The National Assembly Service Commission has confirmed Mohammed Sani Omolori as the substantive Clerk of the National Assembly. Sani-Omolori has been acting as clerk after the expiration of the tenure of former clerk, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa.
A letter confirming Sani-Omolori as the substantive clerk and signed by the Executive Chairman of the commission, Dr. Adamu Mohammed Fika, said the appointment was in recognition of Sani-Omolori’s hard work, dedication to duty and responsible conduct as well as loyalty to the Leadership of the National Assembly.
It reads in part: “I have the pleasure to inform you that the National Assembly Service Commission has at it 443rd Meeting approved the confirmation of your appointment as Clerk to the National Assembly.
“This appointment takes effect from 15th August, 2016.“
Mohammed Ataba Sani-Omolori became Clerk of the House of Representatives in 2008.
A prince of Ebira, he was born into the family of the immediate past Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, the late Alhaji Mohammed Sani-Omolori, in Okene, on June 7, 1961.
He had his early education at the Native Authority (Central) Primary School, Okene from 1966 to 1971.
He thereafter proceeded to Government Secondary School now Abdul Azeez Attah Memorial College Okene from 1972 to 1976.
From there, he proceeded to the Katsina College of Arts, Science and Technology (KCAST), Zaria for his advanced level certificate from 1977 to 1979.
After leaving KCAST, he later secured admission into Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria in 1979 where he obtained LLB in Law 1982.
Upon graduation from ABU, he proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, Lagos in 1982 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1983. [myad]
Former President, Goodluck Jonathan, has said that he and the traditional rulers in the Niger Delta region have engaged in talks with the militants to cease fire and allow Nigeria to enjoy unity.
The former President, who spoke to news men after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential villa, Abuja on Wednesday, emphasized that it is appropriate for him and traditional rulers in the area to mediate in the matter.
“It’s not just about me but about all the traditional rulers, elders and opinion leaders that are of the Ijaw ethnic nationality. We have been in touch to see that peace reigns in the country. Those of you that have followed my talks when I was here, my emphasis is that we need a United Nigeria and I always emphasize that Nigeria is great not just about the oil.
“So many countries produce more oil than Nigeria nobody notices them. We are great because of our size, the human resources we have, the diversity we have, if we fragmentize the country into small components, we will be forgotten by the World.
“That has been my focal position and without peace there cannot be development anywhere in the world. We are all working collectively to see that issues are resolved.”
Information had it that because of the intervention of former President Jonathan, the militant groups announced that they have suspended their plan to declare Niger Delta Republic out of the Republic of Nigeria.
Jonathan told news men that he was in Aso Rock to brief President Buhari on his emergence as the leader of African Union (AU) elections monitoring team to Zambia.
“You asked why I came to see the President today, one key thing is that having been a head of a government, a former president you become a state property. That’s the privilege you have but every privilege has its corresponding responsibility, and once you become a state property, most of your international engagement, that has to do with public addresses and some international assignment becomes a national assignment, you brief the President.
“Even when I was here the former presidents used to do that and see me. I have been coming. Most times, I come in the night that’s why you don’t see me. I came to brief the President about some of my engagements. As you are aware, I will be leading the AU elections monitoring team to Zambia. I came to brief the President about some of these external engagements. It is the tradition”, he said.
“I don’t want to talk about that one because there are too many cases that are in court. It will not be fair to make comments. I will talk at the appropriate time when most of these things are resolved.” [myad]
The Nigerian Army has made it clear that its target is to cleanse Nigeria of Boko Haram insurgents whether or not they change their leaders.
Reacting to the news that the Islamic State (ISIS) had named Abu Musab al-Barnawi as the new leader of Boko Haram in Nigeria to replace Abubakar Shekau, the Defence Headquarters said that the military is not in any way perturbed about the change of leadership.
The Director of Defence Information (DDI), Brigadier General Rabe Abubakar, said that the military is not interested in what happens at what he described as “nearly dead” Boko Haram terrorists, including change of leadership or alliance with ISIS.
Abubakar said that the military is only focused on complete destruction of the terror group irrespective of leadership and administrative changes.
”The leadership change of BHT as purpotedly released recently doesnt in any way bother us as the group is nearly dead in Nigeria and others within the Lake Chad nations. So, whether there is change in leadership or not, we are sure of total annihilation of the group.
