Tag: National Assembly

14Oct By MosesianNo Comments

Politics

House of Rep members pass 2022 budget for second reading

The 2022 budget of N16.39 trillion was on Thursday October 14, passed for second reading in the House of Representatives. It was passed for second reading following the conclusion of debate on the general principles of the budget. This is coming barely 24 hours after the Senate also passed the 2022 Appropriation Bill for second reading after over one hour of debate on its general principles. President Muhammadu Buhari last week, presented an appropriation bill of N16.39 trillion for the total expenditure of the federal government in 2022 to the national assembly.

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7Oct By MosesianNo Comments

News

FG will borrow to fund N6.25trn deficit in 2022 budget – Minister of Finance

The Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, says the federal government will borrow to finance N6.258 trillion deficit in the 2022 budget. Ahmed made this disclosure while briefing state house correspondents on the details of the 2022 budget proposal. According to Zainab, the Federal government is borrowing to provide developmental projects — roads, rails, bridges, power and water for sustainable development in this country. She said the government would finance the N6.258 trillion deficit by new borrowings of N5.012 trillion (of which domestic — N2.506 trillion and foreign — N2.506 trillion) from project-tied multilateral/bilateral loans — N1.156 trillion and privatization proceeds of N90.73 billion. “If we just depend on the revenues that we get, even...

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1Oct By MosesianNo Comments

News

VIPs, National Assembly member funding Sunday Igboho and Nnamdi Kanu – President Buhari

President Buhari has said ongoing investigations have revealed a serving member of the National Assembly and some high profile Nigerians are the financiers of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu; and the Yoruba nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly called Sunday Igboho. The President disclosed this during his nationwide broadcast to Nigerians to mark the nation’s 61st independence on Friday. In his words “Nigeria is for all of us. Its unity is not negotiable. And its ultimate success can only be achieved if we all come together with a common goal of having peace and prosperity for our nation. We shall continue to work on dialogue-based solutions to address legitimate grievances. But we remain ready to take decisive actions against secessio...

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24Sep By BobbyNo Comments

News

Despite defections, PDP still remains party to beat – Senator Olujimi

Senator representing Ekiti South at the National Assembly, Mrs Biodun Olujimi has expressed strong optimism, that the defections currently being suffered by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), would not affect its chances of winning elections. The lawmaker said those who defected to other parties might have personal reasons for leaving, expressing hope that they would soon return to the umbrella fold. Speaking to journalists in her office on Thursday, Olujimi, who was the Minority Leader of the 8th Senate, said, if those who left the party do not return, they would soon “fizzle into oblivion”. She said, “This is election time and election times are always like this. People who believe that their interests cannot be saved here will want to move. But let me assure you, they will al...

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22Sep By BobbyNo Comments

News

Reps to probe alleged exclusion of Rivers State from loan projects

The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the alleged exclusion of Rivers State from the states to benefit from the world bank loans. It would be recalled that governor Nysom Wike had alleged that the federal government singled out his state from those eligible to benefit from the loans. The governor also alleged that only River State was excluded from the list of states initially pencilled to benefit. During Wednesday’s plenary, Solomon Bob from Rivers State moved a motion calling for an investigation into the allegation. It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari forwarded a loan request to the National Assembly for approval of $4 billion and €710 million external loans. While moving the motion, Bob said the “alleged exclusion is capable of being i...

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21Sep By BobbyNo Comments

News

Contributory Pensions Scheme: Retired Police Officers accuse IGP, others of mismanaging funds

Police Retirees under the Contributory Pensions Scheme on Tuesday embarked on another protest over the alleged lack of equity in the scheme. The police retirees converged at the gates of the National Assembly to push home their earlier demand to be exited from the scheme. The officers had in April taken their protest to the National Assembly when they made similar demands in a form of a petition which received the blessings of the Senate following which an investigative hearing of their petition was carried out. They also accused the Inspector General of Police, Baba Alkali and the management team of aiding and abetting the alleged fraudulent mismanagement of the fund which they claim is being diverted to private pockets. The retirees said based on their findings, Baba Alkali a...

