POLITICS
NASS Promises Speedy Response to Petitions, Public Complaints
The House Committee on Public Petitions has assured Nigerians of better days on its plan to respond speedily to public complaints.
Chairman, Committee on Public Petitions, Mike Etaba, said this at a Strategy and Capacity Building retreat in Abuja
The retreat was organised by Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), with support from European Union Support for Democratic Governance in Nigeria Programme Phase II.
Etaba commended PLAC for the initiative, adding that the committee would do justice to Nigerians and make them understand how to resolve their complaints through the House of Representatives public petitions.
“If you have any issue in respect of any kind of what you might be going through, what you need to do is to put up a petition to the house via the member representing you or submit to the speakers office or my office.
“We will transmit it to the House to take it to the floor and now you don’t need money to fund your petition.”
Etaba said tha House Committee on Public Petitions was fully funded by the House of Representatives and the speaker was also working so hard to make sure that Nigerians got justice.
“The committee is the last hope for the common man because you don’t need to go to the committee with a dime; if you need a lawyer that will stand for you, we have pro bono lawyers.
” If you don’t have confidence in yourself, we will give you lawyers that will stand for you and defend your petition.
” So Nigerians don’t need to be intimidated by any kind, you don’t need to go to the route of the court that will take you 10 to five years to resolve your matter.
“Come to the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions and get your matters resolved amicably without bias of any kind.”
Etaba said as part of the committee, the members had assumed a quasi judicial position aimed at carrying out investigations and dispute resolutions, hence ministers in the temple of justice.
He said that in recent times, the harsh economic situations, corruption, unemployment, unfair termination of employment and perceived injustice among others, had forced Nigerians to resort to self-help because of slow pace of justice administration.
“These are some of the problems our committee, using the quasi-judicial role and Public Complaints Commission, were created to address.
“Whether we have been performing these roles is a topic for another day. It is believed that this retreat will further equip us with strategies on how to do better as parliamentarians and ensure good governance,” he said
Executive Director PLAC, Clement Nwankwo, said the centre supported the Committee on Public Petitions to build it’s capacity to effectively deliver on the mandates.
Nwankwo said that the retreat did not just afford them the opportunity to share with the public, but also to work out a plan on how citizens with complaints, would be addressed.
“The retreat is to build the capacity of the committee to engage the public, take petitions from the public, and address them in terms of providing solutions and answers to their complaints.
” On a regular basis, citizens have complaints; they cannot afford the cost of litigation in the courts, and the public petitions committees of the National Assembly, and the states have not been really open.
“We need to get the Public Petitions Committees of the National Assembly to take in citizens complaints and provide solutions to bridge their challenges in finding resources to go to court. ”
Nwankwo said that the retreat would help the committee to plan on how to engage with citizens, how to institute the process of receiving public complaints from the public and be able to provide solutions.
He said that this was because once citizens were unable to find the resources to go to court, then either they suffered in silence or they resorted to extra legal means to find those solutions .
He said that the public petitions committees were, therefore, the bridge; so citizens should take advantage of their powers to find solutions to their problems. (NAN)
From Marcel Duru, Owerri
The former Commissioner in Imo state on Environmental Transformation and General Supervisor and coordinator of All Progressive Congress (APC), Willie Amadi has said the party in the State has adopted the Charter of Equity in the 2028 Governorship election in Imo State.
Speaking with Journalists and stakeholders in Owerri, Imo state yesterday he revealed that all the APC political groups which Include OZOPOF, Owerri Leaders of Taught, Nzuko Owerri, OZAC amongst others have come together to form Owerri United.
He disclosed that in the last meeting with Council of Elders the former Inspector General of Police IGP Mike Okiro, Eze Ohanwe, Chief Enugasi popularly call Ok 2000, the Chairman Imo Elders Council Eze Ilomanya, the Political leaders in the three Senatorial Zones supported motion moved by Elder Dan Nwachukwu that the governorship position should be zoned to Owerri and the Incumbent governor Senator Hope Uzodimma should hand over 2028 governorship Staff to Owerri zone was unanimously adopted and sealed by the great leader of Owerri,Orlu and Okigwe Zones which consolidated Charter of Equity in Imo State, now Orlu, and Okigwe Zones will support Owerri to produce the next Governor of Imo State for the actualization of Charter of Equity”
Meanwhile, accepting the Charter of Equity the governor of Imo State Senator Hope Uzodimma said that he will call stakeholders to meet with Orlu, Okigwe and Owerri zones for the actualization of Charter of Equity come 2028.
In her contribution the former Transport Minister Dr, kema Chikwe highlighted that she trusted Governor Hope Uzodinma that the Charter of Equity should be successful because in 1999 governor hope Uzodinma, Professor Obiozo, Professor Echerue, Achike Udenwa, I.D. Nwoga, Humphrey Anumodu came in unity and appointed Chief Achike udenwa who gave assurance that after eight years he will handover governorship staff to Owerri zone adding that he actually tried to have over to Owerri zone but the power that he could not allow any other political party In Imo State only PDP
Similarly Rev. Mike Nwanyanwu in his revelation said that Charter of Equity has chartered itself because Okigwe Zone has ruled for eight years starting from Chief Onuka Mbakwe who ruled from 1979 to 1983 then Chief Ikedi Ohakim from 2007 to 2011 giving Okigwe Zone eight years.
