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Members-elect, coalition accuse Gbajabiamila of imposing Abbas, Kalu as Reps speaker, deputy

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Members-elect, coalition accuse Gbajabiamila of imposing Abbas, Kalu as Reps speaker, deputy

Members-elect, coalition accuse Gbajabiamila of imposing Abbas, Kalu as Reps speaker, deputy

 

 

 

 

A non-governmental organization, Democrats Alliance for Good Governance (DAGG) on Saturday condemned in strong terms the report making the rounds concerning the “secret adoption” of one of the aspirants for the position of the speaker of the 10th House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas from Kaduna State and Hon. Benjamin Kalu from Abia State as the deputy speaker.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the same vein, a group of members-elect who frowned at the purported “secret adoption” which reportedly took place on Friday night, described the exercise as “an affront on the parliamentarians and the National Assembly as an institution.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

The coalition’s national coordinator Dr. Williams Martins stated this in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja.

 

Members-elect, coalition accuse Gbajabiamila of imposing Abbas, Kalu as Reps speaker, deputy

 

 

 

He said: “We are most jolted and sincerely betrayed especially when we got the hint that the preferred aspirant was taken by hand to be introduced to the president-elect.

“This development for us is not only demeaning, but degrading and absurd for the calibre of Nigerians who were elected by over 50 million electorates during the 25th February and supplementary elections.”

According to the group, “Men of goodwill and conscience as well as elected public office holders cannot afford to fold their hands to allow someone who is being reported to be adopted as chief of staff to the incoming president-elect, although a member-elect in the 10th assembly, to recklessly feel he can succeed in imposing any candidate on the people’s parliament.

“To allow such means, they (pembers-elect) are unfit for the task of representation and will definitely fail in holding the executive arm of government to account when the need arises within the span of four years of the 10th assembly.

The coalition’s national coordinator therefore warned against any action that may frustrate a united 10th assembly and the tenets of democracy.

“To put it succinctly, all the actors in the Nigerian project should be seen as honourable men and women who honour gentlemen’s discussion and reciprocate same at all times.

“Rather than doing this, we wish to state unequivocally that none of the us as parliamentarians will subscribe to anything short of what the constitution stipulates on independence of the legislature.

“You’ll recall that some of the aspirants met with the outgoing speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila to express their grouse about the unhealthy and unparliamentary actions and inactions of adopting his stooge.

“As if they were taken for a ride, the convener of the meeting, denied the allegation of adopting our colleague, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas from Kaduna State and Hon. Benjamin Kalu from Abia State as the deputy speaker,” he noted.

While calling for a rethink, the group’s coordinator urged the president-elect and the outgoing speaker to desist from any act that could bring their names to disrepute.

“We actually thought that with the way the speaker spoke to his colleagues during the closed door meeting was in genuine faith, but as you can all see it was a deceptive meeting,” he lamented.

Meanwhile, one of the aggrieved lawmakers who spoke under condition of anonymity dismissed insinuations over the alleged ill-feelings against Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and the spokesman of the House, Hon. Benjamin Kalu (APC-Abia).

He said: “While we do not have anything against the person and aspiration of the gentleman, we wish to stress that the will of the people and by extension of constituents will determine the choice of who to lead the 10th assembly.

“For us, what played out some few weeks back has further exposed the hidden agenda of the promoters of division among his contemporaries. Rather than reciprocating the kind gestures extended to him by most of the high ranking members who out of persuasion and honour, stepped down their speakership ambitions in the wake to the inauguration of the 9th assembly.

“But it is glaring that nothing can be done to change the nature of the chameleon.

“History will not forgive us if we fail to put in perspective the fallback of the similar antics that produced the anchor of this failed project of imposition and the ill-feelings created by some of the offers dangled before some of the reception adopted to ensure the emergence of the Tajudeen Abbas project. This time, “No Green Card will work”! I repeat, “No amount of Green Card will work in the 10th assembly!!!”

“On this note, we wish to state categorically that we will not cave in to ongoing plan to impose any candidate on the house by whosoever until a level playing field is created for all the aspirants who have their own right to choose their leaders.

“It is worthy to also put on record that, discussions are ongoing among the aspirants to turn the parliament into an appendage of the executive arm of government.

“Our position remains that as democrats, we shall not under any guise subscribe to any form of ‘master and servant relationship’ in the 10th assembly.

“Therefore we call on all men of goodwill and lovers of democracy to speak against ongoing moves to deepen “godfatherism” in the country.”

“We must stand up to resist Femi Gbajabiamila’s imposition on members. We will not buy in,” the lawmaker said

Politics

Constitution Review: some judicial amendment proposals lack utilitarian values – JB Daudu

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Constitution Review: some judicial amendment proposals lack utilitarian values – JB Daudu

Constitution Review: Some judicial amendment proposals lack utilitarian values – JB Daudu

 

Constitution

 

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), JB Daudu, says some of the judicial proposals submitted to the National Assembly for review lack utilitarian values.

 

Constitution Review: some judicial amendment proposals lack utilitarian values – JB Daudu

 

Daudu made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja.

