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10th NASS: Experience, Competence Should Be Criteria -Sen Bamidele

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Ahead of the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly, Chairman Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator
Opeyemi Bamidele (APC Ekiti Central), has said that the criteria for the emergence of its presiding and principal officers should be based on competence and experience.

He specifically insisted that ethno-religious sentiments must not be allowed to influence the election and selection of the presiding and principal officers of the Red Chamber.

Senator Bamidele, who is also the Chairman, Southern Senators’ Forum, spoke to journalists on Thursday in Abuja on the need to look beyond parochial interests already being canvassed by some Nigerians and those who had shown interest in contesting for leadership positions in the forthcoming 10th National Assembly.

He said: “Competence and experience are the issues that should be more important as we try to see those who could lead the 10th National Assembly rather than these issues being presented more as tribal, religion or religious rights of individuals or communities in the country.

“As lawmakers begin to tell the world of their individual ambitions or aspirations to be a part of the leadership of the Senate in the 10th Assembly, you also have a role to play in trying to stabilise and reposition discussions so that the real issues are not lost in pursuit of primordial interests.”

Also speaking on the role of the press in covering the Parliament, Senator Bamidele commended journalists covering the National Assembly, for what he considered as comprehensive and impressive coverage of the nation’s highest lawmaking establishment.

He pointed out that the media of mass communication constitute the bridge between the legislators and their constituents, stressing that without the press, it would be impossible for the constituents to have knowledge of what the Parliamentarians were doing, which also would have posed a major challenge between the people and their representatives.

“You have no idea how much you enhance the work we are doing here. You spend a lot of time thinking about how to put together all the things we do within the three hours we spend in the Chamber. Some times you stay late into the night to do your work.

“It would be terrible if there is no nexus to link us with our constituents on what we are doing here. You are that nexus between us and our constituents. And individually as members of the Parliament and collectively as an institution, we cannot thank you enough. I am very grateful to you and we are indeed grateful to you as an institution,” he appreciated.

He urged journalists not to overheat the polity with their reportage of the issues that may emanate from the campaigns for the leadership positions.

The lawmaker also commended the Ninth National Assembly, saying that it had passed many critical legislations that had begun to make positive impact on the economy and the nation’s political system, citing Petroleum Industry Act and the Electoral Act 2022 as examples.

“Major issues required in tackling some of our major economic challenges have been addressed by the Ninth Assembly, through passage of some critical bills which were signed into law by Mr. President. One of them is the Petroleum Industry Bill, which is now an Act.

“That law is already doing a lot in repositioning and revolutionizing our economy, especially in the oil and gas sector. Another major achievement of the Ninth Assembly is the Electoral Act 2022, which has become a new law and a legacy by the National Assembly. With the passage of this law, we are reaching a point where the votes of Nigerians are beginning to count.

“You have seen places that used to return three million votes, today, they are returning three hundred thousand votes. It shows the reality of our new political order, and I have no doubts that we are also moving towards new economic order,” he observed.

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Press Release : Okpebholo Denies Sacking Civil Servants As Alleged By PDP

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The statement issued by the factional chapter of the PDP in Edo is a joke taken too far. The PDP is yet to recover from the crushing defeat it suffered during the 21st September governorship election in Edo State.

Governor Monday Okpebholo, since his inauguration on Tuesday, has since hit the ground running and trying to fix the mess created by the immediate-past MoU governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki.

For the records, the statement released on Wednesday by the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, did not sack any civil servants. Besides, no Governor sacks civil servants through a media pronouncement.

Those asked to go were appointees of the last administration in the State. The factional PDP in Edo State is ignorant, and its members need to be gainfully engaged.

Anyone in the State’s civil service that is an appointee has nothing to fear. But if you are a product of the last MoU government and appointed by Obaseki, the rule of law must stand.

Signed:
Fred Itua,
Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor

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Edo Gov Directs Police Commissioner To End Cult Clashes Within 48hrs

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…….Bans Drivers Welfare Association, Network Empowerment

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Thursday, directed the state Commissioner of Police to halt the violent cult clashes in the State within 48 hours.

The Governor also banned Drivers Welfare Association and Network Empowerment in the State, in a statement signed by Fred Itua,
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

He directed the Commissioner of Police to instruct his officers and men across the various formations to immediately swing into action and halt the unnecessary bloodbath.

On Wednesday, the Governor had ordered the immediate and indefinite suspension of collection of all revenues in Edo, especially in motor parks and others, until further notice

The Governor had noted that he would review the issues surrounding the collections soon and decide on the way forward.

“As the Governor of Edo State, cultism can not be allowed here. We must end it and very fast too. I have ordered the Commissioner of Police to halt the madness within 48 years. All those involved in the killings should be stopped.

“Some associations that are causing trouble in the State, especially in Benin City, cannot be allowed to operate here. They all remain banned, and the Commissioner of Police must ensure that his men carry out this instruction by giving teeth to this ban

“Edo must be safe. That was one of my key priorities during the campaigns, and I plan to ensure that we restore it at all costs. We will not fold our arms and allow them to create unnecessary tension,” the statement read.

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Gov Okpebholo Orders Immediate Freezing Of State Bank Accounts

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……..Abolishes Roads and Bridges Ministry, Reverts to Ministry of Works

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, on Thursday, ordered the freezing of all State-owned bank accounts with immediate effect, until further notice.

The Governor has also warned commercial banks, heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to comply with the order immediately without any delays.

In a statement signed by
Fred Itua, Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor, Okpebholo warned that anyone, including heads of MDAs and civil servants who flout the order will be severely punished.

“All bank accounts in all the commercial banks have been frozen. Commercial banks must comply with the order and ensure that not a dime is taken out of the confers of Government until there is a further notice.

“Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies must comply with this order and ensure that there is a full compliance without any further delays.

“After the necessary investigations and reconciliations, the Governor will do the needful and decide on the way forward. For now, this order stands,” the statement read.

In the meantime, the Governor has asked the relevant Government agencies to reverse the Ministry of Roads and Bridges to the Ministry of Works. The reversed infamous name was conceptualised during the administration of Godwin Obaseki.

Governor Okpebholo, said since no bridges or good roads were constructed by the administration of Obaseki, it is therefore absurd to maintain such a name.

The Governor, has therefore ordered relevant government agencies to implement the new order and immediately reflect the new name.

“It is funny how you can call a Government institution Ministry of Roads and Bridges. Ironically, no single bridge was built by the same administration. Not even a pedestrian bridge.

“In the coming days, we will look at more actions taken by the previous administration and more decisions will be taken that will be done in the best interest of the State,” the statement concluded.

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