ABUJA – AS the Senate prepares to confirm the remaining 18
ministerial nominees, today, following the conclusion of their screening
yesterday, senators of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,
have told the Senate President, Bukola Saraki that the exercise can only
be carried out if the report of Samuel Anyanwu – led Senate Committee
on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions on Rotimi Amaechi, is
considered.
The opposition senators insisted that anything short of their demand
would not be acceptable today, putting the Senate President in a
difficult situation now.
At the resumed sitting this morning, the PDP Senate Caucus, speaking
through the Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Biodun Olujimi, PDP, Ekiti
South, said it was necessary that the Senate tabled the Anyanwu report
for consideration before going into the confirmation of the nominees.
Olujimi, who raised a point of order, under Order 43 of the Senate
Standing Rule, told the Senate President to suspend all the processes
leading to the confirmation of the ministerial nominees until the
consideration of the report.
But she was, however, ruled out of order by the Senate President,
Bukola Saraki, who said the Senate would first handle the screening of
nominees for appointments as federal commissioners of the Independent
National Electoral Commission, INEC.
He said the issue raised by the senator would be handled when the Red Chamber goes into ministerial confirmation.
Among the 19 minister nominees listed on the Senate Order Paper for
confirmation today, Amaechi’s name is the last, fueling speculation that
the former Rivers State helmsman may have difficulty scaling the
process.
At the moment, the Senate is screening the nominees for the INEC jobs.
Thursday, 29 October 2015
Police Arrest Four Fake Soldiers In Lagos
Four fake soldiers have been arrested at Idi-Araba, Agege and Mile 2 areas of Lagos state.
The Nation reports that the fake soldiers were paraded by Fatai Owoseni, the commissioner of the police, on Tuesday, October 27.
According to the police, the suspects are 25-year old John Izunwanne, 23-year-old John Otu, 22-year-old Richard Acha, and 39-year-old Simon Anthony.
Briefing journalists, Owoseni said that materials recovered from the suspects included: two Nigerian army camouflage uniforms, army camouflage t-shirts, a pair of boots, two army belts and two jungle hats.
One of the arrested men, Anthony, revealed that he had been dismissed from service as a corporal for falling out from duty.
“I was dismissed in January 2014 for falling out from duty. I am from Adamawa state. I wanted to use the uniform to travel to Lagos because I had no transport money. But unfortunately, I was arrested by soldiers,” he said.
Another suspect, Acha, said that he had found the camouflage t-shirt inside the bag his brother gave him at Ikeja cantonment.
Izunwanne told journalists that he bought the uniform at Ojo Cantonment on September 2.
“I wanted to go and sign my army recruitment form at Ojo Barracks when I bought the uniform at the Mammy Market. However, on October 7, my friend had a court case and I was to appear in court as a witness. The court was in Agege and I did not have the transport fare to go, so, I decided to wear my uniform to save me the cost of transportation,” he said.
Otu said that he heard his friends were arrested and went to the police to secure their bail, but was also apprehended for wearing the uniform.
Earlier this year, the Lagos state police command apprehended three fake soldiers, one fake Air Force personnel and three car snatchers.
Owoseni revealed that one of the suspects threatened to blow up the Command Headquarters because police officers at Ipaja Division refused to grant his friend bail.
Fake soldiers who were arrested at Idi-Araba, Agege and Mile 2 areas of Lagos state. Photo Credits: The Nation
According to the police, the suspects are 25-year old John Izunwanne, 23-year-old John Otu, 22-year-old Richard Acha, and 39-year-old Simon Anthony.
Briefing journalists, Owoseni said that materials recovered from the suspects included: two Nigerian army camouflage uniforms, army camouflage t-shirts, a pair of boots, two army belts and two jungle hats.
One of the arrested men, Anthony, revealed that he had been dismissed from service as a corporal for falling out from duty.
“I was dismissed in January 2014 for falling out from duty. I am from Adamawa state. I wanted to use the uniform to travel to Lagos because I had no transport money. But unfortunately, I was arrested by soldiers,” he said.
Another suspect, Acha, said that he had found the camouflage t-shirt inside the bag his brother gave him at Ikeja cantonment.
Izunwanne told journalists that he bought the uniform at Ojo Cantonment on September 2.
