The Fleecing of Nigeria by a profligate Corrupt Legislature… our senate has become the den of thieves
While we might have all been distracted by the drama and hoopla generated by Senator from the north, we all might have missed the bombshell revelations the scandals revealed yesterday. Earlier, a ranking senator from the south made an allegation that some senior senators each received 500 million Naira padding in the 2024 budget. Padding is the code name for the legislative fleecing of our commonwealth with illegal budget allocation in the name of constituent projects. It is a blackmail tactic that Sister Ngozi Eweala made a lot of noise about as the Minister of Finance and the de facto prime minister in which she alleged that senators and House of Rep members routinely blackmail the executive to include these graft as the conditions to pass the annual budget and to fund the budgetary proposals of the executive arm. Well, we just watched the confession video in the speech of Senator Bamidele on the floor of the senate. We might be tempted to gloss over the big news he made during that speech. He confirmed the allegation that some senators actually received 500 million Naira, an allegation by a ranking senator, which the other senators tried to shout down earlier today. Our senate is the den of thieves, who are totally disconnected from the daily struggle and anguish of the citizens. Not only did these leeches allocate hundreds of millions of Naira to order plush SUV for meeting the majesty of their highly exulted offices while their citizen starve to death, but the rut goes even deeper. This Senator Opeyemi Bamidele just confirmed on the floor of the senate the allegations that they each received 500 million Naira. He asked their constituencies to hold them accountable if they didn’t implement more than 500 million Naira investments in Constituent projects like boreholes and solar panels. For goodness sake, in 2024, our senators are celebrating borehole and solar panels, both signs of retrogression and underdevelopment. These people have no respect for us, and it’s our fault because we have abandoned politics to the worst of us and to the degenerates. When did they change the constitution to grant the legislature the executive power to fund and implement projects using their personal bank accounts with no accountability? We need to disband the house of thieves called the Nigerian legislature, where many are double dipping, drawing their pensions as former governors while fleecing our commonwealth through obscene renumeration plus the weekly deposits of illicit fund in their bank accounts. We all heard it on life TV when Senator Akpabio announced hefty Christmas payments into his colleagues’ accounts. It used to be Ghana-must-go bags and mobile phone airtime and wifi credits. Today, it is direct deposits or using the budget of MDAs to launder the fund, which is then clandestinely diverted to their personal account. We learned recently that ministers in the executive branch routinely use their personal bank account to transact official government expenditure. Sister Ngozi Eweala made a lot of noise about the corruption ridden constituency projects, which our legislators routinely used to blackmail the executive branch to pad our annual budget or risk the budget not being passed. No wonder the Senate has become the retirement gig for corrupt ex-governors. They are also bankrupting the country with one of the highest legislative remuneration in the world in a country with one of highest concentration of the poorest of the poor living on less than $2 a day. What an outrage. We need to thrash the plagiarized American presidential constitution and replace it with a homegrown, institutionally, culturally, and financially compatible one. We can’t no longer afford to support these super leeches who are bleeding us to death. They very quickly shot down today with alacrity, a member of cult of thieves who went rogue by spilling the beans about the sleece in the Nigerian Senate. We must break open the code of silence.
