Lawan went to Cranfield University, United Kingdom and returned home in 1996 with Masters and Doctoral degrees in Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System(GIS). He resumed his career in academics, until 1998 when he was persuaded to join politics.

New in the game, Lawan quickly realised that politics is different from academics. It is safe to say that his experience in his early days in politics in his home state of Yobe was far from pleasant. “It was a near disaster,” he once recalled. He found himself like a fish out of water such that his people at the grassroots had to teach him the ropes of practical politics. “Dr. this is not the academic environment. You are no more in the university. This is politics and it is not about blowing big big grammar,” he recalled once being told by a worried supporter. Since then he has learnt to flow with his people. They taught him to be part of them. And if ever elected into an office, to be a servant to the people.

Lawan has contributed to facilitating a new atmosphere in inter-arms relationships out of a conviction gained from over two decades in parliament.

Lawan has since mastered the art, which with the grace of God, has seen him come thus far. In six consecutive polls since 1999, Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan has been the clear choice of his people to represent them at the National Assembly. And he has remained a part and the servant of his constituents. Today, he is also the Senate President.

However, he has also refused to compromise his principles. For Lawan, politics is not an art of deception. “I don’t believe politics is about deception. I prefer to call a spade a spade,” Lawan once said while addressing his constituents in his country home, Gashua in Yobe State. His fidelity to that principle has won and cost him a few friends. But it has also underpinned the trust of his constituents, helping him to become one of the longest serving federal lawmakers in Nigeria.

Those who have worked with him will readily attest that you cannot persuade Lawan to act contrary to his conviction. Some see this as rigidity. But if you say that to him, Lawan would take it as a compliment, in as much as he believes that he stands for the common good.

He once narrated the huge pressure he and his colleagues faced in 2006 to support the now orphaned Third Term Agenda. Then in the House of Representatives, Lawan was lobbied severally to lend his support to removing a pillar of democratic stability. But he bluntly refused even at the face of a threat to deny him a return ticket to the National Assembly. However, the same Lawan also played a significant role in calming down his colleagues in the House every time they angrily attempted to impeach President Obasanjo over what they perceived as impeachable offences by the then president.

More recently, as Senate President, he came under pressure from some very powerful stakeholders in the oil industry who were against the passage of the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract Act amendment Bill. Lawan rebuffed the pressure because he was convinced that the benefit of the amended bill is huge for the Nigerian economy. A similar pressure was mounted on him when the Ninth Assembly confronted the jinx of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). But Lawan again stood his ground and the two decades old jinx was broken.

Until 2015, Lawan had been an opposition lawmaker. His voice was always loud on virtually every topical issue. By the time his party took control of the National Assembly, Lawan was well positioned for the coveted seat of Senate President. But he missed it at first attempt. Not that he lost the election to the seat. He was schemed out of the race.

As a devout Muslim, he took those shenanigans of June 2015 in good faith. He believes everything works for good for those whose purposes are good.

Lawan is a loyal party man and always stand firmly with his party in and outside the parliament. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), consequently offered him the position of Senate Majority Leader. By the time he became the 14th Senate President in 2019, Lawan had acquired additional experience from that role to preside over the Upper Chamber and, as Chairman of the National Assembly, to pilot the affairs of the revered Institution.

From the onset, he had a clear vision of what he wanted to do and of the leadership strategy for maintaining unity and common purpose in the Senate and the National Assembly in general. He believes that a house of chaos, however elevated, is of no use to anyone.

This is why the defining trait of the Ninth Assembly under Lawan is the cordial working relationship with the other arms of government, more noticeably the Executive. But this has been achieved without compromising the independence of Parliament or the doctrine of Separation of Powers.

Understandably, people who prefer hostility to amity between the two elected arms of government do not like this. They have thus maligned him relentlessly and most unfairly derided the ninth Assembly as a rubber stamp.

You think that bothers Lawan? Instead, he considers himself lucky to be Senate President at a time a willing partner for cooperation heads the Executive arm of government.

The often ignored fact is that President Muhammadu Buhari even has ardently desires a healthy working relationship with Parliament. This is so that he can deliver his promises and fulfil his mandate to the Nigerian people. So both sides have chosen to address the unavoidable conflicts with cool heads and with their eyes set on the development goals of government.

Results commend the path that they have both chosen. In the immediate past Assembly, many executive bills were pronounced dead on arrival at the National Assembly. And many private member bills that passed were sent back to the sender.

This reflection on his politics and leadership principles is a tribute to Lawan, the Sardaunan Bade, on the occasion of his 63rd birthday.

