Television Nigerian

This is the time of year when people make their New Year’s resolutions. Resolutions, which can have both immediate and long-term effects on people, are essentially priorities that people set for themselves for a year.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., will motivate the 10th House to have a beneficial influence on Nigerians in 2025 by using his deliberate leadership. The House, which he has been kindly leading since June 13, 2023, will accomplish this through a variety of legislative initiatives.

The Legislative Agenda of the 10th House, a comprehensive and strong policy statement that essentially lays out the goals of the Parliament through 2027, is the foundation for these initiatives. Speaker Abbas has been pushing for progress on the House’s manifesto, and more is anticipated in the next year.

The Speaker has repeatedly emphasized his intention to bring about substantial reforms to the parliamentary system and the nation at large, both formally and informally, in various fora. He took decisive action to demonstrate this in 2024. In the upcoming year, he has promised Nigerians that they will continue to take even more actions of this nature.

It will be fitting to refer to 2024 as Speaker Abbas’ Advocacy Year. The Speaker personally spearheaded a number of initiatives aimed at empowering and integrating women into the nation’s politics and government. He also taught young Nigerians the value of honesty, hard work, and leadership.

Because of his bold gender-based advocacy and campaigns, the Speaker publicly proclaimed himself as a #HeForShe and has received recognition from even international organizations. Last year, he had two meetings with young people in Nigeria. The previous year saw a number of stakeholder discussions on a range of national concerns.

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In addition to his World Press Conference on February 8, 2024, which was the first of its kind by a speaker, there were engagements on the Review of the 1999 Constitution to receive memoranda from stakeholders on amendment bills; a “Town Hall with youth groups and organizations” to hear the hopes and dreams of young Nigerians; a national dialogue on state policing to receive ideas from stakeholders on the proposed decentralization of the current unitary Nigeria Police Force; and the first-ever live citizens’ engagement, which brought together Nigerians from all walks of life to engage with the Speaker and the House leadership on the Green Chamber’s operations.

“Critically, I am leading an amendment to the Police Act 2022 to ensure uniformity in the enlistment requirements for men and women; amend the rule that excludes married women from enlisting in the police and delete the regulation that provides that unmarried women may only marry after they have served in the police for three years, subject to approval from a police commissioner,” Speaker Abbas said at a National Assembly event held on March 7, 2024, to commemorate International Women’s Day.

He also set a classic example on October 1, 2024, when he decided to celebrate Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day anniversary with secondary school pupils from public schools, which are attended by the poorer classes, rather than the affluent institutions that dot Abuja, the country’s capital. It was also the Speaker’s birthday, by coincidence.

Speaker Abbas engaged with students who were teenagers. They asked him a variety of questions, some of which focused on his career, education, children’s rights, and goals for Nigerian youth. He used the opportunity to share with them his life’s journey, beginning with his modest upbringing and continuing through his personal growth to achieve both political and financial success.

As an accountant who taught before entering politics, Speaker Abbas naturally revealed his intention to go back to teaching after politics.

The International Day of the Girl Child was also celebrated on Thursday, October 10, 2024, when Speaker Abbas honored the girl child in plenary by giving up his seat to Ms. Isabel Anani, a 16-year-old gender campaigner, who led a special session.

The Speaker asked for a big acknowledgment of the girl child in plenary on Thursday, the penultimate sitting day of the week, even though the United Nations declared October 11 to be the International Day of the Girl Child.

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Speaker Abbas stated before leaving his seat that the day celebrated girls’ tenacity, potential, and vital role in creating a brighter future while highlighting the difficulties they confront globally.

A resolution that was unanimously approved by the House was presented under the direction of the “Shadow Speaker.”

It was proposed by Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, the chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, and seconded by Hon. Akin Rotimi, the chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs. The motion was titled “Commemoration of the 2024 International Day of the Girl Child.”

Under the 16 Days Activism Against Gender-Based Violence initiative, the Speaker also led the House’s leadership and members in a historic action on Monday, November 25, 2024, to honor the 2024 celebration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The event’s theme was “No Excuse for Violence.”

In support of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), the Speaker led a walk with his wife, Hajiya Fatima Abbas Tajudeen.