“Our focus is to clear them from their hideouts which we have been doing through the ongoing Opetation Crackdown and Operation Gama Aiki with Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF). It’s not anything to us and we will continue to reduce them to nothing.”
Abubakar said that the military personnel have been capturing the terrorists “on daily basis, so the change is not anything to us. The DHQ is aware that Boko Haram are in disarray and collapsing.
“So they are trying to behave like a dying person who holds to anything in his desperation to stay alive. People should not take them seriously as they no longer pose any threats. However, we dismissed this change of leadership as a child’s play.” [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has confessed that former Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja branch, Lagos, Barrister Monday Onyekachi Ubani, is an inspiring personality with the proposed launching of his Foundation to cater for the less privileged, this weekend.
The launching will also be used to commemorate the lawyer’s birthday.
In a letter to the lawyer, President Buhari commended him for his decision to improve other peoples’ lives in his own little way.
“I consider this very inspiring. If this is the heartbeat of more privileged Nigerians, then the burdens of government will be a lot lightened.”
The President was particularly moved by the fact that the Foundation launch will be marked by a public lecture, which will focus on one of the things dearest to the heart of his administration; the anti-corruption war.
“I also look forward to the details of the lecture by Pastor Tunde Bakare on, The System that Allows Massive Corruption in Nigeria Must Be A Bad System.
“It is significant that the Foundation is dedicated to helping the poor and needy in the society, and is also out to celebrate those who have made our country proud with virtuous acts. This, I heartily commend and recommend to other well off Nigerians.
“I wish you a very successful launch, a most illuminating lecture, and a Happy Birthday.”
The Onyekachi Ubani Foundation will be inaugurated in Lagos on Saturday, August 6, 2016. [myad]
The United Nations Children Education Funds (UNICEF) has said that due to inadequate breastfeeding, no fewer than five million newborn babies in Nigeria are being deprived of essential nutrients and antibodies that can protect them from disease and death.
UNICEF, who is marking the World Breastfeeding Week, starting from August 1st and ending on August 7, said that nearly seven million children are born in Nigeria every year and that, according to the 2014 National Nutrition and Health Survey, only 25 per cent are exclusively breastfed from 0-6 months of age.
The UNICEF Nigeria Chief of Nutrition, Arjan de Wagt said: “we know that the pressure to give water to newborns in addition to breast milk is high. But the stomach of a baby is so small it can barely hold 60 millilitres of liquid and when it is filled with water, it leaves no room for breast milk and its life sustaining nutrients.
“Babies who are fed nothing but breast milk from the moment they are born until they are six months old grow and develop better. Breast milk gives a child a head start in life and a chance to fight child malnutrition later in life.”
UNICEF said that Nigeria is making progress in exclusive breastfeeding very slowly, saying that over ten years, Nigeria has increased its exclusive breastfeeding rate from 12 per cent to only 25 per cent.
“By comparison, in 1994, both Ghana and Nigeria had both exclusive breastfeeding rates of 7.4, but by 2013 Ghana had moved up to 63 per cent.
“Nigeria’s lack of progress in exclusive breastfeeding denies millions of newborns in Nigeria the benefits of breast milk. Research shows that an exclusively breastfed child is 14 times less likely to die in the first six months than a non-breastfed child and that breastfeeding drastically reduces deaths from acute respiratory infection and diarrhoea; two major child killer diseases.
“The National Food and Nutrition policy 2014- 2019 has a strong exclusive breastfeeding component and while UNICEF has welcomed the policy it urges the Government of Nigeria to include a budget line for nutrition in the health sector budget and a timely release of budget for immediate programming.”
UNICEF also commends the initiative of the wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, that was announced in July to address child malnutrition and recommends that exclusive breastfeeding should be a strong component of her initiative.
She had said: “lack of exclusive breastfeeding is implicated in the current high rate of child malnutrition in Nigeria,’ noted Jean Gough, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria. “Exclusive breastfeeding is free and breast milk is readily available, so exclusive breastfeeding should be our first strategy in fighting child malnutrition.” [myad]
An Abuja-based media communications company, CBD MediaEdge Limited, has announced that it is going to conduct a survey on newspaper readership behavioural pattern in Nigeria.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Chief Executive of the company, Isiaq Ajibola, said that the survey will focus on internet incursion by readers in the last five years even as he called on members of the public to participate in the survey tagged: “Offline Vs Online Media: How will it End?”
He said that the objective of the study is to understand the depth of migration into the online platform and the impact it had had on news production and consumption overtime.