“I wanted to go and sign my army recruitment form at Ojo Barracks when I bought the uniform at the Mammy Market. However, on October 7, my friend had a court case and I was to appear in court as a witness. The court was in Agege and I did not have the transport fare to go, so, I decided to wear my uniform to save me the cost of transportation,” he said.
Otu said that he heard his friends were arrested and went to the police to secure their bail, but was also apprehended for wearing the uniform.
Earlier this year, the Lagos state police command apprehended three fake soldiers, one fake Air Force personnel and three car snatchers.
Owoseni revealed that one of the suspects threatened to blow up the Command Headquarters because police officers at Ipaja Division refused to grant his friend bail.
Rotimi Amaechi: PDP, APC Senators Hold Separate Meetings
As the ministerial screening came to an end yesterday,
October 28, the Senate seems to have heated up over whether or not it
should confirm the former governor of Rivers state, Rotimi Amaechi.
According to Vanguard, ahead of today’s confirmation of screened
ministerial nominees by the senators, the Peoples Democratic Party
senators had a crucial meeting in over the confirmation process.
On the other hand, their counterpart on the platform of the All Progressives Congress also embarked on a last minute meeting simultaneously.
The APC senators meeting was said to have been aimed at coming up with ways they would impede any form of opposition from the PDP senators.
According to some sources, the former governor of the oil rich state is being opposed owing to the roles he played in unseating the immediate past president, Goodluck Jonathan, during the 2015 presidential election.
It was said that the PDP senators vowed to withdraw their support for Senate President Bukola Saraki should he force Amaechi’s confirmation.
During Amaechi’s screening, the PDP had senators refused to ask the ministerial nominee any questions.
So far, 18 nominees have been confirmed while the other half are yet to be confirmed.
Most of the nominees impressed the Senate and are expected to be confirmed without any hitches but the confirmation of two of the nominees is not so sure.
Amaechi and the ministerial nominee from Cross River state, Usani Uguru, have been causing controversies among of the senators.
The APC lawmakers are maintaining a position of ensuring that Amaechi was confirmed a minister, but the PDP Senators are saying no to that position until the report of Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions was considered.
However as the confirmation process of the ministerial nominees is expected to be held today, it is said that the ruling of the Senate president will be final and can only be challenged when a senator calls for a division.
Meanwhile, the presidency on Monday, October 26, said that the Senate acted within its rights in deferring the screening of the former governor of Rivers state Amaechi.
Rotimi Amaechi
On the other hand, their counterpart on the platform of the All Progressives Congress also embarked on a last minute meeting simultaneously.
The APC senators meeting was said to have been aimed at coming up with ways they would impede any form of opposition from the PDP senators.
According to some sources, the former governor of the oil rich state is being opposed owing to the roles he played in unseating the immediate past president, Goodluck Jonathan, during the 2015 presidential election.
It was said that the PDP senators vowed to withdraw their support for Senate President Bukola Saraki should he force Amaechi’s confirmation.
During Amaechi’s screening, the PDP had senators refused to ask the ministerial nominee any questions.
So far, 18 nominees have been confirmed while the other half are yet to be confirmed.
Most of the nominees impressed the Senate and are expected to be confirmed without any hitches but the confirmation of two of the nominees is not so sure.
Amaechi and the ministerial nominee from Cross River state, Usani Uguru, have been causing controversies among of the senators.
The APC lawmakers are maintaining a position of ensuring that Amaechi was confirmed a minister, but the PDP Senators are saying no to that position until the report of Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions was considered.
However as the confirmation process of the ministerial nominees is expected to be held today, it is said that the ruling of the Senate president will be final and can only be challenged when a senator calls for a division.
Meanwhile, the presidency on Monday, October 26, said that the Senate acted within its rights in deferring the screening of the former governor of Rivers state Amaechi.
The Nation Is Dying Economically - CSOs Warn Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has been warned of an impending
death of the Nigerian economy. He was warned by a coalition of over 60
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria.
The CSOs decried what they termed “steady and continuous decline of the Nigerian economy” under the watch of President Buhari.
The call was made on Wednesday, 0ctober 28, at a strategy meeting they held in Abuja under the aegis of Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room.
Members of the coalition include: Policy and Legal Advocacy Center (PLAC), CLEEN Foundation, Action Aid Nigeria, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Enough is Enough Nigeria, Wangonet, Partners for Electoral Reform, JDPC and Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth & Advancement (YIAGA).
