The President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has advocated for a significant rebranding of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, suggesting the country be renamed ‘The United States of Nigeria.’

The proposal was made public through a statement by his Special Adviser on Industrialisation, Prof. Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, following a lecture Adesina delivered where he received the 2024 Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership.

In his lecture titled ‘Making a New Nigeria: Welfarist Policies and People-Centred Development,’ Adesina articulated his vision for a transformed national identity that reflects a more decentralized governance structure.

He argued that renaming the country would fundamentally shift the perception of the relationship between Nigeria’s states and the central government in Abuja.

According to Adesina, this new nomenclature would position the states as pivotal entities within the federation, with the central government playing a supportive rather than a domineering role.

He said, “We must be audacious! Instead of the Federal Government of Nigeria, we could think of the United States of Nigeria. The old would give way to the new.

“We would change the relational mindset between the states and Abuja: the fulcrum would be the states, while the centre would support them, not lord over them.

“With good governance, better accountability systems, and zero tolerance for corruption, more economically stronger constituent states would emerge! We would unleash massive wealth across the states. A New Nigeria would arise! To do so, we will need all of us, not some of us.

“From our forgotten rural villages to our boisterous and dynamic urban areas. From the sparks of desire in the eyes of our children to the lingering hope in the hearts of our youths.

“From the yearnings of our women and mothers and our men and fathers for a better tomorrow, and the desires of the old that our end would be better than our past. From the hardworking street vendors and small businesses to the largest business conglomerates, we must create a movement of hope.

“The achievement of economically viable entities and the viability of the national entity requires constitutional changes to devolve more economic and fiscal powers to the states or regions. The stronger the states or regions, the stronger the federated units.”

Adesina reiterated that to get out of the economic quagmire, there is a compelling need for the restructuring of Nigeria, saying restructuring should not be driven by political expediency but by economic and financial viability.

A former Deputy National Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Yekini Nabena, has alleged that the ruling party has failed Nigerians.

In an interview with Sunday Sun, Nabena lamented that the APC failed in its promises to Nigerians when it sought to take over power from the People’s Democratic Party in 2015.

According to Nabena, the current exchange rate under the administration of President Bola Tinubu confirms that the ruling party has failed.

The APC chieftain, reacting to the state of things under his party’s leadership, said, “Sincerely speaking, and if I should tell you the truth, based on the propaganda and the tension we gave the PDP, I thought that all our promises were supposed to have come to reality.

“If we base our judgment on the promises we gave Nigerians, I will say that we have really failed the country. We didn’t keep any part of the promises. For example, even the incumbent was part of the promise we gave to Nigerians in 2015 that we would make the exchange rate one dollar to one naira. The current exchange rate confirms that we have failed the country.

“Based on other indices and campaign promises we have failed to keep, I will admit that we have failed Nigerians, just like the PDP failed for the 16 years it was in charge, starting from 1999 to 2015. There is no difference between PDP and APC in terms of failing Nigeria.

“Yes, the current administration is still less than one year old, but we may have to wait to see if they can perform magic. My concern is that the same strong forces and elements against the government are all still there. They are the same people that feel that the government belongs to them. They are the same strong and greedy elements that feel that they must always be in the corridors of power.”

Several passengers aboard a Toyota Hi-Ace bus narrowly avoided death on Saturday evening, when an Iveco truck, heavily laden with bags of cattle horns, overturned and fell on their vehicle at the Iyana-Ipaja area of Lagos State.

Naija News reports that the accident, which took place around 6:30 pm, was attributed to the truck driver’s reckless driving and excessive speeding.

The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA), Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyitolu, confirmed the incident.

He further detailed that LASEMA’s response team was quickly deployed to the scene from the Igando Base, arriving by 0603 hrs to facilitate road recovery efforts and ensure the normalization of traffic flow.

“Further investigation at the scene of the incident revealed that the accident occurred due to the truck driver’s reckless driving, which led to the truck falling sideways and hitting the Toyota Hi-Ace bus in the process,” Oke-Osanyitolu stated.

