Politics
Tinubu Cautions Reps, Don’t Summon My Appointees Frequently
President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, urged the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Tajudeen Abass, to relax summons on heads of ministries, departments and agencies for them to concentrate on their duties.
The President’s statement came on the heels of the House Committee on Public Accounts’ threat to obtain an arrest warrant against Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Yemi Cardoso, for failing to honour several invitations from the House to answer queries on alleged revenue leakages and a claim that revenue sourced through Remita for the Treasury Single Account was not being remitted.
At the Iftar feast to break Wednesday’s Ramadan, President Tinubu urged Mr Abbas and his colleagues to wield their legislative authority with wisdom, particularly, in the manner in which summons were issued to various heads of MDAs whose absence at their duty posts could significantly hurt the entire nation based on their vital positions.
“I have been watching various committees summoning ministers and heads of agencies. I have complained to the Speaker to let the poor breathe. Let these people do the job,” President Tinubu said, rebuking Mr Abbas at the programme held in Abuja.
“We are not saying you cannot do your oversight, but consider the primary duty of each agency, its personnel, or the responsibilities of the governor of the Central Bank or the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance to you and the entire nation,” the president added in a statement by his aide, Ajuri Ngelale.
The CBN governor, Mr Cardoso and the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, were summoned last October over the decision to lift the forex ban on rice, cement, private planes, wheelbarrows, chicken and eggs.
The President noted that legislators should be able to accept documents and representatives to stand in lieu of summoned officials, giving room for flexibility in their legislative obligations so as not to impede other officials from carrying out theirs.
“We must find a way to accommodate one another. This is an appeal to you. See if you can accept representatives in some instances or even documentations,” President Tinubu suggested, adding: “If they are distracted or disturbed, maybe we will shift parliamentary sitting all through the night.”
Mr Cardoso was also summoned by the Reps in January to explain why the nation was undergoing harrowing inflation.
The House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation had rejected an appearance by Mr Cardoso’s subordinate on December 8, 2023, as the committee chair, Abubakar Bichi, insisted that Mr Cardoso must “appear in person because we are talking about the budget and how to increase our revenue.”
Last month, the Reps Committee on Small and Medium Scale Enterprises also invited Mr Cardoso for questioning over the cancellation of N2.4 billion contracts to some manufacturing companies.
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
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