“The global view on this matter is that the omnipresent nature of online news has continued to shape the way readers behave in news consumption and assimilation. Moreso that news are now more intrusive and accessed online through different handheld devices.
“Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, etc are considered to be particularly engaging, interactive and have become a veritable means of Information dissemination in corporate organizations and between individuals.”
Ajibola said that there are purists who believed that newspapers in their hard copies form would continue to exist for a long time to come, if only because newspaper had kept an unassailable track record in news reliability and credibility, adding that the study is to understand the specific trend, pattern, depth and other important variables in the different variants of behaviour on the subject.
“The survey will be based on online and direct questionnaire approach and administered to a fairly large population. The survey will cut across all strata of the society with special focus on critical stakeholders such as media professionals, lawmakers, businessmen, lawyers, labour, academia, political parties, women and youth organizations.” [myad]
Ecobank Nigeria has launched “Move on Up,” a new fully-integrated consumer advertising campaign. Move on Up is centered on the bank’s drive to ensure that consumers have world-class accessible and convenient digital banking solutions across the country.
Speaking on the new product, the Ecobank Nigeria’s Managing Director, Charles Kie said: “We are delighted to be launching this campaign in Nigeria. Ecobank Nigeria has grown consistently over the years to become a well-recognized corporate brand in the Nigerian banking industry.
“Our mission is to ensure that our customers have access to world-class, convenient, accessible and reliable banking solutions in Nigeria. This new campaign demonstrates how we are fulfilling that mission.”
That was even as the Bank’s Nigeria’s Deputy Managing Director, Tony Okpanachi said: “the new campaign also showcases our widest ever range of banking solutions and the many ways Ecobank helps consumers every day.”
The bank said that ‘Move on Up’ rests on three pillars with the first as digital convenience. “Customers want the convenience of banking, from being able to pay with an Ecobank card to making financial transactions on their mobile phones, over the internet, at automated teller machines and at different points of sale.
“The second pillar is relevance. Ecobank creates personal banking solutions that are relevant to its customers, such as a range of accounts packaged together as bundles.
“The final pillar is choice. This comes via the accessibility of wide-ranging products and services, thanks to Ecobank’s leading Pan-African platform.
Ecobank Group’s Head of Marketing, Ama Okyere, who led the development and production of Move on Up, said: “this fully-integrated consumer advertising campaign demonstrates Ecobank’s relevance in our consumer’s life. We are pleased to roll it out in Nigeria, a key market for Ecobank.”
Move on Up was produced by Ecobank’s full service agency, Brand Communications Group. The campaign will be rolled out across the African countries where Ecobank has a retail presence. [myad]
I have followed the drama and intrigues being played out by the sacked Chairman of the House Appropriation Committee, Hon Jibrin Abdulmumin with restrained but keen interest.
I have also looked at the gamut of documents and records (that actually are injurious to collective privilege of the house under the law) and found nothing criminal or corrupt on the face of them to warrant the total dedication of media focus and the interest of the Presidency and indeed the security agencies as has been exhibited in the past week.
I am at loss to understand under what powers the DSS can enter and seal up the NASS in a democracy and the vocal forces are urging them on without regard to the detrimental effects of such lawlessness on the foundation of our democracy.
In listening to lawyers, experts, commentators and sundry analysts, I continually failed to get a clear understanding of the criminal misconduct or breach of the constitution by the popular “budget padding” everyone was asking that the internal processes of the legislature should be overridden so that the EFCC, DSS, the Police and may be the Army may even be unleashed on the legislature to tear it down.
Because all I hear is that projects that were not proposed by Mr. President were alleged to have been introduced (not implemented) by some leaders of the House of Representatives and later eight other members by a man who signed off the same budget in April as perfect while serving as Chairman Appropriation Committee, wrote members to defend it against any attempts by the Executive to the contrary, was found to have added too many projects behind his colleagues into the budget for which Mr. President withheld assent, got removed as Chairman in July and the suddenly became a “Robbin Hood” a week later accusing every foe of wrongdoing while still concealing his own projects in the final budget.
I am certain that after this opinion, I will also become the ninth accused member with the release of an additional set of “records and documents” indicting me. So I kept looking out for something that clearly states the ground of the popular call for the persecution and prosecution of all members of the NASS but found none credible or even coherent given the provisions of the constitution and legislative precedent.
