Legislature

National Assembly Unseals Natasha’s Office

By Web News 532

The National Assembly has unsealed the office of the Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

According to reports, her office, located in Suite 2.05 of the Senate Wing, was unsealed on Tuesday morning by the Sergeant-at-Arms of the National Assembly, assisted by security personnel.

The office had been under lock and key since March 6, 2025, when the senator was suspended from the Red Chamber.

In a video shared on Tuesday, the Deputy Director of the Sergeant-at-Arms, Alabi Adedeji, was seen removing the red seal on the office door.

“I, Alabi Adedeji, Deputy Director, Sergeant-at-Arms, hereby unseal the office. The office is hereby unsealed. Thank you,” he said in the video.

The embattled lawmaker was, in March, handed a six-month suspension by the Senate, which also barred her from participating in all activities of the 10th Senate over alleged misconduct during her protest against the reassignment of her seat by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on February 20.

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension ended in September 2025, but she was unable to resume duties due to ongoing legal disputes and opposition from the Senate leadership.

On July 4, the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that the suspension was excessive and unconstitutional.

The senator had written to the upper chamber to notify it of her intention to resume duties after the expiration of her suspension, but the National Assembly rejected her request.

It is, however, unclear whether the development grants the lawmaker full access to her office and the premises of the National Assembly, as the Senate is yet to issue a resolution on the matter.

It also yet unknown whether the embattled senator will resume with her colleagues when the Senate reconvenes for plenary in October.

Punch/Adebukola Aluko

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Economy

President Tinubu Signs 2025 Budget into Law

By Web News 420

President Bola Tinubu has signed into law the 54.99 trillion naira 2025 Appropriation Bill.

The signing ceremony took place on Friday in the President’s office at the State House, Abuja, in the presence of principal officers of the National Assembly and other top government officials.

The bill was passed by the two Chambers of the National Assembly on Thursday, February 13, after President Tinubu requested an increase from the initially proposed 49.7 trillion naira.

The approved budget of 54.99 trillion naira exceeds the President’s initial proposal of 54.2 trillion naira.

The budget is based on key economic assumptions, including a crude oil production target of 2.06 million barrels per day at a benchmark price of $75 per barrel.

The increase in the budget reflects additional anticipated revenues from agencies such as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

The 2025 budget aims to address critical areas, including security, infrastructure, education, and health.

Notably, $200 million has been allocated to mitigate the impact of recent reductions in U.S. health aid.

The Punch/Maxwell Oyekunle

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Economy

Senator Salisu Calls for Reform of Pension Management

By Web News 528

The senator representing Ogun Central senatorial district of Ogun in the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, has called for total reform of pension administration and management in Nigeria to give people confidence and trust in the system.

Salisu, who is the chairman, of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, made the call in Abuja today in his keynote address at the launch of a book, “Understanding Pension Administration and Management in the Contemporary World”, authored by Head, Internal Audit Unit of Pension Transition Arrangement Directorate, PTAD, Dr Imran Saheed Adekunle.

The Senator said the current administration of President Bola Tinubu was embarking on various reforms, government and stakeholders must also take a keen look at pension administration and management to take it to a notch higher than it is now.

According to him, Nigerians would have confidence and trust in the administration when they were sure that they had their pensions and social security system in place.

He submitted that all relevant and critical stakeholders in the Nigerian pension administration and management sector needed to get copies of the book in order to “begin to see what we need to do and ensure that pension administration in the country takes a notch higher than it is now”.

The Senator lamented the trend among Nigerian youths to resort to cybercrimes, saying that he is sometimes depressed knowing that the youth are using social media to commit crimes.

He, however, called on Nigerians not to leave the task of nation-building for politicians alone, saying that, “all of us have sphere of influence and we must not forget to do what we can do in our own sphere of influence.”

Meanwhile, the author of the book, Dr Imran said it was purposely written in order to address the issue of scanty materials on pension administration and management in Nigeria.

According to him, it was also written to ensure that active employees, retirees and other workforce across various sectors of the Nigerian economy are exposed to basic knowledge and skills on Defined Benefit and Contributory Pension Schemes in the country and several other jurisdictions in the world.

“The book will undoubtedly serve as a solid foundation for both students and non-pension professionals who would want to deepen their knowledge, skills and competence in pension administration and management,” Dr Imran said.

PR/Adewumi Faniran

Politics

National Assembly Committed to Reforming Electoral Legal Framework –Alli

By Web News 407

By Iyabo Adebisi

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Senator Sarafadeen Alli, says the National Assembly is committed to reforming electoral legal framework for positive, effective and efficient leadership recruitment process.

He said this  in Ibadan at the 2-day South-West Zonal Legislative Interactive Session, organised by the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters.

Senator Alli, who represents Oyo South Senatorial District, said the interactive session is a deliberate step into the future of elections in Nigeria on what it should be and how the process should run seamlessly.

He explained that the inputs at the forum are required for the future of elections and the electoral process in Nigeria.

Senator Alli noted that the committee is scheduled to carry out the interactive session with different stakeholders and interest groups across the country.

In a goodwill message, the chairman, House Committee on Electoral Matters, Prince Adebayo Balogun, representing Ibeju/Lekki Federal Constituency, noted that young people participation in general elections or the electoral process are defined by many factors.

These factors according to Prince Balogun are economic, political awareness, education, political culture, access to information and technology, youth representation and social networks.

“As we strive to amend our Electoral Act 2022, we must seek to accommodate very useful and insightful legislative framework to make the participation of our young people more visible nnd audible,” he said.