President Buhari felt that situation was unhealthy and should not be allowed to repeat itself as the Nigerian people were the losers. Both leaders since June 2019 have been wholly committed through reciprocity to building a cordial working environment between their two co-dependent institutions for the smooth running of government and benefit of the nation.

Let’s recall a few fruits of this harmony. In October 2019, barely four months after the inauguration of the Ninth Assembly, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, was at the National Assembly to meet with its leadership. Malami pleaded for a working relationship between the two arms of government that would enhance the passage of executive bills after due consideration by the lawmakers and presidential assent for private member bills. His move was to avert a repeat of the experience in the immediate past Assembly. Malami told the National Assembly leaders: “We cannot afford to expend resources, time and energy in formulating and drafting bills that will eventually not be passed or assented.”

Also in September 2020, President Buhari set up an Executive, Legislative, Party Consultative Forum headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to promote harmony in governance towards enhancing service delivery to the Nigerian people. “I am a firm believer in the doctrine of Separation of Powers which is fundamental to our constitutional democracy. But our practice should be harmonious checks and balances devoid of bitterness and petty rivalry,” Buhari told members of the tripartite panel.

The foregone show some of the steps the Executive took to promote mutual cooperation with the parliament. They were well-received by most lawmakers and Lawan who have chosen harmonious relationship over unnecessary confrontation with the Executive.

In the spirit of that relationship, President Muhammadu Buhari signed the 2022 Appropriation Bill into law on Christmas eve despite airing his reservations.

Also, the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) received Presidential assent despite reservations by the president on some of the provisions. Buhari signed the PIB into law and later proposed an amendment to the Act. The Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract Act amendment Bill was signed into law by the president in London where he was receiving medical treatment. That was very unusual. But that alacrity arose from a mutual understanding between the arms to preempt powerful stakeholders who were hell bent on scuttling the piece of legislation.

We cannot forget too how the President ordered the MDAs to promptly respect invitations by the National Assembly committees to defend their proposals, to ensure timely passage of budgets. But for this cooperation between the National Assembly and the Executive, the quest for a regular, predictable and reliable budget cycle would have remained a mirage.

The disposition of the Ninth Assembly under Lawan is to work for Nigeria rather than play to the gallery. You can be sure that this same spirit will smoothly resolve the disagreement over the Electoral Act amendment Bill in the best interest of Nigerians.

Lawan has contributed to facilitating a new atmosphere in inter-arms relationships out of a conviction gained from over two decades in parliament. That conviction is that public interest is best served when institutions work together without forsaking their purposes. The achievement of that atmosphere is a legacy befitting even a reluctant politician.

This reflection on his politics and leadership principles is a tribute to Lawan, the Sardaunan Bade, on the occasion of his 63rd birthday.

*Awoniyi is Special Adviser (Media) to the Senate President

The post Ahmad Lawan’s principles of politics and leadership, By Ola Awoniyi appeared first on Frontpageng.

The passage of the budget in the Senate was sequel to the consideration of a report by the Committee on Appropriations on the 2021 Appropriations bill.

In his presentation, Chairman of the Committee, Jibrin Barau (APC – Kano North), while giving highlights of the bill, said out of the total sum of N13,588,027,886,175 for the fiscal year 2021, N496,528,471,273 is for Statutory transfers; N3,324,380,000,000 is for Debt Service; N5,641,970,060,680 is for Recurrent Expenditure; and N4,125,149,354,222 for Capital Expenditure.

According to the lawmaker, the 2021 budget was predicated on the parameters approved by the National Assembly when it considered the Medium Term Expenditure Framework/Fiscal Strategy Paper last week Thursday.

Benchmark Price of Crude Oil was fixed at $40USD Per Barrel; Crude Oil Production at 1.86mbpd; Exchange Rate at N379/US$; and Gross Domestic Production (GDP) Growth Rate at 3.00 per cent.

For Capital Expenditure in the year 2021, the sum of N24,090,340,416 was budgeted for the Presidency; N127,850,984,984 for Ministry of Defence; N7,994,280,245 for Ministry of Foreign Affairs; N19,721,066,865 for Federal Ministry of Information and Culture; N38,846,293,565 for Ministry of Interior; N2,491,111,568 for Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; N218,432,074 for Auditor General of the Federation; N17,882,480,948 for Ministry of Police Affairs; N17,664,285,343 for Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy; and N45,647,587,613 for the Office of the National Security Adviser.

