PDP asks IGP to stop pro-Wike lawmakers from disrupting governance

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to caution the 27 ousted members of the Rivers State House of Assembly against actions that could disrupt Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration. In a press statement on Wednesday, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba noted that these lawmakers, who had pledged allegiance to former Governor Nyesom Wike, openly defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Ologunagba cited the 1999 Constitution, stating that their defection disqualifies them from holding legislative positions in the assembly, and therefore, they lack the authority to convene or issue directives to the governor. Ologunagba, in the statement, said, “The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for the umpteenth time, cautions the former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who lost their seats upon defection from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC) @OfficialAPCNg to desist from actions and utterances that are capable of disrupting peace and governance in the State. “The Party counsels the former lawmakers to wake up to the reality that they are no longer members of the Rivers State House of Assembly by virtue of the self-executory provision of Section 109 (1) (g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and as such cannot gather or issue any notice to the State Governor in the capacity of members of Rivers State House of Assembly,” he explained. According to the party’s national spokesperson, the caution followed the former lawmakers’ purported seven-day ultimatum issued from an unknown location to the governor to re-present the 2024 state’s budget already passed and signed into law. Ologunlagba said the action by pro-Wike lawmakers’ seeking to assume the powers of the state assembly “is apparently with the intension to cause crisis, undermine and disrupt the Democratic and Constitutional Order in the State in clear violation of Section 1 sub-section 2 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).” “Having irretrievably lost their seats upon their defection from the PDP, the political Party platform upon which they were elected into the Rivers State House of Assembly, they cannot enjoy the powers, rights, privileges, recognition and obligations of members of the Rivers State House of Assembly,” Mr Ologunagba insisted. The party, therefore, charged the IG “to note the subversive action of these former lawmakers and take immediate action to protect the Institution of Democracy, peace and security in Rivers State.” He also urged the state’s residents to stay vigilant, uphold the law, and collaborate towards maintaining stability, peace, and the delivery of democratic benefits under the party’s leadership.

BREAKING! Pro- Wike Lawmakers Give Fubara 7 Days To Re-Present 2024 Budget

The Rivers State House of Assembly led by Martin Amaewhule has issued a 7-day ultimatum to Governor Siminalayi Fubara to re-present the 2024 budget to the House. The order follows the first sitting of the pro-Wike House on Monday after some months. The other House led by Victor Oko-Jumbo is also holding a parallel sitting. Fubara had earlier presented the budget to the House loyal to him when his current Chief of Staff Edison Ehie presided as the Speaker. Ehie and the other pro-Fubara lawmakers passed the budget estimates, and the governor signed the bill into law. He stated that it is aimed at promoting economic development, inclusive growth, and addressing socio-economic inequality in the state. Details later…

What Tinubu Told Lawmakers During 2024 Budget Presentation

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday presented the 2024 appropriation bill at the National Assembly’s joint session, marking his first annual budgetary presentation since assuming office six months ago. The President spoke at length about the economic environment, focusing on the challenges and strategies to navigate global headwinds while ensuring Nigeria’s economic stability. Tinubu highlighted achievements and outlined the key priorities of the proposed budget, themed ‘Budget of Renewed Hope.’ “Renewed Hope” encompasses job-rich economic growth, enhanced human capital development, poverty reduction, and a greater emphasis on social security.  Defense and internal security were highlighted as top priorities, with plans for an overhaul of the internal security architecture. The President emphasized the importance of sustainability, focusing on funding tertiary education through a Student Loan Scheme and implementing business-friendly measures to catalyze private investment. The goal is a minimum economic growth of 3.76 percent and a moderated inflation rate of 21.4 percent for 2024. In alignment with global climate action, Nigeria aims to position itself as a leader in clean and sustainable energy. President Tinubu directed efforts toward COP 28 commitments, urging engagement to showcase Nigeria’s strides in creating an enabling environment for sustainable energy projects. The proposed 2024 budget allocates 27.5 trillion naira for the Federal Government, emphasizing non-debt recurrent expenditure, debt service, and capital expenditure.  He said The government remains committed to meeting debt obligations while exploring public-private partnerships for critical infrastructure financing. President Tinubu lauded the collaborative efforts of the National Assembly and assured commitment to sustaining the relationship for the benefit of Nigerians.  He urged a thorough legislative review process, emphasizing equitable and impactful project selection aligned with governmental visions and sectoral mandates.

Lawmakers To Take Delivery Of N130m Worth Prado SUVs

The House of Representatives has confirmed that the National Assembly is in the process of procuring and distributing utility Prado jeeps, worth N130 million to lawmakers. Rep. Rotimi Akin, the Spokesperson of the House of Reps said this in a statement in Abuja on Sunday night, coming at a time Nigerians are grappling with economic hardship. Akin said the initiative aligned with existing procurement laws, adding that it was a customary practice in previous assemblies. He said the distribution concerned vehicles tied to lawmakers’ oversight functions in the discharge of their duties within the standing committees, and they are not personal gifts. “For the duration of the 10th assembly, spanning from 2023 to 2027, these vehicles will remain the property of the National Assembly. “However, should the government’s extant assets deboarding policy still be in place at the end of the assembly’s tenure in 2027, lawmakers may have the option to purchase the vehicles before they become their property.” He emphasised the importance of the vehicles in enhancing the performance of lawmakers’ duties, especially when it comes to oversight functions in various regions of the country. Akin said the aimed was to ensure that government interventions, programmes, and policies were effectively carried out, no matter where Nigerian citizens reside. He highlighted the percentage of the legislature’s budget as part of the national budget which had steadily decreased over the past decade, currently standing at 0.5 per cent of the federal budget. He urged stakeholders to focus on reducing costs in the right areas while supporting lawmakers in their efforts to fulfill their duties effectively and with integrity. He said the vehicles were work tools and not status symbols, intended to facilitate improved representation, constituency outreach, and oversight functions by elected representatives.

Senate adjourns plenary until July 4

Following the adoption of a motion by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jubril (APC) Kano, the Senate on Wednesday, adjourned plenary until July 4. The Senate earlier approved a motion informing President Bola Tinubu that a quorum of the 10th Senate had been assembled and that the Presiding Officers had been elected. It also adopted a motion to write letters of congratulatory messages to the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives on their election. The letters will also notify them of the election of the President and Deputy President of the Senate. It also at plenary adopted a motion to write to international parliamentary bodies informing them that a quorum of the 10th Senate had been assembled and that the Senate was ready to receive communication. The bodies included the African Union (AU), ECOWAS Parliament, Common Wealth Parliamentary Association (CWPA),Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) among others.