In his address, the chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu said elections were among the most effective ways of promoting participation in governance.

Professor Yakubu who was represented by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Oyo State, Dr Adeniran Tella, stated that the 2023 general election witnessed quite a number of youths’ participation in the electoral process.

He noted that legislative leadership requires an investment to sustain capacity building for young legislators, who are primarily first-time lawmakers, to improve their knowledge of legislative practice and procedure.

The INEC boss urged the legislative houses to assign leadership roles to young legislators to maximise their intellect, energy, and creativity in improving legislative governance. 

He equally called on media organisations to take deliberate steps to spotlight the contributions of young legislators to legislative governance and ensure media visibility for young legislators at the national and state assemblies. 

Two of the participants, Emmanuel Kilaso and Miss Deborah Adewale canvassed for independence of INEC and stressed the need to curb electoral fraud and manipulation through electoral reform. 

They also called for review of the accreditation system of voters to enhance transparency and accountability.

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Politics

Tinubu Calls for More Tolerance, Charity during Ramadan

By Web News 285

President Bola Tinubu has told the leadership of the National Assembly not to lose sleep over the allegation that they padded the 2024 budget, saying that their integrity is intact.

The President also said that the perpetrators of the killing of soldiers in Delta State will face certain justice, warning that his administration will not tolerate attacks on the military and security infrastructure.

President Tinubu stated this when he hosted the leadership of the Senate to a dinner to break the Ramadan fast at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

In a statement issued on Friday morning by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the President told members of the upper legislative chamber that his administration will always encourage cooperation for the advancement of the nation.

Ajuri in the statement quoted Tinubu as saying, “I know the arithmetic of the budget and the numbers that I brought to the National Assembly, and I know what numbers came back. I appreciate all of you for the expeditious handling of the budget. Thank you very much.

“Those who are talking about malicious embellishment in the budget; they did not understand the arithmetic and did not refer to the baseline of what I brought. But your integrity is intact. 

“I am grateful for what you have been doing. The natural challenge we are facing will be over. On the current economic difficulty, we are about turning the corner. Our revenue has improved. All we have to do is to control expenditure and manage ourselves better.

“Light is at the end of the tunnel, and Nigerians will soon smile again,” the President affirmed.

On the gruesome murder of officers and soldiers in Okuoma, Delta State, the President said the military will continue to enjoy the support of his administration in neutralizing security threats across the country.

He said, “Our armed forces are working hard, and we will not allow attackers to undermine the integrity and value of our armed forces and its leadership.

“We will continue to encourage and fight for our sovereignty, our individual rights to exist, and we will succeed in banishing poverty from our land,’’ the President stated.

President Tinubu thanked members of the National Assembly for the speedy attention given to the Student Loan Amendment Bill, urging more tolerance, forgiveness, and charity during Ramadan.

In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio thanked the President for hosting the lawmakers, noting that regular interactions would enhance understanding and productive governance.

“We bring you greetings from the 10th senate. We bring you assurances of continuous collaboration because we believe strongly that for us to have two brothers from the National Assembly as President and Vice-President, and even the Chief of Staff as our member, we have no option but to work with you, and to do everything possible for this administration to succeed,’’ the President of the Senate said.

Punch / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Education

Falana Tasks N’Assembly on out-of-School Children

By Web News 481

Human rights lawyer and activist, Femi Falana (SAN), has called on the National Assembly to address Nigeria’s worrisome out-of-school crisis to save the future of the country.

Falana made the call in a speech he read at a summit on Nigeria’s out-of-school crisis, hosted by the UK charity IA Foundation in Lagos at the weekend.

The activist said that the refusal of state governments to make counterpart contributions to the Universal Basic Education Fund in the country was hampering access to basic education in Nigeria.

A 2022 UNESCO report said that approximately 20 million children are out of school in Nigeria, which is Africa’s most populous nation.

Falana, in his speech, made available to the press in Abuja on Sunday, stressed the need for the National Assembly to act fast, lamenting that the number of out-of-school children in the country was alarming.

According to him, pursuant to Section 2 of the Compulsory Free Universal Basic Education Act, it is important for the state governments to make counterpart contributions to the Universal Basic Education Fund, which has continually been ignored.

The activist argued that the National Assembly should ensure an amendment of the constitution to empower the accountant-general of the federation to deduct the counterpart fund payable by every state government from its source.

“In June last year, the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission, Mr Hamid Bobboyi, bemoaned the refusal of state governments to provide counterpart funding and access the annual matching grants given by the commission to develop their basic education system.

“The commission was particularly concerned that about N110 billion of the intervention funds accessed from UBEC were not utilised by the states in 2021, with the money left in the coffers of State Universal Basic Education Boards.

“Sometime in 2017, we learnt that the Federal Government had decided to refund state governments all monies so far deducted from their accounts to meet the London Paris Club obligations.

“We were able to convince the Federal Government to deduct the counterpart fund that the state governments had failed to contribute to the Universal Basic Education Fund.

“The suggestion was accepted by the Federal Government and that was how the sum of N71.3 billion was deducted from source and remitted to the account of UBEC.

“Thereafter, UBEC added the matching grant of N71.3 billion and the states received a total of N142.6bn for the provision of needed facilities in public primary and junior secondary schools in the country.

“What the National Assembly should do is to address the refusal of state governments to make counterpart contributions to the Universal Basic Education Fund pursuant to Section 2 of the Compulsory Free Universal Basic Education Act.’’

According to him, the National Assembly should, as a matter of urgency, ensure the amendment of the constitution to empower the accountant-general of the federation to deduct the counterpart fund payable by every state government from its source.