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3Sep By BobbyNo Comments

News

Lawmakers who support legalisation of cannabis in Nigeria dare not return to their constituencies – Marwa

The chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Buba Marwa, has said National Assembly lawmakers who vote to support the legalisation of cannabis in the country, cannot dare return to their constituencies. The lower chamber began moves to legalise cannabis in May 2021, in a bid to take advantage of its economic benefits. However, speaking on Friday after a courtesy visit to President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja, Marwa said cannabis has destroyed a lot of lives. He said: “Cannabis is harmful to our health; it is a danger to society. We must never allow its legalisation. Nigeria has 10.6 million cannabis users; this is the highest in the world. Isn’t it sad? “We can never support legalisation and I don’t see how the national assembly would pass the act because I k...

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28Aug By MosesianNo Comments

News

No ransom was paid by Niger state government to secure release of Islammiya students – Senator Musa

Lawmaker representing Niger East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Mohammed Musa has said that the Niger state government paid no ransom to secure release of abducted Islammiya students. Though some news platforms reported that over N60m and new motorcycles were given as ransom to the bandits, Senator Musa in an interview on Channels Television noted that the Niger State Government has repeatedly said it would never pay ransom to the bandits. He said;   “The Niger State Government has made it very categorically clear and one of the policies of the state government His Excellency initiated, there is no payment of ransom for whatever reasons. “I so much agree with him (Governor Abubakar Bello) because the more you give the ransom, the more the trade wi...

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19Aug By MosesianNo Comments

News

FIRS to introduce road tax

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has said that it has sent a proposal to the federal government for a law on road tax. Executive Chairman of the agency, Mohammed Nami disclosed this during an interactive session organised by the house of representatives committee on finance on the 2022-2024 medium term expenditure framework/fiscal strategy paper (MTEF/FSP) for ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) in Abuja on Wednesday August 18. When a member of the committee, Afolabi Olalekan asked Nami to explain what FIRS has put in place to tackle tax evasion by people in the informal sector, he responded by saying that one of the measures include the introduction of road tax. He said;   “What we have done on the informal sector at a time was try to propose what we...

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18Aug By Ajiboye IfeoluwaNo Comments

News

Shehu Sani mocks Buhari for eulogising Ibrahim Mantu as peacemaker, bridge-builder after death

Shehu Sani, a former lawmaker, has mocked President Muhammadu Buhari for eulogising former Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu, as peacemaker and bridge-builder after his death. The former federal legislator died in a private hospital in Abuja at about 2 am on Tuesday. He was said to have been ill for nine days. And reacting to the sad news, Buhari, through his spokesman, Femi Adesina, commiserated with leaders and members of the National Assembly, friends and political associates of the former Senate leader. According to Buhari, Mantu gave to the service of his people and his legacy of reconciliation and promotion of peaceful co-existence will always be remembered. Buhari said that Mantu brought more harmony in his state and the country at large. And in reaction, Sani tw...

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18Aug By Ajiboye IfeoluwaNo Comments

News

HURIWA gives Buhari 3 weeks ultimatum to set up Pilgrims Board for traditional worshipers

Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly to set up a pilgrims commission board for the African Traditional Religion worshippers within three weeks or face litigation. The rights group wants the Federal Government to set up such a pilgrims commission for ATR, similar to the Institutions that care for the pilgrimages of Christians and Muslims at public expenses or else it will challenge the discrimination by the government of millions of practitioners of the respected African traditional religion in court. In a media statement by the National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and the National Media Affairs Director Miss Zainab Yusuf, HURIWA said it has already asked its legal unit to prepare to drag the Pres...

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10Aug By Ajiboye IfeoluwaNo Comments

News

Secession threats: ‘National Assembly must pave way for needed changes’ – Malumfashi

A lecturer with the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, Professor Mansur Usman Malumfashi, has called on the National Assembly to urgently provide the constitutional platform that will accommodate changes in Nigeria, even as he declared that the country’s foundation is shaky. Malumfashi, who is with the Faculty of Education, ATBU, stated these in an interview with journalists in Bauchi while reacting to secession threats in part of the country, submitted that the state of the nation was not only alarming but also unfortunate. He said that as of today, every geopolitical zone in the country was experiencing one form of challenge or the other, adding members of the National Assembly were required to bring about the changes being demanded by the zones. “To be very candi...