Despite the severity of the accident, he noted that the truck driver and his assistant fled the scene, and thankfully, no fatalities were reported.

Several passengers from the Hi-Ace bus sustained minor injuries in the collision and were transported to a nearby hospital for medical attention.

The emergency response teams undertook the task of transloading the cargo, consisting of bags of cattle horns, into another truck to clear the roadblock and resume the free flow of traffic.

Nollywood actor cum pastor, Yul Edochie, has contended that for many people, the main issue is not prayers but money.

Sharing his thoughts in a post via his Instagram page on Saturday, the actor urged his followers to go beyond prayers and provide practical aid instead.

According to Edochie, countless individuals face real-life challenges and need urgent help that extends beyond spiritual solace.

He wrote, “Many people don’t need prayers; they just need money. Give people money whenever you can. Lots of people need help.”

Meanwhile, Yul, who hosts online church services, posted on his social media timeline, emphasizing that not all deities are evil.

The actor advised his fans and followers against destroying shrines and deities.

He further commented that it was the Europeans who convinced individuals to perceive their traditions as evil, allowing them to forsake their cultural heritage and embrace European customs, which ultimately facilitated the practice of slavery.

The actor encouraged his fans to embrace their culture, noting that many deities also acknowledge God.

Yul wrote: “Stop burning shrines and deities. Not all deities are evil. Oyibo convinced us that all our ways are evil, so we could discard our ways & embrace theirs, making slavery easy.

“We need to wake up & start embracing our traditions. Many deities acknowledge God Almighty. Bringing them could bring you perpetual trouble. If you don’t understand something, leave it. If it’s not disturbing you, don’t disturb it.“

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, has given the biggest hint yet about the possibility of him dumping the party ahead of the 2027 election season.

He said this during an engagement with his supporters on his Verified X space, hosted by Parallel Facts, yesterday.

The former Amambra State Governor explained that his primary focus, which committed members of the Obidient Movement have bought into; is all about making Nigeria work for all citizens; as such, he refuses to be distracted.

According to him, the contrived crisis in the Labour Party was part of a distractive strategy, which neither he nor his supporters were willing to fall for.

Obi said, “Our engagement is about Nigeria, they are trying to change our focus. What we want to do is not about Labour Party; it is about what the Obidients want to do about Nigeria.

“We are thinking about water, we are thinking about power, we are thinking about employment, thinking about security. That should be our focus.

“The other matter we will deal with. We were somewhere, we didn’t start with Labour.

“I’m a Christian. Jesus said, When you go into a city, try to change them, live with them, fast with them. in the end, you can’t, come out and even wash the sand that is on your shoes.

“He didn’t say go there and die with them. I tell you, I’m making spirited efforts to change them (LP), but I’m not going to die with them.

“That will not stop what we set out to do. We will try to change them (LP), if we can’t, we will leave them; we will not die with them.”

The name of Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, was missing as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, displayed the list of candidates of the 17 political parties that would participate in the September 21 governorship election in the state.

The list was displayed at the state office of the Commission in Benin City notice board and in all INEC offices across the 18 local government areas.

Ighodalo Asuerinme of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Okpebholo Monday of All Progressives Congress (APC), and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party, LP, made the list.

Others are Boot Party (BP), Osirame Edeipo; Accord party (AP), Enabulele Bright; African Democratic Congress (ADC), Obazele Paul Agbone, People Redemption Party (PRP), Key Ndidi and Young Progressive Party (YPP),Okungbowa Paul Ovbokhan.

The list also showed that Mr Uwaifo Osaro is the governorship candidate of Action Alliance (AA) while the Social Democratic Party (SDP) had Aner Abdullai Aliu. New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) had Azena Azemhe Friday and the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) had Osifo Isiah as its candidate.

Others are the All People Movement (APM), Ugiagbe Odaro Syvelster; All Peoples Party (APP), Areleogbe Amos Osalumese; Action Democratic Party (ADP), Akhime kingson Afere; African Action Congress (AAC) Udoh Obersifo David and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Akhalamhe Amiemenoghena.

