Politics

INEC is proposing a N1 million fee for registration of a new political parties in the country.

The Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abia, Chief Onapuruagu Ukegbu, on Tuesday cautioned the people of the state against agitations for power shift.

Ukegbu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview in Umuahia that it was too early to bicker over the zone that should produce the next governor of the state.

He said that while it was imperative for all the zones in the state to have a shot at the Government House, such should not be at all cost.

``Power is not donated but fought for and it will be wrong to shut out other sections of the state from contesting for the governorship position,'' he said.

He said APGA was not entirely against an arrangement that could enthrone equity in the society, ``but we have come to understand that zoning breeds mediocrity.

``Power is not of right and any qualified person should have the right to contest irrespective of the zone they come from.”

Ukegbu said that even if power should shift to Abia South, ``the people from the zone should spearhead the move to avoid any form of imposition by the top hierarchy.

``At the moment, it is even difficult to determine the preparedness of politicians from the zone.”

Ukegbu said APGA was poised to throw up a formidable challenge to produce the next governor of the state.

``We have so much going for us and at the right moment we shall unveil our programmes,” Ukegbu said.

He was apparently reacting to the agitation by some politicians in the state for power to shift to Abia South in 2015.

Former Gov. Orji Kalu hailed from Abia North while the incumbent Chief Theodore Orji is from Abia Central.

This has given rise to the clamour by politicians from Abia South that the area should produce the next governor as enshrined in the Abia Charter of Equity.

Human Righst activist and leader of the Civil Society Coalition in the north, Comrade Shehu Sani, has condemned attempt to frustrate the registration of the All Progressive Congress (APC), alleging that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is the...

There seems to be an agreement among political contemporaries of Kano Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, that no political pressure or rash of political realignment would push him to jump ship to pitch tent with the opposition merger platform; All Progres...

The Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies in PHCN on Monday said the Federal Government had invited the union for talks over the severance package. Mr Bede Opara, the President General of the association, told News Agency of...

The House of Representatives has described outrage against the immunity bill passed by the House as due to misconception of the motive of the proposed law which it says will be limited only to words spoken during debates on the floor of the House or in committees.

It will be recalled that the bill for an Act to alter the constitution of the Federation Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) by providing immunity for members of the legislature in respect of words spoken or written at the plenary session or at committee proceedings, to guarantee that freedom of speech, debates and proceedings in legislative Houses are not impeached or questioned in any court or place out of parliament and for related matters, scaled through second reading penultimate Thursday.

A similar bill which sought to amend the constitution to grant freedom of speech and legislative Houses actions of members of the National Assembly was consolidated with the bill and approved for further legislative action.

Spokesman of the House, Hon Zakari Mohammed who briefed the press with the co-sponsors of the two bills, Hon Ali Ahmed and Ralph Igbokwe over the weekend, explained that the spirit behind the bill is a passion to strengthen democratic institutions.

"I am disappointed at the controversy the bill is generating. Rather than focus on the intendment of the bill and its merits, the debate is on alleged attempts to create immunity for ourselves. It is not for any other purpose than for actions taken during legislative business", Ahmad said, adding that, "truth of the matter is that our parliament doesn't have any form of immunity as we speak. The only minimal one we have was annulled by the court in 2005. If that is the kind of parliament Nigerians want us to have, then so be it".

In his own contribution, Hon Igbokwe explained further explained, "If a member hits any member on the floor of the House and causes body harm to him, he is liable and will face any sanction for it. The same applies to other offences. This bill is for nothing other than to allow us express our opinion during debates without fear of being sued thereafter".

On safeguards against abuse of such immunity if obtained by members, Igbokwe said standing rules of the House have addressed such scenario against use of offensive words on the floor. 
"Our rules which is also recognised by the Constitution already censored the use of offensive language during debates," he stated.

Spokesman of the House, Hon Zakari Mohammed gave an example of an incident in Malawi where seven Malawians lawmakers are facing trial for treasonable felony over what they said on the floor of the parliament. 

"What we are saying is we don't have to wait until such happens in Nigeria before we take action," he said. 

The lawmakers also noted that the amendment is not different from the provisions of the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act of 1953 which is old and gives very minimal protection  to the Legislature within the legislative house premises.