He added that Orlu Zone from Achikwe Udenwa in 1999-2007, Senator Rochas Okorocha from 2011 to 2019 and Hope Uzodimma from 2019, to 2027 will make Orlu Zone Governorship slot to 24 years.
He projected that Owerri Zone had Evans Enwerem only had only three Months of leadership and Chief Emeka Ihedioha had also seven Months totaled 10 Months
Anyanwu however commented Chief Ostia Opara for donating Six million Naira that motivated instant Fund raising of N2 billion for the party’s campaign adding that from every indication, Owerri Zone deserved the governorship slot come 2028.
In the same vein, Chief Victor Okwe who disagreed with Charter of Equity told the Correspondent of Daily Asset that true democracy does not require Charter of Equity.
“Chart of Equity is not democratic, APC is talking about Charter of Equity because they are not interested or intended to give us good leadership”.
From Ifeanyichukwu Nwannah, Gusau
A former Zamfara Senator, Tijjani Yahaya Kaura has declared his intention to contest for Zamfara North Senatorial Seat in the 2027 general elections.
Senator Tijjani Yahaya Kaura, a former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, who also was in the Senate for Zamfara North Senatorial zone in the same between 2015 and 2019.
Addressing newsmen in Gusau, Senator Kaura said his decision to contest the Zamfara North Senatorial Seat was borne out of his desire to provide quality representation and contribute to improving the wellbeing of the people, especially the provision of employment opportunities for qualified youths in the constituency and Zamfara tate in general.
“My intention followed my desire to contribute to the development of my people, ranging from employment opportunities, to Educational development which is one of the most important and critical investments of the people for the future of the constituency”, he added.
“I think a lot of things in my mind but, the major area of my priority is youth’s employment and empowerment”
“I noticed increasing number of our unemployed youths seeking for jobs, they always come to me seeking for employment”
“You know, when I was in office as Senator, I was able to record tremendous achievements in the area of securing jobs opportunities for our teeming youths where over five hundred youth were employed by my representation, pointing out that if elected my target is to provide jobs opportunities for two thousands youth in Zamfara North Senatorial District and Zamfara State in general”
“When I got the opportunity, I will continue from where I stopped. I am not in politics because of money and other material gain. I always join politics because of development, and youth’s empowerment”
“I am in politics to serve my people, not for selfish aggrandizement. My candidature for Zamfara North Senatorial district is to contribute to the development of my constituents, focusing on alleviating poverty and improving infrastructure for health, education and road network”
Senator Tijjani Yahaya Kaura commended the leadership of the APC in the State under Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara state for organizing a historic stakeholders meeting of the party which serves as the most historic event in the history of Zamfara State.
The former Senator said that the stakeholders meeting being attended by all the Four former governors, who governed the state including Senator Ahmad Sani Yariman Bakura, Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi, Senator Abdul’aziz Yari Abubukar and the current Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle.
“The stakeholders meeting is a strong demonstration of unity, trust and mutual understanding for the general development of the State”
“I think Governor Dauda Lawal should be commended for organizing the meeting which is the first of its kind in the state.
“The stakeholders meeting was a historic event that brought all the critical stakeholders in the state together in order to chart a common purpose which is putting Zamfara state at heart in all ramifications.
“As Governor Dauda Lawal rightly said, his decision of joining the APC was not for political reasons only, but for the general development of the State.
“I want to use this opportunity to call on the entire people of the state to support governor Dauda Lawal to succeed in promoting unity, peace and stability as well as general peace building, especially protecting our communities from lingering security challenges.”
By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has entrusted Senator Orji Uzor Kalu with the responsibility of coordinating the activities of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State ahead of the 2027 general elections. The move is seen as part of a broader political realignment ahead of the forthcoming elections.
Kalu, who represents Abia North in the Senate however disclosed that the directive followed a recent visit to the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Confirming the development via his official Facebook page, the former Senate Chief Whip expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed in him by the President.
“I sincerely thank His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, for the confidence reposed in me and the marching order to coordinate activities in Abia State in respect of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC),” he stated.
He further outlined his strategic focus, emphasising party cohesion and electoral preparedness in the state.
“As the most senior Governor in the state, I am committed to working closely with all stakeholders, in line with the President’s directive, to ensure that the APC in Abia produces candidates who are widely acceptable, united in purpose, and well-positioned to secure victory in the state for the President’s re-election, while advancing the best interests of Abia State and Nigeria at large,” Kalu added.
The assignment underscores ongoing efforts by the APC to strengthen its grassroots structure in Abia State, a region where the party has historically faced stiff competition, while positioning itself for improved electoral performance.
Meanwhile, there are strong indications that President Tinubu may be favourably disposed to granting automatic Senate tickets to a select group of lawmakers.
This was hinted by the Governor of Kebbi State, Nasir Idris during a recent interaction with political stakeholders in the state.
According to the Governor, the lawmakers under consideration for continuity include prominent figures such as Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara West), Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North), and Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central), among others.
Also listed are Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), Abdullahi Yahaya Abubakar (Kebbi North), Idiat Oluranti Adebule (Lagos West), Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central), and Adetokunbo Abiru (Lagos East).
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