The state INEC head of voters education and publicity, Timidi Wariowei, said that the pasting of the particulars was in line with the electoral law, noting that parties and the public can now view the particulars of the candidates and their running mates.

The Nigerian Communications Commission has directed telecommunication companies to extend the disconnection of telephone lines not linked to National Identification Numbers from April 15, 2024, to July 31, 2024.

A reliable source within the telecommunication sector disclosed this information to our correspondent on Saturday.

This decision communicated via a letter to telcos came after a careful consideration of various challenges and requests for extensions.

The source said, “So, this particular extension from 15th April to 31st July is for those who have four SIMs linked to just one phone line.”

The disconnection process, which began in February, was rolled out in three phases. The first occurred on February 28, 2024, followed by the second phase on Friday, March 29, 2024.

Originally scheduled for April 15, 2024, the third phase has now been rescheduled to commence on July 31, 2024.

During the initial deadline on February 28, 2024, the industry regulator said about 40 million lines not linked to NINs were barred.

The source said while the exact number of lines affected by Friday’s deadline remains unclear, telecom companies are expected to proceed with disconnecting lines not linked with NINs.

Telecom operators are expected to prioritize the verification of existing subscribers over new ones during this extended period.

The federal government has promised to reciprocate any treatments meted on Air Peace on its recently launched Lagos-London route.

Festus Keyamo, the minister of aviation and aerospace development in an interview during the Air Peace Lagos-London inaugural flight ceremony at the Murtala Muhammed International, Airport, Lagos on Friday said if any country or airline introduce obstacles to frustrate Air Peace’s operations, then Nigeria will also introduce theirs.

“If they introduce subtle obstacles to frustrate Air Peace, then we will introduce ours too. We must reciprocate,” Keyamo said.

Chris Najomo, the acting Director-General Civil Aviation (ADGCA), said that for indigenous airlines to succeed on any international routes, it was necessary for the government to adopt the Fly Nigeria Act for public officials.

Also, he promised that the NCAA would support Air Peace and other indigenous airlines to succeed on international routes unlike in the past.

“It is expected. It has been there even when I used to fly for Arik Air when the airline was going to London. It was there (aeropolitics). Now, because there is a Nigeria carrier on that route, we have given them 21 frequencies. This is just the beginning.

“It will be there and they will bring all sorts of ways to be able to cripple them, but I want to use this opportunity to tell the Federal Government to make a policy that Nigerians, government officials must fly Air Peace. That is my say here. I want the Federal Government to tell Nigerians “Fly Air Peace to London.”

The minister earlier stated that with Air Peace inaugural flight to London, there is passenger comfort especially as regards Nigerian food served onboard.

According to the minister, beyond passenger comfort, there will be competitive prices on international route.

“We are seeing that already. Other airlines have opened up their lower fare tickets to Nigerians now because Air Peace has come in. This is a very bullish approach to breaking the monopoly on this route. UK has 21 slots into our country every week. British Airways alone has 14 weekly slots.

“So, Air Peace will compete on this level. The most important one is that there would be no problem of trapped funds because it is a local company that will not have to repatriate money through the CBN. With the airlines that come to Nigeria; what we experience is massive repatriation of funds that puts pressure on the naira because they have to seek for dollars to repatriate from the sale of tickets.

“So, it eases the pressure on the naira because this is a Nigerian company that deals in naira. The only problem is that they still have to go abroad to do their aircraft maintenance. One of our major focus is to bring in the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MROs) into Nigeria. The key to unlocking this country is to ensure that the facilities come into the county as quickly as possible,” Keyamo explained.

Allen Onyema, the Chairman, Air Peace, said that Nigerian airlines required massive government support from the government, especially in the area of equipment acquisition for operators.

Onyema said that Air Peace was not new to international operations.

“Air Peace at present operates to China, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and other regional routes. This is just a six -hour flight. A piece of cake. Air Peace flies to China on Wednesdays, 14 hours going and 14 hours coming back, no issues. We have 28 hours of flying in one day and half. Air Peace flies to India every week. 12 hours going, 13 hours coming back, no issues.

