NIGERIA: N’Assembly Set For Fresh Battle With Jonathan, PDP Senators Give President New Conditions Over Tickets
Members of the National Assembly are reviewing their options of calling President Goodluck Jonathan to order as a fresh stand-off between th...
http://www.africaeagle.com/2014/11/nigeria-nassembly-set-for-fresh-battle.html
Members of the National Assembly are reviewing their options of calling President Goodluck Jonathan to order as a fresh stand-off between the national legislature and the executive revs up.
The lawmakers, many of whom have already signed up to be part of a plan to impeach the President, are also set to veto bills passed by them but un-assented to by him.
There are about 30 such bills refused assent by the President.
The lawmakers, The Nation understands, now want to assert their authority and check what they perceive as the President’s penchant for impunity.
“All bills not assented to by the President will now be vetoed by the National Assembly, as we have realised that the President only signs bills he initiates,” a lawmaker in the know of the unfolding development said.
“What they don’t realise is that, if there are several ways of skinning a cat, there are several ways of addressing the issues on ground. As you know, the National Assembly has over the years bottled its anger over attempts to thrash a larger chunk of the legislative works.
“Going by the records, he (President) is, over time, fond of failing to assent to most of the bills passed by the National Assembly. Check the records; you will see that he only signed Executive bills including Appropriation bills, not minding the importance of other bills that are critical to the well-being of the citizenry.
“Has he assented to the all important National Health Bill? About 30 bills are pending on his desk, for what reason? Mind you, the Constitution gives 30 days but we’ve been so lenient, but that has to be looked into.
“Going forward, to save the nation’s democracy by protecting the Constitution, our symbol of democracy is by doing the needful of ensuring that governance is not business as usual. We’ve resolved to summon courage to activate the legislative powers as provided by relevant sections of the Constitution (as amended).
“You know the prevailing situation on the floor of the Senate. I know they will not compromise the fate of Nigerians because all of us will suffer for it.”
Meanwhile,The Nation learnt that, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has decided to screen in Abuja, this week, all its members aspiring to fly its flag in next year’s National Assembly elections.
The plan is to avoid being caught unawares by whatever plan devised by the PDP to hijack the leadership of the House of Representatives when the House resumes on December 3.
All such aspirants’ contingents are expected to arrive Abuja from today for the screening exercise slated for Tuesday, 2nd December 2014.
A source said: “We want to be vigilant. We’ve decided to match them. We will be in a particular area where we will be able to react to any unlawful act by PDP or the Presidency.”
The last scheduled meeting of the House was disrupted by the police who tear gassed members, including Speaker Aminu Tambuwal.
Consequently, the House could not discuss the extension of the emergency rule in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno States.
On the planned impeachment of President Jonathan, the source said: “for every action, there is a reaction. Based on what happened that day (November 20th), members were incited, but based on the leadership style of the Speaker he may not allow it to fly.
“On that day members had already signed the impeachment notice. You don’t need two thirds. All you need is 40 members for an impeachment motion to be moved and sent to the President.
“What will determine what next we do, will be what the President does next. If we see the level of impunity that happened on the 20th, members will be constrained to go the whole hog irrespective of the leaning of the leadership of both chambers.”
A lawmaker from Lagos said: “Today, we are very proud to say that the Northern blocs in the PDP are standing for justice over the issue at stake (Tambuwal) irrespective of party’s affiliation. But we are aware that PDP is making frantic efforts to test the loyalty of their members by moving for impeachment or run parallel plenary within the National Assembly, but I can assure you that cannot hold water. That is the strategy they are bringing on board.”
The Nation learnt that on resumption, on Wednesday (December 3), the House will reopen discussion on the extension of Emergency Rule in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno States consider and debate the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Strategy Policy Paper as well as the Petroleum Industry Bill.
Another lawmaker said: “it was not our intention not to concur with the request (emergency rule) but we did not have an enabling environment to do that. After such a torturous experience it was the siege on the same House and National Assembly which spent so much to convene a special emergency session that you put to ridicule?
