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Electoral Act: Reps Fight Over e-Transmission Of Results

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Row over the consideration and passage of the Electoral Act Amendment, yesterday, spread to the lower chambers of the National Assembly as members of the House of Representatives engaged themselves in exchange of blows.
The Chairman of the Committee on Electoral Matters, Hon. Ashatu Dukku, after presenting the report of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2021, urged the House to consider and pass the bill for the smooth conduct of free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria.
The House quickly dissolved into a Committee of the Whole presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, for the clause-by-clause consideration of the amendment bill.
Mid-way into the exercise, the Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Toby Okechukwu (PDP-Enugu) raised a point of order over clause 52 (2) of the amendment bill, saying that the clause should be amended to read that there shall be electronic transmission of all election results.
The amendment was duly seconded by the Deputy Whip, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.
At this juncture, Wase expressed divergent opinion, and said that the amendment may not be in the best interest of the nation as many rural communities do not have up to 20 per cent access to electronic devices for it.
He said, “I make bold to say that only less than 20 per cent of my constituency has network coverage”.
When the motion was put to vote, the “ayes” were clearly louder but the deputy speaker ruled in favour of “nays”.
The action drew the anger of the lawmakers and commotion ensued.
When calm returned to the chambers, the deputy speaker complained that some of his colleagues insulted him.
“We have legal rights to canvass issues and lobby each other. I take exception to those who came in here to insult me”, he stated.
However, Wase’s explanation could not abate the situation as members continued their opposition to his ruling against the adoption of electronic transmission of results.
In the midst of the heated arguments, Hon. James Faleke moved an amendment that, “results should be transmitted both electronically and manually” but was shouted down.
Speaker, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, intervened, and advised the deputy speaker to accommodate as many amendments as he can but this fell on deaf ears.
But leader of the House, Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, countered the speaker, reasoning that once an issue has been ruled on by the presiding officer, it cannot be resurrected.
Surprisingly, Wase, who presided over the session, said that the ‘nays’ had it, thereby throwing the House into a rowdy session.
Immediately he hit the gavel in his infamous ruling, many of the lawmakers moved up from their seats to that of the presiding officer to register their anger.
Some of the lawmakers, particularly of the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) were heard shouting no! no! no! at the chambers.
It took the intervention of the Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who was seated at the first row at the chamber, to calm the lawmakers’ frayed nerves.
Gbajabiamila had told the House that it was imperative to get it right in this issue of amendment to the nation’s electoral laws.
He advised that the House to rule on the position canvassed by a member, Hon. James Faleke, to the effect that those who want manual transmission of results vote separately from those who want electronic transmission of results.
But the speaker’s counsel was not acceptable to the House Leader, Hon. Ado Doguwa, who immediately stood up, and countered the speaker’s position.
He said that the ruling of any presiding officer of the House on any issue was sacrosanct, adding that on this issue, the deputy speaker had ruled.
The deputy speaker, who later addressed the House amidst the crisis generated by the ruling, said that he was surprised that the lawmakers would behave the way they did on the matter.
He said, “I take exception to the conduct of some members who came here and abused me. It happened.
“If we have to transmit election results electronically, what happens to the farmers in rural areas in Plateau and Kebbi states?”.
But the lawmakers did not agree with the presiding officer as many of them left their seats to consult their other colleagues on the matter, and the rowdy session lingered.
So many other lawmakers later moved over to the presiding officer’s seat, and staged a protest to register their grievances on the ruling.
In the midst of it all, Hon. Yusuf, Mark Gbillah, Chudy Momah and a host of others made physical advances at each other.
Gbajabiamila, who participated in the voting from the floor, took over the proceedings, and announced the adjournment of the House till 10am today for continuation of the voting on the amendment bill.

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I’m Committed To Community Dev – Ajinwo

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The Sole Administrator of Emohua Local Government Area, Barr. Franklin Ajinwo, has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to supporting community development, peace, and progress, describing it as his life’s calling.
Ajinwo made this known on when Okporowo Vanguard—a foremost association dedicated to driving sustainable development in Okporowo community—paid him a courtesy visit at the Council Secretariat, Emohua.

Speaking during the visit, the Emolga  Council boss advised the group to shun internal wranglings and leadership tussles, cautioning that such impediments could undermine their collective goals. He emphasized that unity is strength, and true power comes only from God.

Highlighting his ongoing efforts in repositioning standards within Emohua Local Government, Barr. Ajinwo commended Okporowo Vanguard for initiating plans to conduct large-scale skills acquisition training for young people in Okporowo. He assured them of his steadfast support towards such developmental initiative.

The former Chairman of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Rivers State stressed the need for selfless service, saying it is essential for achieving peace, unity, and development in any community.

He applauded the group’s vision of empowering youths through skills acquisition, aligning it with global best practices aimed at reducing dependency on white-collar jobs.

Earlier, the President of Okporowo Vanguard, Hon. Israel Emeji, outlined Barr. Ajinwo’s numerous and impactful contributions to the development of Okporowo community.