“Air Peace undertakes 160 hours of flying within this country everyday for the past seven years without blemish. What is a six-hour flight? It is a nonstarter.”

Air Peace operated its inaugural flight to London with Boeing 777-300 aircraft. The route would be serviced daily from Lagos.

Senator Seriake Dickson representing Bayelsa West said some very important personalities (VIPs) from Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, are behind oil theft in Niger Delta.

Dickson stated this in an interview on Channels Television on Friday.

The two-term governor of Bayelsa State said the official system and oil companies are beneficiaries of oil theft in the Niger Delta.

According to him, there is an absence of national values which makes people to use the nation’s resources for selfish gains.

He said, “People from Abuja and Lagos are the masterminds and the official system is not ignorant and not innocent. The official security system, the official oil system, the official federal system, all of it in its entirety. It’s a powerful system.

“Why should a country like Nigeria that has been producing oil, exporting oil for the past 70 years not have a scientific way of metering, recording what leaves, what is pumped, what is sold and what is not sold? And it’s deliberate.

“It’s not a Niger Delta thing; it’s just happening there and it is unfortunate that it has destroyed communities because there is too much illegal money, illegal arms, illicit drugs and it has fueled cultism because people want to get the loyalties of young people to be able to hold territories where oil facilities are.

“They need weapons and young men that are always high on drugs. You think a man who slaughters and cuts off a man’s head and dismember him is normal? So, those are people who are actively on drugs.”

He said a global consensus should be formed that makes the international community reject stolen crude oil from Nigeria.

Dickson called for strong political will on the part of the government at all levels to stop oil theft.

Oil theft has existent in Nigeria for years with volumes of oil being lifted by in the oil sector without being accounted for.

Recall that in 2022, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited had said it uncovered an illegal oil connection operated for nine years with about 600,000 barrels per day of oil lost in the same period.

About 108,000 barrels of crude are reportedly stolen daily in Nigeria. The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries which Nigeria is a member estimates that the country lost 2.3 million barrels monthly, amounting to over $1 billion monthly.

He Continues To Violate Laws

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara is facing a fresh impeachment threat from the majority members of the State House of Assembly who claimed yesterday that the governor has not relented in breaching critical provisions of the constitution.

The 27 lawmakers are supporters of Fubara’s immediate predecessor, Nyesom Wike, and defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the heat of the first round of hostilities between the governor and Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The legislators, in a communique issued in Port Harcourt yesterday, accused Fubara of jettisoning the terms of the agreement he signed with Wike last December following the peace talks brokered by President Bola Tinubu.

This, they said, includes the non re-presentation of the state budget to the assembly for deliberation.

The lawmakers also took a dig at a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, Dr. Abiye Sekibo and others who, under the auspices of the Former Rivers State PDP Presidential Campaign Council, recently attacked Wike.

The lawmakers said it was laughable that the Secondus group, who worked against the victory of President Tinubu and Fubara in the last elections, could now come out to declare support for the two men and tried to despise and lie against Wike who made the victories possible.

The lawmakers said: “These new arrivals have just landed like hawks. They now want to grab what they spat on but need to be careful of their ranting and utterances against the institution of the legislature and the FCT Minister as they can derail the existing peace in the state.

“The FCT Minister is doing fabulously well in Abuja and should be commended. Rather than looking for advice for Mr. President who we believe knows them very well, should they not be calling on the Governor to learn to abide by the laws of Rivers State and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?

“Should these new self-acclaimed advisers also not be advising the Governor to do the needful so that there can be a smooth transition from the current democratically elected Councils in the State to the next democratically elected Councils and avoid the challenges of attempting the opposite?

“What about advising the Governor to heed to the Peace Agreement he begged for, willingly signed, and has chosen not to abide by some of the terms?

“It is worthy of note that the notice of impeachment of the Governor was quickly withdrawn by members of the House in fulfillment of the terms of the agreement and out of immense respect for the person and office of the President of the Federal Republic and believing that there would be a u-turn in terms of unlawful actions of the Governor.

“The reverse is now the case as we see from the day to day activities of the State Governor being conducted outside the laws of Rivers State and the Constitution.