Others include: Development Dynamics, Human Rights Monitor, Election Monitor, Reclaim Naija, Institute for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Centre LSD, CITAD, Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN), CISLAC, WREP and Proactive Gender Initiative.
At the meeting, the groups said there was an urgent need for President Buhari to create a sustainable economic plan that will attract foreign investors into the country.
Mr Clement Nwankwo, the leader of the coalition and executive director of PLAC, in his opening remarks, said the “dwindling economic fortunes of Nigeria” could be a function of the inability of President Buhari to appoint his Ministers six months after he assumed office.
Nwankwo said: “The major challenge we are currently facing is that we cannot see the urgency of this administration to improve the situation. It was unfortunate that after the six months that it took to come up with list of proposed Ministers, those we saw are those that have always been around the hood.
“Why it took so long to forward their names to the National Assembly is quite a puzzle to us.
“Why Ministers who have been cleared have not been sworn in is also a puzzle to us. We are almost in the first week of November. The laws are clear that government should have submitted its budget projections for 2016 by now.
“We would have thought that Ministers would have been around to help finalise budget for presentation to the National Assembly.
“Everyday we hear on social media that some people have returned money they stole from the treasury. The government should do well by telling us who they are, the amount returned and since the money is unanticipated, we should be told what it will be used for.
“So much information and misinformation is a major worry for us. We are desperately concerned to see the government begin to function”.
Vanguard reports that Nwankwo also faulted the current foreign exchange regime operating in the country, saying: “a person who is attune with modern day economics cannot recommend such”.
“We want to see change reflect in proper understanding of the Nigerian economy,” he said.
In the same vein, Dr Ayo Teriba, the chief executive officer of Economic Associates, noted in a paper entitled ‘Towards a Policy Framework For Economic Inclusion in Nigeria”, that President Buhari inherited so many economic problems from the past administration.
He however, maintained that “this regime should be quick, wake up and address the problems”.
He said: “Using six months just to share portfolios is not how to go about it. Currently, there is fiscal disconnect. The revenue of the government has declined, relative to the Gross Domestic Product.
“Nigeria has the highest economy, yet the lowest revenue. The revenue has steadily declined. The revenue to GDP in 2014 was 11%, while 25% is what non oil producing economies like South Africa, Egypt and Morocco, have. Other countries like Angola and Algeria that have oil, have higher revenue level of 33%.
“Nigeria should have about 40% like it use to have in 2004. The reason for the decline is not that revenue are not collected, but the leak-out from government processes, e.g, crude oil theft, subsidy fraud, wide spread abuse of administration of import duty and tax waivers, abuses by autonomous income revenue collecting agencies that spend what they collect as they wish, only remitting about 80% to the Federal Government.
“There is also the issue of sectorial and regional exclusion. We currently have one of the worst unemployment rate in Africa. Our economy today compared to 1960 is weaker. Nigeria needs an orderly plan to raise revenue. There is need for this administration to not only stop the leakages, but to also institute periodic watch on impact of fiscal reforms on revenue inflows.
“The new regime should have told us the situation they met at least by May, and what has changed within the first quarter since it took over. It should tell us if there is no more crude oil theft.
“Currently Nigeria has not been attracting foreign investment, we urge this administration to make the economy more attractive. Steady currency regime is required to spur growth”, he buttressed.
There has been questions regarding President Buhari’s stand on the establishment of a ministry for economy.
In a bid to still the dusts stirred, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on Wednesday, October 28 disclosed that Buhari would not name any minister for the economic sphere.
President Buhari has been warned of a decline in economic growth within the country.
The call was made on Wednesday, 0ctober 28, at a strategy meeting they held in Abuja under the aegis of Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room.
Members of the coalition include: Policy and Legal Advocacy Center (PLAC), CLEEN Foundation, Action Aid Nigeria, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Enough is Enough Nigeria, Wangonet, Partners for Electoral Reform, JDPC and Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth & Advancement (YIAGA).
Others include: Development Dynamics, Human Rights Monitor, Election Monitor, Reclaim Naija, Institute for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Centre LSD, CITAD, Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN), CISLAC, WREP and Proactive Gender Initiative.
At the meeting, the groups said there was an urgent need for President Buhari to create a sustainable economic plan that will attract foreign investors into the country.
Mr Clement Nwankwo, the leader of the coalition and executive director of PLAC, in his opening remarks, said the “dwindling economic fortunes of Nigeria” could be a function of the inability of President Buhari to appoint his Ministers six months after he assumed office.