According to him, every family in the community has benefited from Barr. Ajinwo’s dedicated employment initiatives.

Hon. Emeji disclosed that during his tenure as Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA) and as NULGE Chairman, Barr. Ajinwo facilitated the employment of over five hundred (500) individuals from Okporowo community—a record that informed the association’s decision to honour him with the Excellent Leadership Award.

In a vote of thanks, the Secretary of the group, Dr. Okechukwu Godwin Amadi, praised Barr. Ajinwo’s outstanding leadership and unwavering support, both before and after his appointment as Sole Administrator.

He thanked him for the warm reception and appreciated members of Okporowo Vanguard for their strong turnout and continuous support for the present administration.

In their separate remarks, Barr. Kelvin Ajinwo, Chief Polycarp Ndala, and other dignitaries present prayed for God’s continued guidance and protection over Barr. Ajinwo, describing him as a divine gift to the Okporowo community.

They expressed hope that he would be granted even more leadership opportunities to further uplift the living standards of the people.

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RSG Tasks Rural Dwellers On RAAMP  …As Sensitization Team Visits Akulga, Degema, Three Others

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Rivers State Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Inyingi Brown, has called on rural communities in the State to embrace the Rural Access and Agricultural marketing project (RAAMP) with a view to improving their  living conditions.

This follows the ongoing sensitization campaign by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) visits to Degema, Abonnema, Afam headquarters of Degema, Akuku Toru and Oyigbo Etche and Omuma local government areas respectively.

Dr Brown who was represented by the Deputy Director, Special Duties in her office, Mrs Dein Akpanah, said RAAMP was initiated by the Federal Government and World Bank to economically empower rural dwellers.s

She said the World Bank understands the plights of rural farmers and traders in the State, and therefore came up with the programme to address them.

According to her, RAAMP will improve the conditions of farmers, traders and fishermen, and therefore, behoves on every rural communities in the State to embrace the programme.

The Head of Service also said the programme would support the youths to be gainfully employed while  bridges and roads will be built to link farms and fishing settlements.

Also speaking, the State project coordinator, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the programme has the potential of creating millionaires among farmers and fishermen in the State.

Kpakol who was represented by Engr. Sam Tombari, said RAAMP would help farmers and fishermen to preserve their produce.

According to him, the project will build cold rooms and Silos for preservation of crops and fishes while access roads will also be created to link farmers and fishermen to the market.

He, however, warned them against any act that will lead to the suspension of the projects by the World Bank.

Kpakol particularly warned against acts such as kidnapping, marching ground, gender based violence and child labour, adding that such acts if they occur may  lead to the cancellation of the project by the World Bank.

During the visit to Oyigbo local government area, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the team was there to let them know how they will benefit from the Raamp.

The coordinator who was personally at Oyigbo said the World Bank introduced the project to check food insecurity in the State.

He said already 19 states in Nigeria are already benefitting from the project and called on them to embrace the project.

Meanwhile, stakeholders in the three local government areas have commended the World Bank for including their areas in the project.

They, however, complained over the incessant attacks by pirates on their waterways.

At Degema, King Agolia of Ke kingdom said land was a major problem in the kingdom.

King Agolia represented by High Chief Alpheus Damiebi said many indigenes of the kingdom are willing to go into farming but are handicapped by lack of land.

Also at Degema, the representative of the Omu Onyam Ekeim of Usokun Degema kingdom, Osoabo Isaac, said Degema has embraced the programme but needed more information on the implementation of the programme.

Similarly, while High Chief Precious Abadi advised that the project should not be narrowed to only crop farming, a community women leader, Mrs Orikinge Eremabo Otto, called for the construction of cold rooms in all fishing settlements in the area.

At Abonnema, Mr Diamond Kio linked the problem of the area to incessant piracy along waterways.

He also expressed fears over the possibility of the project being hijacked by politicians.

Also at Abonnema, a stakeholder, Ikiriko Kelvin, called on the World Bank to design an agricultural project that will suit the riverine environment, while at Oyigbo, HRH Eze Boniface Akawo expressed satisfaction with the project.

 

John Bibor

 

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Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman 

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The political mudslinging between the Senate leadership and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continued yesterday as the Senate named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the appointment during yesterday’s plenary, confirming Bassey’s replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on suspension.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February after she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle.

Bassey is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.

Although no reason was given for her removal yesterday, the change is believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension.

In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate.

However, the Senate has insisted it has not received a certified true copy of the court judgment.

Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central, has yet to resume her legislative duties despite a recent court ruling that voided her suspension.

In a televised interview on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before officially returning to plenary, citing legal advice and respect for institutional process.

Although the Federal High Court described her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional”, a legal opinion dated July 5 and attributed to the Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), argued that the ruling lacked any binding directive to enforce her reinstatement.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three female senators in the current assembly, said the continued delay in allowing her return was not only a denial of her mandate but also a blow to democratic representation.

“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central, it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.

 

 

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