News
New Senate leader clarifies on how principal officers emerged
***Denies any list from Presidency
***says 38 minority senators signed for emergence of its leaders
The newly named majority leader of the tenth senate, senator Opeyemi Bamidele has debunked insinuation that the Principal officers emerged from a list delivered from the Presidency.
Bamidele spoke to the senate Press Corps after the plenary on Tuesday.
speaking on behalf of the other principal officers, he said they will use the assignment to make a difference that will be positive.
According to him, the presiding officers emerged without rancour in a manner that was trasparent and democratic.
He said after the election of the Senate President and his Deputy the emergence of the remaining presiding officers was not an issue to be decided by members, rather it was an issue that needed to be decided among the critical stakeholders of the party, which include members of NWC as well as those already elected into office in the two arms of Government.
He said the stakeholders were able to arrive at the decisions that led to their emergence at plenary.
“On the other hand with regards to the minority, again it was not entirely a party affair, because it wasn’t a typical situation where you have one opposition party rather six opposition political parties were involved and fifty of our colleagues were also involved, so rather than it being a decision to be taken at by political parties, it was more of a decision taken by members who were elected on the platform of the six minority parties.
“Thirty eight of the minority senators by virtue of their clear signatures took a decision as to who their leaders will be and of course this was also communicated to their respective political parties and as democrats all the presiding officer could do was to follow suit because more than a simple majority an overwhelming majority had decided.
“With twenty six signatures we have a simple majority out of fifty senators elected on the platform of the opposition political parties, clearly 38 of them signed and again it was a very clear cut situation and we thank God both ways it was devoid of rancor
He said at the plenary session because some of the members of the minority parties felt that it was important to have an executive session before announcement would be made regarding the minority leaders and the presiding officer obliged them.
“At the executive session he said it was a very matured discussion, it was a discussion that centered around the need for all stakeholders to work together. So no Victor, no vanquished at least we are happy that eventually the leadership has emerged for the 10th senate.
On the way forward, he said for them the next task is to hit the ground running so that from Wednesday they will be able to take steps that we have a clear scientific understanding of what is to be done.
“The first task ahead of us is to constitute special committees of the 10th senate. Our rules make provision for six special committees and one of them is the selection committee which would not have been constituted without the principal officers who emerged today and they are the members of the selection committee and with that being constituted we would be able to immediately constitute the remaining five special committees and thereafter spend the next two weeks working on all the other standing committees of the senate.
“So before long by the grace of God we should have all the committees, special and standing committees of the 10th assembly properly constituted so that every senator can get busy, every senator based on his professional background can properly fit into a sector where he can really add value
He said they are ready to attend to correspondence from the executive arm of Government.
“Part of what we are going to do in the coming days will be through a committee of the whole commence with the confirmation hearing of the service chiefs and some other appointees who have been named by the President
and then of course we have some other decision that we need to take regarding the steps which the executive arm of Government urgently needs to take on the way forward. Suffice to say as a senate we are ready to go.
On the extent to which the Presidency was involved in their emergence he said,
“There was no list from the villa, we are also not pretending about the fact that we have two arms of Government being controlled by the same ruling party, we can’t pretend about that.
“In any civilized democracy in the world the party and by extension those the party has put in governance in all arms of Government will show interest in those who lead, our own democracy is fashioned after that of US. “As a matter of sanctity and as a matter of clarity, the vice president of the country in the US is even the President of the senate. That is the extent of their involvement. Section sixty of our own constitution it is clear because our forefathers and the writers of our constitution who model our own democracy after that of the US we still have our own special brand of democracy.
“So section 60 says that senators shall appoint from among themselves, in order words, no vice President, is coming to preside over us, no other person is coming from any other arm of Government.
“That is greater measure of independence that we even have more than in the advanced democracies. So if the party is showing interest, again the rule says, it is the party that will nominate and when you say the party, the president of the country is the leader of the party.
“If you are talking of a political structure of the party. That is why you have the NWC of the party who are saddled with the day to day responsibility of managing the party and then you have the National Executive Committee (NEC) which takes broader decision and then you have at the Apex the President of the country as the leaders of the party.