Nwankwo said: “The major challenge we are currently facing is that we cannot see the urgency of this administration to improve the situation. It was unfortunate that after the six months that it took to come up with list of proposed Ministers, those we saw are those that have always been around the hood.
“Why it took so long to forward their names to the National Assembly is quite a puzzle to us.
“Why Ministers who have been cleared have not been sworn in is also a puzzle to us. We are almost in the first week of November. The laws are clear that government should have submitted its budget projections for 2016 by now.
“We would have thought that Ministers would have been around to help finalise budget for presentation to the National Assembly.
“Everyday we hear on social media that some people have returned money they stole from the treasury. The government should do well by telling us who they are, the amount returned and since the money is unanticipated, we should be told what it will be used for.
“So much information and misinformation is a major worry for us. We are desperately concerned to see the government begin to function”.
Vanguard reports that Nwankwo also faulted the current foreign exchange regime operating in the country, saying: “a person who is attune with modern day economics cannot recommend such”.
“We want to see change reflect in proper understanding of the Nigerian economy,” he said.
In the same vein, Dr Ayo Teriba, the chief executive officer of Economic Associates, noted in a paper entitled ‘Towards a Policy Framework For Economic Inclusion in Nigeria”, that President Buhari inherited so many economic problems from the past administration.
He however, maintained that “this regime should be quick, wake up and address the problems”.
He said: “Using six months just to share portfolios is not how to go about it. Currently, there is fiscal disconnect. The revenue of the government has declined, relative to the Gross Domestic Product.
“Nigeria has the highest economy, yet the lowest revenue. The revenue has steadily declined. The revenue to GDP in 2014 was 11%, while 25% is what non oil producing economies like South Africa, Egypt and Morocco, have. Other countries like Angola and Algeria that have oil, have higher revenue level of 33%.
“Nigeria should have about 40% like it use to have in 2004. The reason for the decline is not that revenue are not collected, but the leak-out from government processes, e.g, crude oil theft, subsidy fraud, wide spread abuse of administration of import duty and tax waivers, abuses by autonomous income revenue collecting agencies that spend what they collect as they wish, only remitting about 80% to the Federal Government.
“There is also the issue of sectorial and regional exclusion. We currently have one of the worst unemployment rate in Africa. Our economy today compared to 1960 is weaker. Nigeria needs an orderly plan to raise revenue. There is need for this administration to not only stop the leakages, but to also institute periodic watch on impact of fiscal reforms on revenue inflows.
“The new regime should have told us the situation they met at least by May, and what has changed within the first quarter since it took over. It should tell us if there is no more crude oil theft.
“Currently Nigeria has not been attracting foreign investment, we urge this administration to make the economy more attractive. Steady currency regime is required to spur growth”, he buttressed.
There has been questions regarding President Buhari’s stand on the establishment of a ministry for economy.
In a bid to still the dusts stirred, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on Wednesday, October 28 disclosed that Buhari would not name any minister for the economic sphere.
Two Ministerial Nominees That May Not Be Confirmed
The ministerial screening exercise which commenced about three weeks ago, came to an end yesterday, October 28.
The confirmation exercise was expected to begin immediately after, but did not, as Bukola Saraki, the Senate president, announced the adjournment of the Senate to today.
So far, 18 nominees have been confirmed while the other half are yet to be confirmed.
Most of the nominees impressed the Senate and are expected to be confirmed without any hitches but the confirmation of two of the nominees is not so sure. They are Rotimi Amaechi, the former governor of Rivers state, and the ministerial nominee from Cross River state, Usani Uguru.
1. Rotimi Amaechi:
The former governor got into the bad books of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after he defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and played a major role in the defeat of the PDP during the 2015 general elections.
Amaechi’s nomination as minister by President Muhammadu Buhari was met with strong criticism. Amaechi was accused looting and fraud while he was governor of Rivers state, and his nomiation was opposed in a petition to the Senate by three PDP senators from the state.
He was finally screened on Thursday, October 22, after three initial postponements and lots of drama. But the opposition, led by their minority leader, Godswill Akpabio, refused to ask him any questions on the grounds that the report of the Senate committee on ethics and privileges on the petitions filed against Amaechi had not been considered.
The feud between Amaechi and the PDP senators got worse after the election petition tribunal in Rivers state ruled in favour of the APC, nullifying the election of Governor Nyesom Wike and 20 other PDP lawmakers and ordering a rerun within 90 days.