Halfway through the trip, the Speaker told the throng at the National Assembly’s main entrance that the 10th House was prepared to take more action in the fight against GBV and VAWG.

“We in the parliament must unite – more than ever before – with the relevant authorities, particularly the law enforcement in order to ensure that we curb this dangerous trend to the barest minimum,” Speaker Abbas said, referring to November 25 as “the day of history.”

The advocacy train traveled from the National Assembly Complex to the Nigeria Police Force’s Force Headquarters, where the House petitioned Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector-General of Police, to demand that Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) be properly investigated and prosecuted.

Speaker Abbas has twice called for women to be paired with men for all elected positions in the Executive branch in upcoming elections. He maintained that if a political party had a male candidate for president, a female candidate should be the vice president; the same goes for chairmanship and governorships, and vice versa.

During various meetings between the House and her organization, Elsie Attafuah, the UNDP’s Resident Representative in Nigeria, commended the Speaker’s efforts.

Additionally, the United Nations Women, under the direction of Dr. Maxime Houinato, its Regional Director for West and Central Africa, praised the Speaker’s efforts and awarded him a special advocacy badge in appreciation of his persistent support for the inclusion of more women in politics and government.

As anticipated, the Abbas-led House will have more work to do in 2025, and the Speaker is determined to complete it faithfully and diligently for the benefit of Nigeria and its people, fulfilling his steadfast goal of changing the world and leaving a lasting impression.

Baiyewu serves as the Speaker of the House of Representatives’ chief press secretary.

President Bola Tinubu has been requested by the North-Central All Progressives Congress, or APC, Forum, to “watch” Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, or SGF, for allegedly conspiring with opposition politicians to undermine the APC in the North-Central region.

The appeal was made by the North-Central APC Forum in a statement issued on Monday by Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, the forum’s chairman.

The request came as reports surfaced that Akume and Samuel Ortom, the immediate past governor of Benue State, were forming a new coalition against the current governor, Reverend Hyacinth Alia.
While Alia’s government is proving Ortom’s administration wrong, Akume and Alia have been fighting over who controls the party in Benue.

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Nonetheless, there are signs that the two former governors of Benue have banded together to oppose Alia.

During his time as governor, Ortom defected from the APC to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He was one of the dignitaries at a Thanksgiving celebration honoring the SGF that took place over the weekend in Benue State’s Konshisha Local Government Area.

Additionally, the celebration was planned to commemorate the 50th birthday of Dr. Matthias Byuan, an Executive Director of the Federal Housing Authority, or FHA, who is one of Akume’s most ardent supporters.

In a statement, Sir Tersoo Kula, Alia’s chief press secretary, criticized Ortom’s attendance at the function and charged him with lacking leadership skills while serving as governor from 2015 to 2023.

Through Terver Akase, his spokesperson, Ortom made the following accusations:

the Alia administration for obtaining increased federal funding without meeting citizens’ expectations in tackling issues related to development and security.

The North-Central APC Forum responded to the development by expressing alarm that the SGF is mingling with former governor Ortom, a prominent figure in Benue State’s opposition.

The North-Central APC Forum expressed alarm at the SGF’s alliance with opposition figures to oppose the APC government in Benue in a statement signed by Zazzaga, who is a member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council for the 2023 election.

The Forum said that the collaboration between Akume and Ortom against Alia could destabilize the APC in the North-Central, and urged Tinubu to pay attention to the SGF.

The alliance and gang up on Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State by Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and Chief Samuel Ortom, the immediate previous governor, has alarmed the North-Central APC Forum.

Benue State opposition leader Chief Ortom, whose administration is still being investigated by the APC government led by Governor Alia, has teamed up with SGF Senator Akume to oppose the APC government in Benue State.

This unholy union was on display over the weekend at the Thanksgiving ceremony held in Benue State’s Konshisha Local Government Area in honor of SGF Senator Akume.

“Any APC stakeholder should be concerned about Chief Ortom’s prominent role at the event, and the attacks he launched at Governor Alia afterward make it clear that the SGF, Senator Akume, has joined forces with him to fight the APC governor in Benue State.”