“To this day, Rivers State remains the only state without an Appropriation Law and the Governor recklessly abandons laws of the state. These new hawks in the scene and all those who are quick to refer to the Governor as ‘Mr. Innocent’ will not go and advise him.

“They prefer to hold talk shows, organize rallies, hold press conferences and announce that the House commenced impeachment proceedings against the Governor for no just cause but fail to ask the Governor if he has not been informed of the particulars of gross misconduct leveled against him or at least read them when they were filed in Court in response to his petition.

“They must not forget that the Rivers State House of Assembly has the mandate of the people and that we swore an oath of allegiance to the Constitution to do the needful including the Impeachment of the Governor as a last resort.

“So, if it becomes a last resort, in accordance with the law, we will not hesitate to do so, because no individual is bigger than Rivers State, including the Governor.

“We assure the good people of Rivers State that we remain undeterred in our service to our fatherland and no number of threats including those of violence against us just like they attacked the Speaker’s residence will make us abandon our constitutional mandate to make laws for the good governance of our dear State.

“Efforts to utilize misguided individuals and attack dogs to spew lies against the House or misinform the populace with the intention of bringing the House to disrepute has only succeeded in strengthening our resolve to represent our people even better by focusing on our job and ignoring their distractions.”

The lawmakers recalled how they survived sponsored attacks on the House from persons they described as enemies of the people and those who could not withstand the principles of the rule of law “as well as checks and balances in our nascent democracy”.

They said such democratic forces out of their frustration started with the burning and later demolition of the Hallowed Chamber insisting that their plot was to eliminate the legislature for pushing for the independence granted her by the Constitution.

The lawmakers said: “We survived these attacks. Their new strategy is to use another arm of government, lobbyists, attack dogs and the mainstream and social media to bring the House to disrepute and consummate their agenda. In this regard, various individuals, groups, media mercenaries have been recruited to actualize their objectives”

The lawmakers described the Secondus group under the auspices of Former Rivers State Presidential Campaign Council as the latest of the new groups recruited against the 10th Assembly.

They said: “In a press conference on the 26th of March 2024 signed by Dr. Abiye Sekibo, this group inferred that the House is an illegal and unconstitutional Assembly. Others in this group are the likes of Rt. Hon. Austin Opara, Senator Lee Maeba and Prince Uche Secondus. Hon. Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja, Sir Celestine Omehia, amongst others.

“They are among these desperate politicians who left their houses and gathered under a canopy with H.E. Atiku Abubakar and H.E. Ifeanyi Okowa’s pictures on a banner behind them professing their new support for Mr. President and the Rivers State Governor.

“On the other hand, they derided the 10th Assembly who they are unhappy with for joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) which incidentally is the President’s political party. Worse still, they lied against and attacked the FCT Minister who worked tirelessly for the victory of the President and the Governor in Rivers State.

“In other words, they are against those who defeated them and put them to shame by ensuring the victory of the President and Governor in the State, but they now “subscribe” to the President and Governor. What a weak strategy from a group who think they are smart!

“The good people of Rivers State know who they truly are. Our constituents will not forget in a hurry how they fought against the candidature of the current Governor and Mr. President during the elections. We are not surprised that they are no more saying all the unprintable things against the President and the Governor because this is who they are.

“They now want to advise the President and use unprintable words against the former Governor of Rivers State- His Excellency, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike CON. GSSRS. Life Bencher who God used to unite and transform Rivers State to enviable heights.

“Their new game plan is to blackmail Mr. President with “oil production and OPEC Quota”. This is the end game for them. What a shame!

“They said in their statement that they now support the Renewed Hope Agenda and we are not against it. However, can they be trusted going by their past actions? Is it not a ploy to deceive the President, gain rewards and milestones as usual and later fight back after discrediting their old benefactor – the FCT Minister?

“Time will tell, but we must keep in mind that they vowed ‘never to serve master and later boy’ and campaigned that the President was unqualified, not healthy enough and unfit for the job.

“We were inundated by the sad commentaries and speeches of their spokesperson in the media against the President, Governor, and those of us who stood by the President and Governor”.

