Politics
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.
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
Conference of Speakers Visits Obasa, Commends Leadership
The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria has commended the legislative acumen, political doggedness, and robust leadership of Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Obasa, a six-term legislator representing Agege Constituency 1, has been Speaker since 2015.
During a recent visit to Obasa, Rt. Hon. Debo Ogundoyin, chairman, said the Conference of Speakers came to show solidarity and observe Iftar with their colleague and former chairman.
Ogundoyin, also the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, commended Obasa’s ‘peerless maturity and exemplary leadership’, qualities he said have ensured that the Lagos State House of Assembly continues to live up to its reputation as the leading light and pathfinder of state legislatures in Nigeria.
One after the other, the visiting Speakers extolled Obasa’s leadership and applauded him for upholding the state assembly’s motto – beyond the common standards of excellence.’
Responding, Obasa thanked his Speaker-colleagues for the visit and urged them to continue to legislate for the good governance of their respective states because “Effective legislation plays an integral role in the overall socio-economic development of all states and the nation at large.”
Further, he said, “As legislators, we must prioritise and be responsive to the needs and interests of the people as exemplified by our activities in the Lagos State House of Assembly.
“I understand that every legislature operates under different rules and circumstances, but you can never get it wrong when the goal is legislative efficiency and effectiveness, which are two different things. My over two decades experience as a legislator has taught me that effectiveness is doing the right things, while efficiency is doing things right. So, for those wondering why Lagos is a primus inter pares among Nigerian states, it is because we combine effectiveness with efficiency.”
Established by the pioneer speakers of state Houses of Assembly in the wake of the return of democracy in 1999, the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria is a bipartisan organisation committed to serving the nation and member-states irrespective of the party affiliation of members. Its primary aim is to promote inter-parliamentary solidarity and legislative best practices. Obasa served as chairman between 2018 and 2020.
Edo Tribunal Ruling: A Legal Verdict or a Political Manipulation?
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
The recent verdict by the Edo State Governorship Elections Tribunal dismissing the PDP’s petition against the 2024 election outcome has once again raised critical questions about the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process. While the tribunal cited the absence of competent witnesses and lack of substantial evidence, a deeper analysis of this ruling, coupled with the broader political climate under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, suggests a concerning pattern: the calculated erosion of Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.
Legal Grounds or Judicial Bias?
The Edo State Governorship Elections Tribunal ruled that the PDP’s petition failed primarily due to a lack of competent witnesses and insufficient evidence. While documents were provided, the tribunal deemed them inadmissible without credible testimony to authenticate them. Furthermore, the tribunal insisted that oral evidence was necessary to prove allegations of over-voting, referencing Supreme Court precedents. However, this ruling raises fundamental concerns. If documents submitted were indeed official election records, why were they disregarded solely due to the absence of certain witnesses?
The tribunal’s insistence on strict evidentiary standards while allegedly turning a blind eye to glaring irregularities raises suspicions of bias. By disqualifying the testimony of the PDP’s witnesses on technical grounds, the ruling effectively denied the petitioners a fair chance to prove their case.
Tinubu’s Blueprint for a One-Party State
Beyond the tribunal’s ruling, the broader actions of the APC-led federal government suggest a systematic effort to stifle opposition and consolidate power. Since assuming office, Tinubu’s administration has embarked on a relentless campaign to weaken opposition parties, coerce key political figures, and silence dissent.
Key examples include:
Governor Dave Umahi’s Political Turnaround: The former PDP governor of Ebonyi State defected to the APC, citing pressures that many believe were orchestrated by Tinubu’s allies to weaken the opposition in the Southeast.
EFCC’s Selective Prosecution: The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has targeted opposition figures, including PDP chieftains, while largely ignoring corruption allegations against APC loyalists. Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, an APC stalwart, remains untouched despite numerous allegations.
Judicial Interference in Opposition-Led States: Several opposition-led states, including Rivers and Zamfara, have faced judicial interventions that appear politically motivated. The removal of PDP-aligned governors through questionable court rulings further fuels suspicions of a grand strategy to dismantle opposition strongholds.
Forcing and Silencing Top Officials
Under Tinubu’s administration, several top government officials have been forced to align with the APC or face political and economic consequences. Notable cases include:
Godwin Emefiele, the former CBN governor, was arrested and detained shortly after Tinubu assumed power. While official reasons cite economic mismanagement, many believe his removal was politically motivated, given his role in the controversial Naira redesign policy, which was seen as a challenge to Tinubu’s pre-election financial war chest.
Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has been largely sidelined, despite his significant role in the Buhari administration. His reluctance to align fully with Tinubu has seen him politically isolated.
Peter Obi and Labour Party Persecution: The Labour Party (LP), which posed a significant threat to APC’s dominance in 2023, has faced relentless attacks. LP members have been harassed, and attempts have been made to delegitimize Obi’s growing influence.
The Death of Democratic Institutions?
Under a true democracy, political competition should be encouraged, not stifled. However, Tinubu’s administration has exhibited autocratic tendencies, from the questionable removal of political opponents to the strategic co-optation of opposition figures.
The Judiciary’s Role: The increasing frequency of court rulings favoring the APC raises concerns about judicial independence. The Edo Tribunal’s verdict fits into a broader trend of politically convenient judgments, which often seem to align with the ruling party’s interests.
The Media’s Struggle: Independent journalism has suffered due to growing restrictions on press freedom. Media outlets that criticize Tinubu’s government face the risk of intimidation and economic strangulation. Channels Television and Arise TV, for instance, have been warned over their critical reporting on government affairs.
A Nation at a Crossroads:
Furthermore, Nigeria stands at a critical juncture. The Edo Tribunal’s ruling is not just about an election petition; it is a symptom of a larger problem—the gradual erosion of democracy under Tinubu’s watch. If this trend continues, Nigeria risks sliding into a de facto one-party state where dissent is crushed, and political opposition is merely symbolic.
For democracy to thrive, there must be a robust opposition, an independent judiciary, and a free press. The systematic silencing of opposition voices, as seen in Edo State and beyond, should alarm all Nigerians who believe in democratic governance. The question remains: Will Nigerians allow this autocratic overreach to continue, or will they rise to defend the essence of democracy before it is too late?
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