“President Bola Tinubu is being asked to watch the SGF by the North-Central APC Forum because his alliance with opposition leaders like Chief Ortom has the potential to destabilize the APC not only in Benue but throughout North-Central,” the organization stated.

The North-Central APC Forum went on to say that it no longer believes the SGF can effectively lead the APC in the region.

The Forum said that the SGF’s alliance with Ortom demonstrates that he does not have the APC’s best interests at heart and is only interested in maintaining control over Benue State’s resources and loyalty to himself. The Forum had previously accused the SGF of making unfair appointments in favor of his Tiv kinsmen and urged him to lead the entire North-Central.

Because of Senator Akume’s unholy relationship with Chief Ortom, which demonstrates his lack of concern for Benue State’s and the North-Central zone’s development, the North-Central APC Forum has lost faith in the SGF.

Senator Akume would not form an alliance with Ortom, whose previous acts have demonstrated scant respect for the welfare and dignity of the people, if he genuinely cared about Benue and the North-Central.

We are concerned that the SGF, who ought to be in charge of the APC in North-Central, will join forces with shady opposition groups to oppose an APC government that is making a concerted effort to address the problems in Benue State.

The collaboration between Chief Ortom and Senator Akume is not about development; rather, it is about Akume’s ambition to dominate Benue State’s resources and governance. The entire gang up is condemned by the North-Central APC Forum,” it continued.

The APC Forum was shocked that Akume could join forces with Ortom, who boasted of having retired the SGF from politics while he was governor.

The APC Forum questioned why the SGF, as the head of the ruling party, should work with the PDP leader to topple an APC administration, pointing out that Ortom’s eight years as governor had regressed Benue State’s infrastructure and human capital.

The Forum urged President Tinubu to summon the SGF to order right away, warning that Akume’s relationship with Ortom was not in the APC’s best interests.

Regarding the partnership between Senator Akume and Chief Ortom against the APC administration in Benue State, which is headed by Governor Hyacinth Alia, we implore President Tinubu and the APC’s national leadership to act immediately.

We must move right away because, as we remember, Chief Ortom only recently, in October 2024, promised that the PDP will take back control of Benue in 2027.

“The APC cannot afford to lose Benue State in 2027,” the North-Central APC Forum reiterates.

It issued a warning, saying, “We urge President Tinubu and other leaders of our great party to take swift action to prevent the APC in the North-Central from becoming unstable.”

To confirm or refute his purported planned defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Delta State leaders, acting on behalf of the Delta State chapter of the Concerned Leaders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have written to the state governor, Sheriff Oborevwori.

The PDP leaders said that his delayed response may be seen as obvious proof of his compromised stance and requested that he provide them with immediate explanation so that they could be included in the picture.

To secure your governorship seat ahead of the general elections in 2027, the Delta PDP Leaders said in a statement signed by Mr. Theophilus Ekiyor, Mr. Ochuko Oghenekome, and Mr. Ezekiel Chukwudi that they are forced to write him about the extremely unsettling rumors of his purported plans to defect to the APC.

Rumors abound about your plan to cross-carpet to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the centrally located ruling party.

The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, has been the target of your covert romances.

“A meeting between you and President Tinubu on this self-serving agenda is currently being facilitated by Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos State, and Alhaji Femi Gbajabiamila, the president’s chief of staff, who were named as your point men for your new endeavor.

According to people close to you, getting permission to join the APC is your ultimate objective. In this sense, these fanciful and unverified rumors really disturb us.Therefore, we ask that you provide us with immediate clarity so that we are included. The PDP leaders stated that a delayed answer might be interpreted as obvious proof of your weakened stance.

They went on to say: “Many of us feel betrayed and confused by your recent private Yuletide meeting with the aforementioned presidential aides and others in Lagos, right after the general meeting of the states’ governors with the country’s top citizen, where your alleged defection plans were reportedly hatched and extensively discussed.”

We implore you to clarify your intentions and provide us assurance over our prospects within the PDP.

Additionally, we know that you have been mingling with certain APC faction leaders in Delta State. According to reports, this action is a calculated attempt to silence the state’s powerful APC voices regarding your plan.

“For this reason, we require that you clearly explain why you are secretly meeting with a few APC leaders in the State at night.

