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Tag: Hon Ndudi Elumelu

  • Hon. Ndudi Elumelu Urges APC-led FG to Be Remorseful for its Failures

    Hon. Ndudi Elumelu Urges APC-led FG to Be Remorseful for its Failures

    The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives has called on the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government to be remorseful for its failures.

    The Minority Leader, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, said this in his New Year message to Nigerians where it urged the APC government to do a deeper introspection, change its corrupt ways and focus on the well-being of the people ahead of its exit in 2023.

    It said: “More importantly, the Minority Caucus counsels the APC-led federal government to be remorseful for its failures, use the New Year for deeper introspection, change its corrupt ways and focus on the wellbeing of the people ahead of its exit in 2023.”

    The caucus urged the APC administration to take urgent steps to tackle poverty, unemployment, high costs and infrastructural retrogression by growing the productive sector and allowing hard working and creative Nigerians, especially the youths to be meaningfully engaged, instead of resorting to false performance claims.

    It also urged the APC government to have a rethink on its borrowing spree and reckless accumulation of debts, which have placed a huge economic burden on the nation.

    It added, “Furthermore, the APC-led government should end its lip service and adopt proactive measures to decisively tackle escalated acts of terrorism under its watch. Our citizens have suffered a lot and the New Year should usher in a new lease of life.”

    The caucus assured that as representatives of the people, it remains unwavering in the insistence on accountability and delivery in all sectors of our national life.

    In that regard, it noted that the caucus has set out strategic templates for enactment of critical legislations as well as intensified oversight activities to ensure greater productivity, check corruption, plug all areas of waste and see to it that budgeted resources are used only for the well-being of the people and development of our country.

    The Minority Caucus insisted that it remains resolute on issues related to the amendment of the Electoral Act and other matters geared towards credible, free and fair elections that will, in2023, usher in a government that truly derives from the people and has their well-being at heart. In this task, all hands must be on the deck.

  • Isa Pantami: Elumelu’s Motion Properly Presented On the Floor -Minority Caucus Replies House Spokesman

    Isa Pantami: Elumelu’s Motion Properly Presented On the Floor -Minority Caucus Replies House Spokesman

    …Caucus Insists On The Resignation of Minister Isa Pantami

    … Calls On House Spokesman To Apologize To The Minority Leader Over His Reckless Statement

    The attention of the Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives has been drawn to a statement by the Chairman of House Committee on Media and Public Affairs/ Spokesman of the House, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, which clearly exposed a sinister intention to misrepresent the rules of the House, mislead the undiscerning public and frustrate genuine effort in the fight against terrorism in our country!

    We find it shocking that instead of standing with Nigerians at this critical moment, Hon. Kalu chose to engage in personal attack on the Minority Leader, Hon Ndudi Elumelu, for pointing to the dangers of retaining in office, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, after reports of the minister’s support for terrorists came to the fore.

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    This is especially after the minister himself admitted to the facts of his sympsthy for violent, extremist and terrorist groups, including, the al-Qaida and Taliban.

    Indeed, Hon. Kalu’s claim that our Minority Leader did not properly present his motion, under an appropriate rule is completely dumb, frivolous and exposes his poor knowledge of the legislative procedures.

    It also points to a deliberate scheme to jeopardize our nation’s fight against terrorism.

    Furthermore, we take a strong exception to Hon. Kalu’s vain posturing of trying to tutor the Minority Leader, a well respected seasoned legislator, on the House Standing Rules and parliamentary convention!

    It is instructive to state that the motion by the Minority Leader calling for the resignation or sack of the Minister by President Muhammadu Buhari was properly presented under the House rules as provided in Order 6: 1,2&3 (Privileges), contrary to claims by Hon. Kalu.

    Order 6:1,2,3 clearly and generously provide for full debate on the issue brought pursuant to it.

    For the avoidance of doubt, while sub-section 2 of the Order 6 provides that “whenever a matter of privilege arises, it shall be taken into consideration immediately”, sub section 3 is clear in providing that whenever a matter of privilege arises, it shall be disposed of and no other issue shall be considered until “the debate on a motion thereon” is adjourned….”.

    Moreover, it is clear that the Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, conceded to the appropriateness of the Order, under which the Minority Leader presented his motion, and for that, did not rule him out of order, regarding the presentation of the motion and its consequential prayers.

    Furthermore, the Hon. Speaker, in accepting the motion, announced that the issues raised have been noted.

    It is therefore completely irresponsible for anybody, let alone the spokesperson of the House, who should be abreast of the Rules, to state that the Minority Leader ought to have known better than coming under Order 6.

    His statement is therefore in bad faith and should be disregarded and withdrawn by him immediately.

    Our Caucus will not condone any unwarranted attack on any of our colleagues, let alone the Minority Leader, who is doing very well by speaking the mind of the silent majority of Nigerians, who have no platforms to speak out.

    In any case, we are aware that Hon. Kalu was not in Plenary when the motion was moved. We expected him to have consulted the Rule book before attacking the Minority Leader. For we believe if he had done that, he would have saved the 9th House of Representatives the embarrassment his statement has caused!

    We therefore demand that Hon. Kalu should withdraw his statement and tender an unreserved apology to the Minority Leader and Nigerians for misrepresenting the rules of the House.

    Our caucus, standing with millions of Nigerians, also demands that the Speaker should immediately act on the prayers of the motion, by conveying same as the position of the House to Mr. President, having accepted the appropriateness of the procedure and taken legislative note of the prayers therein.

    As a caucus, we stand behind the Minority Leader in insisting that the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, should resign or be removed by President Muhammadu Buhari, as his continued stay in office poses great threat to our national security.

    Insecurity is blind to creed and party colourations and this underscores why the Caucus will resist any attempt by anyone to politicize a clear existential threat to our motherland!