Senator Okorocha speaks on working against Igbo lawmakers in Reps Speakership race

SPORTS

Senator Okorocha speaks on working against Igbo lawmakers in Reps Speakership race

 

Senator representing Imo West District in the National Assembly, Rochas Okorocha, has denied involvement in the intrigues that denied Southeast the House of Representatives speakership.

Recall that Emeka Nwajiuba, lawmaker for Ehime Mbano/Ihiteuboma/Obowo federal constituency, had accused the former governor of working against Igbo lawmakers in the speakership race. 

Reacting in a statement yesterday, Okorocha’s Special Adviser on Media, Sam Onwuemeodo, not only denied the allegation but queried how Nwajiuba arrived at the conclusion.

The statement read: “Hon. Emeka Nwajiuba of the Accord Party (AP) has, for some days now, done a lot of publications in the media accusing the former governor of the state and the senator representing Imo West, Rochas Okorocha, of being responsible for the loss of the speakership of the House of Representatives by the Southeast.

“Nwajiuba, however, did not state how he arrived at that faulty conclusion, except his contention that the former governor did not allow primaries to take place for the state chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2019 election.

“He did not also explain how, because it was the national headquarters of the party that handled the primaries of APC in the state, both the one Ahmed Gulak truncated and the second exercise.”

The Senator said it was unimaginable for him to have supported Nwajiuba for position of House of Representatives’ Speaker.

“It would have been unimaginable to believe that the president would adopt a member of Accord Party for such position, no matter the relationship, and even when his matter is at the Appeal Court.

“So, accusing Rochas Okorocha of being behind his failure to succeed with his name-dropping strategy this time was just a cover-up,” the statement added.

 

SHARE THIS STORY

9th Assembly: Reps members speak on Gbajabiamila ‘buying’ votes with green cards

POLITICS

9th Assembly: Reps members speak on Gbajabiamila ‘buying’ votes with green cards

A group of lawmakers have spoken up over accusation of vote buying against the Speaker of House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila

We reported that a House of Representatives group, G7, are seeking legal redress over alleged proof of vote-buying and gross impunity by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Sani Omolori.

Omolori, who supervised the June 11 election of Speaker and Deputy Speaker in the House of Representatives, is being accused of having condoned impunity among the lawmakers.

Making references to photographic images and video evidence being released to back up their claims, the group asserted that they are only embarking on a principled struggle, adding that while the members have no personal grudges against any person or political party, they will not condone any illegitimacy in the election of the person or persons who will lead the House of Representatives.

But, reacting, a House of Representatives member Khadijah Bukar Abba on Monday said that Gbajabiamila did not induce his colleagues financially to vote for him.

Abba, the acting spokesman of the House, spoke shortly after the inauguration of four adhoc committees by the Speaker on Monday.

Also Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, who stood in for the ad Committee Chairman, said Gbajabiamila had no reason to induce any lawmaker as he worked hard enough to deserve the seat.

Ihonvbere said: “For us, we have conducted a democratic election that was held and aired live. At the end, winners emerged and we all witnessed the losers congratulating the winner on the floor.

“To us as a House, everything is now in the past and we are focused on the serious legislative business we are are here to carry out, to make the House and the country better.

“As far as we are concerned, nobody received money, nobody was enticed to vote. As a matter of fact, no one campaigned intensely robust more than Gbajabiamila, and it went beyond the call of duty to explain what he has to offer.

“At times he went to parts of the country with over 120 lawmakers, with that kind of work, he needed to buy no vote”.

 

SHARE THIS STORY

Reps inauguration: How sacked member was ‘smuggled into Green Chambers’ – Imo group

POLITICS

Reps inauguration: How sacked member was ‘smuggled into Green Chambers’ – Imo group

 

A rights Advocacy Group, the Abba Fourth Force (Abba4thForce) has condemned what it called the admission of a non-member into the Green Chambers of House of Representatives to participate in the election process of leaders of the 9th Assembly.

The group which addressed newsmen in Owerri, the Imo State capital maintained that two court orders from the Federal High Court (FHC/OW/CS/25/2019) and the Appeal Court (CA/OW/204M/2019) had sacked Hon. Ugonna Ozuruigbo of the APC and had ordered that a Certificate of Return be presented to Hon. Kingsley Echendu of the PDP in his place, as the duly elected member representing Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba federal constituency at the House of Representatives.

The leader of the group, Njoku MacDonald Obinna expressed shock that in spite of the overwhelming judicial pronouncements on the Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba federal constituency seat, the management of the Green Chambers at the time, failed to do the needful.

