Politics
Opposition Rift: Speaker Candidates Abbas, Betara Split Coalition
The coalition of minority members-elect in the 10th House of Representatives has become divided due to contests for the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
The ’10th Assembly Greater Majority,’ a group of minority lawmakers-elect, is reportedly backing Aliyu Betara, a member from Borno State, while a new coalition has emerged in support of Tajudeen Abbas, who has been endorsed by the All Progressives Congress.
A significant number of lawmakers-elect are withdrawing from the ’10th Assembly – Greater Majority,’ a coalition comprising members from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other minority parties in the 10th House.
The discontented opposition members, particularly those hailing from Rivers State and loyal to Governor Nyesom Wike, have announced their intention to establish a parallel coalition called the Minority Parties’ Forum, set to be launched today (Monday).
The new development came as the 10th Assembly: Greater Majority, planned to unveil aspirants for the positions of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker in the opposition camp this week.
On May 2, 2023, the coalition had previously stated its intention to nominate candidates for these roles from its own members.
The coalition justified its decision by citing the “divergent opinions” emerging from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The opposition lawmakers-elect expressed their determination to enter the fray by presenting viable and alternative leadership choices, highlighting their coalition’s strength of 183 members compared to the ruling party’s 177.
Consequently, the 10th Assembly: Greater Majority has established an 11-member committee with the responsibility of shortlisting, screening, and ultimately recommending aspirants within a week’s time.
The committee is composed of Nicholas Mutu from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) serving as Chairman, Victor Ogene from the Labour Party (LP) as Secretary, and Abdulmumini Jibrin from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) as Deputy Chairman. Other members include Oluwole Oke, Jonathan Gbefwi, Beni Lar, Ali Isa, Alhassan Rurum, Mathew Kuzalio, Salisu Majigiri, Nnabuife Chinwe, Gwacham Maureen, and Idris Salman.
According to Ogene, who spoke to our correspondent on Saturday, some members of the 10th Assembly: Greater Majority have indicated interests in running for the leadership positions. He had also hinted that the opposition members might consider and adopt a candidate among the aspirants in the ruling APC.
However, a member-elect, Solomon Bob (PDP/Rivers), in an interview with our correspondent on Sunday, disclosed that some members of the 10th Assembly: Greater Majority were pulling out and launching a new group of opposition members on Monday.
Bob alleged that the 10th Assembly: Greater Majority was billed to adopt the current Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Betara, as its candidate.
Ironically, the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Iduma Igariwey (PDP/Ebonyi), is said to be leading the factional minorities’ coalition which is billed to adopt candidates anointed by the APC. An NNPP member from Kano State, Alhassan Rurum, will be the secretary of the pressure group.
The lawmaker said, “I belong to Joint Task – 10th Assembly; I don’t belong to the Greater Majority. In fact, they are the minor minority now, with the way we are going. We will form another coalition called Minority Parties’ Forum. We are launching tomorrow (Monday). It is parallel to that one, so that we will let the whole world know that there is one Minority Parties’ Forum.
“They cannot come and seek to monopolise the perception out there that the minorities are in one basket and they are (allegedly) pushing for Betara. We have steered the public perception, giving the false impression that all minorities are for Betara. That is not true.”
When asked about the leader of the new coalition, Bob said, “Igariwey is the one coordinating (the coalition) and Alhassan Rurum is the secretary.”
Responding to a question on why Igariwey would oppose Betara’s speakership ambition despite being deputy chairman and chairman of the same committee, respectively, Bob said, “Igariwey has not been with Betara from Day 1. Being deputy to Betara in a term that is ending is one thing, trying to usher in another term is a different thing.”
When asked about the claim by the 10th Assembly: Greater Majority that has more members-elect than the APC caucus, the Rivers lawmaker claimed that the Minority Parties’ Forum would have more opposition members.
Bob stated, “Where will they get the numbers from? Everybody in Oyo State; the 14 members are with us. In Osun, out of nine, they have only one and that is Wole Oke; all the eight are with us. In Rivers, all 13 members are with us. In Akwa Ibom, all 10 are with us. Where, then, will they get the numbers from?”
The PDP member, however, admitted that the Minority Parties’ Forum would adopt the APC candidates. “We are going for Tajudeen Abbas, the person endorsed by the APC,” he said.
When contacted, Igariwey confirmed the development but said the move was only to reposition the 10th Assembly: Greater Majority.
He said, “It is actually another group in the minority caucus. Greater Minority is not our slogan. It is still the same group but the only difference is that we are trying to reposition the group. It is still the same group of minorities being populated by the same people.”
