Deputy Speaker Hails Northern Lawmakers For Promoting Northern Interest In PIB, Electoral Act

The last may not have been heard about the recently passed
Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and the Electoral Act as the Deputy
Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon Idris Ahmed Wase, who
presided over the consideration of the two bills for passage has
reportedly commended  Northern members of the House for
protecting and promoting the interest of the North in the eventual
passage of the bills despite stiff oppositions from their
counterparts from the South, According to Nigerian Tribune
report.

According to sources close to the Northern lawmakers, the
congratulatory message was sent on behalf of Hon Wase by his chief
of staff, Aminu Malle to the Northern caucus through their WhatsApp
group at the weekend.

Investigation revealed that in the recently passed PIB, Northern
Nigeria’s quest for oil received a huge boost as Section 9 of the
bill states that at least 30 per cent of the profit generated by
the proposed Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited will go to
the exploration of oil in ‘frontier basins,’ which are mostly
Northern states.

However, the demand by oil-producing communities in the South
for five per cent of the profit of oil firms was cut down to three
per cent.

Similarly, in the Electoral Act, lawmakers from the Northern
states also kicked against the compulsory electronic transmission
of results by the Independent National Electoral Commission,
arguing that many Northern states have weak internet
penetration.

It was gathered that it had been argued in quarters that
electronic transmission of results would reduce incidents of
rigging.

However, in the message circulated by Hon Wase’s chief of staff,
the Northern lawmakers were praised for protecting the interest of
the North and showing unity.

The message reads, “On behalf of the Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon.
Ahmed Idris Wase and the Northern caucus leader Hon Musa Sarki
Adar, I am directed to write and formally congratulate and
appreciate all the Northern caucuses for standing firm through
their wisdom and strength to ensure the Northern interest in both
PIB and Electoral Act is adequately placed in a position of
advantage

“There is no doubt a house united will forever get whatever it
wants, giving [sic] the advantage we have in size. May God Almighty
continue to unite and bind us stronger. May He bless and reward us
all abundantly. Remain blessed and wish you the best holidays and
Sallah celebrations. Thank you all.”

The 17 Southern governors had met recently and insisted that the
electronic transmission of results must stand. They also kicked
against the allocation of 30 per cent of NNPC’s profits to oil
exploration.

Frantic efforts made by Sunday Tribune to speak with the Hon
Wade’s Chief of staff, Aminu Malle over the matter proved abortive
while the spokesman for the Deputy Speaker, Alhaji Umar Puma,
denied the knowledge of the congratulatory message to the Northern
lawmakers being circulated in the media.

However, a ranking member of the Green Chamber from the 
Southern Zone of the country confirmed the receipt of the WhatsApp
message with the Sunday Tribune, saying he got it from one of his
colleagues from the North Central Zone on Friday night.

The last may not have been heard about the recently passed
Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and the Electoral Act as the Deputy
Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon Idris Ahmed Wase, who
presided over the consideration of the two bills for passage has
reportedly commended  Northern members of the House for
protecting and promoting the interest of the North in the eventual
passage of the bills despite stiff oppositions from their
counterparts from the South, According to Nigerian Tribune
report.

According to sources close to the Northern lawmakers, the
congratulatory message was sent on behalf of Hon Wase by his chief
of staff, Aminu Malle to the Northern caucus through their WhatsApp
group at the weekend.

Investigation revealed that in the recently passed PIB, Northern
Nigeria’s quest for oil received a huge boost as Section 9 of the
bill states that at least 30 per cent of the profit generated by
the proposed Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited will go to
the exploration of oil in ‘frontier basins,’ which are mostly
Northern states.

However, the demand by oil-producing communities in the South
for five per cent of the profit of oil firms was cut down to three
per cent.

Similarly, in the Electoral Act, lawmakers from the Northern
states also kicked against the compulsory electronic transmission
of results by the Independent National Electoral Commission,
arguing that many Northern states have weak internet
penetration.

It was gathered that it had been argued in quarters that
electronic transmission of results would reduce incidents of
rigging.

However, in the message circulated by Hon Wase’s chief of staff,
the Northern lawmakers were praised for protecting the interest of
the North and showing unity.

The message reads, “On behalf of the Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon.
Ahmed Idris Wase and the Northern caucus leader Hon Musa Sarki
Adar, I am directed to write and formally congratulate and
appreciate all the Northern caucuses for standing firm through
their wisdom and strength to ensure the Northern interest in both
PIB and Electoral Act is adequately placed in a position of
advantage

“There is no doubt a house united will forever get whatever it
wants, giving [sic] the advantage we have in size. May God Almighty
continue to unite and bind us stronger. May He bless and reward us
all abundantly. Remain blessed and wish you the best holidays and
Sallah celebrations. Thank you all.”

The 17 Southern governors had met recently and insisted that the
electronic transmission of results must stand. They also kicked
against the allocation of 30 per cent of NNPC’s profits to oil
exploration.

Frantic efforts made by Sunday Tribune to speak with the Hon
Wade’s Chief of staff, Aminu Malle over the matter proved abortive
while the spokesman for the Deputy Speaker, Alhaji Umar Puma,
denied the knowledge of the congratulatory message to the Northern
lawmakers being circulated in the media.

However, a ranking member of the Green Chamber from the 
Southern Zone of the country confirmed the receipt of the WhatsApp
message with the Sunday Tribune, saying he got it from one of his
colleagues from the North Central Zone on Friday night.