Others such as the Infrastructure Concessionary Regulatory Commission had N353,678,953; Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation – N45,637,061,225; Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs – N8,872,787,424; Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development – N211,077,457,584; Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning – N376,359,450,498; Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment – N64,760,781,172; Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment – N63,526,109,193; Federal Ministry of Science and Technology – N107,061,118,360; Federal Ministry of Transport – N209,736,113,910; Federal Ministry of Aviation – N70,189,215,332; and Federal Ministry of Power – N206,745,895,389.

In addition, N3,340,140,120 was approved for Ministry of Petroleum Resources; N12,605,747,806 for the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development; N399,694,565,222 for the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing; N110,455,765 for the National Salaries and Wages Commission; N261,170,602 for the Fiscal Responsibility Commission; N159,745,000,315 for the Federal Ministry of Water Resources; N5,097,558,027 for the Federal Ministry of Justice; N1,363,636,403 for the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission; N37,330,762,421 for the Federal Capital Territory Administration.

The sum of N22,024,592,197 was approved for the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs; N10,639,249,276 for the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development; N11,204,210,256 for Ministry of Women Affairs; N156,172,307,765 for the Federal Ministry of Education; N134,591,025,027 for Federal Ministry of Health; N24,554,710,490 for Federal Ministry of Environment; N4,839,951,093 for National Population Commission; and N75,768,539,782 for the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

Contributing to the debate, Senator Stella Oduah (PDP – Anambra North) described the 2021 budget as “well intended and articulated” by the Executive arm of government.

According to the lawmaker, the 2021 Appropriations Bill accorded special attention to poverty alleviation, security and health, adding that, “the budget is emphatic in addressing the country’s infrastructural decay.”

“This budget for a change, is well focused on the people’s welfare, and that was prioritized”, she said.

Gabriel Suswam (PDP – Benue North East) on his part, while calling for the unanimous passage of the appropriations bill by members of the upper chamber, queried the omission of the deficit level of the budget by the committee.

Another lawmaker, Mohammed Sani Musa (APC – Niger East) said, “Looking at what has been appropriated, the Ministry of Defence; and the Armed Forces, most of what they would need has been considered in this budget.

“And, if there’s no security in this country, the whole of this budget is as good as nothing.

“So, this is a challenge to the Armed Forces of this country, that we at the National Assembly have done the needful. We must design a way to protect lives and properties,” Musa said.

The Senate, after approving the Votes and Proceedings for Monday, December 21, 2020, adjourned plenary till January 26, 2021.

The post UPDATED: National Assembly passes N13.58trn budget for 2021 appeared first on Frontpageng.

The meeting which was presided over by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan was attended by Ministers of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, Labour, Chris Ngige, the Accountant General of the Federation represented the Finance Minister and the Executive Secretary of the National University Commission, NUC.

The meeting was later expanded to include the leaders of ASUU who on Monday had an extensive discussion with the Senate leadership on the controversy bordering on enrollment on the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, IPPIS.

In his opening remarks, the Senate President said the continued closure of universities on the flip-side posed a security threat which on the long run would affect Nigeria adversely.

“The strike by ASUU is an ill-wind that does no one any good. Our children are home, whereas they should be in school.

“We cannot watch the situation deteriorate. This is beyond education as it borders on security as well, and the future of this country is going to be affected adversely as it is.

“So, we feel we should engage with the executive arm of government to hear out what they have to say. This is with the firm belief that we would find a solution to this problem.

“We are convinced that when we sit together, we will understand ourselves. And it is in the best interest of us all that we resolve this issue.

“I told ASUU yesterday and I’ll repeat it here, that it has to be a win-win situation. ASUU cannot get just what they are asking for because it is simply unrealistic, and government cannot hold back and not do anything.

“Something has to give by virtue of horse trading and accommodation; some kind of understanding has to be reached so that ASUU goes back to work and our universities reopened,” Lawan appealed.

The post IPPIS: Senate dialogues with ASUU, govt again over closure of varsities appeared first on Frontpageng.

The resolution was reached sequel to the adoption of the recommendations of the report of the Joint Committee on Finance; Appropriations; National Planning and Economic Affairs; and Petroleum Resources (Upstream).

Accordingly, the Upper chamber, while adopting the recommendations of the Joint Committee during plenary, resolved that the National Assembly, upon agreement with the Executive arm of Government, would cut the Appropriation Act 2020.

The Senate, while urging revenue generating agencies to live up to their responsibility in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act passed by the National Assembly, said that both chambers would continue to engage the executive on a regular basis in line with their mandate.