Falana explained further that since each of the 36 states of the federation had adopted the Child’s Rights Act and enacted a Child’s Rights Law, it had become the joint responsibility of the federal, state and local governments to ensure that every Nigerian child was given an opportunity to acquire free and compulsory education.

He added that the Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities (Prohibition) Act of 2019 guaranteed free education up to senior secondary school level for every person with a disability.

“In the same vain, all public schools, whether primary, secondary or tertiary shall have at least one personnel trained to cater for the educational development of persons with disabilities or special facilities for the effective education of persons with disabilities.

“These laws have been observed in their breach because the members of the political class, drawn from all registered political parties have not demonstrated any commitment to the education of every child in Nigeria.

“The members of the legislative and executive organs of governments have failed to appreciate the danger of having 18.5 million out-of-school children, the highest in the world.

“Therefore, amending the Compulsory Free Universal Basic Education Act to make it more stringent for parents will not work in a poverty-stricken environment,” Falana said.

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Politics

10th National Assembly for Inauguration Tuesday

By Web News 983

The 10th National Assembly will be inaugurated on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.

This is according to an announcement, signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Sani Tambawal, on Thursday.

According to the announcement, senators-elect and members-elect of the House of Representatives are to visit the Senate conference room 231 and the House of Representatives conference room 301, respectively, with copies of their code of conduct clearance, certificates of return, and valid identity cards for registration on Monday, June 12, at 10:00 am.

“Due to the ongoing renovation of the two chambers, senators-elect and Honourable members-elect are to come along with only one guest for the ceremony, who will be seated at the arcade,” the statement added.

Tambawal further added that only senators-elect and members-elect will be given access to the chambers.

Punch / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Lifestyle

Be Objective in your Reportage, Don Tells Journalists

By Web News 481

By Olusegun Folarin

A university lecturer, Dr Ayo Odetoyinbo wants media professionals to exercise restraints in the coverage and reportage of the Presidential and National Assembly elections

Dr Odetoyinbo made the call during a seminar put together by the State Council of Radio Television, Theatres and Arts Workers Union, RATTAWU, held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.

Speaking on “credible election coverage: a panacea to a peaceful political transition”, the guest lecturer described the role of media professionals as crucial to achieving good governance.

Dr Odetoyinbo, who implored media practitioners to be security conscious in the coverage of the general elections, also appealed to them to be objective and diplomatic in their reportage.

Also, the Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Ogun State, Mr Emmanuel Bankole described media as an important arm in achieving a successful election.

Mr Bankole commended the efforts of the leadership of RATTAWU in Ogun state for organising the seminar to educate members on effective election coverage.

Earlier, RATTAWU Chairman, Mr Idowu Rotimi had explained that the seminar which he described as the first of its kind, was organised to educate members on the need to be conscious in their reportage.

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Security

Lawmakers Give Nod to State Police

By Web News 415

Ekiti State House of Assembly has approved the creation of state police and state judicial council in the ongoing fifth alteration to the Amendment to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Assembly presided over by the Speaker, Funminiyi Afuye, also aligned with the National Assembly on the alteration to stipulated rules on how the principal officers of the Houses of Assembly should be removed from offices to ensure stability in the system.

The constitutional amendment bill was transmitted to the House of Assembly from the National Assembly in March 2022 for input.

The assembly Leader of Government Business, Gboyega Aribisogan, told journalists that the lawmakers ratified the alteration to the issue of law reform in the country for radical improvement in the qualities of laws that will guide the three arms of government.

Aribisogan said: “At the plenary today, the Assembly approved some areas being considered for an amendment to the 1999 constitution by the National Assembly. What we did was just a concurrence to the amendments and not further alterations to what had been done by the National Assembly.

“These include the approval for the Law mandating the state to have state police to improve security across the county. We also approved a law stating the procedure to be followed for the removal of the principal officers of the Houses of Assembly to ensure stability and improve the quality of governance.

“The Assembly also unanimously approved the alteration to the constitution allowing State to have a law backing the establishment of State Judicial Council just like the National Judicial Council at the federal level so that the Judiciary can be autonomous.

“The Assembly also approved the amendment to the proper regulation of the law reform to ensure that quality laws are made to guarantee good legislation and robust governance and equality in the system,” he said.

Also at the plenary, the Ekiti State Economic Development Council (Amendment) Bill 2022 which deals with the composition and other matters of the Council was also passed, while a bill for the creation of additional three local council development areas and two other bills were considered by the lawmakers.

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

News

BREAKING: National Assembly Workers Suspend Strike

By Web News 557

National Assembly workers under the auspices of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria have suspended their strike action on Tuesday. 

The workers embarked on the strike action last Monday, thereby tripping activities at the National Assembly for a week.

Details later…

Punch / Titilayo Kupoliyi

Politics

PDP’s Primaries Threatened by Delegates List, Court Case

By Web News 618

About 24 hours to commencement of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, primaries, disputes over the authentic delegates list and litigation are threatening the exercises.

Vanguard gathered that the Senator Iyorchia Ayu-led National Working Committee, NWC, spent a considerable amount of time deliberating on the issue at its regular meeting, yesterday.

The party’s primaries for the election of state houses of assembly, governorship, National Assembly and presidential candidates are scheduled to begin with state assembly congresses on Saturday, May 21.

