AljaziralPress

Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa on Tuesday congratulated newly elected Presiding Officers and members of the 9th National Assembly on their successful inauguration.

The Governor congratulated Senator Ahmed Lawan, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege on their election as President of the Senate and Deputy President of the Senate respectively.

He also congratulated Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and Hon. Idris Ahmed Wase on their emergence as Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

In a statement in Asaba on Tuesday, Gov. Okowa lauded the resilience and political sagacity of the newly elected Presiding Officers of the 9th National Assembly.

Governor Okowa commended members of both chambers for their choice of leaders, noting that Nigerians are eagerly waiting for a vibrant and independent National Assembly to make good laws for the good governance, security and welfare of the people.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I congratulate you all on your emergence as leaders of the National Assembly.

“It is my prayer and that of all Nigerians that God grant you all the knowledge and wisdom to pilot the affairs of the 9th National Assembly to the admiration and satisfaction of Nigerians.” the statement added.

A Chief Magistrate court sitting in Funtua has ordered the Senator representing Kastina South Senatorial in the upper Chamber Bello Mandiya to appear before it or risk bench warrant.

The Counsel to the complaintnant Barrister Lawal Amah disclosed this in a statement made available to the media in kaduna yesterday

He added that Chief Magistrate .Abdu Ladan gave the order while delivering
ruling whether the Attorney General of Katsina state has the Constitution right to take over a case of criminal complaint of false information and forgery filled against the Senator

He futher said that the Chief Magistrate .Abdu Ladan ruled that while the Attorney General of the state has Constitution right to take over a case of criminal complaint there is no body occupying the position now hence the direct Criminal Complaint must go on.

The Judge however said a fresh summon must be served on the Senator Bello Mandiya before the next day of hearing.

It will be recalled that
Barrister Lawal Amah in a suit No-CMC/FT/92DC/19 sought for a criminal summons to be issued against the defendant.

He added that the defendant contested and won the Katsina South (Funtua Zone) Senatorial seat under the platform of APC.

Barrister Lawal Amah alleged that “the defendant in filling form CF001 of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) more particularly at page 3 paragraph D(1) stated that he voluntarily retired from the civil service in the 2001 and no more and the above declaration was made under Oath.

” while it is a fact that the Defendant is the Chief of Staff at Government House, Katsina. As can be seen from his Pay Slip for the month of February, 2019 which shows that the Defendant contested and won the election while under the employment of Kastina State Government.

” It is on this that a complaint of False information contrary to the section 140 and the forgery contrary to section 364 all of the penal code is lodged against the Defendant.

The matter has been adjourned to 24th of June for mention.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Delta State Council, has described the election of the Senator representing Delta Central, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege as a divine manifestation of the will of God in the affairs of men.

The NUJ, in a statement issued in Asaba, the Delta State capital, said that God had ways of confounding the wisdom of men’s calculations and expectations, saying that the elevation of Omo-Agege in the face of suffocating opposition to a senator and now the Deputy Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was a demonstration of the will of God at work.

In the statement endorsed by the Council Chairman, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu and Secretary, Comrade Churchill Oyowe, the union admonished Nigerians to take a cue from Omo-Agege’s elevation and remain steadfast in believing the Lord for a greater, prosperous and united Nigeria, adding that nothing was too difficult for God to turnaround.

While congratulating Senator Omo-Agege on his elevation, the union stated that the victory represented a solid voice for the people of Delta Central and Delta State in particular and the South-South geopolitical zone in general.

The union called on Senator Omo-Agege to use his new office to institutionalized legislations that would advance developmental efforts and deepen democratic experience in the country.

The council wished Senator Omo-Agege a successful tenure as Deputy Senate President and expressed the belief that he would bring pride and progress to his district, state and zone at the end.

