The Joke called Kogi State House of Assembly

Last week, there was a funny news report that should bother all men and women of goodwill.

The Kogi State House of Assembly was reported to have called out the leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for performing its constitutional duties.

The House of Assembly which had been silent since the scandalous corruption allegations against the former Governor, Mr. Yahaya Bello broke, suddenly found its voice and instead of the lawmakers to intervene on the side of decency, the rule of law and justice, they went off track, dancing naked in the market square.

For people who swore to Oath of Office and Oath of Allegiance to the Constitution and the Federal Republic of Nigeria and to defend the interest of the people of Kogi State, it was an antithesis of some sort to see them calling for the sack of the EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede.

They hinged their ill-informed call on what they termed the invasion of the Kogi State Governor’s Lodge and an unfounded assassination attempt on the immediate past Governor, Yahaya Bello.

This action has added to the theatrics coming from Kogi State since the EFCC invited Yahaya Bello for questioning over an alleged N80 billion fraud.

Hardly had the dust raised by the N80 billion fraud settled when the news broke again that a fresh court summons has been issued over another alleged N110 million fraud against the same Yahaya Bello.

Now, imagine, if true, the number of healthcare centres, streets and roads that would have been fixed with over N190 billion!

One would have thought that since Kogi State has been in the news for the wrong reasons on account of the refusal of Yahaya Bello to honour EFCC’s invitation and several court summons, the lawmakers would have urged him to save the state the bad press and needless embarrassment and turn himself in.

In saner climes, the lawmakers would have waded in on the side of decency, accountability, equity and justice; after all, it is said that he who seeks equity must do equity.

The lawmakers cannot be calling out the EFCC without urging Yahaya Bello and Governor Usman Ododo to obey several court summons; after all, action and reaction are said to be equal and opposite.

If Yahaya Bello does not have anything to hide, he should be more than willing to have his day in court and clear himself and his name; once and for all.

It is incumbent on the lawmakers and his successor, Governor Usman Ododo to encourage him (Bello) to turn himself in without further delay.

It is shameful that Governor Ododo is lending the weight and paraphernalia of his office and position to frustrate the institutions of state from doing their constitutionally guaranteed roles.

The lawmakers should look inwards, retrace their steps and prevail on ex-Govenor Bello to be man enough to turn himself in, obey the court summons and have his day in court. This is the only way the Kogi State House of Assembly can redeem itself from the joke that it has become.

*Protest: Group Apologises to Matawalle, Says Financial Inducement Led Members to Wrong Judgement

The All Progressives Congress Akida Forum has issued a formal apology to Minister of State Defence, Bello Matawalle, for their previous protest and call for an investigation into his tenure as Zamfara State Governor.

In a statement signed by Alhaji Farouq Adamu, the group also said it has expelled members who led the action to the EFCC office, including one Mahmud Mohammed.

Adamu said an emergency committee was set up to investigate the protest and it was discovered that financial inducement led them to make those judgments.

According to him, specifically, Mohammed refused to pay the hired crowd he took to the EFCC for the protest after collecting as much as 50 million naira for the job.

Adamu said their claims were baseless and driven by a desire to partake in the sharing of state resources, which they believed were being unfairly distributed among bandits and some media practitioners.

Unfortunately, Adamu said greed clouded their judgment, leading them to make false allegations against Matawalle.

He said: “The All Progressives Congress Akida Forum wishes to issue a formal apology to Minister of State Defence, Bello Matawalle, regarding our previous protest and call for an investigation into his tenure as Zamfara State Governor.

“We distance ourselves from the protest and already expelled members who led the action to the EFCC office, including Mahmud Mohammed.

“Our initial claims were baseless and driven by a desire to partake in the sharing of state resources, which we believed were being unfairly distributed among bandits and media practitioners. Unfortunately, greed clouded our judgement, leading us to make false allegations against Matawalle.”

Upon further investigation, the group discovered that their actions were misguided and orchestrated by Governor Dauda Lawal.

Adamu said the Governor’s motives are twofold, politics and self-interest, adding that he fears Matawalle’s growing influence and impressive achievements in combating banditry, which threaten his political ambitions and illicit gold mining business.

Adamu notes that the consequences of Governor Lawal’s actions are alarming, not only is he wasting taxpayers’ money and undermining security efforts, he is also diverting attention away from pressing issues affecting Zamfara State, such as poverty, education, and healthcare.

