9th Assembly: Boroffice withdraws from Deputy Senate Presidency race

POLITICS

9th Assembly: Boroffice withdraws from Deputy Senate Presidency race

 

Ahead of Tuesday’s inauguration of the National Assembly, front-line contender for the position of Deputy Senate President, Senator Ajayi Boroffice, has withdrawn from the race.

In a statement signed by his Press Secretary, Kayode Fakuyi, stated that “in deference to President Muhammadu Buhari”, Senator Borofice steps down for another contender for the position.

It was gathered that the decision was rectified last night at the caucus meeting of All Progressives Congress, APC, Senators-elect.

A source however disclosed that the third-term senator representing Ondo North Senatorial District stepped down for Senator Ovie Omo-Agege from Delta State.

The press statement issued on Monday read, “Some weeks ago, Distinguished Senator (Prof.) Robert Ajayi Boroffice, OON declared intention, through letters addressed to Senators-elect, to seek the office of Deputy Senate President. The intention to contest was anchored on the deep conviction that with his excellent public service record, rich legislative experience and personality, he has the best credentials for the position.

“Consequently, he embarked on extensive consultations with party leaders, senators-elect and political groups. Indeed, everybody that was consulted agreed that he is eminently qualified to seek the office of Deputy Senate President.

“Instructively, majority Senators-elect have assured the senator of their support and the prospect of victory is high.

“However, in deference to President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Robert Ajayi Boroffice has decided to withdraw from the race.

“For the support and solidarity, Senator Robert Ajayi Boroffice is grateful to Senators-elect. He is humbled by the warm embrace and great display of camaraderie.

“We appreciate the people of Ondo North senatorial district and our friends across the country for the prayers, support and goodwill messages.

“For the far-reaching endorsements, steadfastness and unflinching support, gratitude goes to all concerned political groups across the country especially, the APC Young Stakeholders group, the Women for Buhari and Osinbajo group, and the Ondo APC Youth League,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, the stepping down of Borofice has reduced the number of aspirants jostling for the Deputy Senate President’s position.

Orji Uzor Kalu, Senator Kabiru Gaya, Senator Francis Alimikhena and Ovie Omo-Agege have shown interest in becoming the Deputy Senate President of the ninth Senate.

SHARE THIS STORY

9th Assembly: APC announces preferred candidate for Deputy Senate Presidency, Deputy Speakership

POLITICS

9th Assembly: APC announces preferred candidate for Deputy Senate Presidency, Deputy Speakership

 

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally adopted Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege for the position of Deputy Senate President of the 9th National Assembly.

Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, APC National Publicity Secretary, in a statement on Monday in Abuja, said the decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the NWC held in Abuja.

Issa-Onilu said that the meeting also endorsed Malam Muhammed Wase as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

He added that the decision was taken after consultations with President Muhammadu Buhari, party stakeholders, and APC state governors.

SHARE THIS STORY

Speakership: Go to court – lawyers dare Gbajabiamila

POLITICS

Speakership: Go to court – lawyers dare Gbajabiamila

 

A group of lawyers has challenged Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, immediate past Majority Leader, House of Representatives, to go to court over criminal allegation levelled against him by some group ahead of the National Assembly speakership election.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Director-General of the Femi Gbajabiamila/Ahmed Wase Campaign Organisation, Rep. Abdulmumin Jibrin, had on Wednesday threatened to sue leaders of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP).

According to Jibrin, the decision to sue CUPP leadership followed its criminal allegations against Gbajabiamila which were untrue.

Jibrin had insisted that Gbajabiamila had never been convicted nor served any court document hence he would participate in the Speakership election on June 11 in spite the campaign of calumny.

But the lawyers, under the auspices of Coalition of Public Interest Lawyers and Advocates (COPA), in a statement Friday, stressed that Gbajabiamila would have to first of all clear himself of the allegation before seeking to contest for the Speaker position.

The statement quoted Mr Pelumi Olajengbesi, leader of the group, as welcoming the lawmaker’s threat of going to court, noting that Nigerians would have the opportunity of knowing whether the allegation against him was true or false.

“We make bold to state that it is crystal clear that Femi Gbajabiamila lacks the moral mettle and sincerity to lead the House of Representatives as its Speaker.

“This is because the context of the press conference held on his behalf failed to address the substantive issue against him, and rather than express remorse, countered with baseless threats against the Nigerian people.

“COPA states categorically that it is in possession of all documents and evidences that establishes a clear case of fraudulent dishonesty and abuse of trust against Femi Gbajabiamila.

“The facts against Gbajiamila are, in fact, readily available to the public as they were established in a Court of Record with same being accessible to the public, and are attached herein for the avoidance of doubt.

“We have established correspondence with the Supreme Court of Georgia and we have documents of Disciplinary Case No. S06Y0829 and the family of the victim of Gbajiamila’s fraud, Hadyatou Barry and also Vesta with P. O. Box 23410 Nashville TN, 31202, the insurance company that paid the claim misappropriated by Femi Gbajabiamila.

“The entire defense raised in Femi Gbajabiamila’s behalf in the said press statement relied on a book whose thorough, unbiased reading ironically actually proves his guilt as the book acknowledges all the material facts establishing his guilt in fraudulently appropriating to himself money meant for the victim of a car accident,” the statement quoted Olajengbesi as saying.