“So sometimes it is a matter of semantics, when we say the Party, we are not going to run away from it, we are not going to do propaganda, we are going to adopt a simple and believable style of information management which is what will make it possible for us to say something and stand by it and we can defend whatever we are saying or whatever we are doing rather trying to cover up on what we say before.
“There was no list from the Villa and secondly the list of the people whose names were announced today were from the list of agreements reached by stakeholders and when I say stakeholders it is broad, leadership of the party, leadership of those already elected into government, the rank and file members of the party and even you know we did serious security background check before that, so it is a consensus list.
“To be fair to the APC everything is in order, what was read today was a consensus list. Look through media reports and see the names of people who were in Keffi on Sunday to finalize discussions they presented themselves to the National chairman of the party you will see that it is exactly the names of people who were announced today.
“Check also to see the names and picture of those who reported themselves in Lagos to the President during the Sallah homage, you will see the leadership of the senate as it was espoused today, all stakeholders are on the same page on this and events in the next few hours or days can only go to confirm this.
“Eventually all relevant stakeholders will be in the meeting to speak and the leadership of the national assembly will to join in the meeting. No real controversy.
“With respect to the minority, again, it is an unusual situation. And it shows again the growth of our democracy and the dynamics of our polity, the votes of Nigerians are beginning to count more than ever before and we are beginning to see a situation where no party political party can boast that even if you bring a goat the goat will win as we used to hear in the past.
“Today we have a situation where seven political parties are the vehicles through which people came to the senate. Once you are in the red chamber, you are a senator of the Federal Republic, as we always say, it does not matter which party you come from. However, for the purpose of constituting the leadership the rules were recognized, the fact that political parties have a role to play.
“So if you have six minority parties acting as vehicle that brought them to the senate and you are now looking for a letter which of the parties will now write a letter.
“It doesn’t matter how many people are in PDP it remains a minority party just like YPP or APGA with only one senator who came in on that platform. Basically what was more democratic was for all fifty of them to meet as minority and take their decision.
“They held a meeting and it was deadlocked there was no need for us to be concerned as we have enough to be concerned with as majority. They took their decision and 38 of them signed their full names, their signature, the constituency that they represent.
“That carries more weight, than if PDP had written, LP would have dissociated itself from it, if LP had written NNPP would have dissociated itself, if NNPP had written APGA would have dissociated itself and look at the leadership that they produced, minority leader is from PDP that has the majority of members, 36 members then of course the deputy minority leader is also of PDP so PDP has two, minority whip is LP and Deputy minority whip is of NNPP.
“Definitely what we are concerned about is that it is representative enough, it is democratic but the news for us is that 38 of them signed, minority will always have their say but majority will always have way.
“Minority had their say to the extent that the senate had to be stood down for an executive session for them to have all their say and when the senate reconvene at 5he plenary session majority had their way.”
News
CUPP lampoon Reps over move to investigate Ugochinyere, others for visit to Fubara

**Calls for reversal of the ill-informed Move by the House of reps
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has Condemned the attempt by the House of Representatives to refer Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere and other members to the Committee On Ethics for probe over their Solidarity Visit to the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Fifty members of the House of Representatives hadq paid a solidarity visit to the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to celebrate his one year in office.
The lawmakers, who consist of members of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), Labour Party ( LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party ( NNPP), All Progressives Grand Alliance ( APGA) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) also include the spokesman of opposition coalition, in the House, Ikenga Ugochinyere..
Ugochinyere had explained on the sideline of the thanksgiving service in Port Harcourt that federal lawmakers were in Rivers to solidarilize with Fubara and celebrate with him on his one year of transformational leadership.
But the House had referred the Honourable members to the Committee on Ethics for disciplinary action over their visit
However, the chairman,
Media Committee of the
Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) Chief Barr. Chukwudi Ezeobika in a statement has tackled the leadership of the House for the action which he said clearly cast doubt on its integrity in the observance and or adherence to the laws which they enact/promulgate.
“Relying on the point of order/ privilege raised by Yusuf Gagdi of the All Progressives Congress, Plateau State to arrive at such decision is erroneous and grossly misleading.
