Okun Nation Advocacy Group Slams Senator Karimi Over Proposed Universities
SENATOR KARIMI’S JIGGERY-POKERY ON PROPOSED FEDERAL UNIVERSITIES, AND OTHER MATTERS.
Having read, observed, and carefully monitored opinions of the good people of Okun Nation, since Senator Sunday Karimi gave “updates” about the proposed Federal University of Agriculture, Kabba; Federal University of Nursing and Medical Sciences, Egbe; and other matters, we are compelled, as a responsive advocacy group for realistic development across the country; particularly in Okun Land to address these issues.
No doubt, Karimi’s statement is nothing but an attempt to confuse, hoodwink, and manipulate many unsuspecting people about the true state of things. Clearly, it is deceitful, dishonest, and deceptive.
His reason for the delay in presenting for Third Reading, the Bill for the Establishment of the Federal University of Agriculture, Kabba, which has already been PASSED by the House of Representatives is NOT TRUE. That he is waiting for the Senate’s concurrence before doing the needful is the height of non-ingenious manipulation. Different checks at relevant departments in the National Assembly have exposed this as grossly untrue, and outright falsehood.
QUESTION
Why deliberately DELAY the presentation of a Bill that has gone through all the rudiments of legislative inquisition?
Why the delay, since; in the spirit of “legislative camaraderie” Bills passed in either Chambers are not subjected to undue delays for passage, when it gets to the floor of either Chamber?
Why the delay, when as it is, the Bill for the establishment of the Federal University of Agriculture, Kabba; having been passed in the House, will take shorter time to be passed in the Senate?
Why the delay, as findings revealed that the Bill for the establishment of the Federal University of Nursing and Medical Sciences, Egbe, will take much longer time. As it is, it has not been passed by the Senate; it will still have to pass through the House of Representatives for passage.
So, what is this talk about concurrence?
It can be described as infantile hogwash, and bickerish. Nothing but puerile attempt to dubiously deceive people. Some have even concluded that this could be Karimi’s plot to deliberately DELAY the passage of the Federal University of Agriculture, Kabba Bill to pave the way for that of Federal University of Nursing and Medical Sciences, Egbe.
Fact. Following the efforts of Hon. Idris Salman (and other like-minded people) the House of Representatives PASSED the Bill within one year. Recall that the same Bill was PASSED in the 9th Assembly by the House of Representatives. What Salman did was to follow legislative procedures which fast tracked the process.
Fact. Despite political differences, Senator Smart Adeyemi, and Hon. TJ Yusuf, leveraged on their respective goodwill and network, which led to the Bill making Third Reading (in the Senate), and Passed (in the House) in the 9th Assembly.
Fact. According to legislative rules on the passage of Bills, what Karimi ought to do is to present the Bill for Third Reading in the Senate; which will be expeditiously passed since the same Bill has been Passed in the House.
Fact. Legislative proceedings on the Bill for Federal University of Agriculture, Kabba, and the Bill for Federal University of Nursing and Medical Sciences, Egbe can be pursued independently at the same time. From our findings, there is no parliamentary rule(s) that compels any Senator to stay action on any Bill for the other.
Fact. Procedural actions on one do not (and cannot) affect the other. No laws in the Senate stops Karimi from pushing the Bill for the Federal University of Agriculture, Kabba, for Third Reading, and as well do the same with the Bill for the establishment of the Federal University of Nursing and Medical Sciences, Egbe.
Fact. From findings, Karimi’s claim that he is working for the Senate’s concurrence of the two Bills is the apogee of falsehood, trickery, and tongue-follery.
From the foregoing, we can rightly conclude that Karimi’s statement was a bogus, inglorious and shameless attempts to sweet-talk, and manipulate the people of Okun Nation towards believing that he is “working” for their good. Nothing can be farther than this. That he had to recourse to telling lies, and no-truths about legislative procedures speaks volumes about his desperation.
That Karimi, who is in the National Assembly for the 3rd time (as Rep. and now Senator) is still grappling with legislative procedures is baffling. That Salman; though a first-termer) was able to ensure the passage of the same Bill (in the House) within two years, calls for concerns. Also, that Hon. Leke Abejide have been able to speed up some Bills, in record time, equally generates curiosity about Karimi’s true intentions about the two Bills.
Going forward, since the Bill for the establishment of the Federal University of Nursing and Medical Sciences, Egbe will still come to the House of Representatives for further legislative interrogation, it is imperative to advise Karimi to reach out to Abejide, and Salman for necessary support and guidance.
Perhaps, Karimi is hoping to use underhanded ploys, and under-the-table gimmicks for cheap political gains in the near future. Let it be known that, deploying any of these theatrics will be met with very robust disapproval by the people of Okun Land.
We commend Karimi for rolling out his achievements for Kogi West in almost two years.
However, as a lawmaker and politician, who has been on the turf for about two decades, it will be appropriate if more details are included. Presenting bullet points without narratives will surely generate curiosity, and raise doubts among constituents.
Providing lists of beneficiary schools, communities, towns, LGAs, and more will attract some measures of believability and credibility.
Finally, we wish to state that, this statement is not meant to ridicule Senator Karimi but to ensure that the right message is given; by our Leaders on any issue, and everytime.
Signed
Ayo Oloruntoba – President
Moses Medule – Deputy President
Olaniyi Ibitayo – Secretary
For: Okun Network for Leadership and Governance