A member of the party is also in court seeking an order to stop the May 28 presidential primaries over refusal of the party to zone its presidential ticket as stipulated in its constitution. The party, last week, threw the ticket open to all parts of the country. Hearing in the suit will continue on May 25.On Wednesday, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, criticised President Muhammadu Buhari over his reluctance to sign the amended version of the Electoral Act (section 84 (8), which provides for elected officials to take part in primaries .

He said the delay is part of the ruling party’s plot to disrupt preparations by opposition political parties in order to disenfranchise Nigerians.The PDP spokesman said: “It is not surprising but disappointing and dislocating. As at today, parties do not know for certain who the delegates are and democracy thrives on certainty.  

Apart from the super delegates, the PDP is also having issues with some states delegates, especially Anambra.

Former National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, who is a chieftain of the party in Anambra State, was part of the stakeholders invited by the NWC to a meeting over the delegates list from the state.

He said, to the best of his knowledge, there was no problem with the list from Anambra because valid congresses where delegates were elected at the ward, local governments and state levels were held last February and March.

Meanwhile, chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, 2023 National Convention Organising Committee, Senator David Mark, appealed to party faithful across the country to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship in the conduct of the primaries.

In a statement ahead of the party primaries, which will begin with the election of candidates for the state Houses of Assembly seats on Saturday (May 21, 2022), Senator Mark urged party men and women to comply with the rules of the game.

The former President of the Senate (2007- 2015) said “the party has clear guidelines and rules for the exercises. Every aspirant should be guided by the processes. The party will not compromise any of the rules.”

To ensure a successful primary on May 28, the National Secretary of the PDP, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, on Thursday, asked Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, to hands-off the suit seeking to halt the scheduled presidential primary election of the party.

Anyanwu, in a petition he forwarded to the Chief Judge of the Court, Justice John Tsoho, accused Justice Okorowo of bias.

The PDP scribe, through his lawyer, Mr. Kalu Agu, urged the CJ to transfer the case to another judge of the high court for fair adjudication.

He alleged that Justice Okorowo granted ex-parte orders against the party, notwithstanding the fact that PDP has a legal representative before the court.

Anyanwu, listed as the 3rd defendant in the suit lodged by an aggrieved pesidential aspirant of the party, Mr. Cosmas Ndukwe, contended that processes the trial judge relied on to summon PDP to appear before him to show cause why reliefs sought by the plaintiff should not be granted, was not ripe for hearing as at the time the order was made.

He, therefore, maintained that the judge had, by his actions, exhibited “manifest bias”, adding that allowing him to continue with the case, will lead “to a breach of fair hearing.”

Alternatively, he applied for stay of further proceedings in the case, pending the outcome of the petition before the CJ.

Counsel to the plaintiff, Mr. Paul Erokoro, SAN, opposed the application which he described as an abuse of court process.

In his bench ruling, Justice Okorowo declined to halt proceedings in the matter which he adjourned till May 25 for hearing.

The court equally granted an application that another presidential aspirant of the party, Mr. Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, filed to be joined as the 5th defendant in the matter.

The plaintiff, Ndukwe, a former Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, had in an application he brought before the court, sought an order of injunction to restrain his party from proceeding with its scheduled primary election, pending the hearing and determination of his suit challenging the position of the party on the issue of zoning its presidential ticket.

Though the court declined to grant the restraining order, it directed the plaintiff to put all the Defendants on notice to enable them to appear before it to show cause.

In its swift objection to the suit, PDP, aside from challenging jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/508/2022, argued that the case had become status barred.

According to the defendants, “the cause of action in the suit relates to the internal affairs of a political party and therefore falls within the doctrine of political questions which are non-justiciable” and as such,, the court lacks jurisdiction to entertain it.

PDP, noted that the cause of action arose from a communique its National Zoning Committee issued on April 5, whereas the plaintiff’s suit, was filed on April 19, 15 days after, in violation of Section 285 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which provides for 14 days for filing of such cases.

The party maintained that the court lacked the vires to delve into its internal affairs, stressing that the subject matter of the case, which borders on whether to zone its presidential ticket to any part of the country or not, was not an issue that the court was constitutionally empowered to adjudicate upon.

It, therefore, urged the court to vacate its earlier order that directed it to show why reliefs the plaintiff is seeking in the suit should not be granted.

Vanguard/Owonikoko Yemisi

Politics

Buhari Assents To Electoral Bill

By Web News 476

 President Muhammadu Buhari has finally signed into law, the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.

The President assented to the bill at past midday on Friday, at a brief ceremony held at the Council Chamber of the Aso Villa in Abuja.

The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, witnessed the signing of the bill.

The President received the bill from the National Assembly on the 31st of January for a second time after he returned the bill to the legislative arm.

President Buhari had told the National Assembly to remove the clause that had to do with direct primaries for political parties from the electoral act amendment bill.


Oluwakayode Banjo

News

APC senators reject electronic transmission of election results

By Web News 555

Members of the All Progressives Congress in the Senate on Thursday voted against electronic transmission of results.

The Committee had, in the report, recommended in Section 52(3) that, INEC “may transmit results of elections by electronic means where and when practicable.”

But an APC senator from Niger North, Sabi Abdullahi, amended the clause to read, “INEC may consider electronic collation of results, provided the national network coverage is adjudged to be adequate and secured by the Nigerian Communications Commission and approved by the National Assembly.”

Members of the Committee on Communications had earlier informed the chamber that the NCC had declared that only 43 per cent of the country was currently under effective telecommunications coverage.

Senate President, Ibrahim Lawan, ruled in favour of the amendment when he conducted a voice vote.

There was a disagreement and the Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe, called for a division which would require individual voting on the floor.

Lawan sustained Abaribe’s point of order and called for a division.

