Headlines
Lagos Assembly Threatens to Order Ambode’s Arrest over Bus Purchase
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has asked the Clerk of the House, Mr Azeez Sanni, to invite former governor Akinwunmi Ambode over the 820 vehicles purchased during his administration.
Obasa also directed that former government officials involved in the project should be invited.
He said if they refused to hour the invitation, the Assembly would do newspaper adverts, after which it would issue warrants for their arrest.
The Speaker spoke at the plenary on Thursday after two ad hoc committees set up to investigate the purchase of 820 buses during the Ambode administration and appraise the 2019 mid-year budget, delivered their reports.
The chairman of the nine-man committee probing the bus purchase, Fatai Mojeed, stated that out of the 20 officials summoned by the committee, four did not appear.
He identified them as the former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Kazeem Adeniji; ex-Commissioner for Budget, Mr Olusegun Banjo; ex-Commissioner for Finance, Mr Akinyemi Ashade; and former Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr Wale Oluwo.
Some members of the House, while reacting to the reports, suggested that warrants should be issued for the arrest of the former governor and the ex-commissioners.
The member representing Alimosho Constituency 1, Bisi Yusuf, said the House had constitutional powers to issue such warrants.
However, member representing Badagry Constituency 1, Ibrahim Layode, advised that invitation should be extended to the ex-governor and former commissioners through newspaper adverts.
Obasa then said, “The clerk should write them, including the ex-governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, and if they refuse, we will do newspaper publications and after that, we will issue warrants of arrest.”
In another development, the House disregarded a petition against member representing Lagos Mainland Constituency II, Lanre Oshun, who was accused of collecting $200,000 bribery to cover up a breach of contract in the environment ministry.
The chairman of the ad hoc committee investigating the allegation, Tunde Braimoh, informed the House that the petitioner was faceless, and the allegation was baseless.
The Punch
Headlines
Abiola Cannot Be Recognised As Former President; He Was Never Sworn-in – Gen Ishola Williams
By Eric Elezuo
One of the prime actors of the June 12, 1993 incidents, General Ishola Williams, has said that much as Chief MKO Abiola wrong was created having won the election, and denied victory, he cannot be recognized as a former President of Nigeria.
Gen Williams made his revelation while speaking as a guest on Channels television socio-political programme, Inside Source.
He maintained that only those who were sworn in that recognised as former presidents, and Abiola was never sworn in.
“Abiola cannot be recognised as former president because he was never sworn in.
The General, who said that he resigned from the army as a result of the wholesome reception given to General Sani Abacha, when he overthrew Chief Ernest Shonekan-led Interim National Government, contrary to expectation, also picked flaws in the narratives given by former Military President Ibrahim Babangida, in his recently launched book, A Journey In Service.
Williams rose in the army to become the Commandant of Army Signals, Commander of Training and Doctrine (TRADOC) and Chief of Defence Training and Planning, from where he resigned.
Headlines
Breaking: Supreme Court Recognises Martin Amaewhule As Rivers Assembly Speaker, Orders CBN to Stop Releasing Funds to State
By Eric Elezuo
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has in its ruling on Friday recognised Hon Martins Amaewhule as the authentic speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, mandating him to urgently resume sitting with elected members of the assembly.
The apex court also ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria to stop releasing to the Rivers State government until a proper assembly is constituted.
Details soon…
Tension escalated at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday as impeached Speaker Mudashiru Obasa made a dramatic return to reclaim his position.
Accompanied by heavily armed men, Obasa stormed the Assembly complex in a bold move that has thrown the State’s legislature into turmoil.
In a stunning turn of events, security details assigned to the substantive Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda, were abruptly withdrawn on Thursday morning, clearing the path for Obasa’s controversial comeback.
Sources revealed that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) ordered the withdrawal of all security operatives attached to Meranda, leaving her exposed in the midst of an intensifying power struggle.
The Speaker’s Special Adviser on Information, Mr. Victor Ganzallo, expressed concern over the security vacuum created by the withdrawal of personnel.
“In the early hours of Thursday, we woke up to the startling news that all security details assigned to Madam Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, had been withdrawn.
This includes the police and DSS officers, leaving her exposed to threats amid the ongoing speakership crisis,” Ganzallo stated.
He further called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as the State’s Chief Security Officer, to intervene urgently to prevent a complete breakdown of law and order within the Assembly.
“The withdrawal of security personnel has left the Assembly naked and vulnerable at a critical time. Urgent action is needed to restore order,” he pleaded.
With the speakership battle taking a dramatic new turn, political watchers are keenly observing how the crisis will unfold in the coming days.
