Ministerial nominees must be endorsed by at least two senators from their state, the senate ruled on Thursday after deliberating on the procedures for the screening which commences on Tuesday. Except there is last-minute realignment of forces, some of the ministerial nominees may not scale through, TheCable reports. Rotimi Amaechi, former governor of Rivers state, has been openly antagonised by the three PDP senators from his state. It is also believed that Babatunde Fashola, former governor of Lagos state, may be affected by the proviso, which is not new but had been used in the past to disqualify certain nominees. Fashola […]
↧
Trouble For Amaechi & Fashola As Senate Rules That Two Senators From Nominees States Must Endorse Candidates
↧
APC Tells The Nigerian Senate To Allow Amaechi “Take A Bow & Go” During Ministerial Screening
The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the weekend made a strong case for the immediate past governor of the State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, to be among the few who should be given special consideration by the Senate during the screening of ministerial nominees. The party in a statement issued on Sunday in Port Harcourt by the State Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, commended the Senate for decision to be thorough in the forthcoming screening exercise but appealed to it not to totally discard the tradition of asking deserving ones to take a bow and go. “We wish to respectfully appeal to […]
↧
↧
Senate Committee On Ethics Clears Road For Rotimi Amaechi Ahead Of Ministerial Screening
The screening of former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi and Amina Mohammed, former senior special assistant to the President on Millennium Development Goals, two candidates whose presence on President Muhammadu Buhari’s ministerial list generated controversy at the upper chamber of National Assembly on Tuesday may not be rancorous. The three senators representing Rivers State – Olaka Nwogu, George Sekibo and Osinakachukwu Ideozu had last Wednesday submitted a petition written by a non-governmental organization against Ameachi’s confirmation, alleging that he misappropriated N70 billion belonging to Rivers as the state chief executive of the state. The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, had […]
↧
Why The Nigerian Senate Stopped The Screening Of Rotimi Amaechi For Wednesday
The Senate on Wednesday deferred the screening of minister-nominee Rotimi Amaechi to Thursday. The development followed the inability of its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to submit its report on the petition against Mr. Amaechi. The Chairman of the Committee, Sam Anyanwu, while briefing the senate, said that the committee could not meet on Tuesday following the late adjournment of plenary. Mr. Anyanwu said that as at the time of adjournment of plenary, most of the members of the committee were “too tired to meet”. He promised that the committee would meet on Wednesday so as to finalise […]
↧
PDP Secures Court Order To Stop The Ministerial Screening Of Rotimi Amaechi
There are very strong indications that Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, working through one Livingstone Wechie, has secured a court order to stop the Senate from screening former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi as a ministerial nominee. Wechie through his organisation, Integrity Group had claimed, that Amaechi corruptly enriched himself while in office as Governor. Amaechi had denied every of the allegations, describing it as a witch-hunt. The order, reportedly secured from a Rivers State High Court, is expected to be served on the senate before its sitting, today, Thursday. Amaechi was initially one of the ten ministerial nominees scheduled to […]
↧
↧
Again Senate Postpones The Screening Of Rotimi Amaechi
The Senate in Nigeria has again postponed the screening of former Rivers state governor, Rotimi Amaechi . Mr. Amaechi’s nomination is opposed by a certain “Integrity Group”, which petitioned the Senate alleging that he had not answered questions on alleged financial misappropriation during his tenure as governor of Rivers state. The legislators have so far interviewed and confirmed 18 out of 36 nominees, now waiting to be sworn in. In a tweet via its Twitter handle @NGRSenate, the Senate which resumed for plenary today, said: “Ladies and gentlemen, there will be no ministerial screening today (Thursday). We will continue on Tuesday, […]
↧
Forces Opposing Rotimi Amaechi’s Ministerial Nomination Are Actually Within The APC
The inability of the Senate to undertake the screening process of former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi for the federal cabinet is due to growing opposition against him within the ranks of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Mr. Amaechi’s screening has been postponed twice, the second time because the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions was unable to submit a completed report on the outstanding petitions against the nominee. There are also additional allegations that there is a court order against Mr. Amaechi from Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, from current Governor Nyesome Wike. When contacted, an […]