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20Jul By Ajiboye IfeoluwaNo Comments

News

Shina Peller Donates Rams To 500 Families In His Constituency

Member of the 9th National Assembly, Shina Peller has donated rams to 500 families in his constituency — Iseyin in Oyo State. Shina who is also celebrating Eid with them was physically present to ensure fair distribution. More Photos;

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18Jul By MosesianNo Comments

News

We have capacity for electronic transmission in remote areas – INEC counters NASS

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has countered claim of the  national assembly of some areas in the country not having the technology for electronic transmission of election results. Recall that the electoral amendment act was passed last week after All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers pushed through a version of the bill that constrains INEC to seek permission from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Assembly before employing electronic voting in any part of the country. Countering some of the claims made as the bill was passed, INEC’s commissioner for information and voter education, Festus Okoye maintained that the commission’s position was clear.   Okoye disclosed that INEC has in the past uploaded results from ver...

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16Jul By Ajiboye IfeoluwaNo Comments

News

Subjecting INEC power to NCC is unconstitutional – Sokoto governor, Aminu Tambuwal

Governor of Sokoto State, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, has said that the decision of the Senate to subject INECs constitutional power to conduct elections to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and National Assembly is patently unconstitutional. Tambuwal, who is a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, said INEC's constitutional power to conduct and manage elections should not be shared with any institution. “For the avoidance of doubt, S.78 of the Constitution provides that The Registration of voters and the conduct of elections shall be subject to the direction and supervision of Independent National Electoral Commission’.” Tambuwal said in a statement released on Thursday, July 15. “In the Third Schedule, Part 1,F, S.15: INEC has the power to organize, undertake ...

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12Jul By Ajiboye IfeoluwaNo Comments

News

National assembly flooded again after heavy downpour

  The national assembly was flooded again following a heavy downpour today, July 12. The leak came from the dome at the complex, which houses a main lobby that leads to the chambers of the senate and the house of representatives.     While lawmakers were not present as there is no plenary today, it is however the second time the assembly will be getting flooded in three weeks.    

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8Jul By Ajiboye IfeoluwaNo Comments

News

Buhari sends 2022-2024 MTEF and FSP to national assembly

President Muhammadu Buhari has transmitted the 2022-2024 medium-term expenditure framework (MTEF) and fiscal strategy paper (FSP) to the national assembly.   The announcement was made on Thursday July 8 by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.   President Buhari in the letter accompanying the MTEF/FSP document, said the MTEF&FSP were transmitted early to allow the National Assembly sufficient time to perform its important statutory duty of reviewing the Framework and Strategy Paper.   It read;   .“It is with pleasure that I forward the 2022-2024 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF&FSP) for the kind consideration and approval of the House of Representatives. “Let me use this medium t...

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7Jul By MosesianNo Comments

News

Senate approves President Buhari’s N2.3 trillion loan request

President Muhammadu Buhari's request to borrow N2.3 trillion (about $6.183 billion) to fund the deficit in the 2021 Appropriation Act, has been approved by the senate. The approval came after a report by the Committee on Local and Foreign Debts chaired by Senator Clifford Ordia (PDP, Edo) was considered. Presenting the report, Ordia said the request is not new as it was approved in the borrowing plan when the national assembly passed the 2021 budget. He said;   “What we are about to pass is not a new borrowing, it has been approved in the 2021 budget." After the loan was approved, Senate President Ahmad Lawan said the national assembly must make sure that there are no frivolous expenditures by the executive. Lawan said;   “Let me thank the committee, this is...

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2Jul By Ajiboye IfeoluwaNo Comments

News

PIB: NNPC now accountable for bill – Lawmaker

Kingsley Ujuma, representing APC, Imo at the House of Reps says the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) will now be accountable for the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), Ujuma who is also a member of the Petroleum Industry Bill Committee said this while briefing newsmen on Friday in Abuja, following the passage of the PIB on July 1, by the two chambers of the National Assembly. He said the NNPC would now be a limited liability company whose profits would be accrued to the country and subsequently moved to the Federation Account. Ujuma said the bill would galvanise all assets, including the economic and security inherent therein which would bring effective production, transparency and good governance to the country. “Today, with the passage of the bill, we ...