The lawmakers vowed to make a positive difference in legislation, oversight functions and effective representation.

“Several Bills that are in the interest of the State have succeeded so far and resolutions passed with the objective of making things better. As we push to meet or surpass the yearnings and aspirations of our constituents, we are focused on our avowed goal of legislative oversight for the betterment of the good people of Rivers State”, they said.

They asked the President to ignore the group which they branded as hawks, saying in due time, such individuals would reveal their true intentions.

They said: “We remain very prayerful and ever supportive of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President’s government. We toiled day and night while these hawks called us names as we canvassed for votes for Mr. President from unit to unit, ward to ward and LGA to LGA.

“Today, we have happily joined our progressive party with the intention of supporting Mr. President and further protecting what we worked for- his mandate.

“No amount of blackmail would derail the resolve of this 10th Assembly to support Mr. President, his government and especially the son of Rivers State that is making us proud as the FCT-Minister- His Excellency, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike.

“We also call on Nigerians to give Mr President’s efforts at economic recovery and improved life all the support that it deserves.

“Finally, we assure the good people of Rivers State of our commitment to stand up for them and urge them to remain prayerful against tyranny and dictatorship in the state because we believe that as agents of positive change, things can be better in the State if the rule of law prevails and there is mutual respect for and from all arms of government and institutions”.

The 27 lawmakers, who signed the document are Martin Amaewhule, Dumle Mail, Jack Major, Somiari-Stewart Linda, Franklin Nwabochi, Ofiks, Kabang Christopher, Azeru Okpara, Opuende Isaiah, Tekenari Granville, Adoki Smart, Wami Solomon, Enemi Alabo, Igwe Aforji, Prince Nyeche, Emilia Amadi and Enyinna Sylvanus.

Others are Ezekwe Ijeoma, Abbey Peter, Arnold Davis, Barile Nwakoh, Onwuka Obenachi, Arnold Davids, Gerald Oforji, Ngbar Bernard, Emeji Mgbechukwu, John Iderema, Tony-Wiliams Uwuma and Chimezie Nwankwo.

Councillor, SDP candidate declare support for Fubara in Rivers

The Leader of Ahoada East Legislative Assembly, Bernard ThankGod Unwhe, has declared support for Governor Fubara in the face off with Wike.

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate in the 2023 election for Ahoada East Constituency in the State House of Assembly, MacSunday Ugwu, has also dumped his party to identify with the governor.

Unwhe and Ugwu revealed their new camps during a meeting presided over by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr Edison Ehie, at Government House, Port Harcourt.

The two leaders in the area were accompanied to the meeting by the former councillor representing Ahoada East Ward 11, Daniel Igbudu.

A statement signed by Fubara’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Nelson Chukwudi, said the Managing Director, Rivers State Signage and Advertising Agency (RISAA), Aye Pepple, was also present at the meeting.

Pepple was also a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly between 2007 and 2015 and represented Bonny State Constituency.

Fubara, in a broadcast last December had pledged his commitment to implementing the eight -point peace agreement.

He said the implementation would be done without compromising the collective interest of the people and democratic values.

He said as a principal participant in the saga, he had taken some time to study the terms of the proclamation and had come to the conclusion that the peace pact was not as bad as it might be portrayed by those opposed to it.

Fubara said the peace accord “is not a death sentence”, but an opportunity to achieve the needed stability in the state, adding that both sides of the divide have so far demonstrated some goodwill towards the implementation of the agreement.

He said while the Martin Amaewhule led Assembly which is loyal to Wike had withdrawn the impeachment notice, his government had also released the withheld allowance of the State House of Assembly.

However, signs that renewed hostilities might break out between the governor’s camp and that of Wike reared their heads recently when the State Assembly passed into law the repealed House of Assembly Service Commission Bill, overriding the power of the governor

The law as repealed took away the power to appoint the chairman and members of the State House of Assembly Service Commission from the governor and vested it in the Assembly.

Fubara’s Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, criticized the assembly for the action and said it lacked power to do what it did.