↧
Senators Divided Over Amaechi, Committee Recommends Stay Of Action On His Screening
Hope of the embattled former Governor of Rivers, Chibuike Amaechi, appearing before the Senate, as other ministerial nominees, has further dimmed, as the Committee on Ethics and Public Petition may have recommended a stay of action on his screening. This has, however, split the Senate. Daily Sun gathered that the committee, which will formally submit its report to the Senate tomorrow, made the recommendation based on the complexity of Amaechi’s case. A member of the committee headed by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, revealed that members took cognizance of the white paper submitted to it by the current Rivers State government, which […]
↧
“Dele Momodu Is For Hire, He Reacts To Who Sends Him Alert”– Top Tweets Why Ovation Publisher Is Trending
Foremost Ovation Publisher, Dele Momodu has not only been campaigning for the All Progressives Congress but has moved on to defend the embattled former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi.. The Ovation Publisher had started a social media campaign publishing the achievements of the former Rivers Governor who currently faces strong opposition from being nominated as a Federal Minister. But it wasn’t enough that Mr Dele Momodu was countered from stating some of the achievements by online users, it seems what he wrote below offended most Nigerians online. If I were BUHARI I will protect and promote Amaechi with my last […]
↧
↧
Embattled Former Governor Amaechi Not Likely To Be Screened Tuesday, National Assembly Sources Say
Former Governor, Rotimi Amaechi’s scheduled screening expected to take place on Tuesday may have been postponed again for the third time according to a Senator who spoke with NewsWireNGR on anonymous condition. “The allegations before Amaechi is huge with clear evidence which bordered on financial disbursement without due process” The Senator said. The source however added that “theres currently disagreement between members of the senate ethics committee over Amaechi” The chairman of the committee, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, told reporters at the end of the committee’s meeting on Monday that the report of the petition against the nomination of Mr Amaechi […]
↧
Breaking: Why The Nigerian Senate Is Excluding Rotimi Amaechi’s Ministerial Screening For The Third Time
The Nigerian Senate has postponed again the confirmation hearing for former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi. His screening had suffered several hitches in the last one week, caused by the delays by the Senate ad-hoc ethics committee, in submitting a report on the petitions written against his nomination. Today, the Senate again put off his screening and four other nominees, earlier scheduled for today’s plenary session. The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, has been expected today, to submit its report on the petitions against the nomination of former governor of Rivers State Rotimi Amaechi and Ms. […]
↧
Just In: Finally Nigerian Senate Screen Rotimi Amaechi
After weeks of high-wired politics, former Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi was finally screened today be the Senators after postponements owing to allegations of corruption against him. After few minutes of tension, the ministerial nominee was screened. He answered questions from Senators from the All Progressives Congress as Peoples Democratic Party senators refused to ask the nominee questions. Amaechi was led into the chamber at about 1.38pm by Chairman of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Odigie Oyegun and Speacial Adviser to the President on National Assembly (Senate), Sen. Ita Enang. This came, following the formal […]
↧
PDP Senators Keep Mum As Amaechi Is Screened [Photos]
After repeated delays in the screening of former governor of Rivers state Rotimi Amaechi by the senate for a ministerial post, he eventually faced the lawmakers on Thursday. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators led by the senate minority leader Godswill Akpabio refused to ask Amaechi any question saying the committee on ethics’ report on the allegations of corruption against the nominee had not treated. At some points, the chamber became rowdy as senators engaged in shouting match between those in support and against the nominee. Chairman of the committee Senator Sam Anyanwu had laid the report of his committee […]
↧
↧
I Was Never Indicted By Any Panel For Corruption, Says Amaechi