At the end of the poll, 88 senators voted, while 28 were not available to vote.

The outcome of the election showed that 52 APC senators, including the chairman of the Senate INEC committee, Kabiru Gaya, voted against the panel’s report, which gives the electoral umpire the sole power to determine the practicability of electronic transmission of results.

The Peoples Democratic Party members on the floor all voted in favour of electronic transmission of results by INEC without interference from either the NCC or the National Assembly.

The APC members, while casting their votes against the amendment, attributed their decision to the claim of the NCC that only 43 per cent of the country has network coverage.

The PDP senators, on the other hand, said allowing the NCC and the National Assembly to meddle in the affairs of INEC will affect the integrity of the polls.

Punch

Security

President Buhari Pledges Improved Security

By Web News 572

President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged that his administration will use all available resources and manpower to deal with bandits and ensure that they did not create havoc against access to farms and food production in the coming growing season.

Speaking to reporters at the State House shortly after observing the Eid prayer, marking the end of the month-long Ramadan fast, President Buhari emphatically said that the menace of bandits and kidnappers will be addressed to ensure that the nation’s food security is not threatened.

The President, who hoped for a good rainy season this year said “the law enforcement agencies are working hard to regain confidence against bandits, so that we can go back to the land. This is very important. This is what the agencies are busy doing right now. We want people to go back to the land so that we can get enough food for the country and even export.”

Explaining ongoing efforts to tackle the security situation in the country by the administration, President Buhari drew attention to the series of long meetings held in recent weeks, chaired by him, saying that a part of resolutions had been made public by the National Security Adviser and the others kept secret.

The President commended the National Assembly for its support, stressing that “the National Assembly is cooperating very well. Within the resources available, they are certainly giving us priority on our (military) requests.”

President Buhari made an appeal to the nation’s elite to show better appreciation of the problems facing the country.

He appealed to Nigerians for more understanding of the current situation in country.

President Buhari and members of his family were joined for the Eid at the forecourt of the Villa by the President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmed Lawan, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, cabinet members and the heads of security and intelligence agencies.

Bello Wakili

Security

Boko Haram Attack Plot on National Assembly, VIP Locations Causes Scare

By Web News 557

Lawmakers have been notified of a possible attack by Boko Haram insurgents on the National Assembly complex and other public buildings in Abuja,

Several members of the House of Representatives, on Wednesday, confirmed to our correspondent that they had been notified of the imminent attack by the terrorist group.

One of them, who is from a state in the South-West, said his presence would henceforth be limited on the premises.

“That is the security alert I saw today. I’m already moving out of here. I’ll only be around when there is a major reason to do so. Nowhere is safe in the country anymore,” he said.

Already the notice on the impending attack has been made available to the lawmakers.

The notice, a copy of which our correspondent obtained, was sent to the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, other principal officers and all members of the House.

The ‘security alert’, dated May 4, 2021, was issued by Chairman of the House Committee on Internal Security, National Assembly, Mr Usman  Shiddi.

It was titled ‘Re: planned insurgent attacks on VIP locations, government facilities and assets in Abuja.’

The alert read, “I refer to the above subject of which a copy of the intelligence report from the Force Intelligence Bureau of the Nigeria Police Force in the National Assembly Complex has been made available to my office.

“The report indicates planned insurgent attacks by some elements of Boko Haram on some VIP locations, government facilities and assets in Abuja, including the National Assembly complex.

“In view of the above intelligence, I have considered it paramount to advise that all members should, henceforth, use the presidential gate for ingress and egress.

“This is to avoid the unforeseen congestions that are sometimes encountered at the main gates, since such congestions could easily be the targets for these insurgent elements.

“Security agencies are, however, actively on top of the issue to unravel and to contain the intended menace. Accept the assurances of my highest regards, please.”

Security has been beefed up in and around the complex since Thursday last week.

For the first time, security operatives on that day  checked vehicles entering the premises, causing traffic congestion especially at the third (and last) gate, a process that has continued till date.

Before now, the security operatives were only after the identities of  drivers and passengers to confirm that they were staff members, legislative aides, journalists or persons working in private businesses in the complex.

It is observed that soldiers joined the regular sergeants-at-arms and men of the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Federal Road Safety Corps that manned the gates.

The Chairman of the Committee on Rules and Business, House of Representatives, Abubakar Fulata, confirmed the development in plenary.

The Speaker  called on Chairman of the House Committee on Treaties, Protocols and Agreements, Nicholas Ossia, to lay the report on the ‘Bill for an Act to Repeal Treaties (Making Procedure, Etc.) Act, Cap. T20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and Enact Treaties (Making Procedure) Bill.’

Fulata, however, notified the Speaker that Ossai was not in the chamber, saying several lawmakers were still stuck in the traffic because of the security checks.

“It is very difficult today to get in, so a lot of members are stranded at the gate because of the very serious check-in process that the security men are conducting. A lot of members are there stranded at the gate,” Fulata said.

Gbajabiamila had asked, “For what reason? Stranded for what?”

Fulata had said, “This morning, it is very difficult to come in. It has been very difficult to come in today. They are doing security checks.”

Recall that the Governor of Niger State, Sani Bello, had on April 26, 2021, raised the alarm over Boko Haram terrorists taking over a part of the state, hoisting their flag in Kaure village from where they had made incursions into more than 50 villages.

Bello said Abuja was not safe, with Boko Haram’s presence in Kaure – a two- hour journey from the Federal Capital Territory.

