Politics
Reps Endorse Senate Resolutions On Maina
The House of Representatives has concurred with the Senate on its resolutions requesting the dismissal of Alhaji Abdulrasheed Maina, Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT).
The Senate on February 13, passed resolutions requesting that Maina be dismissed from the public service and be disengaged from all acts relating to the public.
It also requested the Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, to appear before the Committee on Police Affairs to give reasons why he did not act on the warrant issued by the Senate.
It further requested that Maina be investigated and prosecuted.
This resolutions emanated from a motion moved by Rep. Albert Sam-Tsokwa ( PDP-Taraba) which was unanimously adopted.
Leading the debate, Sam-Tsokwa said that there was a need to present a common front with respect to the institutional integrity of the National Assembly.
He said that the step taken by the House would send a strong signal to the executive arm of the government to stop impunity and disregard to due process in the conduct of government business.
According to him, it was a constitutional responsibility that the matter passed through the two chambers of the National Assembly.
“Maina has been having running battle with the Senate on the issue of pension,” he said.
Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila (ACN-Lagos) who supported the motion, said that the House was not seeking to usurp the functions of the executive by requesting the sack of Maina, but asking it to act.
Rep. Aminu Sulieman ( PDP-Kano) noted that Maina was being protected and shielded from arrest by people in high places in the country.
Rep. Abike Dabiri ( ACN-Lagos) said that the joint resolution of the National Assembly should send a message to the executive arm of government.
Rep. Samson Osagie (ACN-Edo) alleged that the executive arm of government had continued to ignore the resolutions of the National Assembly even when the staff of the affected organisation had protested against their management.
Rep. Kingsley Chinda (PDP-Rivers) who spoke against the motion, said that the House should not be in a haste in concurring with the resolutions of the Senate.
Speaker Aminu Tambuwal in his ruling called on the Inspector-General of Police to arrest Maina and ensure that the resolutions of the Senate were duly complied with.
He said that corruption should not be fought with selective processes.
“We cannot be fighting corruption and condoning corruption, those of us in high positions should not be seen to condone corruption,” he said.
Nneka Nnadi-Amaechi, Abuja
The Tide source reports that the committee, reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, is making moves to reclaim the Wadata Plaza headquarters months after it was sealed following a violent clash between rival factions of the party.
Senior officers at the FCT Police Command told our source that while they had not received an official briefing, police personnel would be stationed at the secretariat and other key locations to maintain peace.
The Acting National Secretary of the Mohammed-led committee, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, announced last week that the secretariat would reopen for official activities on Monday (today).
He dismissed claims that ongoing litigation would prevent the reopening, saying, “There are no legal barriers preventing the caretaker committee from resuming work at the party’s headquarters.”
However, the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) has fiercely rejected the reopening move, insisting that Sen. Anyanwu and his group remain expelled from the PDP and have no authority to act on its behalf.
Speaking with The Tide source, the committee’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, declared: “They are living in fool’s paradise. The worst form of deceit is self-deceit, where the person knows he is deceiving himself yet continues with gusto.
“Even INEC, which they claim has recognised them, has denied them. They are indulging in a roller coaster of self-deceit.”
Mr Ememobong further revealed that letters had been sent to both the Inspector-General of Police and the FCT Commissioner of Police, stressing that the matter was still in court and warning against any attempt to “resort to self-help.”
“The case pending before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik was instituted by the expelled members. They cannot resort to self-help until judgment is delivered,” he said.
He warned that reopening the secretariat would amount to contempt of court.
A senior officer at the FCT Police Command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that officers would be deployed to the area to avert a repeat of the November 19 violence that led to the secretariat’s initial closure.
“The command would not stand by and allow a breakdown of peace and order by the party or anyone else. Definitely, the police will have to be on the ground,” he said.
Another officer added, “There will definitely be men present at the secretariat, but I can’t say the number of police officers that would be deployed.”
When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said she had not been briefed on the planned reopening and declined to comment on whether officers would be deployed.
Asked to confirm whether the secretariat was initially sealed by police, she responded, “Yes,” but refused to say more about the current deployment plans.
The Kano State House of Assembly has debunked the purported impeachment plan against the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo.
The Tide source recalls that the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, recently sparked controversy during an interview session with a local radio station.
Mr Waiya called on the deputy governor to resign for failing to follow his principal, Gov. Abba Yusuf, in defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, the spokesperson to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Kamaluddeen Shawai, while addressing journalists in Kano on Saturday, described reports circulating in some media outlets about Mr Gwarzo’s impeachment as baseless and misleading, emphasising that no such plan is underway.
Mr Shawai further stated that the House remains focused on its legislative duties and oversight functions rather than engaging in speculative political manoeuvres.
The spokesperson urged members of the public and the media to verify information before sharing it, stressing the importance of accurate reporting in maintaining political stability in the state.
He said, “There is absolutely no motion or initiative within the House to remove the deputy governor.
“These reports are false and should be disregarded by the public. The deputy governor continues to serve in his capacity with full support from the House.
“Our priority is good governance and serving the people of Kano, not circulating rumours.”
She made the declaration during an interview with Nigerian football legend, Mr Segun Odegbami, during a live radio interview on Saturday.
Prof. Obasanjo, who is also former commissioner in the state, ruled out a return to the Senate, stating that her focus was firmly on the governorship race.
“So, moving ahead, I’m not going to be Commissioner. Like I said, I’m not even going back to the same party because I think that’s old and I don’t see the use of it. And I’m not going to go back to the Senate,” she said.
“Like the Americans would say, there’s no need. And this is what I told my associates, when this all started. I said, the only thing I’ll come back to do is the governorship.
“And we have started that journey. We are going to see it through. And so that’s the journey I’m on. And we are very serious about it. I mean we are very dedicated to it.”
The politician also confirmed that she recently joined the APC, explaining that her return to active politics followed persistent calls from supporters.
“Like I told you, a group of people who I did not bring together, have been working, I think, for two years now. And then they started talking to me about a year ago, saying, ‘Look, we think you are the best candidate. We want you back,’” she added.
Her declaration sets the stage for what may become a keenly contested governorship race in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections.
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