One of the minister nominees and former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, on Thursday, told the Senate that he was never indicted by any panel for corruption. ‘Corruption is difficult to define.’ Amaechi said while responding to questions asked by Lagos State Senator Gbenga Ashafa, he stated ‘I have never collected bribe in my life.’ Explaining why Corruption is endemic to the growth of the Nigerian state, the former governor said, “Why people don’t invest in Nigeria is because the cost of investment is higher than the profit”. On Eduction he said, ‘We must also invest in Education; Some of […]
↧
I Have Never Taken Bribe In My Life – Says Amaechi; Top Tweets As Nigerians React
After weeks of high-wired politics and a long waiting game, former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, arrived at the Senate and was screened as a ministerial nominee. When asked questions regarding his involvement in alleged cases of corruption and misappropriation of public funds, Mr Amaechi insisted he was not indicted by the report of the panel. He went further to say that he had “never collected a bribe” in his life. This was in response to being asked by Senator Ashafa to explain what he considered to be corruption – a word he said was hard to define. “Corruption is […]
↧
Shame On Wike Over Amaechi’s Excellent Performance At The Ministerial Screening Says APC
The eventual appearance of former Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State for the Senate ministerial screening has thrown the state All Progressives Congress, APC, Rivers State into a frenzy as it has described his performance on the floor of the Senate during screening Thursday as sparkling befitting of a Minister. The party expressed pride and heartily congratulated its leader for the excellent way he acquitted himself when he finally appeared before the upper chamber for the screening. Rivers APC drew a parallel between the Amaechi-Wike drama and the account in the Bible book of Esther Chapter Seven. According to […]
↧
In Style, Rotimi Amaechi Lands In Port-Harcourt Following Wike’s Election Nullification [Photos]
The Former Governor of River state and ministerial nominee -Rotimi Amaechi arrived at the Nigerian Airforce Base Port-Harcourt in a private jet. It has been a rather lucky week for the ex-governor who was not only screened for a Ministerial appointment by the Nigerian Senate, but also witnessed the nullification of Governor Nyesom Wike’s elections by the tribunal yesterday. Amaechi was welcomed by his wife Judith, the APC gubernatorial candidate Dakuku Peterside and other supporters as they continued in celebrating the nullification of Nyesom Wike’s elections.
↧
↧
Amaechi Resumes Talking, Accuses Governor Wike Of Diverting N45bn Loan During Thanksgiving Service
Former governor of Rivers State, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, has accused the Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Nyesom Wike, of diverting N45bn loan taken by his administration. Amaechi made this statement, on Sunday, at a special thanksgiving service organised to mark the October 25 ruling of the Supreme Court, which brought him into power as governor in 2007. He said, “I borrowed N300bn and I paid N245bn back and I left about N15bn. But now, they are not borrowing to pay contractors. Rather they are borrowing for themselves. “Borrow to pay contractors not for your purse. They have borrowed N45bn and nobody […]
↧
PDP Senators Allegedly Conduct Private Meeting To Decide Fate Of Amaechi And Other Ministerial Nominees Tomorrow
By Chris Nomjov Senators of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), reportedly held a closed door meeting on Wednesday evening; to discuss the confirmation of Rotimi Amaechi and other ministerial nominees, yet to be confirmed. It is expected that the confirmation or otherwise of Amaechi, alongside other 17 ministerial nominee, would take place during Thursday’s plenary session. Following the conclusion of the screening on Wednesday, PDP Senators reportedly held a private meeting at Senate Hearing Room 1. A source privy to discussions at the meeting revealed that the PDP needed to meet to take a uniform decision on tomorrow’s confirmation. “You know we have […]
↧
PDP Senators Vow To Withdraw Support For Saraki If Amaechi Is Confirmed Minister
Senators belonging to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and their All Progressives Congress, APC, were, yesterday, preparing for a showdown over different positions on the confirmation of two of 16 remaining ministerial nominees. It was, however, learnt that Senate President Bukola Saraki was determined to weigh in on behalf of the former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi and the ministerial nominee from Cross River State, Usani Uguru. The duo had been caught up in a grudge war mounted by PDP senators according to Vanguard Newspapers. Amaechi is held in contempt by the PDP Senate caucus for his role in the […]
↧