He said, “I am confirming that there are Boko Haram elements here in Niger State. Here in Kaure, I am confirming that they have hoisted their flags here.”

Same day,  Gbajabiamila, had met with the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), at the Presidential Villa, in company with the Majority Leader, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa.

The House the next day held a long executive (closed-door) session to discuss the rising spate of insecurity across Nigeria, calling on Buhari to declare a state of emergency on security.

At the secret session that lasted over three hours, the lawmakers unanimously adopted a series of resolutions, one of which was that “the Federal Government should ensure the protection of national infrastructure and assets, particularly the Shiroro and Kainji Dams in Niger State.”

PUNCH

News Analysis

Opinion: A Generation Swallowing the Other; Eclipsing Generational Assets

By Web News 663

I have a privilege of relating with appreciable number of ethnic groups in Nigeria by virtue of living in Federal Capital Territory,  FCT for close to 20 years and 15 years experience  as a union leader in the same Capital of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

I have observed people of other climes , tribes and ethnic origins send their  relatively young men to pick their opportunities *while the elders stay behind to give inspiration especially the Northerners*.

Looking at the National Assembly, the Northerners send people between *40 and 55* of age as  Senators and members of House of Representatives  while we in particular from the Southwest have people of the same  age bracket as Personal Assistants,, PAs and legislative aides. 

A co-Senator of 40 to 55 years will relate with our Babas as colleagues and we will be stopped and cowed down from even contributing in a town hall meeting organised by our own Senators of 60 to 70+ age bracket.

The reason the North representatives stand tall oozing with speed, vibrancy and energy advancing the cause of their people is because they have active set of people in place and the reason our people at this side of the country get tired after one hour marathon meeting is due to the aged ones representing us.

It will be recalled that Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto sent younger Tafawa Balewa to Lagos as Prime Minister and stood behind as Premier to strategize.

Coming to strategic placement, in all juicy appointments capable of making many young people  powerful and rich individuals, the North push the young elements of 30+ and 40+ while the elders therefore stay behind as the big man behind the contracts.

Their products spread over NNPC, FIRS, TETFUND, PTF, PPR, OAGF, NCR, MARITIME among others while our people are busy with customised regalia looking for a small space for their children alone.

The North *facilitate juicy contracts for their young elements and shoot them into stupendous wealth within shortest possible time*.

This is the way it works. He is on allowance or salary as a student from at least Area council, after graduation, he gets a juicy placement or mouth watering contracts , thereafter he suspends his job( not necessarily resigning) to pick up political appointment  after which he may contest election and may never go back to salary job.

I have met a good number of them in the cause of my service at FCT and the story continues.

A close  colleague of mine  who respects me so much was made  Secretary of Suleja Area Council from classroom  for 4 years and today a strong chieftain of APC in that emirate.

He has come back to his job and still very active in politics of the noble emirate.

In our clime, young people suffered through school and especially the brilliants are frustrated with no job and eventually become a useful tool in the hand of our own gerontocractic political leadership who use them for as low as *protocol officers arranging campus girls* for political gladiators😢

I have known *graduates of 15 or more years in Oyo state still scrambling for miserable crumbs looking at close to 50 years*.

This is a deliberate eclipse of a generation but *sadly my generation seems to be comfortable defending the reason for their miserable and unfortunate situation as PA media and SA mobilisation* 😢

In Kaduna State for instance , under 40 are presently Director Generals and Heads of boards and parastatals.

We all saw the current EFCC boss with rich CV at the age of 40. We also saw one AHMED , age 40 recently posted as jostling for National Chairmanship of APC.

 If  that succeeds, our elders who felt agitated and deploy bully dogs when we asked questions will go and bend to make a request from a 40 years old chairman of a national party.

*They do that a lot in Abuja only to keep people of same age bracket here bullied, abused, bruised and caged.*

This is what the  North  with a clear succession plan did for people of our age bracket. I rest the case here for a moment to make us REFLECT.

Idris Ismail

Idris Ismail is a Political Scientist and Public Affairs Analyst based in Abuja and from Ibadan, Oyo State Capital. 

Lifestyle

NASS Member Wole Oke Mourns Yinka Odumakin

By Web News 728

The member representing Obokun Oriade Federal Constituency of Osun State in the National Assembly, Dr Busayo Oluwole Oke has described the demise of renowned Nigerian rights activist, social critic and Afenifere Spokesman, Mr Yinka Odumakin as a painful loss to the nation.

 Dr Oke made this known in a statement he personally issued in Abuja today.

He said late Odumakin’s antecedents as a rugged fighter for the country’s democracy and absolute commitment to ensuring Nigeria becomes a first class nation, was apparent to all.

While describing the deceased as a hater of oppression and a thorn in the flesh of tyrants, he further noted he was always at the forefront of the common good of Nigerians and the country.

Dr Oluwole Oke recalled that the late Odumakin was a strong voice that continually championed the freedom of vast Nigerian citizens from the yoke of oppressive elements in government, expressing grief at his demise, as he still had a lot to offer to make Nigeria great.

He prayed that God Almighty in his infinite mercies should grant the repose of the deceased’s soul and provide strength for family, friends and acquaintances mourning him.

Folake Oye

News

NLC, TUC Rally against NASS over Minimum Wage Bill

By Web News 535

Members of the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress in Ogun state have staged a protest against the move by the National Assembly to remove the national minimum wage from the exclusive to the concurrent legislative list.

The state NLC chapter Chairman, Comrade Emmanuel Bankole while speaking with newsmen after the rally in Abeokuta stated that the NLC  was opposed to the proposed bill, describing it as an attempt to undermine Nigeria working class.