Senate Forms Ad-Hoc Committee to Probe Financial Controversies
Amidst mounting controversies surrounding the financial operations of the Buhari administration, senate president, Sen. Godswill Akpabio has inaugurated the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Ways and Means on Monday. The committee’s primary mandate, driven by concerns over fund management, includes a thorough investigation into the utilization of resources, notably focusing on the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme and other financial avenues. In his address to stakeholders, the Senate President emphasized the critical need for transparency, accountability, and good governance, especially in light of recent financial controversies. He highlighted the significance of the committee’s mandate and urged members to execute their duties diligently and professionally, prioritizing the interests of the Nigerian people. The establishment of the committee followed consultations with the Federal Government’s Economic Management Team and a subsequent report by the Joint Committees on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions; Finance; National Planning; Agriculture; and Appropriations. The report identified concerns and irregularities in fund utilization, prompting decisive action from the Senate. Furthermore, the Senate President reiterated the importance of the committee’s task amidst ongoing financial debates in Nigeria. He expressed confidence in the committee’s ability to conduct thorough investigations and called for a commitment to justice, fairness, and the public good. Senator Isah Jibrin (Echocho), appointed as the committee’s chairman, emphasized the significance of the Ways and Means controversy and assured Nigerians of a thorough and impartial investigation. He urged stakeholders to cooperate and provide necessary documents for scrutiny. The committee, composed of distinguished senators, is poised to embark on its mission to investigate and address concerns regarding fund management in Nigeria, guided by principles of transparency, integrity, and accountability. Members of the committee include: 1. Senator Isah Jibrin (Chairman) 2. Senator Sahabi Ya’u (Vice Chairman) 3. Senator Adamu Aleiro 4. Senator Adetokunbo Abiru 5. Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong 6. Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno 7. Senator Victor Umeh 8. Senator Solomon Olamilakan 9. Senator Sani Musa 10. Senator Abdul Ningi 11. Senator Aliyu Wadada 12. Senator Ipalibo Banigho 13. Senator Jimoh Ibrahim 14. Senator Ibrahim Mohammed 15. Senator Joel Thomas Onowakpa 16. Senator Dafinone Ede 17. Senator Aminu Iya Abbas 18.
Senate urges police to recover 36 children trafficked out of FCT…calls on the social department of the FCT to ensure that the registration of orphanages and shelter be properly checked and verified
The Senate has ordered the Nigerian Police Force to immediately rescue 36 children who were abducted and believed to be trafficked out of the federal capital territory (FCT). This is as it requested that the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) establish systems to prevent child trafficking throughout the nation. It also urged the social department of the FCT to ensure that the registration of orphanages and shelter be properly checked and verified. The resolutions were sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Ireti Kingibe (LP, FCT) during Thursday’s plenary. Moving her motion, Kingibe disclosed that four (4) out of the Forty (40) children abducted were recovered from a lady known as Success Nwako. “On February 18, 2024, a complaint alleging illicit activities bordering on stealing, abduction and trafficking of children perpetrated by one Madam Success Nwako of the Gwagwalada, Kwali, and Kuje area councils, was addressed to me in a letter forwarded by the missing children parents association (MCPA), an NGO based in Gwagwalada area council,” she said. “It was alleged that the ugly menace started in the wake of 2018 and continued unabated to date in spite of relentless efforts to stem the tide of this ugly scenario. “On the 4th of January, 2024, Madam Success was apprehended by the police with the help of a vigilante group along the Gwagwalada expressway with two abducted children. “Upon investigation by the police, it was unraveled that the abduction and stealing of children were carried out by a syndicate , nd this led to the arrest of three accomplices, while others are at large.” In his contribution, Senator Oyewumi Olalere (PDP, Osun West) said, “I just want us to commend the effort of the Nigerian Police, the vigilante and the good synergy that exist between them that led to the arrest of the woman in question.”
Senate Denies Anambra State NDDC Membership
The Senate has dismissed a proposal to add Anambra State to the membership of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), leading to a tense debate among lawmakers. The rejection came after Senator Tony Nwoye, representing Anambra North, presented a bill seeking an amendment to the NDDC Act to include Anambra State. Senator Nwoye argued that Anambra, as an oil-producing state, deserved membership in the NDDC, citing its consistent receipt of 13% derivation since 2021. However, his proposal faced resistance from several senators who argued that the NDDC primarily serves as a regional or geographical intervention body and is not solely for oil-producing states. Senator Jibrin Isah, popularly known as Echocho, pointed out that Kogi State, also an oil-producing state, had been receiving 13% derivation since October 2022. The debate escalated as Senator Nwoye and Senator Echocho clashed over the inclusion of Kogi State in the discussion. Echocho urged Nwoye to focus on Anambra’s case and not drag Kogi into the argument. Attempting to provide clarity, Senate President Godswill Akpabio cautioned against the potential implications of granting Anambra State NDDC membership, suggesting that it could set a precedent for other states like Lagos, which also have oil wells, to demand inclusion. Akpabio also noted that the National Boundary Commission would need to assess whether Anambra’s proximity to the Niger Delta warranted its membership in the commission. Following the contentious deliberations, the bill for Anambra State’s inclusion in the NDDC membership was put to a voice vote, with a majority of senators voting against it, effectively shelving the proposal for the time being.