“The House, by this very action, has impugned on the integrity and sacredness of Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) especially Sections 39 and 40 which guarantee Freedom of Expression and the Press as well as that of Peaceful Assembly and Association respectively.
“We, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), hereby call on the leadership of the House of Representatives to, without further delay retract its ongoing steps in the purported probe of these Honourable members by its Ethics Committee and not engage in any act that may violate the fundamental rights of its members or any member of the public.
News
Kano Police counter reports that Emir Bayero will lead Jumma’t prayer

the Kano State Police Command has countered reports that Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero will lead Jumma’t Prayers at Kofar Kudu Central Mosque, Kano, where Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi, Emir of Kano, leading prayer at the moment.
The reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II and the dethroned Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, have been laying claim to the throne, creating confusion in the city.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had dethroned Ado Bayero and asked him to hand over within 48 hours.
But the dethroned monarch in defiance returned to the town under military protection and has been operating from the mini palace since then.
In a statement by Abdullahi Kiyawa, spokesman of Kano Police Command, said, “The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, FIPMA, psc further assured that all necessary security arrangements have been made for Alhaji Aminu Bayero to observe his Jummah Prayers in the Mosque where he lives at the Nasarawa Palace.
“The CP also assured that the Police and all other state security agencies will provide adequate security at the Palace where Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II is expected to observe his Jumma’at Prayers.
“Members of the public are therefore advised to ignore the false reports and misinformation circulating on social media and to go about their activities without fear of molestation or intimidation assuring that the Police will continue to provide the necessary security for ensuring that residents observe their Friday congressional prayers peacefully and without threats to their lives and property.”
The emirate tussle has continued to linger since the reinstatement of Sanusi and dissolution of the five emirates.
There have been cnflicting court orders for and against
Based on the conflicting orders, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kayode Ariwoola, had summoned the head of the Federal High high Court and Kano Chief Judge.
The Police statement reads,
KANO STATE POLICE COMMAND
31ST MAY, 2024
The Kano State Police Command is hereby advising all residents to disregard the false information circulating on social media that Emir Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero will lead Jumma’t Prayers at Kofar Kudu Central Mosque, Kano.
2. The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, FIPMA, psc further assured that all necessary security arrangements have been made for Alhaji Aminu Bayero to observe his Jummah Prayers in the Mosque where he lives at the Nasarawa Palace.
3. The CP also assured that the Police and all other state security agencies will provide adequate security at the Palace where Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II is expected to observe his Jumma’at Prayers.
4. Members of the public are therefore advised to ignore the false reports and misinformation circulating on social media and to go about their activities without fear of molestation or intimidation assuring that the Police will continue to provide the necessary security for ensuring that residents observe their Friday congressional prayers peacefully and without threats to their lives and property.
SP ABDULLAHI HARUNA KIYAWA, ANIPR, MNISMA,
POLICE PUBLIC RELATONS OFFICER,
FOR: COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, KANO STATE COMMAND.
News
Royal turbulence gets messier as emirs Sanusi II, Bayero move to hold prayer at Palace Mosque

As the royal turbulence continue to shake the foundation of the city of Kano, the ancient city is tension soaked as the two contending Emirs- the reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II and the dethroned Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, have indicated their determination to hold Jumaat prayers at the Palace Central Mosque.
A press statement issued Thursday night, signed by Danburan Kano, Munir Sanusi Bayero, spelt out the itinerary of the reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II to the Mosque to lead the Jumaat Prayers.
The statement explained that Emir Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II, who resides in the Palace, and is closer to the contending Mosque, is expected to lead the two rakat Friday prayers.
Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II has been leading the Jumaat Prayers at the Palace Central Mosque as the Amir of the City, a statement explained.
The statement by Danburan invited Kano residents to come and listen to the sermon to be delivered by the Emir Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II.
However, another statement from an aide of the deposed Emir, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero invited residents to join him at the Emir’s Palace Friday Mosque to observe the Juma’at prayer.
It stated that the movement to the Emir’s Palace Mosque starts at 12.30 pm.
However, the police are yet to comment on the development.
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