Comrade Bankole condemned the action of the National Assembly, noting that the move was not in tandem with global best practice.

The rally attended by allies of NLC commenced from the NLC state Secretariat through to the Ogun State House of Assembly.

Wale Oluokun

Economy

Minimum Wage Bill: NLC, TUC Take Protest to NASS, States

By Web News 742

A procession of large crowd of workers protesting against the bill before the National Assembly seeking to remove the minimum wage from the Exclusive Legislative list to the Concurrent have completely disrupted the traffic flow between Maitama via Federal Secretariat to the National Assembly Complex.

Addressing the mammoth crowd of workers at the Unity Fountain, Maitama Abuja before taking off to the National Assembly, NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba described some politicians as the major problem Nigeria has today.

Comrade Wabba while expressing displeasure over the bill said there was need for a law to limit age of a political office holders to 70 to give room for Nigerian youths to assume leadership responsibility.

Similarly, in Zamfara State, NLC Chairperson Comrade Sani Halliru led the Mass Rally to Zamfara State House of Assembly and expressed workers worries about the National Minimum Wage Bill as directed by the national body of the NLC

Deputy Speaker, Zamfara State House of Assembly, Mr. Musa Bawa Musa while receiving NLC Protesters said, Zamfara State House of Assembly will not support the removal of minimum wage from concurrent list.

Oyo NLC
Oyo NLC

Protests have also been taking place in Osun, Oyo.

Osun NLC
Osun NLC

Details later

AGI/Abdulrazak Kaura/Fawole/Adenitan

Energy

National Assembly Decries Condition of Nation’s Refineries

By Web News 593

The National Assembly said it was working tirelessly to ensure the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, in April 2021.

This came as the Joint Ad-hoc Committee of the National Assembly expressed regrets over the poor condition of the nation’s refineries, adding that PIB when passed would revive the refineries to function optimally.

The joint committee of Senate and House of Representatives said this in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday, during a visit to Port Harcourt Refinery Company, in continuation of its oversight visit of the refineries in the nation.

Speaking, Mohammed Mougunu, Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee in the House of Representatives on PIB, and Chief Whip of the House, noted that the committee was poised to pass the petroleum bill as soon as possible.

Mougunu noted that the main focus of the Bill was to entrench reformation of all the nation’s refineries to international standard, noting that there as the need to make the country’s refineries more competitive.

He said: “The main thrust of the PIB is to reform our oil and gas industry, to make it more competitive and bring their operation in tandem with international best practices.

“We are here in Port Harcourt refinery to see their constraints and how best within the prodigies of PIB, leverage on same and then make their operations more competitive in a bid to attract the much-needed investment in the oil and gas industry, especially against the backdrop of the fact that the world is now moving away from fossil fuels to renewables.”

The committee’s co-chair, said NASS would ensure the passage of the long-awaited PIB in April, adding that the bill will bring to an end the capital flight.

Speaking earlier in a meeting with the management of Port Harcourt Refinery, PHRC, the Senate Ad-hoc Committee Chairman on PIB, Sen. Sabo Nakudu, noted that committees were mandated to submit it’s report to the House as soon as possible.

Also, Sen. Albet Bassey, who is Chairman Upstream, at the Upper Chamber, expressed regrets over the moribund condition of the nation’s refineries, noting that efforts were on to return life to the facilities.

However, the Managing Director of PHRC, Ahmed Dikko, expressed optimism that rehabilitation of the facility would commence in April.

Vanguard

Energy

NAWOJ Tasks National Assembly on Quick Passage of PIB

By Web News 576

An expert in the petroleum industry, Dr Israel Aye, says the two proposed commissions for regulation of the upstream and downstream activities in the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, will allow transparency and boost nation’s economic growth.

The two commissions in the Bill are the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority.

Doctor Aye, who stated this at a workshop organised by the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, in Lagos, noted that the commissions would enable Nigerians to interrogate every process involved in decision making.

He decried the belief that implementation had always been the problem hindering so many policies, saying effective frameworks would deter sabotage.

Dr. Aye enjoined women journalists to support the clamours for quick passage of the PIB which he said would focus more on governance, administration and fiscal in terms of doing business and its effectiveness on the host communities.

In her remark, the Vice President, NAWOJ, B Zone, Mrs. Bola Akingbehin, urged the National Assembly to speedily pass the Petroleum Industry Bill.

Mrs. Akingbehin also tasked women journalists to support the efforts in ensuring issues that concern female were well canvassed for in the Bill.

The theme of the workshop is: “The Implications of the PIB on Gender in Nigeria”.

In a related development, the former President, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists NAWOJ, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Omowole has has asked journalists to change the stereotype narratives of gender bias and dominance in the society.

Mrs. Omowole, one of the facilitators at a three day workshop organised for female journalists in Osun State tasked journalists to be objective and fair in their reportage.

Speaking of on the theme of the training is ‘Gender Equity and Safety/Gender Sensitive Reporting’, the former president of NAWOJ said responsibilities were now shifting from men to women.

According to her, gender issues are not about the women or the girl child alone, but peculiar to locations or communities, because gender issues can affect or be about men or the male child too.

She noted that everybody, male and female, must be carried along in development and governance so that there would be even development.

Mrs. Omowole said there were serious gender issues that journalists need to give optimal coverage because of the negative effect they would have on the society in the future, hence, the media must continue to sensitise, advocate and point out issues.

She urged government to make laws and enforce these laws to abolish discrimination.

