Encomium
SENATE BACKS REPS’ TAKE OVER OF KOGI HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
The Senate on Thursday, March 17, 2016 approved the resolution of the House of Representatives’ to take over functions of the Kogi state House of Assembly, which is currently engulfed in crisis. The Senate also adopted the House of Representatives resolution, which declared null and void, the impeachment proceeding embarked upon by the five members against the Speaker, Mr. Momoh Jimoh-Lawal. The upper chamber condemned the role played by the police in subverting the provisions of the constitution by providing cover for only the five chambers out of the 20 lawmakers in the state, to commit illegality.
The House of Representatives had on Wednesday last week taken over the Kogi state House of Assembly, the development followed the crisis in the Assembly over the impeachment of Jimoh Lawal. The House of Representatives went a step further to take over the Kogi Assembly in compliance with Section II (4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). It took the decision after considering and approving the report of a 10-member investigative panel headed by the Deputy House Whip Mr. Pally Iraise to intervene.
The Senate was required by law to uphold the resolution of the House. The upper chamber’s action was to make the House of Reps decision, comply with constitutional provision requiring the National Assembly to effect the takeover in line with Section II (4) of the constitution.
AGAIN, SENATE COMMITTEE FAILS TO SUBMIT 2016 BUDGET
Observers and journalists who had expected the laying of the report of the appropriation committee were disappointed again on Thursday, March 17, when the chairman of the committee, Senator Danjuma Goje, was not in the chamber to lay the document, contrary to early announcement.
There was apprehension at the resumption of plenary when the laying of the 2016 budget was not listed on the order paper, which usually serves as the agenda for the day’s legislative business.
The spokesman of the Senate had said on Tuesday, March 15, that the report would be laid on the floor on Wednesday for necessary consideration and passage for full implementation by the executive but did not happen.
He also addressed journalists on Wednesday and promised that the necessary arrangements had been perfected for the submission of the report on Thursday, but again, the document was not submitted.
AMBODE REOPENS MILE 12 MARKET
The Lagos state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, reopened the Mil 12 market, which was shut following a violent clash in the Ketu-Mile 12 area of the state. Ambode, in a statement by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde said the decision to reopen the market followed the meeting and agreement reached with all the stakeholders involved in the operation of the Mile 12 market.
According to the statement, the reopening is also as a result of the outcome of the stakeholders meeting held between the traders, traditional leaders in the Agiliti and Mile 12 communities, residents and community development associations. The statement said the commissioner listed other agreements between the government and the stakeholders to include, the relocation of the market, ban of commercial motorists in the area and removal of shanties and illegal structures.
ARMY CONFIRMS KILLING OF SOLIDERS IN RIVERS
The Nigerian army has confirmed the killings of two soldiers in Rivers. The killings come barely 48 hours to the National and State Assembly re-run elections scheduled to hold in the state on Saturday, March 19, 2016. The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 2 Brigade, Port Harcourt, Capt. Elli Lazarus, confirmed the death to the News Agency of Nigeria reports in Port Harcourt.
He said, “At about 11am on Thursday, March 17, troops on patrol in Abonema, Akuku-Toru local government area of Rivers, had a fierce encounter with a group of unknown gun men. Suspected to be sea pirates, Lazarus, however, urged residents of the state to go about their lawful activities without fear of molestation. He assured them that the army had made necessary arrangement to ensure sustainable peace and security of lives and property before, during and after the parliamentary elections in the state.”
EKITI LAWMAKERS PETITION RIGHTS COMMISSION OVER MISSING COLLEAGUES
The Ekiti state house of Assembly has petitioned the National Human Rights Commission over the continued detention of four of its members by the Department of State Service since March 4. A three man delegation of members of the Ekiti state House of Assembly led by the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Segun Adewunmi, submitted a petition dated March 16, 2016, at the headquarters of the commission in Abuja on Thursday, March 17, 2016.
The National Human Rights Commission is being alerted of the worrisome political situation in Ekiti state. You are being called upon to prevail on the federal government to give peace a chance and let the popularly elected Governor Fayose fulfil his electioneering promises to the people. Freedom of speech and association are the hallmarks of democratic government, these should not be subverted or trampled upon.
TENANTS SETS 83 YEAR OLD ABLAZE IN EDO
There was confusion on Uwa Street, in Oredo local government area of Edo state on Wednesday, March 16, 2016, after a tenant, Jeff Obasotan, allegedly set his 83 year old landlord, identified as Pa Joseph Iyen ablaze. The deceased’s residence located between Second East Circular Road in Benin, the state capital. It was gathered that there was a dispute between the octogenarian and Obasotan over his unpaid rent and that the landlord had given the tenant a quit notice on two occasions. But the disagreement was said to have degenerated on Wednesday, March 16, 2016, leading to the tragedy.
The elderly man died following the severe burns he sustained from the fire. The incident also drew the attention of residents in the area who thronged the scene to sympathize with the victim’s family. The wife of the deceased alleged that the tenant had threatened her life and that of her late father. She also said that the suspect has failed to pay his electricity bill. The suspect was said to have been arrested by security operative in Esigie Police Station.
DOGARA MOURNS AS REP MEMBER DIES
Hon. Musa Baba Onwana, lawmaker representing Nasarawa/Toto Federal consistency of Nasarawa state under the platform of the APC is dead. According to a report on leadership, Onwana died on Thursday, March 17 at the age of 50.
In a tribute to the late Onwana, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara says, the House has just lost a hard working, committed and dedicated colleague. He expresses deep shock at the sudden death of Hon. Musa. A statement issued by Turaki Hassan, Dogara’s spokesman quoted the Speaker as describing the late lawmaker as calm, peace loving and a good family member.
As at the time this report was prepared, the case of Onwana’s death is still unknown.