When asked about leaders and members of the Greater Majority who have been attending meetings by the Joint Task – 10th Assembly, a coalition of members-elect of the APC and opposition parties which has adopted the zoning plan of the ruling party.
Igariwey said, “We are going to have our meeting tomorrow. We will come out with something like a communiqué with which you will be better informed about it.”
Ogene (LP/Anambra), who speaks for the 10th Assembly: Greater Majority, was contacted on the number of aspirants in the opposition coalition who had indicated an interest in the speakership race as well as the emergence of another group.
He, however, referred our correspondent to the coordinators of the group, Messrs Fred Agbedi (PDP/Bayelsa), Jonathan Gbefwi (SDP/Nasarawa) and Dachung Bagos (PDP/Plateau).
However, neither Agbedi nor Gbefwi and Bagos picked up the calls made to them.
Meanwhile, ahead of the June 13 inauguration of the 10th Senate, the South-South Youth Alliance on Sunday said those against the choice of Godswill Akpabio as Senate President were against the “will of God” for Nigeria.
The youth group in a statement issued in Abuja described Akpabio as a “democrat“ who is qualified for the position of the top senate job.
The statement signed by the coordinator of the group, Benjamin Nwizua reads, “Senator Akpabio was a performing governor of Akwa Ibom State who earned the title, uncommon governor. He proceeded to the Senate where he became Minority leader and later minister of Niger Delta Affairs.”
Also, a group of the ruling party under the aegis of the Progressives Foundational Movement has thrown its weight behind Abass as the next Speaker.
The group also pleaded with the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and the leadership of APC not to bow to pressure and subtle threat to remove Abbas from the list of anointed candidates.
On Sunday, the plea was conveyed through a statement released in Abuja by Aganaba Johnson, the National Coordinator of the PFM (Presidential Front Movement).
However, a different group called the Northern Business Roundtable has urged Senators elected from different party affiliations to unite in support of Abdulaziz Yari, the former Governor of Zamfara State, in his bid for the Senate Presidency.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Sunday, Larai Kolo, the group’s spokesperson, emphasized Yari’s aptitude and integrity, asserting that he possesses the necessary qualities to lead the Senate.
Former President, Muhammadu Buhari has called for transparency and accountability in the upcoming local government elections in Katsina State.
Speaking during the All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus meeting on Saturday at the Presidential Banquet Hall in the Katsina Government House, Buhari emphasized the importance of these principles in maintaining public trust and political relevance.
“Transparency and accountability are the cornerstones of good governance and are fundamental to sustaining the confidence of the people,” Buhari said.
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Governor Dikko Radda also addressed party stakeholders at the meeting, urging them to mobilize support at the grassroots level and work towards securing a decisive victory for the APC.
“We are committed to conducting elections that reflect the true will of the people,” Radda stated, highlighting the party’s focus on ensuring transparent, inclusive, and democratic processes.
The governor also underscored Katsina’s political significance, referencing his leadership journey under Buhari’s administration and the recognition the state has received in the form of ministerial and federal appointments under President Bola Tinubu’s government.
In his opening remarks, APC Chairman in Katsina State, Sani Daura, described the caucus meeting as a platform to strengthen party unity and strategize for the elections. He commended Buhari and other stakeholders for their commitment to the party’s success.
Prominent political figures from Katsina, including Senators Abu Ibrahim, Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, Muntari Dandutse, and Nasiru Sani Zangon Daura, were present at the meeting, further underscoring its significance in the lead-up to the elections.
The APC leadership reiterated its commitment to upholding democratic values and ensuring that the local government elections truly reflect the will of the people.
It was a plethora of pleasantries in Osogbo on Thursday, when Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke was named 2024 Governor of the year and endorsed for second tenure in office by the top management of the Leadership Newspaper.
The newspaper’s team was on a courtesy call on Gov Adeleke, Biztellers reports.
Receiving them at the Government House, Gov Adeleke noted that his administration had reduced the infra deficit by over 40 percent.
He added that his administration had also bridged access to primary health care, with an ambition to expand health access at medium and tertiary levels.
He said, “Osun State is constantly getting recognitions for what outsiders and even opposition members regard as our commendable performance.
“In the last one year, our government has been conferred with several awards across the sectors. Aside from reputable newspapers like the leadership stable, we have received accolades from several federal agencies and non-governmental bodies. The consensus from those reviewing our performance and service delivery is that we are true agents of good governance.
“In all these positive ratings, my response has always been to task my team to double their efforts. In the face of overwhelming positive reviews and high approval ratings, I am compelled to drive my team harder. When recently, some opposition figures confessed to our positive ratings, I still believe we have a lot of grounds to cover.