“In addition, your sponsoring dissident groups within the state’s APC have filed complaints.”

According to the PDP leaders, the governor’s strategy is thought to be intended to further polarize the party in order to facilitate his eventual departure.

We also know that you are paying some of the APC’s top leaders in the State Working Committee. In return for their devotion and support, some of these leaders have been given money rewards on a regular basis and have had their boys appointed. We feel very let down by this betrayal of confidence and trust.

Furthermore, in the nearly two years of your rule, the vast majority of us PDP members who worked to get you elected governor have not received any kind of reward.

“We denounce your frequent contacts with APC members both inside and outside the state. Please don’t do it. The fact that it is anti-party should be made very apparent to you.

“You recently embarrassed us greatly at a gathering of the Urhobo Progressives Union (UPU) by publicly endorsing President Tinubu’s policies and programs; this has caused the PDP to take notice.”

“There is no other way to interpret your claim that “if President Tinubu fails, I too fail.” It makes your plan to join the APC quite evident. “It is disheartening that you are publicly identifying with the state’s opposition,” the leaders remarked.

The Delta PDP Leaders questioned how a governor chosen on the PDP’s platform could be acting in this manner.

They remarked, “It’s unfortunate that you, Your Excellency, who was overwhelmingly elected on the PDP platform, are saying this.”

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The Delta PDP Leaders noted that when the governor solicited support for a president whose administration failure was colossal, he blatantly betrayed the confidence of his swarming party members.

They pointed out that an apparently unsophisticated media assistant of his barely avoided losing his job recently after misinterpreting the governor’s body language and denouncing the cruel policies and initiatives of the APC, or Tinubu’s government.

“The troubled aide was viewed as a spoiler in the planned odyssey,” stated the Delta PDP leaders.

“The media assistant had to be rescued from the sledge-hammers by well-meaning Deltans. After the media aide’s experience, what proof do we need to verify your defection negotiations with the APC?

The fact that you have been harboring resentment toward party members who have been discovered to be even loosely allied with opposition elements makes it much more concerning. Nobody can oppose the boss in your situation.

Why did you suddenly stop believing in the PDP? Is it because you were aware that, given your poor performance and the winner-take-all rules, you would not be able to win the return ticket on our party’s platform?

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“You undoubtedly have reason to be concerned about your future in 2027 given the firmly established “family affairs” government and the policy of using and discarding, in particular, the crucial components that made it possible for you to become our party’s leader.

But by viewing APC as a safe haven, you missed the purpose. Your actions and body language as the head of our state’s big party have a significant impact on our future as a group.

“We cannot afford for your selfish ambition to destroy and weaken the chances of our party.

“The hordes of PDP members in various elected offices and other party supporters who want to run for office in 2027 are our biggest concerns.

What party should they declare their intentions under now that you, the party’s leader and governor, intend to leave it and run for office under the APC? Or do they intend to accompany you to the APC?

“You need to find answers to these mind-boggling questions as soon as possible so that everyone knows their place. You cannot remain mute about your goals or keep us in the dark any longer.

In this regard, we require honesty and clarity concerning your intention to defect.

“We have a right to the truth. We request that you respond to these rumors and reaffirm your dedication to the PDP.

“The PDP has remained a beacon of hope and point of anchor for the people of Delta State since 1999. We have worked tirelessly to build the party into a formidable force in the state.

“We therefore won’t allow anyone to scuttle our well- earned place in the hearts of the people.

“We will not stand idly and watch, while the party’s fortunes are undermined and frittered away through your inordinate desperation to remain as governor at all cost.

“In light of the foregoing, we urge you to clear the air and reassure us of your loyalty, integrity and unwavering commitment to the PDP. We await your prompt response.

“We will not accept to be treated like pawns in your political chess game. We deserve respect and transparency from you.”

Appealing to the governor to reconsider his alleged planned defection, the PDP leaders said, “in view of these developments, we urge you to reconsider your actions and reaffirm your commitment to the PDP. We are willing to work with you to resolve all issues that may be driving your desire to defect.

“However, if you refuse to address these concerns and continue on the path, we shall be forced to take necessary actions to protect the interests of the party.

“We hope that you will take our concerns seriously and respond immediately.”