The forum commended Matawalle for changing the tide in the fight against banditry, leading the war himself to the northwest, adding that his bravery and strategic leadership have brought hope to the region.

The group advised Governor Lawal to stop wasting taxpayers’ money to fight Matawalle and instead focus on governance and addressing the pressing needs of Zamfara State.

“We commend Matawalle for changing the tide in the fight against banditry, leading the war himself to the north-west,” Adamu further said.

“His bravery and strategic leadership have brought hope to the region. We urge the Minister not to relent in his efforts to protect Nigeria. His dedication is crucial to the nation’s security.

“Governor Lawal should stop wasting taxpayers’ money to fight a man blessed by God. Instead, he should focus on governance and addressing the pressing needs of Zamfara State.

“We advise our members to turn over a new leaf, embracing truth and integrity. Let us work together for the betterment of Zamfara State. We appreciate Matawalle’s forgiveness and understanding.”

Appraising Ben Kalu’s Relentless Efforts at the Pan-African Parliament

By Philip Agbese

In Africa’s modern political landscape, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu stands out as a leader who exemplifies visionary leadership and diplomatic tact. As Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives and head of Nigeria’s delegation to the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), his tenure has been marked by a relentless drive to strengthen cooperation among African nations, propel the PAP’s objectives, and foster the emergence of a new generation of African leaders.

Through his work, Ben Kalu has embodied the core values of African unity, cooperation, and progress while also positioning the PAP as a vehicle for true continental integration. The Pan-African Parliament, established in 2004 as one of the African Union’s nine organs, serves as a symbolic and practical forum for unifying Africa’s disparate nations around common goals.

Based in Midrand, South Africa, the PAP provides a platform for debate, decision-making, and policy formulation aimed at addressing the continent’s socio-economic challenges. Initially established with an advisory mandate, the institution seeks full legislative powers to promote human rights, democracy, and good governance. The PAP’s vision is profound: empowering Africans, including grassroots organisations, to participate in shaping Africa’s future and addressing its most pressing problems.

While some argue that Ben Kalu isn’t the sole deputy speaker the Southeast region has produced, his exceptional track record unequivocally positions him as the most results-driven and impactful Nigerian leader since the inception of the Fourth Republic, which began in 1999. This marks a significant shift for Nigeria, transitioning from military rule to democratic governance.

Ben Kalu’s leadership stands out, demonstrating a unique blend of vision, expertise, and dedication. His outstanding performance and significant contributions have undoubtedly set him apart from his predecessors. By leveraging his expertise and diplomatic prowess, Kalu has consistently advanced the interests of the Southeast region and Nigeria as a whole.

It is against this backdrop that Kalu’s contributions become particularly remarkable. His diplomatic skills, intellectual prowess, and firm commitment to PAP’s goals have helped bridge divides between member states, enabling greater knowledge-sharing and policy alignment. Under his leadership, PAP has seen increased collaboration among its members, vital in an era where Africa must present a united front to tackle global challenges such as economic inequality, political instability, and climate change.

Kalu’s tenure as the leader of the Nigerian delegation has witnessed a palpable enhancement in diplomatic collaboration within the PAP. One of the most critical roles of PAP is to act as a forum for discussions on common problems, and here, Kalu’s leadership has been pivotal. His ability to foster meaningful dialogue among member states is not merely a reflection of his position but evidence of his diplomatic skill and deep understanding of the Pan-African cause.

Kalu has made it a priority to emphasise the importance of African unity. By encouraging member states to share experiences, particularly in areas such as governance, human rights, and economic development, he has helped create a culture of openness and shared learning within the institution.

Moreover, Kalu’s diplomatic finesse has proven instrumental in fostering peace and security within the continent. The West African sub-region, in particular, has faced persistent challenges related to political instability, terrorism, and economic disparity. In this context, Kalu’s efforts to galvanise cooperation among West African PAP members have been critical.

His interventions, emphasising collaboration over confrontation, have brought renewed hope to the region. Beyond diplomacy, Kalu’s leadership has also inspired a new generation of African leaders. In a continent where leadership often faces scrutiny due to governance issues and corruption, Kalu’s exemplary record stands out.