He said this resulted into allowing the sacked Ozuruigbo into the Assembly for the inauguration of the House of Representatives.

He said: “For everyone who followed proceedings during the House of Representative’s inauguration, it was obvious that Hon. Ugonna Ozuruigbo name was missing from the roll call of Imo legislators. If not for the fact that he was seen wielding an oath of allegiance certificate, we would have ignored him because he was not listed in the roll call of members to be inaugurated.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Assembly had all been served copies of rulings and we believed they had done the needful, so it was a rape of justice to have allowed Ozuruigbo to be smuggled into the Green Chambers in spite of the orders of court.”

He called on INEC to hasten the process and immediately present a Certificate of Return to the validly elected Hon. Kingsley Echendu in line with the order of courts.

Njoku stressed: “As a group, we frown at this development and as a people, the Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba federal constituency feels exploited and deprived of their choice of representative as duly expressed through the ballots.

“Nevertheless, we understand the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila to be a lawyer of repute who would not be found promoting illegality; we also appreciate the chaotic nature of the proceedings that may have given room to the oversight that led to Ozuruigbo appearing in the chambers. It is our expectation that forthwith, such lacuna would be plugged by the new leadership of the House.”

He called on members of the Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba federal constituency to discountenance such unethical pranks by failed politicians as justice will soon be served.

 

SHARE THIS STORY

Okorocha finally sworn in as Senator

POLITICS

Okorocha finally sworn in as Senator

 

The immediate past governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha has eventually been sworn in as Senator representing Imo West Senatorial District.

The Senate President, Ahmed Lawan conducted the swearing-in ceremony on Thursday at the upper legislative chambers.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had issued Certificate of Return to Okorocha a few days ago.

INEC obeyed the directive of the court after its management meeting on Tuesday.

We reported on Friday that the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered INEC to issue Certificate of Return to Okorocha as the duly elected Senator representing Orlu, Imo West Senatorial district.

Justice Okon Abang ruled that the decision to deprive Okorocha of the certificate was “lawless”.

Abang held that only the returning officer of INEC had the constitutional authority to declare a winner.

 

SHARE THIS STORY

9th Assembly: Boroffice withdraws from Deputy Senate Presidency race

POLITICS

9th Assembly: Boroffice withdraws from Deputy Senate Presidency race

 

Ahead of Tuesday’s inauguration of the National Assembly, front-line contender for the position of Deputy Senate President, Senator Ajayi Boroffice, has withdrawn from the race.

In a statement signed by his Press Secretary, Kayode Fakuyi, stated that “in deference to President Muhammadu Buhari”, Senator Borofice steps down for another contender for the position.

It was gathered that the decision was rectified last night at the caucus meeting of All Progressives Congress, APC, Senators-elect.

A source however disclosed that the third-term senator representing Ondo North Senatorial District stepped down for Senator Ovie Omo-Agege from Delta State.

The press statement issued on Monday read, “Some weeks ago, Distinguished Senator (Prof.) Robert Ajayi Boroffice, OON declared intention, through letters addressed to Senators-elect, to seek the office of Deputy Senate President. The intention to contest was anchored on the deep conviction that with his excellent public service record, rich legislative experience and personality, he has the best credentials for the position.

“Consequently, he embarked on extensive consultations with party leaders, senators-elect and political groups. Indeed, everybody that was consulted agreed that he is eminently qualified to seek the office of Deputy Senate President.

“Instructively, majority Senators-elect have assured the senator of their support and the prospect of victory is high.

“However, in deference to President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Robert Ajayi Boroffice has decided to withdraw from the race.

“For the support and solidarity, Senator Robert Ajayi Boroffice is grateful to Senators-elect. He is humbled by the warm embrace and great display of camaraderie.

“We appreciate the people of Ondo North senatorial district and our friends across the country for the prayers, support and goodwill messages.

“For the far-reaching endorsements, steadfastness and unflinching support, gratitude goes to all concerned political groups across the country especially, the APC Young Stakeholders group, the Women for Buhari and Osinbajo group, and the Ondo APC Youth League,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, the stepping down of Borofice has reduced the number of aspirants jostling for the Deputy Senate President’s position.

Orji Uzor Kalu, Senator Kabiru Gaya, Senator Francis Alimikhena and Ovie Omo-Agege have shown interest in becoming the Deputy Senate President of the ninth Senate.

SHARE THIS STORY