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2Jul By Ajiboye IfeoluwaNo Comments

News

Reps reveal plans to review NEITI Act, expand scope

The Deputy Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources Upstream, Preye Oseke has revealed plans by the lower legislative chamber to review the Act establishing the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI). Oseke explained that the existing Act is not a big piece of legislation, which is why it requires an amendment to expand its scope and improve its responsibilities for the extractive industries. The lawmaker made the disclosure when he led members of his Committee on a monitoring and oversight visit to the NEITI Secretariat. Oseke explained that the committee plans to ensure the Act provides for transparency and invests more powers on the extractive industries regulatory body. ‘‘We will not allow it to be a bill that will come to p...

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29Jun By MosesianNo Comments

Politics

PDP warns Governor Matawalle against defecting to APC

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned Governor Bello Matawalle against defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The opposition party in a statement released by its spokesperson Kola Ologbondiyan, strressed that no law allows Matawalle to defect to another party since he was elected on the platform of the PDP. Members of the national assembly and the state house of assembly who were elected on PDP's platform were also warned against defecting as they risk losing their seats. The PDP further disclosed that its national working commitee (NWC) has approved the dissolution of the Zamfara state executive council. The statement read;   “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is watching developments in Zamfara state as they concern reports of plans by the sta...

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27Jun By Ajiboye IfeoluwaNo Comments

News

National Assembly to pass PIB in weeks – Sylva

Chief Timipre Sylva, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, has assured that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) currently before the National assembly will be passed in the next few weeks. Sylva gave the assurance when he featured at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) forum on Sunday in Abuja. The PIB, which was first presented at the National Assembly in 2008, is an omnibus law to regulate the entire spheres of the industry. The bill is intended as a complete overhaul of the Nigerian oil and gas sector seeks to, among others, ensure an increased level of transparency and accountability by strengthening governing institutions to attract investments in the industry. Sylva said, “I am very optimistic that the PIB will be passed very soon. I have always thanked and commended ...

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25Jun By Ajiboye IfeoluwaNo Comments

News

Nigeria is poor, the only option left is for us to borrow responsibly – Senate President, Ahmad Lawan

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan has said that the country can only borrow to fund its infrastructural needs.   Addressing reporters after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari to discuss important national issues at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday June 24, the Senate President stated that Nigeria is a poor country and the only option left to address its infrastructural deficit is to borrow responsibly.   Lawan added that the National Assembly would always observe due diligence before giving approval to the executive for any loan request.   He said;   “Our options are really very limited as a country. First, we don’t have the necessary revenues. Nigeria is poor; we shouldn’t deceive ourselves. “Nigeria is not rich, given the circums...

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23Jun By MosesianNo Comments

News

The fact that the national assembly roof was leaking is a clear testimony that the place is due for rehabilitation – Senate President, Ahmad Lawan

Senate President Ahmad Lawan has asked Nigerians to stop blaming lawmakers for the national assembly leaky roof. Many Nigerians had described the incident as a national embarassment after photos and videos of the flooded national assembly went viral on social media on Tuesday June 22. Deputy Whip of the Senate, Senator Sabi Abdullahi who raised a point on order on Tuesday June 23, said reports about the leaky roof breached the privilege of the lawmakers and were done to denigrate their integrity.   Noting that the N37 billion earmarked for the renovation of the National Assembly complex in the 2020 budget was slashed to N9 billion in the revised one, Abdullahi stated that the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) was in charge of the maintenance of the complex and...

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22Jun By MosesianNo Comments

News

Buhari Constitutes first EFCC Board since 2015

President Muhammadu Buhari has finally constituted the board of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Umar Gwandu, spokesperson of attorney-general of the federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami said the board will operate on a five-year tenure. Names of the board members have been forwarded to the national assembly for confirmation. A statement released by Gwandu read; “President Buhari has appointed George Abang Ekpungu as the Secretary of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for a tenure of five years. “The appointment is for a fresh tenure of five years. “Also appointed as board members of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission are Luqman Muhammad (South South), Anumba Adaeze (South East), Alhaji Kola Raheem Adesina (North Central) and ...