Then I stumbled upon a chart published the online medium, PREMIUM TIMES, and titled “HOW TO PAD THE NIGERIAN BUDGET (aka) HOW TO STEAL OUR MONEY.”
Then it became all clear to me as either a genuine misunderstanding of the roles and limit of the powers of the NASS, a conscious avoidance of that understanding, a deliberate blackmail or a programmed push for leadership change in the House using a populist story twisted out of context.
Using the Premium Times “definition” of “budget padding” as displayed and seeing the level of “collaboration and partnership” across causes and interests, it became even clearer that the agenda is far from what is presented.
Tell me where is the criminality therein at the level of the Nass as an institution if the alleged “cash loot” happens within the executive branch where ALL projects are implemented?
Of course, if anyone has any evidence of movement of funds without contract implementation or undue influence in the course of contract award, it’s for that person to furnish relevant security agencies with the information to deal with in accordance extant laws. But to now attempt a blanket blackmail of the Nass not to undertake its constitutional role of law making (appropriation inclusive) is unconstitutional, criminal and inherently unacceptable.
If any member of the house is prepared to merely “rubber stamps” executive proposals in the name of “not being corrupt” or “not to be accused of corruption”, I am not; and I believe that the majority of the members are not.
For God Sake, which court has ruled against the constitutional power of the Nass to “amend, reduce from or add to” the estimates proposed by the executive? Is it not concern that no one (including the AGF) wants to approach the courts (which Obj did during his time but later withdrew anyway) to test those powers or even to seek Supreme Court interpretation of the combined effects of sections 4, 59, 80 and 81 of the 1999 constitution (as amended) with respect to the inherent powers of the legislature to amend budgetary estimates proposed by Mr President? No one should, therefore, lend oneself to the use of anti-democratic forces whose wishes are far from what they pretend to preach in this matter.
Indeed any member of the house or group of members can as well take this matter to court rather than undertaking the ignoble or opaque roles of “bulls in a china shop” or agents provocateur.
If Hon Jibrin, I or any group of members have any axe to grind with Dogara and anyone else, it’s alright to do so personally but not to purposefully and contemptuously ridicule the institution of the legislature the way it’s being done at the moment in the hope of a forced leadership change arising from open blackmail and media trial. I choose to stand against such criminality on behalf of the constituency I represent. However, if actionable acts of criminal misconduct is established against the House leadership or anyone of them, I would similarly stand for responsible account and sanction as may be necessary.
I would wish to be schooled on the “fire-proof” safeguards preventing executive-initiated projects from being “executed” in a similar or worse manner as the pictorial display from Premium Times depicts. Or that indeed that has not been the manner of implementation of those projects for which abandoned projects abound in trillions of naira. What exactly is angelic and saintly about the executive that totally lacks in the legislature that all projects initiated by them are free of the ill of non implementation or “cash looting” as against the constituency projects?
Now what is really criminal about the so called “constituency projects” or better stated “zonal intervention funds”? A fund that is proposed in the budget estimates by the executive and allocated on a standing formula to all members of the National Assembly? Then implemented by the executive to the total exclusion of the legislature? Supervised by either the defunct MDG on the same parameters as its own hundreds of billions of naira in similar projects or more recently by the Ministry of Special Duties reporting directly to Mr President?
Why should the executive hold the NASS responsible for its own failures, if truly the projects are manipulated in the course of implementation by executive branch agencies? What is the guarantee that if those heads of MDAs can so corruptly manipulate the constituency projects, that the larger chunk of the annual capital budget (mandate projects of the MDAs) are not similarly manipulated on a yearly basis? Recall that the constituency project fund since 2012 has been N100billion or about 5% of 2016 capital appropriation.
Why are we not seeking a holistic reform of budget implementation (as different from preparation) to ensure effective, efficient, value for money and wholesome outcomes? It may be of benefit to know that over 21 other jurisdictions have one form of constituency project fund or another, including the USA and Kenya. Why exactly is it important for the APC government to blackmail the Nigerian legislature out of its own model that is implemented wholly by the executive itself?
If on the other hand the members of the NASS want a change or review of the existing distribution formula that obviously favours the leadership, is it not for them to do so through existing internal mechanisms as envisaged by section 60 of the constitution and the Senate and House rules.