Senate President Administers Oath to Three New Senators
Three new senators, elected during the recent national by-election, were on Tuesday, sworn in by the Senate President Godswill Akpabio as members of the 10th Senate. The ceremony, conducted within the confines of the Senate chamber, saw Mustapha Musa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) representing Yobe East, Professor Anthony Ani of the APC representing Ebonyi South, and Prince Pam Mwadkon of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) representing Plateau North taking their oaths of office and allegiance. With the guidance of Senate Clerk Mr. Chinedu Akubueze, the new senators solemnly pledged their commitment to their legislative duties before being escorted to their designated seats by the Sergeant-At-Arms. The inclusion of these three senators brings about a shift in the Senate’s political landscape, as the distribution of lawmakers across different parties now stands at: APC – 59, PDP – 37, LP – 7, NNPP – 2, SDP – 2, APGA – 1, and ADP – 1. This alteration promises increased diversity and representation within the Upper Chamber, shaping the legislative agenda with varied viewpoints and interests.
AFCON ’24: FG Pledges Full support for Super Eagles
The Federal Government has vowed to provide the necessary support for the Super Eagles of Nigeria to win the African Cup of Nations 2024 currently going on in Cote d’Ivoire. The leader of the Federal Government delegation and President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio dropped the hint while speaking via Zoom from Cote d’Ivoire to assure Nigerians that the Nigerian team has the support of the Government of the day to excel at the football competition. Akpabio who led top Government officials including National Assembly members to Cote d’Ivoire to cheer the Super Eagles to victory against the Palancas Negras of Angola at the quarter finals of the ongoing African Nations Cup, said sports is a unifying factor which must be harnessed for the benefit of the youths. According to Senator Akpabio, “I was very ecstatic at the stadium when the Super Eagles scored against Palancas Negras of Angola. The entire stadium exploded with the Nigerian supporters and those who love Nigeria. “Our presence here to support the Super Eagles is evidence of the fact that the Government is serious about sports and youth development and I’m very excited about the victory. “When I was the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, I gave the youths the best stadium in West Africa and under President Bola Tinubu, we shall replicate this in all parts of the country. “The Government of the day is very youth friendly and we are poised to create the enabling environment for the youths of Nigeria to realize their potentials. We are very determined to give opportunities to our youths to take them away from vices and I say congratulations to all Nigerians for this victory,” he said.
