Headlines

Budget Padding: NASS Leadership On Cliff Edge

Published

9 years ago

August 9, 2016

– Time Ticks For Saraki/Dogara, As Tension Envelops Assembly
– The Tale Of Intrigues And Blackmail In Dogara’s Ouster Plot

By Lateef BANGBOSHE, Abuja

It is no longer probable that both President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, are facing some sorts of persecution from their own, over their seeming recalcitrance to party instructions over the leadership of the National Assembly, when they contested and emerged the leaders of the two chambers.
While Saraki has been fighting from several fronts to keep his job and save his neck, for being the most vocal of the duo, it did initially appear as if Yakubu Dogara had been let off the hook. But recent events point to the fact that, the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC has not really forgiven Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the budget padding controversy seems to have provided an ample opportunity for them to take their pound of flesh.
But for the fact that the national Assembly is on a break, we may have seen something akin to Amaka Igwe’s epic soap opera, fuji House of Commotion, as the plot to remove Mr. Yakubu Dogara, the embattled Speaker of the House of Representatives has assumed another dimension with some Lawmakers in the lower legislatives Chamber accusing Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu of the plot to throw the House into confusion. It was gathered that many members of the House were ruffled, forcing many to cut short their vacations to Abuja where the plot was discussed early this week.
It would be recalled that Hon. Abdulmumuni Jibrin, the former Chairman House Committee on appropriation acting a script by forces oppose to the Leadership of the National Assembly on the July 21 after his un ceremonious removal as the Chairman of the Committee, for an alleged incompetence accused the Speaker Mr. Yakubu Dogara and the Leadership of the House of padding the 2016 budget.
The Other leaders accused include the Deputy Speaker Yussuf Lasun, the Chief whip Mr. Alhassan Ado Dogowa and the Minority Leader Mr. Leo Ogor.
Those familiar with the politics of the House are presently tracing the politics that led to the emergence of the Yakubu Dogara Led leadership and the attendant smoldering rage that has dominated the activities of the House.
According to a ranking member of the House who does not want his name mentioned “It is an open secret that the House since the election of Dogara, has been torn between those opposed to his emergence and those in support of the Femi Gbajabiamila leadership, but unlike the Senate where the Tinubu factor has remained a destabilizing factor, Dogara has been sitting on the edge until Hon. Jibrin became a pawn in the game to change the Leadership”. He said.
Femi Gbajabiamila, the lawmaker from Lagos state was the anointed Lawmaker by the Tinubu led APC forces in the presidency for the office of the Speakership but was roundly defeated by Dogara. Femi Gbajabiamila, has deliberately refused to speak openly in support of Jibrin, Dogara and the other officers who Jibrin had accused of padding the 2016 budget.
If the text messages going round is anything to believe, the Attorney General of the Federation and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, both Tinubu lackeys, have drafted charges to arraign and detain the principal officers of the House.

Headlines

“Nigeria Is in a Hurry to Celebrate Victory Over Enemies of the State,” Says Tinubu as He Decorates New Service Chiefs

Published

1 month ago

October 30, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged the newly appointed service chiefs to discharge their duties with utmost dedication and renewed commitment, declaring that “Nigeria is in a hurry to celebrate victory over enemies of the state.”

The President made this statement on Thursday during the decoration ceremony of the new service chiefs with their ranks at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Those decorated were General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Wahidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Air Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Vice Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff.

The ceremony was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima and the spouses of the newly promoted officers, who joined the President in performing the decorations.

In his address, Tinubu underscored the central role of security in fostering national development and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting the lives and property of all Nigerians.

“Security is an essential element without which everything else becomes meaningless,” the President stated. “There can be no sustainable development if this fundamental need is not met. Our people and our nation must remain secure to enjoy the dividends of governance.”

The elevation and decoration of the new military chiefs followed their confirmation by the National Assembly on Wednesday, after a closed-door screening session with lawmakers.

It will be recalled that, in a recent overhaul of the nation’s military hierarchy, President Tinubu appointed:

Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff,
Major General Waidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff,
Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff,
Air Vice Marshal Sunday Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and
Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye retained as Chief of Defence Intelligence.

The new appointments mark a strategic restructuring of Nigeria’s security leadership aimed at strengthening the fight against insurgency, banditry, and other threats to national stability.

Headlines

FG Dismisses Coup Rumour, Reaffirms Confidence in Nigerian Military

Published

1 month ago

October 20, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Federal Government has dismissed widespread rumours of an alleged military coup plot against President Bola Tinubu, declaring its full confidence in the loyalty and professionalism of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known in an interview with The Punch on Sunday, insisting that the administration has “no reason whatsoever” to doubt the assurances given by the Defence Headquarters, which had earlier denied reports linking the detention of 16 military officers to a coup attempt.

“The Federal Government has no reason to doubt the military on what it has said,” Idris stated.
“We believe the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain committed to protecting the nation’s territorial integrity and strengthening the fight against insecurity. The government commends their sacrifice and will continue to support them in safeguarding the country.”

The minister’s remarks came a day after the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, firmly debunked a report by Sahara Reporters alleging that the detention of 16 officers was connected to a failed coup plot and the cancellation of the 65th Independence Day parade.

Gusau described the publication as “false, mischievous, and deliberately aimed at creating unnecessary tension and public distrust.”

He clarified that the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade was a purely administrative decision — taken to allow President Tinubu attend a key bilateral meeting abroad and to enable military units sustain ongoing counterinsurgency operations nationwide.

On the issue of the detained officers, Gusau said their case was “an internal disciplinary process” and not related to any political matter.

“The investigation involving the 16 officers is routine, aimed at upholding discipline and professionalism within the ranks,” he explained. “An investigative panel has been constituted, and its findings will be made public in due course.”

Reaffirming the military’s constitutional role and unwavering commitment to civilian rule, Gusau stressed emphatically:

“Democracy is forever.”

Headlines

FG Moves to Reform Civil Service Disciplinary System for Greater Efficiency

Published

2 months ago

October 14, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Federal Government is set to overhaul the disciplinary control system in the civil service to promote efficiency, accountability, and timely resolution of cases.

The Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Prof. Tunji Olaopa, made this known during a one-day joint retreat between the FCSC and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commission’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Taiwo Hassan, Olaopa emphasized that the review would drive culture change, value reorientation, and improve the overall disciplinary framework in the public sector.

He likened the relationship between the FCSC and OHCSF to that of “Siamese twins,” noting that both bodies share crucial responsibilities in policy implementation, regulatory enforcement, and leadership across the service.

Olaopa also underscored the need for stronger collaboration and communication between the two institutions to avoid misunderstandings, build trust, and enhance service delivery.

The FCSC chairman further advocated for an integrated system that links merit-based recruitment, competency-driven human resource management, and performance evaluation with the civil service wage structure, saying such reforms would help reposition government as an “employer of choice.”

Speaking on behalf of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, Esther Walson-Jack praised Olaopa’s reform initiatives, describing the retreat as a renewed commitment to strengthening collaboration and efficiency within the civil service.

The renewed push for reform follows rising concerns about bureaucratic bottlenecks, delayed disciplinary actions, and weak accountability mechanisms in Nigeria’s public administration.