– According to him, democracy is a battle, not a banquet

ABUJA – Former Uvwie/Sapele/Okpe House of Representatives Aspirant, APC , Engr. (Hon) Henry Menabowanre Baro has advised Nigerians not to lament, murmur or give into despair but to look ahead with hope.

Engr. Baro said this in a statement titled ‘We must not take our democracy for granted, we must defend it’ on Democracy Day.

It reads in part: “Now is not time to lament, murmur or give into despair. It is time to summon once again the political and social courage that we well know and that well knows us.

“We need to push forward and to urge government forward to do that which it must to achieve this great generational feat.

“We stand between success and failure; but we cannot maintain this middling position forever. We must turn one way or the other. To me there is but one option. The other is unspeakable. We must be bold enough not to accept an inferior destiny. We must win.

“To do so, we must use all the democratic tools at our disposal. I am proud and commend Nigerian people for having carried the nation this far. Don’t faint now. We are almost out of the thicket and so close to home.”

He added: “A great historic push and effort are mandated. Change takes boldness, perseverance and moral fortitude; profound change requires even more so.

“The task is hard but I neither fret nor worry. In my heart, I am comforted by the knowledge that we are so much better and stronger than the obstacle before us. We shall and must overcome it because it is in our nature and it is for our best destiny to do so.”

Democracy Day is a public holiday in Nigeria and is always celebrated on 29 May. But kudos to Mr. President and Nigerians to change it to June 12 in honor of our late hero MKO, It marks the return to democratic rule.

The second tenure of Muhammadu Buhari was inaugurated a few weeks on May 29, 2019.

It was a second of unhappiness and weeping for Olorogun O’tega Emerhor and his Urhobo Group, who just lately adopted, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu Senator-elect, Abia North as their sole candidate for the place of Deputy Senate.

A source from O’tega Emerhor advised our correspondence that, O’tega Emerhor couldn’t manage his feelings after receiving the information that Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, has dropped his ambition, and drum support for senator Ovie Omo-Agege.

O’tega Emerhor stated “Dr Orji Uzor Kalu has betrayed me, I am now a laughing stock”

It was gathered that O’tega Emerhor who does not have the curiosity of Urhobo Nation at coronary heart and don’t need his youthful brother to succeed went forward to adopted Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, who’s from Abia State.

Another Source stated O’tega Emerhor spent over 2 million Naira within the printing of shirts, print & Online media to support Dr Orji Uzor Kalu.

Dr Orji Uzor Kalu Text

I made a decision to throw my hat into the ring to contest for the place of Deputy Senate President, after vast consultations with stakeholders particularly my political associates, pals and colleagues (returning senators and senators-elect).

However, I exploit this medium to announce my withdrawal from the race within the curiosity of the APC and Nigeria at massive.

I contested and received election as a Senator on the platform of the APC, as such, I can not go in opposition to the decision of my get together.

The get together, I’m optimistic will think about the South East for different principal positions within the Senate and House of Representatives for the sake of nationwide unity.

The South East ought to be properly represented on the high hierarchy of the ninth nationwide meeting.

The ninth nationwide meeting will work harmoniously no matter get together affiliations to make sure that the manager and judiciary arms of presidency are complemented in a bid to construct a affluent Nigeria.

Dr Orji Uzor Kalu

Senator-elect,

Abia Nort

Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo Swears In As Senator Of Federal Republic Of Nigeria. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo Is An Urhobo Man From Bayelsa State.

ABUJA – The immediate past commissioner of works and infrastructure, Bayelsa State have been sworn-in as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo was among the 107 senators inaugurated as member of the 9th Senate, today.

Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo is the senator representing the people of Bayelsa West senatorial district in the 9th Senate. Senator Ewhrudjakpo was elected under the platform of the People Democratic Party (PDP), polling a total of 49,912 votes to defeat his opponent, the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Mr. Mathew Karimo who scored a total of 20,219 votes.

