- Elisha Abbo, who was representing Adamawa North, was sacked by the Court of Appeal last week
- The Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau, administered oath of office on Yohanna
Amos Yohanna of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was on Wednesday sworn in as the senator representing Adamawa North Senatorial District.
The Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau, administered oath of office on Yohanna.
WITHIN NIGERIA reported that Elisha Abbo, who was representing Adamawa North, was sacked by the Court of Appeal last week.
The judgement followed Yohanna’s suit against Abbo, candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, before the tribunal challenging the outcome of the senatorial election.
He argued that Abbo’s election should be invalidated by reasons of corrupt practices and non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.
Yohanna also cited over-voting at various polling units, false entries, as well as alteration and cancellation of votes at several polling units.
The tribunal dismissed Yohanna’s petition but it was was upheld by the appeal court.
Meanwhile, the Senate has set up an ad hoc committee to probe the expenditure of N11.35 trillion on the Turnaround Maintenance, TAM of the country’s refineries by the Federal Government over a 13- year period (2010-2023).
This was sequel to a motion sponsored by Senator Sunday Steve (APC, Kogi West).
The ad hoc committee was mandated to conduct the investigations, in conjunction with the Senate Committee on Downstream.
Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, who presided over plenary, in his remarks demanded that all those who had taken money meant for the TAM should be made to give account.
Senator Isah Jibrin was named as chairman of the ad hoc panel which is to conduct the probe along side the chairmen of the Senate committees on Petroleum Resources Downstream; Upstream; Gas; Finance; Appropriation, and Public Accounts.
The committee was given four weeks within which to submit its report.
While seconding the motion, Senator Isah Jibrin Ochocho, said the motion brought to the fore, the worrisome situation in Nigeria.
According to him, N4.7trn was spent on operating cost when the refineries are not functional.
In his contribution, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North), said the Senate must ensure proper oversight functions to ensure Nigerians enjoyed value for their tax.
He declared: “We need to unravel why the refineries that were working before suddenly became morribund. Senate will do justice behind it to account for how much they have paid out and what they had done so far.
“The amount so far spent on the refineries can build brand new ones. Senators must take the issues with all seriousness it deserves.”
Also in his contribution, Senator Aliyu Wadada (SDP, Nasarawa West), commended his colleague for moving the motion.
He argued that the non-functionality of the refineries was reason for the insecurity in the country.
Similarly, Senator Ita Williams, (Cross River Central) said the turn around maintenance was a disservice to Nigeria because the refineries were not working.
In his remarks, Senator Adeola Solomon Olamilekan, (APC, Ogun West), said: “I am scared because if all the figures quoted were true, then Nigeria is in trouble. A look into the books of the NNPCL shows there is no profit.
“They keep on renovating morribund refineries. Everything needed to be done to unravel the scam must be done. NNPCL is the importer of fuel because they have access to foreign exchange. Senate must carry out an extensive investigation.”
Also, Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje (APC, Gombe), said: “The issue of refineries is the bane of the nation’s economic woes. The scarcity of foreign exchange is caused by the NNPCL not remiting forex into the federation account.
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