It is my hope that this brouhaha that’s being so viciously promoted by the same forces that wanted “an executive leadership” for the Nass to tarnish and blackmail the Legislature into fear and timidity will rather unit members more to seek greater independence and jealously guard that independence in the interest of our maturing democracy. For should they succeed in forcing a leadership on us, this government will completely “unitarize” our democracy and complete the push for a repressive and totalitarian brand of “democracy” hitherto unknown to literature.
I am, therefore, much more enamored going forward; to defend the constitution by insisting on the long established “powers of the purse” of the legislature unless and until the constitution is amended or upturned by the Supreme Court. And I will stand by the leadership of Dogara and his team in that regard. It is my hope that many more members will do the same.
The veiled attempt at leadership change in the House of Representatives will definitely fail because Pro-Democracy members will remain on a perpetual alert to defend what is just!
God help Nigeria.
*Rep. Linus Okorie, FCA represents Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo federal constituency of Ebonyi state.
In a bizarre moment, Republican nominee, Donald Trump somewhat jokingly kicked a crying baby out of his rally Tuesday morning.
Trump, who was campaigning in Ashburn, Va., was talking about trade before being interrupted by the baby. He initially told the mother not to worry about the commotion.
“Don’t worry about that baby, I love babies,” Trump said. “I hear that baby crying and I like it. What a beautiful baby. … It’s young and beautiful and healthy, and that’s what we want.”
Trump continued, only to be interrupted by the baby again. This time, he suggested booting the baby from the event.
“Actually, I was only kidding, you can get the baby out of here,” the business mogul said to laughter.
“That’s all right. Don’t worry. I think she really believed me that I love having a baby crying while I’m speaking. That’s OK. People don’t understand. That’s OK.” [myad]
Middle: The President of the Republic of Benin, Mr. Patrice Talon, inspecting parade of guards during his official one-day visit to Nigeria, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday, August 2nd. Photo By Sunday Aghaeze. [myad]
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Calculated Assault On Legislature, Using Budget Padding As Facade, By Linus Okorie
I have followed the drama and intrigues being played out by the sacked Chairman of the House Appropriation Committee, Hon Jibrin Abdulmumin with restrained but keen interest.
I have also looked at the gamut of documents and records (that actually are injurious to collective privilege of the house under the law) and found nothing criminal or corrupt on the face of them to warrant the total dedication of media focus and the interest of the Presidency and indeed the security agencies as has been exhibited in the past week.
I am at loss to understand under what powers the DSS can enter and seal up the NASS in a democracy and the vocal forces are urging them on without regard to the detrimental effects of such lawlessness on the foundation of our democracy.
In listening to lawyers, experts, commentators and sundry analysts, I continually failed to get a clear understanding of the criminal misconduct or breach of the constitution by the popular “budget padding” everyone was asking that the internal processes of the legislature should be overridden so that the EFCC, DSS, the Police and may be the Army may even be unleashed on the legislature to tear it down.
Because all I hear is that projects that were not proposed by Mr. President were alleged to have been introduced (not implemented) by some leaders of the House of Representatives and later eight other members by a man who signed off the same budget in April as perfect while serving as Chairman Appropriation Committee, wrote members to defend it against any attempts by the Executive to the contrary, was found to have added too many projects behind his colleagues into the budget for which Mr. President withheld assent, got removed as Chairman in July and the suddenly became a “Robbin Hood” a week later accusing every foe of wrongdoing while still concealing his own projects in the final budget.
I am certain that after this opinion, I will also become the ninth accused member with the release of an additional set of “records and documents” indicting me. So I kept looking out for something that clearly states the ground of the popular call for the persecution and prosecution of all members of the NASS but found none credible or even coherent given the provisions of the constitution and legislative precedent.
Then I stumbled upon a chart published the online medium, PREMIUM TIMES, and titled “HOW TO PAD THE NIGERIAN BUDGET (aka) HOW TO STEAL OUR MONEY.”
Then it became all clear to me as either a genuine misunderstanding of the roles and limit of the powers of the NASS, a conscious avoidance of that understanding, a deliberate blackmail or a programmed push for leadership change in the House using a populist story twisted out of context.
Using the Premium Times “definition” of “budget padding” as displayed and seeing the level of “collaboration and partnership” across causes and interests, it became even clearer that the agenda is far from what is presented.
Tell me where is the criminality therein at the level of the Nass as an institution if the alleged “cash loot” happens within the executive branch where ALL projects are implemented?
