Connect with us

Nigeria

Direct Primaries: APC Governors Divide as Senate President Visit Buhari

Published

2 years ago

on

Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have been reported to be unable to agree on a direct mode of primaries imposed on political parties by the National Assembly.

The report has it that a meeting between the 22 Progressive Governors of the ruling party on Sunday ended with no consensus.

The meeting which was held at the Kebbi State Governor’s Lodge, Abuja, reportedly ended a shouting match between two governors from the North-Central Zone when the issue came up for discussion.

While some governors said to be sympathetic to the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, wanted the position of the National Assembly upheld, others argued that since democracy was all about choices, parties should be given options to choose from.

Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, who is one of the biggest advocates of power returning to the South in 2023, was the most vocal and spoke in favour of direct primaries, while others who preferred indirect primaries found a lead advocate in Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.

A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution, said, “The meeting started on a friendly note with the governors exchanging banters before getting down to the business of the day.

“They had agreed to propose February as the date for the convention to give room for the President to choose a day at his convenience for the event. This was done after a vote of confidence was passed in the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led caretaker committee and the party congresses held across the nation.

“Trouble, however, started when the issue of the amendment to the Electoral Act as passed by the National Assembly came up. Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, who spoke in favour of the direct primaries, used words which his Kogi State counterpart, Yahaya Bello, felt were offensive, and a war of words ensued. It took the intervention of the Chairman of the PGF and Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Bagudu, to restore calm.”

Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, Bagudu said the governors only discussed issues bordering on good governance.

When asked what decision was taken with respect to the direct primaries for the choice of candidates, he said the meeting with the President would present the final decision.

Despite the disagreement, it was learnt that Bagudu alongside Buni and Governor Mohammed Badaru of Jigawa State visited the President over the matter.

Bagudu has openly criticised the inclusion of the direct primary method in the Electoral Amendment Bill, which has been forwarded to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

However, before the three governors could see the President, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, visited Buhari with a view to convincing him to sign the contentious bill.

Addressing State House correspondents after meeting with the President at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, Lawan said before sending anything to the President in form of a bill for his assent, both chambers of the National Assembly always consult widely to capture the inputs of the majority of the people.

Lawan affirmed that the 2022 Appropriation Bill would be passed by the National Assembly before the Christmas break.

He admitted that the APC had challenges emanating from its congresses, noting that Buhari had constituted a national reconciliation committee under the chairmanship of Senator Abdullahi Adamu to resolve the crises.

On the direct primary controversy, he said, “You also know that we have legislation that is awaiting the consideration of Mr President, and for us in the legislature, we’ve finished our job of passing the Electoral Act Amendment Bill. It is now for Mr President to engage with his assistants and those who normally advise him for him to take the next and most appropriate action.

“We are also very desirous of ensuring that the APC is stable before the convention, because we want our convention to be hitch-free. We want every member of this party, who comes to attend the convention, to do so with a clear mind.

“That whoever becomes the chairman, for example, whatever leadership emerges, is a leadership that has the respect of everyone in the party, because we want Mr President to continue to work with a solid party, the APC. We want this administration and President Muhammadu Buhari to continue to do the very good work they are doing across the country and consolidate at the end of his tenure.”

Asked how the party would ensure stability, especially as the governors, who are critical stakeholders, are not happy with the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, Lawan said the way out of any disagreement was the engagement of people.

He said, “Well, you see, sometimes this kind of disagreement happens. And when they do, I think the best way forward is for people to engage. I always believe, and I’ve canvassed this, that the National Assembly members are major stakeholders; the governors of the APC are major stakeholders. And in fact, the Presidency is a major stakeholder; it is the biggest stakeholder because it runs the administration, and our party must always try to bring everybody together.

“So, when we have any section of a party disagreeing with something, we should be engaging; that’s why we are politicians; we must have that kind of a platform where we discuss the issues; let’s understand each other, and then we make whatever it is that will make this disagreement minimised.”

Lawan, however, said the National Assembly expected Buhari to sign the bill as passed.

Quizzed if direct primaries were the best way to go, the Senate President said, “I don’t have a personal opinion here, because I’m not here alone. So, I don’t have a personal opinion. My opinion is that of the National Assembly members.”

 

 

Texas Guardian News
Latest posts by Texas Guardian News (see all)
Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

News

Nigeria: chibok abduction anniversary spurs demands for justice

Published

2 weeks ago

on

April 16, 2024

By

Militants, alongside relatives of victims of the infamous abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls that sparked global outrage in 2014, gathered in Lagos on Sunday, April 14, to renew calls for the release of the remaining girls in captivity.

The Sunday meeting was organized to mark the 10th anniversary of the abduction that affected 276 schoolgirls from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State, northeastern Nigeria.

“What I would ask the government is to find a way to work towards bringing back our sisters because I know it is only the government that can help us bring back these girls,” said Grace Dauda, a rescued Chibok schoolgirl.

