Speaker of the House of Representatives Tambuwal Replies Boko Haram

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has refuted reports that the Boko Haram sect had sent a letter to some influential people in Sokoto State, including himself, seeking for their intervention for the release of some of the members of the sect being detained by the authorities in the state.

In a statement by his special adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Imam Imam, Tambuwal said neither himself, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Saad Abubakar, nor the acting governor of Sokoto State received the purported letter nor know the identity of those that claimed to have sent it.

“We are yet to receive any letter from the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’ati wal Jihad, also known as Boko Haram, and we are not aware of the alleged arrest and detention of any of their members. Importantly, we are yet to ascertain which of their members is behind bars and which security agency arrested them.”

The speaker, however, challenged the Boko Haram leadership to reveal their identity and the identity of any of their members arrested in Sokoto State in order for them to intervene and resolve the matter amicably without resorting to bloodshed and destruction of property.

He said that himself, the Sultan and the acting governor were ever ready to intervene in the matter in the spirit of dialogue as canvassed by President Goodluck Jonathan, and called on the sect to reveal their identity for the process of dialogue to commence.

Tambuwal charged the Boko Haram sect to shun acts of violence in expressing their grievances, and advised them to capitalise on the initiative of the president to enter into dialogue with it and restore the country to path of peace and security.

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Bill to remove ‘’Force ‘’ from Nigeria Police passes second reading

A bill to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 to remove the word Force from the Nigeria Police Force passed second reading in the House of Representatives.

The objective of the bill is to delete the word Force from the Nigeria Police Force to read Nigeria Police.

The bill was unanimously adopted by the House when put to vote by Speaker Aminu Tambuwal.

Leading debate on the general principles of the bill, Rep. Jagaba Adams (PDP-Kaduna), argued that there was the need to remove the word Force from the Nigeria Police.

According to him, a name affects the behavior of people, and this could be the reason why the police use force most times.

A name constitutes so much, name definitely attracts attention, he said and urged his colleagues to support the passage of the bill.

Rep. Yakubu Balogun (ACN-Lagos), who supported the bill, said the word Force should be expunged from the Nigeria police.

Rep. Arua Arunsi (PDP -Abia) in his contribution, said the word Forcewas not in tandem with the saying that The police is your friend.

Reps Emmanuel Jime ( PDP -Benue) and Eddie Mbadiwe ( APGA-Imo) all spoke in favour of the bill.

The Speaker, however, referred the bill to the special Ad hoc Committee on Constitution Review for more legislative input.

Meanwhile, the House has adopted the report of the Ad hoc committee set up to investigate the agreement between the Federal Ministry of Finance and Single Window System and Technology Limited (SWST).

The House recommended the voiding of the concession agreement between the ministry and the organisation, citing failure to adhere to due process in the agreement.

It also recommended that all government officials and promoters of single Window Technology System (SWST) who participated in the agreement, should be made to face the full wrath of the law.

Chairman of the Ad hoc committee and Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Rep. Leo Ogor (PDP- Delta), while submitting the report to the House, said the concession project was not submitted to the Federal Executive Council for approval.

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