His firm commitment to transparency, accountability, and democracy offers a model for aspiring leaders, both within and outside Nigeria. Kalu’s journey to political prominence, marked by intellectual rigour and parliamentary acumen, sends a powerful message: African politics need not be dominated by populism or divisive rhetoric but by leaders capable of tackling complex policy issues with insight and integrity.

His achievements signal a promising shift toward enlightened and thoughtful African leadership, valuing collaboration, unity, and long-term developmental goals. This is not to say the road ahead for PAP and African leaders is devoid of challenges. However, Kalu’s leadership has proven that, through patient negotiation and shared purpose, African nations can come together to solve their problems.

His efforts have shown PAP’s potential to address the continent’s challenges and empower Africans from the grassroots up. One of PAP’s significant aspects is its ambition to evolve into a fully-fledged legislative body. Currently, PAP functions as an advisory organ, providing recommendations to the AU Assembly and Council of Ministers.

However, the vision for PAP is to one day exercise legislative powers over areas of common interest, including human rights, democracy, and good governance. Kalu’s contributions toward this goal cannot be overstated. As a parliamentarian with vast experience in Nigerian politics, he brings a wealth of knowledge on legislative processes. His efforts to advocate for PAP’s transition into a body with legislative powers have been persistent. By promoting discussions around this issue and galvanising support from other delegations, Kalu has helped keep the vision of a legislative PAP alive.

However, the path toward full legislative powers is fraught with challenges. Many member states are still wary of ceding legislative authority to a supranational body, fearing it might infringe on their sovereignty. Yet, Kalu’s approach has been one of balance; he recognises these concerns but believes a legislative PAP would enhance, rather than diminish, member states’ sovereignty by ensuring African problems are addressed through African solutions.

Moreover, the evolving nature of the global political landscape, characterised by increasing regionalism and multilateral cooperation, makes PAP’s legislative ambitions even more relevant. In a world where economic blocs like the European Union have shown the power of supranational institutions in driving development, PAP has the potential to become Africa’s legislative powerhouse, promoting harmonised policies that tackle the continent’s most pressing issues.

Perhaps the most fitting description of Rt. Hon. Ben Kalu is “a true champion of African unity and progress.” His commitment to the Pan-African ideal is not just rhetorical but deeply practical and exudes non-political affiliation. He understands that Africa’s strength lies in its unity and that PAP is uniquely positioned to harness that strength.

Through his efforts, Kalu has emphasised the importance of cooperation, both within PAP and across the African Union’s organs. His intellectual prowess and astute parliamentary skills are invaluable assets to the West African bloc in PAP, as he continues to advocate for policies benefiting not only Nigeria but the entire region. In doing so, he has earned widespread admiration as a visionary leader capable of navigating the complex waters of African diplomacy.

Moreover, Kalu’s relentless advocacy for African development, intellectual agility, and deep-seated belief in Africa’s potential position him as a towering figure in African politics. It is no exaggeration to describe him as an intellectual juggernaut, a leader whose vision transcends immediate concerns to focus on Africa’s long-term prosperity.

In conclusion, Rt. Hon. Ben Kalu’s leadership at the Pan-African Parliament represents hope for the future of African politics. Through diplomatic skills, relentless advocacy for collaboration, and inspiring leadership, Kalu has advanced PAP’s goals and set a high standard for future African leaders. His work embodies the principles upon which the Pan-African Parliament was founded: unity, progress, and shared commitment to solving Africa’s challenges through dialogue and collective action.

As the Pan-African Parliament continues its transformative journey toward becoming a fully-fledged legislative body, Ben Kalu’s pivotal role will persist in shaping its trajectory. His exceptional ability to navigate Africa’s intricate and dynamic political landscape while inspiring a new generation of visionary leaders ensures his profound influence will resonate for generations.

In a continent marked by rich yet complex history, leaders like Kalu, who champion not only their nation’s interests but also the broader aspirations of the entire continent, are indispensable. Their visionary leadership and strong commitment to Africa’s progress will help harness the continent’s untapped potential.

With leaders like Kalu at the helm, Africa stands poised on the threshold of a new era of unprecedented growth and development. In essence, Ben Kalu’s legacy will continue to illuminate the path toward a brighter future for Africa. His impact on the continent’s political and economic landscape will undoubtedly endure, cementing his place as one of Africa’s most visionary and influential leaders.

This intervention was contributed by Agbese MHR, a member of the Pan-African Parliament writing from Agila, Benue State.