 

“One of these proposals is the judicial resignation and succession protocol that regulates resignation procedures for Justices and Judges to avoid abrupt and destabilizing departures.

 

“This is a typical example of institutional idleness.

 

“How can these transfer mechanisms be observed in the event of sudden death, resignation as a result of grave illness, or even sudden resignation as a result of compelling personal reasons?

 

“Such eventualities and their after effect cannot be regulated upon,’’ the learned silk added.

 

He argued that the proponents of this amendment lose sight of the fact that these courts are courts of record, and that it is not the Chief Judge or any other Head of Court that is the record keeper.

 

“Indeed, the records are kept by the chief registrar and his coterie of registrars and clerks, who are civil servants and are permanent features in the establishment’’.

 

He said that another wild goose chase proposal is that there should be mandatory National Judicial Council (NJC) investigations before the removal of heads of court.

 

“It is thought that there is a problem with the provisions of Section 292(1)(a)(i) &(ii) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which forbids the removal of judicial officers, especially heads of court, by Governors and Houses of Assembly without recourse first and foremost to NJC investigation.

 

“This proposal, it is thought, will institutionalize fair hearing rights, ensure due process, and insulate judicial officers from arbitrary removal’’.

 

He noted that the proposal is the most curious of the proposed amendments as it does not introduce any new position to the state of affairs.

 

“This is because Section 292(1)(a)(i) & (iì) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) already requires the input of the NJC before a head of court can be removed.

 

“The solution to acts of executive recklessness and lawlessness of attempts by governors to use their puppet houses of assembly to remove sitting chief judges is not because the present constitution does not forbid it.

 

“It is because of the attitudinal disposition of some governors to power. We will always have people who, in their drunkenness, will interpret the Constitution in ways and manners that suit their ego or political calculations.

 

“Consequently, amending the constitution in the manner suggested will not serve any useful purpose,’’ he added.

 

On the suggestion that the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) should have an input in the removal of Judges, Daudu submitted that the proposal is a non-starter.

 

“It has already failed. This is because the only amendment needed is to allow the five members nominated by the NBA to participate in matters relating to the discipline of Judges.

 

“I have for years advocated for the removal of the provision in the constitution that limits lawyers from participating in the removal of judicial officers.“

 

He also frowned on any hindrances to judicial continuity and stability.

 

The proposal in this regard seeks to empower newly elevated judges to conclude part-heard criminal matters rather than starting afresh, thereby saving judicial time and avoiding injustice.

 

The proposal ignores the practical realities and the injustice associated with a judge who has left the services of a court and has taken the oath of office of another court hierarchy to return to the court from which he had been elevated.

 

“It is submitted that no amount of constitutional amendment will cure that abnormality and aberration.

 

“It is better to defer the swearing in of an appointed or promoted judge until he has completed all his part-heard matters than to cause such a judicial personnel to return to a court that he has exited from.

 

“No one seems to consider the psyche of all the parties concerned, no matter how it is couched’’.

 

He said that a constitution is a very serious document that should lay out the basic and indeed, fundamental rules for the governance of the country.

 

“It is not a factory manual on work and safety regulations. Our legislators should accord the constitution more seriousness than they are presently doing,’’ he said.

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Obasa Commends N500Billion ‘Produce For Lagos’ Initiative, Reaffirms Assembly’s Support

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Obasa Commends N500Billion ‘Produce For Lagos’ Initiative, Reaffirms Assembly’s Support

 

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa has commended the N500billion ‘Produce for Lagos’ Initiative, a state government-led collaboration with the private sector to tackle supply chain inefficiencies, enhance access to agricultural produce, and strengthen food security across Lagos.

Implemented through Special Purpose Vehicles like the Lagos Food Systems Infrastructure Company (LAFSINCO), Lagos Bulk Trading Company, Eko Logistics, and Produce for Lagos Fund, the programme will provide credit support for food producers across the state, and working capital for bulk traders and logistic operators. This will ensure a stable food supply for Lagos and beyond, while boosting private sector investment in agriculture and food systems.

Speaking with reporters on the sidelines of the launch held at the Lagos House, Alausa, on Wednesday, Speaker Obasa described the ₦500 billion Offtake Guarantee Fund as a transformative step toward making agriculture a cornerstone of Lagos’ economic prosperity. He reaffirmed the House of Assembly’s steadfast support for every initiative that will propel the state’s economy to greater heights.

In his words, “The Lagos State House of Assembly is fully committed to this vision, which will help to harness the infinite potential of our arable land and transform agriculture into the cornerstone of Lagos State’s economic prosperity. We believe that agriculture has the potential to be a potent driver of food security, job creation, and economic diversification in our state.”

Over the years, the Speaker continued, “The House of Assembly has been very proactive in supporting agriculture through policies and legislation that promote investment, innovation, and inclusivity. And we know that the ‘Produce for Lagos ‘ initiative being launched today will go further to address food insecurity and ensure long-term access to affordable, nutritious food across the state.”

Speaker Obasa further assured that the Assembly will expedite deliberations on the Food Hub Bill aimed at formalising market operations and reducing informal trading constraints.

