bias, and that which allows public participation and inclusiveness in nature.
According to her, these are some of the qualities, which Hon Gagdi possesses and which places him over and above his fellow contenders.
Hon Gagdi had indicated interest to join the race for the Chief Lawmaker of the House of Representatives in the 10th National Assembly, having had quality experience in the Nigerian political space, first as Legislative Aide to the Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly, Deputy Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly, before joining the National Assembly as an elected member in 2019 wherein he became the Chairman, House Committee on Navy and currently, Member-elect for two consecutive times.
Hajiya Mohammed maintained that public agitation by progressive women groups was gaining ground across the world to entrench popular democracy that would bring desired societal change.
According to her, the agitation has equally come to stay in Nigeria, and that it was on this premise that she was canvassing for Gagdi to occupy the position of the Speakership of the House of Representatives come June 2023, when Members-elect of the 10th National Assembly would be sworn in.
Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on New Media and Public Communications to Nyesom Wike, the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has responded to the recent appointment of Bashir Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.).
Olayinka took to X (formerly Twitter) to address discussions surrounding this leadership transition. His post aimed to clarify that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not dismiss Mele Kyari, a northerner, to replace him with a southerner, as some speculated. Instead, Olayinka pointed out that Ojulari, like Kyari, hails from the northern region of Nigeria.
According to Olayinka’s post on his official X account, he emphasised that Bashir Ojulari is from Kwara State, located in North Central Nigeria. Additionally, the new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, originates from Borno State in the North East.
His post stated: “Bashir Ojulari, the new NNPCL CEO, is a northerner from Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. The new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, is also a northerner, from Borno State, North East Nigeria.”
Olayinka’s statement came in response to narratives suggesting that the appointment was politically motivated to favour one region over another.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has strongly condemned the extrajudicial killing of 16 travelers in Uromi, Edo State, while warning against retaliatory violence targeting Southerners in Northern Nigeria.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, MBF Spokesman Luka Binniyat denounced inflammatory threats from individuals claiming to represent Northern interests in response to the killings.
Recalled that the victims, were allegedly armed hunters, traveling from Port Harcourt to Kano when they were attacked by a mob that accused them of being kidnappers.
“The MBF strongly condemns the unlawful killing of any Nigerian citizen, including those who lost their lives in Uromi,” the statement read. “However, we categorically reject any attempt to use this tragic incident as a pretext to unleash violence against Southerners residing in Northern Nigeria.”
The forum assured that the Middle Belt would not become a battleground for reprisals, emphasizing that it remains a safe haven for all law-abiding Nigerians. It urged community leaders and youths to remain vigilant and prevent any attempts to instigate violence, calling for anyone with such intentions to be handed over to authorities.
The MBF also reaffirmed its commitment to justice for all victims of violence across Nigeria. The statement highlighted the ongoing security challenges facing Middle Belt communities, citing persistent attacks by armed herdsmen with little government intervention.
” We hope that the swift response to the Uromi killings would serve as a precedent for broader action against criminal elements terrorizing the region.
“Thousands of our people remain in captivity, and vast portions of our land are still under the control of violent outlaws—primarily Fulani militants,” the statement noted.
“Justice must be served across the board.”
The MBF concluded by reiterating its support for the ongoing investigation into the Uromi incident and calling for a fair and decisive crackdown on all forms of criminality across the country.
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Deputy Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, Kabir Ibrahim kware, has commended governor Ahmed Aliyu for executing numerous developmental projects without taking loan from any financial institution.
Ibrahim Kware whp gave the commendation when he led other members of the State Assembly on Sallah homage to governor Aliyu, added that, the governor is very prudent in managing resources to achieve results.
“There was never a time you approached us with a request for permission to borrow money from any financial institutions whether at home or abroad,”he affirmed.
This , according to him, is worthy of commendation considering the myriad people- oriented projects the governor is executing across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the State’s Judiciary, Sokoto State Chief Judge, Justice Muhammad Sa’idu Sifawa, commended the governor for the construction of additional Court rooms at the State High Court.
Justice Sifawa also expressed delight over the way and manner the governor responds to issues affecting the Judiciary, which he said, is a clear testimony of the good working relationship existing between the three arms of government in the state.
Responding to the commendations, governor Ahmed Aliyu appealed for more synergy among the three tiers of government in the overall development of the state.
A statement by Abubakar Bawa, the Press Secretary to governor Alhmed Aliyu reaffirmed his principal’s unwavering commitment of the executive arm to providing the direly needed dividends of democracy to the people of the state,in line with his campaign promises.
The governor also urged lawmakers to present all the needs of their constituencies for prompt and diligent implementation.
“”I want to assure you that my doors are always open for you at any given time, to listen to the demands of your people.”
He reminded them on the need to put politics aside and work together with the executive arm for the progress and even development of the people they represent.
Turning to the members of the State Judiciary, the governor appealed to Judges and Khadis to ensure the quick dispensation of justice, so as to decongest the correctional centres.
“It is worrisome to see how inmates are languishing in correctional centres for minor offences in the name of awaiting trial.
“We recently appointed seven additional Judges and 7 Khadis, which is the first in the history of Sokoto State.
“The idea is to enhance the manpower in our Judiciary so as to speed up the dispensation of justice,” he added.
The governor further assured the members of the Judiciary of his administration’s readiness to ensure their welfare at all times.