“I am not allowing the praises to enter my head. While it may be true that I have delivered a four-year task in under two years, I am propelled to do more because Osun has been left behind on many fronts. As I have reduced the infra deficit by over 40 percent, my real target Is higher. As I have bridged access to primary health care, my ambition is to also expand health access at medium and tertiary levels. While our records across the sectors are laudable as your newspaper has acknowledged, the ultimate goal is to accelerate infra upgrade alongside the boosting of soft investment for the well-being of our people.
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“I appreciate your candid endorsement of our performance. It is important to note that your yardstick for recognizing us correlates with similar reasons adduced by others. Our huge governance records are undeniable facts especially in workers’ welfare, infrastructure delivery, educational expansion, health care access improvement, solid mineral sector reforms, digital economy initiatives, agricultural mechanisation among others.
“I want to assure the public that our administration is not slowing down. Very soon, I will flag off ongoing remodeling of Osogbo stadium to assume international standard. Prior to the ongoing stadium project, we have engineered the creation of Osun Sport Commission and Osun Sport Fund through appropriate legal and policy framework.
“Very soon, I will be flagging off the dualisation of phase one of Odoori – Post office road at Iwo. The contractor for Iwo -Osogbo road has mobilized to site. We plan to complete the two projects within the life of this administration. Meanwhile, the dualisation project at Ilesa is progressing while the flyover bridge at Ile Ife is ongoing with appreciable progress. 2025 is billed to be a year of further expansion of good governance for the good of man and humanity.
On his part, the Vice Chairman of Leadership Group Mike Okpere, noted that the recognition is in order to give Gov Adeleke an insight and encouragement to do a second term.
“Your excellency you will see that, we didn’t just come down here, we had a meeting before the award and that is why we are here, so this trip is to notify you formally for this award and we personally invite you on the 8th of April at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Asokoro where this award will be handed on over to you.
“Our Reputable Person of the Year is Aliko Dangote, you all are aware of the investment he just concluded, by bringing fuel production into Nigeria, because of that and many other things, we chose him as our person of the year.
“Other person’s that would be sharing the merit are other governors that have touched people’s lives, among them is the Governor from Akwa Ibom State, the Governor of Enugu State, the Governor of Jigawa State and the Governor of Kano State.
“We didn’t call this Leadership Governor of the year, we call it Governor of the year, in other words, what we are saying is that, this recognition will give you an insight and encouragement to do a second term.
“As a newspaper company, we don’t endorse Governors but when we see something we say it, your Excellency sir, I therefore want to present this notification and official invitation”, he added.
Other members of the Leadership Newspaper team includes, Abraham Nda Isaiah, Director, Leadership Group, Ibidiran Ayokunle, Head Southern Operations, Joshua Dada, Osun State.
The Cross River State House of Assembly has initiated the process to amend the Local Government Law 2007, introducing provisions to expand political appointments and enhance local government administration across the state.
The bill, sponsored by Rt. Hon. Davies Etta, representing Abi State Constituency, was debated on Tuesday in Calabar.
It proposes increasing the number of appointees in each Local Government Area (LGA) to 50. Among the new roles are 16 Special Adviser positions and a cadre of officials known as Ward Relation Officers.
According to the bill, “The Chairman of Council may appoint such a number of Special Advisers to assist him in the discharge of his duties, provided that appointments, when added to other statutory appointments, shall not exceed a total number of 50.”
The proposed Ward Relation Officers will hold ranks equivalent to Special Advisers and will report directly to the Chairmen of their respective LGAs.
This move, the Assembly says, is aimed at fostering grassroots engagement and improving governance at the local level.
Another key provision of the bill seeks to elevate the office of the Head of Local Government Administration (HOLGA) to the status of a Permanent Secretary within the state public service.
The amendment stipulates that HOLGAs will enjoy all the rights, privileges, and entitlements of Permanent Secretaries, including pensions.
“The office of the HOLGA shall be equivalent to the office of a Permanent Secretary of the State Public Service and shall enjoy all rights and privileges of the Permanent Secretary, including pensions,” the bill states.
It also specifies that appointments to the HOLGA position must be made exclusively from within the local government service in the state.
The bill, which has passed its first and second readings, has been referred to a joint committee on Local Government Affairs, Judiciary, and Public Accounts for further review and consultations with stakeholders.
Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, underscored the importance of the proposed amendment, noting that it would strengthen local government administration and improve service delivery to the grassroots.
The Assembly is expected to hold further deliberations before making a final decision on the proposed amendments.
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