News
U.S. House still in turmoil with no speaker elected on 2nd day of voting
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
News
Residents Repel Bandit Attack in Sokoto, Neutralise One Assailant
Residents Repel Bandit Attack in Sokoto, Neutralise One Assailant
By: Zagazola Makama
Residents of Achida community in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State have successfully repelled a bandit attack, in what has been described as a rare display of coordinated community self-defence.
Security and local sources said the incident occurred when armed bandits stormed the community, but were met with stiff resistance from residents and local vigilante groups who mobilised quickly to confront the attackers.
The villagers reportedly engaged the assailants directly, forcing them to retreat after a brief confrontation.
During the encounter, one of the suspected bandits was neutralised by the community defence group, while others fled with possible injuries.
The sources commended the courage and unity of the residents, particularly the vigilante members, for their swift response in defending their community against the attack.
Security authorities are expected to continue patrols and follow-up operations in the area to prevent further incidents and track fleeing suspects.
Residents Repel Bandit Attack in Sokoto, Neutralise One Assailant
News
COAS Commissions Health Centre in Imo Under Intervention Project
COAS Commissions Health Centre in Imo Under Intervention Project
By: Zagazola Makama
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. W. Shaibu, has commissioned the Umuhu-Okabia Health Centre in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State as part of the Nigerian Army Intervention Projects.
The COAS was represented at the event on April 22 by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division and Commander, Joint Task Force South-East Operation UDO KA, Maj.-Gen. O.A. Fadairo.
Security sources said the commissioning ceremony was well attended by dignitaries, including the representative of the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs (Army), Maj.-Gen. V.D. Beryo, and the Chief Host, Maj.-Gen. K.O. Ukandu, alongside royal fathers and other invited guests.
The newly commissioned health facility is part of the Nigerian Army’s civil-military cooperation initiatives aimed at improving access to basic healthcare services in local communities.
COAS Commissions Health Centre in Imo Under Intervention Project
News
Troops Rescue Kidnap Victim in Edo During Search Operation
Troops Rescue Kidnap Victim in Edo During Search Operation
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation MESA, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police, local vigilantes and hunters, have rescued a kidnapped civilian in Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.
Security sources said the troops, deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Udomi, responded to credible intelligence at about 9:00 a.m. on April 21 regarding the abduction of a civilian in the Amendokhian general area.
The troops immediately launched a search-and-rescue operation and successfully secured the release of the victim.
The victim has since been reunited with family members, while efforts are ongoing to track down and apprehend the perpetrators.
Troops Rescue Kidnap Victim in Edo During Search Operation
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