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U.S. House still in turmoil with no speaker elected on 2nd day of voting

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U.S. House still in turmoil with no speaker elected on 2nd day of voting

The U.S. House of Representatives remained in turmoil with no speaker elected on the second day of voting.

House members voted on Wednesday night to adjourn until noon Thursday, prolonging a historical political stalemate that has paralysed the lower chamber.

U.S. Congressman, Kevin McCarthy, a Republican from California, failed to secure enough votes three times earlier in the day due to intra-party division.

House members voted three times on Tuesday the opening day of the divided 118th Congress, but McCarthy fell short of the necessary votes to be the next speaker.

It was the first time a House speaker who maintained order, managed its proceedings, and governed the administration of its business on the lower chamber’s floor hadn’t been elected on the first ballot in 100 years.

The 435-seat House will have to vote until a speaker is elected with a majority of votes.

Before that, members cannot be sworn in and committees cannot be formed with the rest of the business stalled.

U.S. Congresswoman, Elissa Slotkin, a Michigan Democrat, tweeted that the infighting “isn’t just a shame for Republicans, it’s bad for the entire country.”

U.S. President, Joe Biden, a Democrat, reacted to the political drama surrounding the House speakership vote on Wednesday morning.

According to him, it’s embarrassing the way it’s taking so long.

“How do you think this looks to the rest of the world?

“It’s not a good look. It’s not a good thing,” Biden told reporters at the White House before leaving for Hebron, Kentucky.

McCarthy has the support of most House Republicans and former U.S. President, Donald Trump.

But a handful of hardliners have opposed his bid to lead the conference by arguing that he is insufficiently conservative while refusing to decentralise the speaker’s power.

The House has elected a speaker 127 times since 1789.

There have been 14 instances of speaker elections requiring multiple ballots.

Thirteen of 14 multiple-ballot elections occurred before the Civil War, when party divisions were more nebulous, according to Congressional historians.

The last time a speaker election required two or more votes on the floor happened in 1923.

Harvard legal scholar, Laurence Tribe, tweeted on Wednesday that the House of Representatives, unlike the Senate, was not a continuing body.

“It must reassemble itself without full constitutional authority every two years, like someone rebuilding a ship on the open seas.

“But when the voyage is this rough, that’s a sign of dysfunction,” Tribe said.

All House Democrats have voted for Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat, to be the speaker.

Though it’s unlikely for Jeffries to attain the position, he is set to become the first African American lawmaker to lead a party in either chamber of the U.S. Congress.

Republicans flipped the House in the 2022 midterm elections while Democrats held onto their majority in the Senate.

The new Congress convened for the first time on Tuesday, with U.S. Vice President, Kamala Harris, presiding over the opening of the 100-people upper chamber in which Democrats control 51 seats versus 49 for Republicans.

Chuck Schumer from New York and Mitch McConnell from Kentucky remain the Senate majority leader and minority leader, respectively.

U.S. House still in turmoil with no speaker elected on 2nd day of voting

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Nigeria Sympathizes with Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti on Devastation of Hurricane Melissa

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Nigeria Sympathizes with Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti on Devastation of Hurricane Melissa

By: Michael Olugbode

Nigeria has sympathized with the governments of Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica over the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa that ravaged the countries.

A statement on Sunday by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa read: “The Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria have received with profound sorrow and deep sympathy the news of the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa on our sister nations, the Republic of Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica.

“The images and reports emerging from the countries, detailing widespread destruction, severe flooding, and the tragic loss of lives and livelihoods, are truly heart-wrenching. Nigeria stands in solidarity with the governments and the resilient peoples of Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica during this period of immense adversity and destruction.

“We commend the swift and courageous efforts of the national emergency response teams in both countries, who are working tirelessly under extremely challenging conditions to provide relief and save lives.

“In the spirit of South-South cooperation and the enduring bonds of friendship and solidarity that Nigeria shares with the nations of the Caribbean, the Federal Government of Nigeria extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a full and speedy recovery to the injured.

“The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria calls upon the international community and our partner organisations to rally in support of Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica, and to provide all necessary assistance to help these nations in their urgent recovery and rebuilding efforts.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Government and people of the Republic of Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica.”

Nigeria Sympathizes with Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti on Devastation of Hurricane Melissa

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NCYP Urges Tinubu, Northern Governors to Safeguard Inter-Religious Peace After U.S. CPC Designation

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NCYP Urges Tinubu, Northern Governors to Safeguard Inter-Religious Peace After U.S. CPC Designation

By: Michael Mike

The Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure that Nigeria’s recent designation by the United States as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) does not degenerate into religious tension or undermine peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims, especially in the northern region.

Reacting to the public response that followed the announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump, NCYP called for calm and constructive dialogue, warning that while international engagement is important, neglecting domestic dialogue would be a costly mistake.

The group noted that public reactions on social media already underscore the urgent need for local engagement in order to prevent the situation from escalating into inter-religious misunderstanding or violence.

The group, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Isaac Abrak, said: “We recalled that Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah and NCYP had earlier appealed to the U.S. Government not to list Nigeria as a CPC, warning that such a move could “undermine the delicate interfaith dialogue and reconciliation efforts built over the years.” Unfortunately President Trump has still gone ahead and listed Nigeria, as such we must not allow this fear to turn into reality.

“While we commend President Tinubu for his inclusive approach to governance and his ongoing efforts to address insecurity, the NCYP stresses that more must be done to protect innocent lives—Christian, Muslim, or otherwise—and to strengthen national unity.

“NCYP must also express our concern that many northern governors have remained silent on this matter, as this is ia clarion call to the Northern Governors Forum, led by Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, to work closely with the President and stakeholders in preserving the budding peace between the two faiths, particularly in flashpoint areas.

“Finally, NCYP reaffirmed its commitment to promoting unity, tolerance, and peace across Nigeria.”

NCYP Urges Tinubu, Northern Governors to Safeguard Inter-Religious Peace After U.S. CPC Designation

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Buni appoints Dr. Bulama as the new program manager for livestock in Yobe

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Buni appoints Dr. Bulama as the new program manager for livestock in Yobe

By: Yahaya Wakili

Governor Mai Mala Buni CON, COMN, of Yobe State, has appointed Dr. Bulama Maina Yaro as the new program manager of the Yobe State pilot livestock development program.

The appointment letter was signed by the Acting Head of Service, Alhaji Abdullahi Shehu, who revealed that the appointment takes immediate effect.

Governor Buni urged the new program manager to bring his wealth of experience, dedication, and professionalism to bear in advancing the objectives of the livestock development program in Yobe State.

According to Governor Buni, the Yobe state government remains committed to the sustainable transformation of the livestock.

He revealed that, in line with its broader agenda for agricultural development and economic diversification.

Buni appoints Dr. Bulama as the new program manager for livestock in Yobe

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