The inauguration of the 9th Assembly which started about 10 am, Tuesday June 11th 2019, on the floor of the Nigerian Senate, had in attendance 107 senators elect out of 109 senators elect. The clerk of the Senate announced at the end of roll call that two senators elect of Imo state, including the immediate past governor, Rochas Okorocha were not among those to be inaugurated at the time.

Senator Ewhrudjakpo who was on seat at the time of roll call on the floor of the house, participated in the elections of principal officers of the 9th Senate.

Kudos to our great Urhobo Nation, kudos to the Ijaws of bayelsa state, kudos to the good people of Delta State.

Engr . (Hon) HENRY Menabowanre Baro (HMB), Said, it is with a warm heart that he congratulate Ahmed Lawan as he emerged Senate President and Obaisi Ovie Omo-Agege as Deputy Senate President at the just concluded 9th Assembly elections for the Senate leadership tussle on their well-deserved landslide victories.Their victory is a testimony of President Buhari Next level great efforts which the APC Led administration has put in place to restore confidence in the socio-economic and political sphere of the country through the leadership of Ahmed Lawan and Ovie Omo-Agege which will bring these administration sanity to public institutions. These new crop of Senate Leadership no doubt will restored the dignity of labour, honesty and transparency to the Red Chambers and citizens.”I believe that Ovie Omo-Agege have help to developed the patriotic zeal of Nigerians, Especially the Urhobo Nation making them to become proud indigenes of this great country.”Agege emergence as the deputy Senate President of the 9th Assembly have raised the collective momentum that have energizes ordinary Nigerians to have hope in the ‘Next Level Agenda’ of Mr. President.With Agege in the helm of National matters at the 9th Assembly has given hope to Nigerians, especially the youths to envision prospects in the empowerment, Education , Agriculture, and ICT sectors as avenues for engagement in the productive sectors of the economy. No gainsaying, the momentum in the ICT sector and patronage of indigenous software providers and local OEMs has promoted ICT innovation and investment opportunities in Nigeria. This has significantly enhanced participation across the full spectrum of the value – chain where deliberate programmes were built to enhance the capacity of Nigerians, enabling them to add value to the economy.Invariably, through the leadership of Agege as a senator the Broadband penetration in the youth empowerment through the federal government which stood at 18% at the inception of President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure has gracefully attained a threshold of 31% with the promise of rising to 70% if he emerged as Deputy Senate President.Engr. Henry Menabowanre Baro is therefore proud to be associated with this most progressive government which has remained unsurpassed in its achievements since the beginning of the 4th Republic.Once again congratulation to
Senate President Lawan & DSP Agege for their victories.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Delta State Council, has congratulated Rt Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, representing Okpe State Constituency, on his re-election today as the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA).

The NUJ in a statement endorsed by the Chairman, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu and Secretary, Comrade Churchill Oyowe, said that the re-election of Oborevwori was a show of confidence in his leadership of the house at the sixth assembly.

The council also congratulated Hon. Christopher Ochor Ochor on his emergence as the Deputy Speaker, describing his elevation as a sweet comeback to the house, having served briefily as representative of Ukwuani State Constituency in the fifth assembly.

While equally congratulating other members of the house elected into leadership positions, the NUJ urged the house to see the smooth enthronement of its new leadership as a sign of oneness and the willingness to work as a team in the seventh assembly by upholding its constitutional role of checks and balance to the executive.

The NUJ also urged the house to take as paramount the legislation of laws for the general improvement of the standard of living of Deltans, particularly in checking youth employment and entrenching social insurance schemes in line with the Stronger Delta Agenda of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

It assured the house of the readiness of the council to strengthen working relationship with it towards the advancement of the democratic experience in Delta State.

Mr Ned Nwoko, in his desperate attempt to get his name smuggled into the Nigerian Senate for Tuesday’s inauguration of the 9th Assembly was hounded out like a thief by the stern-looking and no nonsense heavily armed policemen stationed at the National Assembly where verification of Senators-elect and Members-elect are currently holding.