Chairman of the Joint Committee, Senator Olamilekan Adeola (APC – Lagos West), while presenting the report, disclosed that the panel in reaching the proposed recommendations took into consideration the cost of production of a barrel of crude oil compared with the other counterparts in the petroleum producing countries; the need to prioritise both the social and the real sector of the economy looking at their importance to the overall benefit of Nigeria; loss of revenue as a result of gas flaring which runs into several billions of dollars; devaluation of Naira, and removal of oil subsidy.

According to the lawmaker, “the short term solution is to address the sharp drop in the crude oil price which is creating difficulties in funding the 2020 Appropriation Act as passed by the National Assembly.

“The long term solution discussed is the need to consider and pass the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which is yet to be laid before the National Assembly.

“This will address the issue of cost of production and gas flaring where the country’s resources is going down the drain and other issues that might affect the petroleum sector.”

The post Oil price crash: NASS, Executive to cut down N10.59trn budget for 2020 appeared first on Frontpageng.

The announcement came following a point of order raised by the Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi, during plenary over rising concerns on the spread of the dreaded Coronavirus (COVID – 19) disease which has led to the crash of several markets across the world.

Consequently, the joint committee constituted include: Senate Committees on Finance; National Planning; Appropriation, and Petroleum (Upstream).

Abdullahi (APC – Kebbi North) had earlier prevailed on the upper chamber in view of the price crash of crude “to hope for the best but prepare for the worst.”

“Our committees should be prepared so that whatever happens, we hope this crisis does not last for long, but if it does, we have to be prepared,” the lawmaker urged.

He said that the joint committee should come up with workable strategies that would be harmonized with those of the Executive arm of government with a view to stemming the impact of the oil price crash on the economy.

In his remarks, President of the Senate said, “The issue of the current situation affecting the entire world, and the second we are suffering from today is the crash in the price of crude.

“We passed the Fiscal Strategy Paper and MTEF, and subsequently the budget, on the benchmark price of $57 per barrel. Today, that price has crashed to $31 USD there about, and we don’t know where this will stop.

“And of course, the economy of our country depends rightly on the export of crude.

“Now, this is a real situation that is starring us in the face. As a parliament, we need to be proactive and up-to-date with the situation, so that we are also able to take a decision when it matter for us to do so.”

“Therefore, I will suggest here, that in order for this Senate to be proactive and to protect whatever will be the situation for Nigeria to implement the budget in a way and manner that will positively affect the lives of our citizens, we form a joint committee.

“This joint committee will continue to engage with people in government, as well as people outside of government, so as to be abreast with all necessary information.

“The committee will engage with the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, and any other ministries that you feel you need to have engagement with for you to have information,” Lawan added.

The post Oil price crash: Senate constitutes joint committee to engage Executive appeared first on Frontpageng.

Lawan made the declaration while reacting to insinuations that the National Assembly would be a rubber stamp of the Executive under his leadership.

He said his leadership would encourage a relationship that would promote mutual respect, collaboration and partnership in order to move the country forward, it would still challenge the Executive when necessary.

He spoke, according to his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mohammed Isa, on Friday in Abuja when addressing a group, Women Parliamentarians.

The group was led by Senator Joy Emordi.

His words:  “During my campaign, I was called a potential rubber stamp Senate President to the executive; maybe because I am close to the President, or because I believe in his cause.

“There is no time that I will ever be a rubber stamp. Yes, I believe in President Buhari as a person and I believe in my party, the APC, but I believe that our problems as Nigerians are Nigerian problems.

“They are neither APC nor PDP problems, they are Nigerian problems, that require Nigerian solution. So, we have to work together.

“We will be there for the executive arm of government all the time in moving this country forward.

“We are going to challenge the executive in a manner that is decent but decisive.

“As a Minister, you have to do your ministerial job well. We will make government appointees to do what is required of them.

“We have to deal with the issues confronting us. It is not going to be easy, but we have to build a relationship that have mutual respect, collaboration and partnership. It is achievable.

“We are not here for self-serving. We came here with a lot of experiences to impact positively in our country. We are here and we will remain focused to make this government work.”

Speaking on the need for women to participate in politics, he said the onus was on them to explore the opportunities available.

Said he:  “The political space in the country is wide enough to accommodate our women, but the ball is in their court to take the advantages.”

The leader of the group, Emordi, urged the new leadership of the National Assembly to improve the situation in the country for the benefit of the people in general.

She said apart from encouraging good relationship between the Executive and Legislative arms of government, the group was interested in encouraging the participation of women in politics.

The post NASS will challenge Executive in a decent but decisive manner -Lawan appeared first on Frontpageng.