Amaechi may not be confirmed because of the petition against him.
It is also reported that the PDP senators are threatening to withdraw their support for Senate president Bukola Saraki should he enforce Amaechi’s confirmation.
2. Pastor Usani Uguru:
The ministerial nominee from Cross River state stirred controversy on
the floor of the Senate during his screening. He brought himself into
the bad books of the PDP Senate caucus when, during his screening, he
said “God forbid” to a question as to his membership of the PDP.
There was uproar after Uguru said ‘God Forbid’, as the senators of the opposition party criticized his remark about their party.
He was quick to retract his remark, followed with an apology but his plea did not save him. The Senate minority leader, Godswill Akpabio, cited Order 14 of the Senate standing rule pointing out that the privileges of PDP had been breached by Uguru’s remarks. He said it was unfortunate that the nominee could see the party as a forbidden thing long after he had served the PDP administration as a commissioner in the National Copyright Commission.
The confirmation exercise was expected to begin immediately after, but did not, as Bukola Saraki, the Senate president, announced the adjournment of the Senate to today.
So far, 18 nominees have been confirmed while the other half are yet to be confirmed.
Most of the nominees impressed the Senate and are expected to be confirmed without any hitches but the confirmation of two of the nominees is not so sure. They are Rotimi Amaechi, the former governor of Rivers state, and the ministerial nominee from Cross River state, Usani Uguru.
1. Rotimi Amaechi:
The former governor got into the bad books of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after he defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and played a major role in the defeat of the PDP during the 2015 general elections.
Senate screens Rotimi Amaechi
He was finally screened on Thursday, October 22, after three initial postponements and lots of drama. But the opposition, led by their minority leader, Godswill Akpabio, refused to ask him any questions on the grounds that the report of the Senate committee on ethics and privileges on the petitions filed against Amaechi had not been considered.
The feud between Amaechi and the PDP senators got worse after the election petition tribunal in Rivers state ruled in favour of the APC, nullifying the election of Governor Nyesom Wike and 20 other PDP lawmakers and ordering a rerun within 90 days.
Amaechi may not be confirmed because of the petition against him.
It is also reported that the PDP senators are threatening to withdraw their support for Senate president Bukola Saraki should he enforce Amaechi’s confirmation.
2. Pastor Usani Uguru:
Senate screens Pastor Uguru
There was uproar after Uguru said ‘God Forbid’, as the senators of the opposition party criticized his remark about their party.
He was quick to retract his remark, followed with an apology but his plea did not save him. The Senate minority leader, Godswill Akpabio, cited Order 14 of the Senate standing rule pointing out that the privileges of PDP had been breached by Uguru’s remarks. He said it was unfortunate that the nominee could see the party as a forbidden thing long after he had served the PDP administration as a commissioner in the National Copyright Commission.
Nigeria Senate Set To Decide Amaechi's Ministerial Fate
Following the conclusion of the ministerial screening
exercise yesterday, 18 ministerial nominees are set to undergo
confirmation process today, October 29, as the Senate resumes plenary
session.
With 18 nominees already confirmed as Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Senate looks all set to determine the fate of the other nominees.
Topping the list of nominees to undergo confirmation today is former governor of River state Rotimi Amaechi.
However, a source has alleged that some caucus of the PDP senators has vowed to withdraw their support for Senate President Bukola Saraki should he force Amaechi’s confirmation.
The Senate will also focus on the screening of the INEC chairman and the five INEC commissioners today.
Naij.com is live at the Red Chamber to bring you minute-by-minute account of the confirmation process. Refresh your browser always for new update.
13:20: Yakubu says: “Any nation that has no room for condemnation is prone to failure.”
13:17: Yakubu says: “You can never expect perfection over night.”
13:13: Yakubu says: “By this time next year, i’ll make sure the 12.3million PVCs that were not distributed, get to the owners before the next election.”
13:10: Yakubu says: “No election is going to go beyond the constitutional requirements of conducting elections.”
13:01: More questions for Yakubu
13:00: Yakubu says: “No election is complete without the political parties addressing town hall meetings.”
12:59: Yakubu says: “The solution to late arrival of materials is to start early.”
12:58: Yakubu says: “We need to strengthen our institutions.”
12:57: Yakubu says: “I am on a consolidation mission.”