Funmi Adekoya

 

Judiciary

Oyo Law Makers on Working Visit to National Assembly

By Web News 870

Clerk of the National Assembly, Architect Amos Olatunde has advocated a strong inter parliamentary synergy among the state houses of assemblies in the country to create a common goal for quality legislation for Nigerians

Arch. Olatunde made this known while receiving Oyo state House of Assembly  committee on Inter Parliamentary Relations’  led by its Chairman, Mr Olamide Akinajo, in his office, at the National Assembly complex, Abuja. 

The clerk who stressed the need for state assemblies to synergise towards possible ways of implementing financial autonomy for the legislature, urged them to make laws that are people oriented. 

He challenged them to ensure that the legislature is well funded. “In the making of budget make sure that the legislature is well funded”.

“We are the less funded, but the most shouted about, is the legislature, there is need to provide enough fund to make us function properly”.

 He admonished the Oyo lawmakers to see their involvement in the Central Parliamentary Association (CPA) as important, advising them to always participate more in parliament activities within and outside the country. 

The NASS Clerk disclosed that, the Oyo State delegation was the second state Assembly his office had received this year, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Arch. Olatunde advised the delegation to set aside their party affiliations to build Oyo State and Nigeria.

Earlier, leader of the delegation, Mr Olamide Akinajo said they are on a five days working visit to the National Assembly, and expressed confident that the visit will enhance working relation between Oyo State House of Assembly and the National Assembly.

The Lawmakers will continue their working visitation to speaker of the House of Representatives Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, and Honorable Members and senators representing Oyo State at the National Assembly.

Some members of the delegation included vice chairman of the committee and member representing Afijio state constituency, Mr Seyi Adisa as well as lawmaker representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju constituency, Mr Bamidele Adeola. 

Kehinde Mosope

Entertainment

FRCN DG Calls For Adequate Funding Of The Corporation

By Web News 1122

The Director General, DG, of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Dr Mansur Liman has called more funding for the Corporation to enable it deliver on its mandate. 

He made the call at the 2021 budget defence of the corporation before the House of Representatives Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values at the National Assembly.

Dr Liman stressed the need for robust and functional stations across the country to enable the corporation perform optimally. 

Responding the Chairman of the Committee Olusegun Odebunmi while commending the DG gave an assurance that the committee would assist the corporation.

More details later.

Ibrahim Shehu

Politics

Activists Want Review of Infectious Disease Bill

By Web News 716

A group of activists in Delta State have demanded a review of certain provisions in the controversial Infectious Disease Bill 2020, which they say could lead to abuse of power and undermine constitutionally guaranteed rights of the citizens.

They made this known during a press briefing in Asaba, the state capital where they called on the National Assembly to suspend all matters relating to the bill pending the fight against Coronavirus to enable full public participation in the process.

Oghenero Eghweree’s Report

The coordinator Delta State Civil Society Community, Mr Okezie Odughala, explained that the briefing was intended to highlight grey areas in the proposed Infectious Disease Control Bill before the upper and lower chambers of the National Assembly, especially as the affects the rights of the citizenry and to address avenues for abuse of power.

Mr Odugala faulted the timing of the bill which he described as austere in nature, noting that the CSOs in the state have begun to enlighten the public on the threats to their liberties if the bill is passed into law.

Similarly, a representative of Noble Delta Women for Peace and Development, Miss Benedicta Chukwuyem, was particular about sections 15, 16, 19 and 20 of the bill which she alleged poses a threat to freedom of the individual, religious freedom and liberty of association as enshrined in sections of the 1999 Constitution.

Also, Mr. Sylvester Itimi of the Civil Society Advance Forum and Sustainable Development listed other purported loopholes in the bill to include Sections 25 and 71 which gave undue leverage to disease controlling agencies where they could arrest an individual or designate a location as isolation center based on suspicion, stressing it could lead to abuse of power.

The stakeholders advocated an outright termination or complete overhaul of the gray areas in the Infectious Disease Control Bill including provisions for compulsory vaccination and payment of fees for the injections to conform to public interest.

Oghenero Eghweree

Lifestyle

National Assembly Loses Member, Senator Rose Oko

By Web News 1035

Chairman, Senate Committee on Trade and Investment, Senator Rose Oko, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Cross River North is dead. Senator Oko, who died last night at a UK medical facility, was aged 63.

The late Senator, who was one of the female lawmakers at the Hallowed Chamber, was elected into office as the first female Senator from her Senatorial District in June 2015 in the 8th Senate and was re-elected in 2019.

Senator Oko’s death came after the Vice-Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Ignatius Datong Longjan, All Progressives Congress, APC, Plateau South died on Sunday, February 10, 2020, at a Turkish hospital in Abuja.

Also recall that prior to the death of Longjan, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity, Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu, All Progressives Congress, APC, Imo South died December 18, 2019.

A close aide of late Senator Rose Oko, who confirmed the death, however, expressed shock and sadness. A close relative, Mr Patrick Ikorgor Okoroji speaking about he demise said:

 “Heartbroken to hear of the passing of my dear Cousin Senator Dr Rose Okoji Oko after a long-fought battle with a physical affliction. “You gave your best to your world now that it has pleased the Almighty God to call you home may your soul find eternal rest in Heaven. Adieu, Distinguished Senator Dr Rose Okoji Oko.”

Senator Rose Okojie Oko was born on September 27, 1956. She was a Member of the Federal House of Representatives from the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), representing Yala/Ogoja Federal Constituency. She was elected into office as the first female representative from her constituency in June 2011 and sat as Deputy Chairman House Committee on Education.

Vanguard