The disgraced Idumuje Ugboko-born political desperado was told unequivocally that his name was not forwarded by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) but instead, the list brought by INEC has the name of Senator Peter Nwaoboshi as the authentic Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District in accordance with court order.

More details….

By Hafizu Ibrahim Kawu & Sha’aban Sharada

As we count down to the proclamation of the 9th National Assembly on 11 June, 2019, there is heightened suspense on who, among the contending gladiators, would emerge as the presiding officers of the House of Representatives.

Primary interest in this piece is, on the green chamber which is seen as the heartbeat of the National Assembly, considering the wider diversity of the Federal Constituencies and the relatively younger population of House members compared to the Senate.

The vibrancy and constructiveness of its membership has earned the House of Representatives the sobriquet: House of Nigerian people. The House is indeed truly representative of the Nigerians by virtue of its composition and reach. Whoever seeks to lead the House must be a leader whose profile and character resonate well with the vast majority of the members.

Given the previous history of fractiousness, recriminations and mistrust associated with successive leaderships in the House, whoever that would be elected as the Speaker must be someone who commands the acceptance of a wider spectrum of the members across parties line and must be a person with vision toward a nation building.

Its crucial for both returnees and members elect in the 9th assembly to ensure vote an experience legislator that will ensure smooth and timely passage of budgets, executive bills and other bills that will ensure better life for Nigerians, adequate security of lives and properties of Nigerians. Nigerians don’t want to see the National Assembly constantly at war with executive arms of government.

Nigerians expectations on their representatives is to leave to their expectations by making laws that that will enhance their respective constituents peoples life which will bring them a sustainable development not an assembly that fight with executive arm.
Even the executive arm of government want to have a he mutual working relationship with the 9th National Assembly as such relationship would smoothen governance and particularly improve the budgetary process in the country. Such mutual working needed in line with next level agenda of present administration to return the budgetary process to the January-December fiscal cycle against now runs a near June budget cycle, owing to delays often caused by executive-legislature bickering.

Nigerians wants to have an assembly that would strengthen existence anti corruption laws by amends, or passing a laws that will building strong anti corruption law that cannot be manipulated by personalities in line with present administration crusade against corruption to the next level agenda.

The newly elected lawmakers are fully aware of what happened in the 8th assembly which slowed the implementation of various federal government’s projects and policies. To avoid the reoccurring of this unpleasant relationship between executive and legislative the upcoming 9th Assembly need its speaker to be someone with enough legislative experience to steer the affairs of the House .

It has become imperative members of the House of Representatives too look for a candidate who his candidacy is not about himself but about sanitanizing nation’s democracy a speaker who will strengthening our democracy in line with global best practices. In the upcoming assembly we want to have a People’s speaker that will do People’s business and champion electorate cause and fulfills their hopes and aspiration of Nigerians.

We called on returnees and members elect in respect of party affiliation to do the needful by side with
NATION BUILDING JOINT TASKS PROJECT. This project is nothing about aspirants self centre interest is about the well being of Nigerians whereas all-inclusive chamber will accommodate all shade of opinions. Femi Gbajabiamila and Ahmad Idris Wase promised opposition parties serving and newly elected lawmakers to be inclusive as the project really need them. To prove they readiness to run inclusive for the 9th National Assembly JOINT TASKS campaign logo embodies the logos of all political parties represented in the House (9th Assembly). In view of the foregoing development already both returnees and newly elected members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other political parties in the House him.

Hon Femi Gbajabiamila as a speaker of the House of Representatives, the house will have a peace devoid of any rencour because he has enough legislative experience to steer the affairs of the House and also enjoys the support of the legislators in respect of parties line because he is committed to lead the house to provide best-in-class solutions to critical issues affecting our country and to drive a solid plan of action for the achievement of both quick wins and longer term objectives of the 9th assembly.

Kawu & Sharada wrote in from Abuja