12:56: Yakubu says: “Fundamental reforms even constitutional amendment is needed to allow people in the diaspora to vote.”
12:54: Yakubu says: “I am not coming for experimentation, I am coming in for solidification.”
12:53: Yakubu says: “We should explore the possibility of accreditation and voting simultaneously in 2019 elections.”
12:52: Yakubu says: ” Democracy is not about here and now, it’s about here and forever.”
12:50: Yakubu says: “The problem with technology is that it always comes with challenges’
12:49: Yakubu says: “We have moved from Voter Registers to Photographs and Biometrics, we will eventually get to E-Voting System.”
12:48: Yakubu says: “Gender sensitivity and youth participation are issues the new INEC under the new leadership should tackle.”
12:46: Yakubu says: “The success of any election depends on the ability of the commission to plan in advance.”
12:43: Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu opens the floor for questions directed to Yakubu.
12:39: Saraki asks Yakubu to introduce himself.
12:34: Afro is told to bow and go after responding to the posers from the Senators. It’s now the turn of the nominee for INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu
12:28: Questions for Afro.
12:25: Saraki asks Afro to introduce himself.
12:20: After answering just a question, Simbine is told to take a bow and go. Last commissioner to be screened is Baba Shettima Afro.
12:18: Simbine says: “If i’m confirmed as INEC commissioner, I would expect to operate as an unbiased Commissioner. I would also expect INEC to be unbiased & independent.”
12:14: Saraki asks Simbine to introduce herself.
12:12: Zakari is told to take a bow and leave after answering just one question raised by the Senate leader Ali Ndume. Antonia Taiye Okoosi Simbine
12:11: Zakari says: “We need to use more technologies to ensure efficiency and transparency in our election.”
12:10: Zakari says: “The elections have been transparent but we need to do more to make them more transparent.”
12:08: Zakari now entertaining questions raised on the floor of the House.
12:05: Saraki asks Zakari to introduce herself.
12:03: Lecky is told to bow and leave after answering series of questions. Next to be screened is Amina Zakari
12:01: Lecky says: “Going forward, there are things we can do to improve the Electoral System.”
11:59: Lecky says: “I see that dream of using Card Readers is Local Government Areas as a dream that can come to reality.”
11:57: Lecky says: “The place of technology is irreversible, this is because technology enhances efficiency.”
11:52: Questions now for Lecky.
11:48: Saraki asks Lecky to introduce himself.
11:43: Soyebi takes a bow and leaves after answering few questions on Electronic voting and the use of card readers. Next INEC national commissioner to be screened is Dr. Mohammed Mustapha Lecky.
11:42: Soyebi says: “We’ll look at problems associated with the Card Readers, retrain our workers & invent new ways to make it better.”
11:40: Soyebi says: ‘We would do more training and retraining of the operators of the card readers.’
11:34: More questions for Soyebi Adedeji Solomon
11:32: Soyebi says: “Technology is an important solution to delivery of election services. Flawless election can’t be possible manually.”
11:30: Soyebi says: “No election in this world is perfect. What can be done is to reduce the hiccups and ensure there’s transparency.”
11:29: Soyebi says: “Electronic Voting has been adopted in many countries because of the facilities they have there.”
11:28: Soyebi Adedeji Solomon now answering questions on Electronic voting.
11:24: Soyebi Adedeji Solomon is now being quizzed by Senators.
11:20: Saraki asks Soyebi Adedeji Solomon to introduce himself.
11:18: The Senate now moves to commence the screening of INEC commissioners. First to be screened is Soyebi Adedeji Solomon.
11:16: The Senate also moves to allow the entrance of the SSA to the President on National Assembly Matters and the INEC Nominees
11:14: Saraki also welcomes the staff and students of Gloryland Nur/Pry School and Doveland Nur/Pry School who are in the Gallery.
11:10: Saraki felicitates with Senator Shehu Sani from Kaduna Central who is celebrating his birthday today.
11:o7: Senate President takes the official prayer
11:03: Senate President Bukola Saraki arrives the Red Chamber.
11:00: Today would see the Official Confirmation of the remaining screened 18 ministerial nominees.
With 18 nominees already confirmed as Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Senate looks all set to determine the fate of the other nominees.
Topping the list of nominees to undergo confirmation today is former governor of River state Rotimi Amaechi.