Another rescued schoolgirl, Rebecca Malu, added, “They should stay safe. They should stay strong, one day, they will be released like us.”

While some girls managed to escape on their own, others have been freed over the years through intense campaigns by civil society organizations and government negotiations. But this human rights activist, Ayo Obe, is calling for more action from the authorities.

“We know that we started with missing persons numbering two hundred and fifty-six; it is already an improvement that we are down to 91. But of course, 91 is 91 lives unaccounted for. We appreciate the fact that so many of them escaped during the abduction itself. We appreciate the fact that the government has brought back so many more of them, but we say that we don’t stop here. We need the momentum that has happened since the mass return during the Buhari administration in 2016-2017 to be maintained. We expected that the remaining girls would have been brought back,” she said.

Mass school children kidnapping in Nigeria has continued nearly unabated since Chibok. Around 1,700 students have been kidnapped in raids since 2014 according to Amnesty International.

A member of the Bring Back Our Girls movement and convener of the 10th-year anniversary in Lagos, Opeyemi Adamolekun, lamented this as unfortunate.

“Unfortunately, it became political between 2014 and 2015, part of the amplification of the movement was part of the 2015 presidential campaign. And we saw the effect of the first batch of 21 that were released with the help of the Red Cross and the Swiss government. The second batch of 82 that were released with the help of the Red Cross and the Swiss government as well. But unfortunately, it seems that energy sort of dissipated because the government doesn’t feel as much pressure as they used to feel,” she said.

For this group of Nigerians, the government must match words with more action to stem the tide of mass school kidnappings in the country.

According to the Murtala Muhammed Foundation, a charity that advocates for the Chibok schoolgirls, about 90 girls still remain in captivity while dozens of the schoolgirls freed over the years are living inside a military-run rehabilitation camp with surrendered Boko Haram fighters they married in the Sambisa forest, Boko Haram’s main hideout.

Texas Guardian News
Latest posts by Texas Guardian News (see all)
Continue Reading

News

Nigeria suspends permit of 3 private jet operators

Published

2 weeks ago

on

April 16, 2024

By

Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has taken action against private jet operators flouting regulations by suspending the Permit for Non-Commercial Flights (PNCF) of three operators caught conducting commercial flights.

This crackdown follows warnings issued in March 2024.

Acting Director General Capt. Chris Najomo stated that increased surveillance at Nigerian airports led to the grounding of three operators found violating their PNCF terms. Specifically, they breached annexure provisions and Part 9114 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023.

In response, the NCAA announced a thorough re-evaluation of all PNCF holders to ensure compliance with regulations, to be completed by April 19th, 2024. PNCF holders have been instructed to submit necessary documents within 72 hours to expedite the process. Najomo emphasized these actions highlight the NCAA’s commitment to enhancing safety in Nigerian airspace.

Furthermore, the NCAA warned the public against using charter operators without a valid Air Operators Certificate and urged legitimate industry players to report any suspicious activities promptly.

This crackdown comes after the NCAA’s stern warning in March against PNCF holders engaging in commercial operations.

Texas Guardian News
Latest posts by Texas Guardian News (see all)
Continue Reading

News

Senator Cory Booker Leads a Congressional Delegation to Nigeria

Published

4 weeks ago

on

March 30, 2024

By

Photo: Senator Cory Booker (In the back) and a Diplomat from the US Department of State, joins with members of the Academy for Women Alumnae Association including Mercy Ogori of Kokomi Africa and Adebisi Odeleye of Moore Organics.

Senator Cory also met women entrepreneurs from the Academy for Women Alumnae Association

Last week, US Senator Cory Booker from New Jersey led a congressional delegation to Nigeria, which included House of Representatives members Sara Jacobs and Barbara Lee from California. The purpose of the visit was to discuss a partnership on sustainable development. During the talks, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu expressed his administration’s dedication to strengthening democracy through upholding the rule of law and ensuring good governance, justice, and fairness for all citizens. Senator Booker emphasized the shared values of democracy, the rule of law, and commitment to peace and good governance that bind Nigeria and the United States as partners.

The delegation also met with women entrepreneurs from the Academy for Women Alumnae Association, who had participated in US-sponsored exchange programs. Led by Adebisi Odeleye of Moore Organics, the businesswomen shared their experiences and discussed their entrepreneurial endeavors. Other Academy members were Mandela Washington Fellow, Nkem Okocha of Mama Moni, Inemesit Dike of LegalX, and Mercy Ogori of Kokomi.

The partnership between the United States and Nigeria has lasted over six decades, focusing on addressing security challenges, enhancing health security, and responding to global health crises. Despite obstacles like corruption, poverty, and insecurity, the US remains dedicated to supporting Nigerian institutions and promoting free, fair, transparent, and peaceful elections.

During the visit to the State House, Senator Booker reiterated the shared values of democracy, the rule of law, and commitment to peace and good governance that unite Nigeria and the United States as partners.

Texas Guardian News
Latest posts by Texas Guardian News (see all)
Continue Reading

Trending