Of course, if anyone has any evidence of movement of funds without contract implementation or undue influence in the course of contract award, it’s for that person to furnish relevant security agencies with the information to deal with in accordance extant laws. But to now attempt a blanket blackmail of the Nass not to undertake its constitutional role of law making (appropriation inclusive) is unconstitutional, criminal and inherently unacceptable.
If any member of the house is prepared to merely “rubber stamps” executive proposals in the name of “not being corrupt” or “not to be accused of corruption”, I am not; and I believe that the majority of the members are not.
For God Sake, which court has ruled against the constitutional power of the Nass to “amend, reduce from or add to” the estimates proposed by the executive? Is it not concern that no one (including the AGF) wants to approach the courts (which Obj did during his time but later withdrew anyway) to test those powers or even to seek Supreme Court interpretation of the combined effects of sections 4, 59, 80 and 81 of the 1999 constitution (as amended) with respect to the inherent powers of the legislature to amend budgetary estimates proposed by Mr President? No one should, therefore, lend oneself to the use of anti-democratic forces whose wishes are far from what they pretend to preach in this matter.
Indeed any member of the house or group of members can as well take this matter to court rather than undertaking the ignoble or opaque roles of “bulls in a china shop” or agents provocateur.
If Hon Jibrin, I or any group of members have any axe to grind with Dogara and anyone else, it’s alright to do so personally but not to purposefully and contemptuously ridicule the institution of the legislature the way it’s being done at the moment in the hope of a forced leadership change arising from open blackmail and media trial. I choose to stand against such criminality on behalf of the constituency I represent. However, if actionable acts of criminal misconduct is established against the House leadership or anyone of them, I would similarly stand for responsible account and sanction as may be necessary.
I would wish to be schooled on the “fire-proof” safeguards preventing executive-initiated projects from being “executed” in a similar or worse manner as the pictorial display from Premium Times depicts. Or that indeed that has not been the manner of implementation of those projects for which abandoned projects abound in trillions of naira. What exactly is angelic and saintly about the executive that totally lacks in the legislature that all projects initiated by them are free of the ill of non implementation or “cash looting” as against the constituency projects?
Now what is really criminal about the so called “constituency projects” or better stated “zonal intervention funds”? A fund that is proposed in the budget estimates by the executive and allocated on a standing formula to all members of the National Assembly? Then implemented by the executive to the total exclusion of the legislature? Supervised by either the defunct MDG on the same parameters as its own hundreds of billions of naira in similar projects or more recently by the Ministry of Special Duties reporting directly to Mr President?
Why should the executive hold the NASS responsible for its own failures, if truly the projects are manipulated in the course of implementation by executive branch agencies? What is the guarantee that if those heads of MDAs can so corruptly manipulate the constituency projects, that the larger chunk of the annual capital budget (mandate projects of the MDAs) are not similarly manipulated on a yearly basis? Recall that the constituency project fund since 2012 has been N100billion or about 5% of 2016 capital appropriation.
Why are we not seeking a holistic reform of budget implementation (as different from preparation) to ensure effective, efficient, value for money and wholesome outcomes? It may be of benefit to know that over 21 other jurisdictions have one form of constituency project fund or another, including the USA and Kenya. Why exactly is it important for the APC government to blackmail the Nigerian legislature out of its own model that is implemented wholly by the executive itself?
If on the other hand the members of the NASS want a change or review of the existing distribution formula that obviously favours the leadership, is it not for them to do so through existing internal mechanisms as envisaged by section 60 of the constitution and the Senate and House rules.
It is my hope that this brouhaha that’s being so viciously promoted by the same forces that wanted “an executive leadership” for the Nass to tarnish and blackmail the Legislature into fear and timidity will rather unit members more to seek greater independence and jealously guard that independence in the interest of our maturing democracy. For should they succeed in forcing a leadership on us, this government will completely “unitarize” our democracy and complete the push for a repressive and totalitarian brand of “democracy” hitherto unknown to literature.
I am, therefore, much more enamored going forward; to defend the constitution by insisting on the long established “powers of the purse” of the legislature unless and until the constitution is amended or upturned by the Supreme Court. And I will stand by the leadership of Dogara and his team in that regard. It is my hope that many more members will do the same.
The veiled attempt at leadership change in the House of Representatives will definitely fail because Pro-Democracy members will remain on a perpetual alert to defend what is just!
God help Nigeria.
*Rep. Linus Okorie, FCA represents Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo federal constituency of Ebonyi state.