However, a source has alleged that some caucus of the PDP senators has vowed to withdraw their support for Senate President Bukola Saraki should he force Amaechi’s confirmation.
The Senate will also focus on the screening of the INEC chairman and the five INEC commissioners today.
Naij.com is live at the Red Chamber to bring you minute-by-minute account of the confirmation process. Refresh your browser always for new update.
13:20: Yakubu says: “Any nation that has no room for condemnation is prone to failure.”
13:17: Yakubu says: “You can never expect perfection over night.”
13:13: Yakubu says: “By this time next year, i’ll make sure the 12.3million PVCs that were not distributed, get to the owners before the next election.”
13:10: Yakubu says: “No election is going to go beyond the constitutional requirements of conducting elections.”
13:01: More questions for Yakubu
Mahmoud Yakubu undergoing screening
12:59: Yakubu says: “The solution to late arrival of materials is to start early.”
12:58: Yakubu says: “We need to strengthen our institutions.”
12:57: Yakubu says: “I am on a consolidation mission.”
12:56: Yakubu says: “Fundamental reforms even constitutional amendment is needed to allow people in the diaspora to vote.”
12:54: Yakubu says: “I am not coming for experimentation, I am coming in for solidification.”
12:53: Yakubu says: “We should explore the possibility of accreditation and voting simultaneously in 2019 elections.”
12:52: Yakubu says: ” Democracy is not about here and now, it’s about here and forever.”
12:50: Yakubu says: “The problem with technology is that it always comes with challenges’
12:49: Yakubu says: “We have moved from Voter Registers to Photographs and Biometrics, we will eventually get to E-Voting System.”
12:48: Yakubu says: “Gender sensitivity and youth participation are issues the new INEC under the new leadership should tackle.”
12:46: Yakubu says: “The success of any election depends on the ability of the commission to plan in advance.”
12:43: Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu opens the floor for questions directed to Yakubu.
12:39: Saraki asks Yakubu to introduce himself.
12:34: Afro is told to bow and go after responding to the posers from the Senators. It’s now the turn of the nominee for INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu
12:28: Questions for Afro.
12:25: Saraki asks Afro to introduce himself.
12:20: After answering just a question, Simbine is told to take a bow and go. Last commissioner to be screened is Baba Shettima Afro.
12:18: Simbine says: “If i’m confirmed as INEC commissioner, I would expect to operate as an unbiased Commissioner. I would also expect INEC to be unbiased & independent.”
12:14: Saraki asks Simbine to introduce herself.
12:12: Zakari is told to take a bow and leave after answering just one question raised by the Senate leader Ali Ndume. Antonia Taiye Okoosi Simbine
12:11: Zakari says: “We need to use more technologies to ensure efficiency and transparency in our election.”
12:10: Zakari says: “The elections have been transparent but we need to do more to make them more transparent.”
12:08: Zakari now entertaining questions raised on the floor of the House.
12:05: Saraki asks Zakari to introduce herself.
12:03: Lecky is told to bow and leave after answering series of questions. Next to be screened is Amina Zakari
12:01: Lecky says: “Going forward, there are things we can do to improve the Electoral System.”
11:59: Lecky says: “I see that dream of using Card Readers is Local Government Areas as a dream that can come to reality.”
11:57: Lecky says: “The place of technology is irreversible, this is because technology enhances efficiency.”
11:52: Questions now for Lecky.
11:48: Saraki asks Lecky to introduce himself.
11:43: Soyebi takes a bow and leaves after answering few questions on Electronic voting and the use of card readers. Next INEC national commissioner to be screened is Dr. Mohammed Mustapha Lecky.
11:42: Soyebi says: “We’ll look at problems associated with the Card Readers, retrain our workers & invent new ways to make it better.”
11:40: Soyebi says: ‘We would do more training and retraining of the operators of the card readers.’
11:34: More questions for Soyebi Adedeji Solomon
Soyebi Adedeji Solomon undergoing screening
11:30: Soyebi says: “No election in this world is perfect. What can be done is to reduce the hiccups and ensure there’s transparency.”
11:29: Soyebi says: “Electronic Voting has been adopted in many countries because of the facilities they have there.”
11:28: Soyebi Adedeji Solomon now answering questions on Electronic voting.
11:24: Soyebi Adedeji Solomon is now being quizzed by Senators.
11:20: Saraki asks Soyebi Adedeji Solomon to introduce himself.