Lawyers in Abuja have condemned the National Judicial Council (NJC) over the recent sack of Justice Charles Archibong of a Lagos high court over alleged judicial misconduct. Speaking to journalists, one of the lawyers, Mr. Ugochukwu Osuagwu, said the a...

Mrs Sarah Jibrin, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Ethics and Values, on Saturday decried low turnout of  voters during the FCT area councils’ elections.

Jibrin stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja while monitoring elections in Area 8 polling units.

She stressed the need for active participation of all Nigerians in the electoral process, noting that ``Nigerians should not give up, as things will get better with time''.

``There is low turnout of voters, but it is still midday, since the closing time is 4 p.m. But it is obvious that some Nigerians are not willing to give up.

``Those that endeavour to come out and cast their votes, believe that the system will get better in the course of time,’’ Jibrin said.

She called on all Nigerians, especially the youth, who are the most important segment of every nation to make useful contributions for the development of democracy

Jibrin attributed voters’ apathy in the FCT area councils to the security situation in the country.

She expressed the commitment of her office to embark on massive awareness campaign to educate Nigerians on the need to imbibe good values.

``I will continue to encourage youths to take active part in politics because youths are future stakeholders and agents of national security,'' she said.

Meanwhile, the PDP Chairmanship Candidate of Kuje Area Council, Mr Ishaku Shaban, said that the large turnout of voters during the FCT councils’ polls was as a result of adequate sensitisation of electorate.

Shaban made this known on Saturday in Yenche ward polling station, Kuje, while briefing newsmen on the turnout of people for the election.

According to him, although, the previously conducted elections are free and fair, but there is voter apathy.

He observed that there was rumour that PDP had planned to rig the polls, adding that the rumour was not true.

Shaban said, "we employed one-on-one approach in creating relevant awareness for people to participate in the election and vote for PDP in our community.

"It is my hope that people will turn out in their large numbers to vote in future elections to reduce voter apathy in the country.

He also commended INEC for early preparations for the FCT elections, adding that the INEC efforts contributed to the large turnout of voters in the elections. (NAN)

Sheikh Musa Ibrahim, the Chief Imam of Dakata Central Mosque, Kano, has enjoined all Muslims in the country to desist from violence as it is against the teaching of Holy Qur’an. Delivering a sermon at the Friday Jumat service in Kano, Ibrahim urg...

Prof. Attahiru Jega, National Chairman of INEC, says he is prepared to have both domestic and international observers for the 2015 General Election.

Jega told the South Africa Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Johannesburg, South Africa, that election observation adds value and credibility to the electoral process.

``But the challenges are there, given that some of the international observers work to undermine the integrity and sovereignty of the country in the course of observing elections or their actions seem to indicate this.

``It is important to conduct election in such a way that there will not be external interference in the country's integrity.

``If the role of election observers are carefully defined, there should be less worry about whether they are African or non-African observers,’’ Jega said

He said INEC would be willing to have many observers for the 2015 Nigeria general elections.

``In Nigeria, we have recognised the value of election observers by creating an enabling environment for them to  witness the process, produce reports we can look at and see how we can improve on conducting elections in Nigeria.

``They were there in 2011, we saw the value of their observation; we have taken many of their recommendations and injected them into our preparation for 2015 election.

``We will be glad to have as many observers in Nigeria to witness the 2015 election,’’ Jega said.

NAN reports that former President Olusegun Obasanjo and some African leaders have called for a ban of non-African election observers in the continent.

``I am very excited with my participation in this symposium which brought many experts and people of diverse background and experience together to asses and evaluate almost two decades of election in Africa.

``It is a very important undertaking because election observation mission has been striving to assess the free, fair and credible electoral process in Africa.

``The issue of domestic observers was given prominence and we now see the need to involve more of them in the electoral process.

``There is need to harmonise various election observer missions to derive maximum benefit in process.

``There should be diverse background in election observers, a situation in which virtually all the election observers are lawyers is not good for the electoral process,’’ Jega said.

The 7th Annual symposium of the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA), is to assess the two decades of election observation in Africa.

The Ebonyi House of Assembly Deputy Speaker, Chief Valentine Okike, has been removed from office for alleged insubordination, promotion of disaffection among members and improper dressing to official functions. Moving the motion for his removal, Mr Chr...

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar yesterday called for genuine electoral reform to guarantee internal democracy in Nigeria political parties. Atiku lamented the internal democracy is lacking and badly managed by the Peoples Democratic Party. The for...