Appear in 24 Hours: Senate orders Registrar General of the CAC
The Senate Committee on Finance has ordered Ishaq Hussain Magaji (SAN), the Registrar General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), to appear before it in 24 hours. The Senator Sani Musa led Committee expressed deep frustration at the failure of Lawal to honor their invitation for the third consecutive time. The primary reason for Lawal’s appearance, according to the chairman, was to provide explanations regarding discrepancies discovered in the Commission’s 2024 budget, a matter that raised concerns among committee members. Despite multiple invitations sent to the CAC boss, Lawal remained absent, prompting outrage among senators. Senator Musa expressed disappointment, highlighting the significance of Lawal’s presence, especially in light of the financial irregularities found within the Commission’s financial records. Several senior officials from the Corporate Affairs Commission, present at the hearing, were unable to provide convincing reasons for Lawal’s absence, further aggravating the Committee members. Senator Bello Mandiya, representing Katsina South Senatorial District, strongly criticized Lawal’s non-appearance, drawing a parallel between the absence of the CAC’s Registrar General and the willingness of even the President to appear before such committees. The Committee, in reaction to the repeated absence of the Registrar General, deliberated on potential punitive actions. Senator Abdul Ningi emphasized the necessity of Lawal’s presence, urging the CAC officials not to shield him from accountability. Ningi stressed the importance of understanding the financial discrepancies and clarified that the responsibility of explanation rested with the Registrar General. Senator Musa, invoking Section 89(2), mandated the Inspector General of Police to ensure Lawal’s appearance before the Senate Committee on Finance within the stipulated 24-hour timeframe. The Committee reiterated the seriousness of the matter, emphasizing Lawal’s role as the custodian of the Corporate Affairs Commission’s financial affairs and the need for accountability in light of the detected irregularities. The outcome of this directive remains to be seen, as the Senate Committee on Finance continues its efforts to address the financial discrepancies within the Corporate Affairs Commission, placing significant pressure on Garba Lawal to provide the necessary explanations.
Abba Moro Emerges Senate Minority Leader
Former Minister of Interior and Senator, Abba Moro, has been named as the new Senate Minority Leader. The four-time senator was announced as leader by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary session. The decision to appoint Moro, a four-time Senator, as the Senate Minority Leader was reached after consensus among lawmakers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Their agreement was rooted in the principle of fairness and equity, leading to the zoning of the position to the North-Central region. Hailing from Benue State in the North Central zone, Moro’s emergence represents a strategic move by the PDP to uphold regional balance and inclusivity within the Senate leadership.
Senate Swears In Amos Yohanna To Replace Sacked Abbo
Amos Yohanna, representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was officially sworn in as the senator for the Adamawa senatorial north district. The oath of office was administered by Jibrin Barau, the deputy president of the senate, during a ceremony held on Wednesday. This development follows the recent court of appeal decision that led to the removal of Elisha Abbo, the former senator representing Adamawa north. Abbo had made accusations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio in connection to his removal, but he later retracted the allegations. Yohanna’s path to the senate was paved with legal action. He filed a petition (marked EPT/AD/SEN/02/2023) challenging the outcome of the senatorial election, contesting that Abbo’s election should be invalidated due to corrupt practices and non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022. Yohanna specifically cited over-voting at various polling units, false entries, alteration, and cancellation of votes at several polling stations. He also pointed out that some of these alterations and cancellations were not properly signed by the presiding officers of the polling units. While the tribunal initially dismissed Yohanna’s appeal, the court of appeal ultimately upheld it, solidifying his position as the senator for Adamawa north district.
Senate Screens CBN Gov Cardoso, Deputy Nominees Tuesday
The Senate will on Tuesday (today) screen former Chairman of the Board of Citi Bank Nigeria, Dr Olayemi Cardoso for the position of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The senate will also screen four nominees for the positions of CBN Deputy Governors, who will join forces with Cardoso to steer affairs of the apex bank in the next five years. In a statement by the Media Office of the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate will screen all the nominees following its resumption from its annual recess. The senate had on August 8, adjourned sitting for its annual recess. The statement reads: “The senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will resume plenary on Tuesday, September 26. We will consider the screening of Dr Cardoso at the Committee of the Whole. “Cardoso will be screened alongside four deputy governors namely: Mrs Emem Usoro, Mr Muhammad Dattijo, Mr Philip Ikeazor and Dr Bala Bello. “Besides, the senate has scheduled to screen the ministerial nominees: Dr Jamila Ibrahim and Mr Ayodele Olawande, respectively designated as Minister of Youth and Minister of State for Youth on October 3.” President Bola Tinubu had on September 15, approved the nomination of Cardoso to serve as the new Governor of CBN. Tinubu also approved the nomination of four deputy governors for a term of five years each at the first instance, pending their confirmation by the Senate.