11:18: The Senate now moves to commence the screening of INEC commissioners. First to be screened is Soyebi Adedeji Solomon.
11:16: The Senate also moves to allow the entrance of the SSA to the President on National Assembly Matters and the INEC Nominees
11:14: Saraki also welcomes the staff and students of Gloryland Nur/Pry School and Doveland Nur/Pry School who are in the Gallery.
11:10: Saraki felicitates with Senator Shehu Sani from Kaduna Central who is celebrating his birthday today.
11:o7: Senate President takes the official prayer
11:03: Senate President Bukola Saraki arrives the Red Chamber.
11:00: Today would see the Official Confirmation of the remaining screened 18 ministerial nominees.
Confirmation: PDP, APC Senators Get Set For Showdown
There are indications that senators belonging to the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP), and those belonging to the All Progressives
Congress (APC) are preparing for a showdown over the confirmation of
some ministerial nominees.
The ministerial screening came to an end yesterday, October 28, and after the screening, the PDP Senate caucus held a meeting where they reportedly took a position against the confirmation of Rotimi Amaechi, Vanguard reports.
A source alleged that they vowed to withdraw their support for the Senate President Bukola Saraki should he force Amaechi’s confirmation.
Amaechi is in the bad books of the PDP for his role in the defeat of the former ruling party, PDP in the 2015 general elections.
The PDP caucus are also against the confirmation of the ministerial nominee from Cross River state, Usani Uguru. This is because during his screening, he said “God forbid” to a question as to his membership of the PDP.
After their meeting which lasted for just thirty minutes, the PDP senators refused speaking to newsmen.
However, some who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the meeting resolved that before Amaechi’s confirmation, the Senate ethics committee report must be considered.
One of the sources also said the PDP senators resolved not to allow Usani Uguru to be confirmed today.
It was gathered that another meeting of the PDP caucus would be held before the confirmation.
Meanwhile, APC senators are said to have scheduled a caucus meeting this morning before commencement of plenary where they will be fine-tuning their strategies to push through all the nominees.
After his screening was deferred twice, the former Rivers state governor was finally screened on Thursday, October 22 by the Senate and the exercise left PDP senators alleging betrayal by the APC.
Recall that during Amaechi’s screening, the PDP senators refused to ask him any question. They resolved not to consider Amaechi’s nomination unless the report of the Senate committee on ethics and privileges on the petitions filed against the former Rivers State governor was brought forward for consideration first.
The confirmation process of the ministerial nominees is expected to hold today. The ruling of the Senate President would be final and can only be challenged when a senator calls for a division and it is at this point that PDP senators may challenge whatever decision Saraki takes on Amaechi and Uguru.
The ministerial screening came to an end yesterday, October 28, and after the screening, the PDP Senate caucus held a meeting where they reportedly took a position against the confirmation of Rotimi Amaechi, Vanguard reports.
A source alleged that they vowed to withdraw their support for the Senate President Bukola Saraki should he force Amaechi’s confirmation.
Amaechi is in the bad books of the PDP for his role in the defeat of the former ruling party, PDP in the 2015 general elections.
The PDP caucus are also against the confirmation of the ministerial nominee from Cross River state, Usani Uguru. This is because during his screening, he said “God forbid” to a question as to his membership of the PDP.
After their meeting which lasted for just thirty minutes, the PDP senators refused speaking to newsmen.
However, some who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the meeting resolved that before Amaechi’s confirmation, the Senate ethics committee report must be considered.
One of the sources also said the PDP senators resolved not to allow Usani Uguru to be confirmed today.
It was gathered that another meeting of the PDP caucus would be held before the confirmation.
Meanwhile, APC senators are said to have scheduled a caucus meeting this morning before commencement of plenary where they will be fine-tuning their strategies to push through all the nominees.
After his screening was deferred twice, the former Rivers state governor was finally screened on Thursday, October 22 by the Senate and the exercise left PDP senators alleging betrayal by the APC.
Recall that during Amaechi’s screening, the PDP senators refused to ask him any question. They resolved not to consider Amaechi’s nomination unless the report of the Senate committee on ethics and privileges on the petitions filed against the former Rivers State governor was brought forward for consideration first.
The confirmation process of the ministerial nominees is expected to hold today. The ruling of the Senate President would be final and can only be challenged when a senator calls for a division and it is at this point that PDP senators may challenge whatever decision Saraki takes on Amaechi and Uguru.
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