The statement also quoted Olajengbesi as saying that no amount of half-truths and misdirection would stop them from getting to the root of the matter.

SHARE THIS STORY

BREAKING: Senator Goje withdraws from Senate Presidency race, endorses Lawan

POLITICS

BREAKING: Senator Goje withdraws from Senate Presidency race, endorses Lawan

 

Senator Danjuma Goje has withdrawn from the 9th Senate Presidency election expected to hold on June 11.

According to Vanguard, the lawmaker also endorsed the Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan, for the position.

This was disclosed by the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, after their meeting behind closed doors with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday.

El-Rufai was accompanied by Senators Lawan, Goje and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang, while briefing State House Correspondents on the latest development.

SHARE THIS STORY

9th Assembly: PDP Reps members speak on endorsing Gbajabiamila for Speakership

POLITICS

9th Assembly: PDP Reps members speak on endorsing Gbajabiamila for Speakership

 

Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Representatives have debunked media reports that they had endorsed Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila or any other candidate for the speakership position for the incoming 9th National Assembly.

The House Minority Leader, Hon. Leo Ogor, in a statement on Thursday, described such reports as the handiwork of propagandists and mischief-makers, clarifying that PDP lawmakers had neither endorsed Gbajabiamila nor any other speakership candidate for that matter.

“In our Eid-el-Fitri message, we felicitated with all our Muslim brothers and sisters across Nigeria, and emphasised the significance of worthy virtues, stating that our members may participate in meetings, strategy sessions and other activities of speakership aspirants to come back to the caucus with convincing assessments.

“While some publications disseminated accurate and objective report, few others fabricated a completely new angle with one even using a deliberately fictitious and grossly erroneous headline in a manner that suggests being used for the ruling party’s usual misinformation and propaganda.

“Contrary to what has been sensationally reported by some, at no time did we give our members a directive to vote for any APC speakership aspirant; I hereby categorically dissociate myself and the PDP House caucus from the false comments being attributed to us as participation in meetings should not be deliberately misinterpreted as a directive on voting,” Ogor said.

The minority leader pointed out that the PDP House caucus has remained solidly united although it has continued to grant audience to various speakership aspirants who are currently consulting them.

SHARE THIS STORY

Orji Kalu dares APC over 9th Assembly leadership

POLITICS

Orji Kalu dares APC over 9th Assembly leadership

 

Former Abia State Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, has insisted that he would run for the position of Deputy Senate President even if the All Progressives Congress (APC) opposes his ambition.

He said this when he appeared on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday.

“Let me be honest with you even if the party asks me not to run, I will run on the floor of the House, this is one position I have to run for because you cannot leave the Southeast alone, you can’t leave them behind,” Kalu said.

He further stressed that giving the Southeast a worthy position is in line with ensuring that the nation is ruled with equity.

“We are in the process of doing the right thing and the East will be given a place in the scheme of things. I am asking that the East should be given the Deputy Senate President.

“There is a high level of discussions about that and I’m sure that by partisan it would be a law in the House,” he added.

SHARE THIS STORY

9th Assembly: Secondus speaks on crisis in PDP over election of NASS leadership

NEWS

9th Assembly: Secondus speaks on crisis in PDP over election of NASS leadership

 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said there was no crisis within its ranks or any form of division over the choice of the 9th National Assembly leadership by its members.

The PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, said members of the National Assembly would decide who led them without any interference.

A terse statement by Mr. Ike Abonyi, Special Adviser on Media to Secondus, said the National Working Committee (NWC) was not compelling any of its lawmakers in the choice of the new leadership.

He said, “It is incumbent on the lawmakers themselves to elect whoever they like. So, the national leadership of the party will not compel them to do otherwise.”

He said the party was resolute in contributing to nation-building and ensuring that Nigeria became a better place for all.

“Our members in the National Assembly will determine what happens and inform the NWC of their decision,” he said.

SHARE THIS STORY

NASS: Saraki to investigate new guidelines for journalists

NEWS

NASS: Saraki to investigate new guidelines for journalists

 

Olu Onemola, the Special Assistant on News Media to the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has revealed that the Senate will investigate the new guideline for journalists at the National Assembly.

He said that his principal remains committed to the freedom of the press.

Onemola stated this in a series of tweets in response to the alleged new guidelines for journalists in the National Assembly.

He stated that Saraki’s antecedents as the Chairman of the 8th National Assembly show that he has always believed in the right of journalists to operate unhindered in order to promote transparency.

The News Media aide emphasized that the purported issuance of the controversial guidelines would be promptly investigated.

According to him, “The attention of the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has just been drawn to a story that is circulating on social media about the National Assembly issuing new guidelines to journalists.

“These alleged guidelines have not emanated from either the Senate President or the Speaker and will be promptly investigated.

“The public should note that the 8th National Assembly has been committed to the freedom of the press as exemplified by its work to bring governance closer to the people through live streams and live tweets.

“This is because the leadership of the 8th National Assembly believes strongly in the freedom of the press and in carrying the Nigerian public along. Hence, the Senate President and all his colleagues will continue to work to ensure that these freedoms remain unhindered.”

SHARE THIS STORY