“Notwithstanding, we will revisit it if we have a conducive environment on Wednesday. As it is today, we expect a smooth resumption on Wednesday when we will resume debate on the Emergency Rule. We want to discuss the PIB, MTEF and reports of oversights before we prepare for party primary elections. Most parties are starting the screening of eligible candidates that will contest into various political offices. “
Source: Osun Defender
The lawmakers, many of whom have already signed up to be part of a plan to impeach the President, are also set to veto bills passed by them but un-assented to by him.
There are about 30 such bills refused assent by the President.
The lawmakers, The Nation understands, now want to assert their authority and check what they perceive as the President’s penchant for impunity.
“All bills not assented to by the President will now be vetoed by the National Assembly, as we have realised that the President only signs bills he initiates,” a lawmaker in the know of the unfolding development said.
“What they don’t realise is that, if there are several ways of skinning a cat, there are several ways of addressing the issues on ground. As you know, the National Assembly has over the years bottled its anger over attempts to thrash a larger chunk of the legislative works.
“Going by the records, he (President) is, over time, fond of failing to assent to most of the bills passed by the National Assembly. Check the records; you will see that he only signed Executive bills including Appropriation bills, not minding the importance of other bills that are critical to the well-being of the citizenry.
“Has he assented to the all important National Health Bill? About 30 bills are pending on his desk, for what reason? Mind you, the Constitution gives 30 days but we’ve been so lenient, but that has to be looked into.
“Going forward, to save the nation’s democracy by protecting the Constitution, our symbol of democracy is by doing the needful of ensuring that governance is not business as usual. We’ve resolved to summon courage to activate the legislative powers as provided by relevant sections of the Constitution (as amended).
“You know the prevailing situation on the floor of the Senate. I know they will not compromise the fate of Nigerians because all of us will suffer for it.”
Meanwhile,The Nation learnt that, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has decided to screen in Abuja, this week, all its members aspiring to fly its flag in next year’s National Assembly elections.
The plan is to avoid being caught unawares by whatever plan devised by the PDP to hijack the leadership of the House of Representatives when the House resumes on December 3.
All such aspirants’ contingents are expected to arrive Abuja from today for the screening exercise slated for Tuesday, 2nd December 2014.
A source said: “We want to be vigilant. We’ve decided to match them. We will be in a particular area where we will be able to react to any unlawful act by PDP or the Presidency.”
The last scheduled meeting of the House was disrupted by the police who tear gassed members, including Speaker Aminu Tambuwal.
Consequently, the House could not discuss the extension of the emergency rule in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno States.
On the planned impeachment of President Jonathan, the source said: “for every action, there is a reaction. Based on what happened that day (November 20th), members were incited, but based on the leadership style of the Speaker he may not allow it to fly.
“On that day members had already signed the impeachment notice. You don’t need two thirds. All you need is 40 members for an impeachment motion to be moved and sent to the President.
“What will determine what next we do, will be what the President does next. If we see the level of impunity that happened on the 20th, members will be constrained to go the whole hog irrespective of the leaning of the leadership of both chambers.”
A lawmaker from Lagos said: “Today, we are very proud to say that the Northern blocs in the PDP are standing for justice over the issue at stake (Tambuwal) irrespective of party’s affiliation. But we are aware that PDP is making frantic efforts to test the loyalty of their members by moving for impeachment or run parallel plenary within the National Assembly, but I can assure you that cannot hold water. That is the strategy they are bringing on board.”
The Nation learnt that on resumption, on Wednesday (December 3), the House will reopen discussion on the extension of Emergency Rule in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno States consider and debate the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Strategy Policy Paper as well as the Petroleum Industry Bill.
Another lawmaker said: “it was not our intention not to concur with the request (emergency rule) but we did not have an enabling environment to do that. After such a torturous experience it was the siege on the same House and National Assembly which spent so much to convene a special emergency session that you put to ridicule?
“Notwithstanding, we will revisit it if we have a conducive environment on Wednesday. As it is today, we expect a smooth resumption on Wednesday when we will resume debate on the Emergency Rule. We want to discuss the PIB, MTEF and reports of oversights before we prepare for party primary elections. Most parties are starting the screening of eligible candidates that will contest into various political offices. “
Source: Osun Defender