In his keynote address, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the launch of the initiative as “a watershed moment in our shared commitment to achieving food security, inclusive prosperity, and sustainable growth not just for Lagos State but for Nigeria.” He added that the program will provide guaranteed offtake contracts, financing access, and logistics support, connecting all and sundry directly with Lagos’s dynamic food economy.

On her part, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms Abisola Olusanya, said the initiative was designed as a large-scale off-taker programme that would focus on strengthening the state’s food supply chain through interstate collaboration and strategic private sector investments. Olusanya said, “The ‘Produce for Lagos’ initiative represents our commitment to building resilient, sustainable food systems by leveraging interstate collaboration and private sector investment.”

The event had in attendance, among other preeminent Nigerians, the Governors of Kogi, Ogun, Niger, and Plateau States; Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS); Michael Deleen, Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Tony Elumelu, the founder and chairman of UBA Plc, who donated N25billion to support the initiative.

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Oyo Govt Unveils New Export Initiative, Hosts Stakeholders

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*Oyo Govt Unveils New Export Initiative, Hosts Stakeholders

The Oyo State Government has unveiled Omituntun 2.0 export initiative tagged “Operation Double Your Export”, adding that the initiative will allow key players in the export ecosystem to chart a sustainable path for increased non-oil exports in the State.

The meeting engaged major stakeholders on export growth in Oyo State.

The Commissioner for Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry, Hon. Adeniyi Adebisi, made this known today during the stakeholders’ engagement held at the ministry’s conference room in Ibadan.

Hon. Adebisi emphasized that the meeting was a strategic move by the State to deepen collaboration with regulatory agencies, agro-allied entrepreneurs, financial institutions, and exporters to boost Oyo’s presence in international markets.

He noted that Oyo State is determined to harness its comparative advantage in cashew, cocoa, shea butter, cassava, and other agro-allied products to unlock wealth, create jobs, and increase internally generated revenue.

The Commissioner said that Oyo State is the first subnational in Africa to develop African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) strategy, attracting a visit from the AfCFTA Secretary General.

Leveraging its location and trade infrastructure, the state aims to boost economic growth, reduce poverty, and align with continental trade protocols.

Key initiatives include AfDB recognition as an agro-processing zone and regional cooperation with Southwest states.

Oyo sets a model for subnational leadership in Africa’s economic integration.

The Commissioner explained ongoing State interventions in regulatory reforms and export facilitation.

These include engaging agencies like the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), establishing a Trade Grievance Resolution Office, and supporting executive bills to ease export processes.

He urged stakeholders to bring forward export-related legislative suggestions through the Ministry, saying, “If you have a legislation that works for you, come to us. It is better and faster to go as an executive bill than for you to do it individually. Why waste time and resources?”
He also cited the example of branding Ogbomoso cashew for global visibility, stating: “If it requires that we produce bags and write ‘Ogbomoso’ on them, we will move cashew successfully for exportation.”

The Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olajide Okesade stressed the Ministry’s vision to transition from a local trade mindset to a structured, export-driven economy.

The President, Oyo State Shippers Association and CEO of Oklan Best Nigeria Ltd., Mrs. Elizabeth Olanrewaju Nwanko shared insights from her experience exporting beans, yam, egusi, and fish to Europe and North America.

She identified barriers such as high tariffs, lack of proper product certification, and the tendency of exporters to route goods through Ghana, Togo, and Benin Republic due to their friendlier trade policies.

She advocated for land allocation in Ogbomoso, Shaki, and Tede for cashew and shea plantations, use of GPS for farm monitoring, and enforcement of tree-felling laws. “There’s global demand for 500,000 metric tons of shea butter—Oyo can tap into this if we act strategically,” she emphasized.

The representative of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), Prince Aderemi Adejobi, revealed that NAHCO has established export processing centers in Lagos and plans to replicate them in other cities.

These centers aim to help farmers meet international standards, reduce spoilage through cold-chain infrastructure, and eliminate export rejection risks.

He stressed that these hubs will be vital in aggregating farm produce for efficient and compliant export operations.

Assistant Director and Oyo State Trade Promotion Advisor at the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC),Mrs. Bolanle Emmanuel, outlined various incentives and programs available for Oyo exporters, including the Export Expansion Grant (EEG), Export Development Fund (EDF), and training workshops.

She clarified that NEPC provides free advisory support, though obtaining an export certificate involves a fee ranging from ₦7,500 to ₦13,500 depending on the renewal timeline.

The representative of Parallex Bank, Mr. Adepoju Mojeed, disclosed that the bank recently received a $10 million facility from Afreximbank to support SMEs, particularly in agriculture and export trade.
He encouraged farmers and agro-processors to access credit through cooperatives, pay mandatory export fees (NESS), and leverage opportunities for collateral-free loans and capacity-building programs.

The engagement marked a significant step toward positioning Oyo State as a formidable player in Nigeria’s export sector. Stakeholders agreed to maintain close collaboration with the State Government and to fully leverage platforms such as the “Omituntun Export Initiative” for sustainable growth and inclusive economic development.

E-signed:

Prince Dotun Oyelade,
Commissioner for Information and Orientation,
Oyo State.
July 22, 2025.

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