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13Jun By MosesianNo Comments

News

I don’t know Why National Assembly is afraid of referendum – Ozekhome

Mike Ozekhome, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and constitutional lawyer has asked why the National Assembly is afraid of ‘referendum’ and ‘a people’s constitution’. The senior lawyer in an interview on Channels Television, recalled how he took on frontally the Deputy Senate President, Senator Omo-Agege on this issue penultimate Friday June 11 at the International Conference Centre. Ozekhome said he explained on a blow-by-blow account how to bring about what we call a people’s constitution, after a referendum. He said;   “In trying to restructure this behemoth, this elephantine, this very unwieldy, unitary federation, which passes for a federal system of government, how do we go about it? That has always been the question. And I have never underrated the role of the Nation...

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5Jun By Ajiboye IfeoluwaNo Comments

News

Buhari sends delegation to Enugu over Nwodo’s death

President Muhammadu Buhari, Saturday, described the late Joseph Nwodo as “one of the leading lights of the legal profession” at the burial ceremony of the deceased held in Ukehe Nsukka, Enugu State. The President was represented at the ceremony by a Presidential delegation led by Dr Chris Nwabueze Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment accompanied by Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sharon Ikeazor, Minister of State, Environment, Senator Ita Enang, and Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity. The funeral service, held at St Peter’s Catholic Church, Ukehe, was graced by distinguished personalities like Gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, former governors Jim Nwobodo, Sam Egwu, Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, members of the National As...

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13May By Ajiboye IfeoluwaNo Comments

News

Buhari recommends capital punishment for kidnappers

Chairman, Senate Committee on Land Transport, Dr. Abdulfatai Buhari has said that the only solution to the incessant kidnapping of innocent citizens is to kill anyone found guilty of the offence. Buhari who represents Oyo North at the National Assembly, made this disclosure while addressing journalists in Ibadan, the State capital. The APC Senator who affirmed that kidnapping for ransom has now become an ugly business trend in the country, insisted that killing anyone found guilty of participating in the kidnapping of innocent citizens will serve as a deterrent to others who may wish to get involved in the crime. He cautioned that kidnapping for ransom may not stop until necessary action that will serve as deterrent is enforced by the government. Buhari while speaking further r...

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7May By MosesianNo Comments

Politics

President Buhari should speak to us… we didn’t vote for Garba Shehu or Femi Adesina – Dino Melaye

Senator Dino Melaye has asked President Buhari to come out and address Nigerians as people voted for him and not his media aides, Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu. Melaye said this when he granted an interview on AIT today May 7. According to him, President Buhari’s silence is detrimental to the war against insecurity in the country. He asked the president to resign "in the interest of Nigerians who are dying." “President Buhari needs to speak to Nigerians directly, he needs to communicate with the media. Our president is absent, and this has negative concomitant effects on the war against insecurity in the country. It is very pathetic, but our president is not available. All we hear is presidency says, we didn’t vote for Garba Shehu or Femi Adesina. All our security challenges b...

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2May By Ajiboye IfeoluwaNo Comments

News

NASS Will Never Pass Any Law To Hinder Press Freedom – Lawan

He gave this assurance while felicitating with Nigerian journalists on the occasion of the 2021 World Press Freedom Day. This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by his spokesman, Ola Awoniyi. “The Ninth Senate and the National Assembly, in general, will never pass any law that inhibits the freedom of the press but rather work with the media to further enhances the practice of the profession,” he said. “I also celebrate the Nigerian journalists for the invaluable contributions and sacrifices that they have made throughout our national history to nation-building and entrenchment of democracy. “I pay tribute to the patriots who have lost their lives in the line of duty and pray that their death will not be in vain.”

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2May By MosesianNo Comments

News

Suspected Bandits Kill Kogi Pension Commissioner, Adebayo Solomon

A Commissioner in the Kogi State Pension Board, Hon. Adebayo Solomon (Akeweje) has been killed by unknown gunmen on Saturday evening, May 1. According to reports, he was killed by suspected bandits along Yagba – Ilorin Road in Kogi State. Late Adebayo's driver, who also got shot, managed to drive the vehicle to Egbe town before he eventually collapsed. He was still unconscious at press time Saturday night. The corpse of the deceased Commissioner has been deposited at the ECWA Hospital mortuary in Egbe. The State Government was yet to react to the development. This incident comes days after a Senator representing Edo Central in the National Assembly, Clifford Ordia, was twice attacked on Okene-Lokoja and Lokoja-Abaji roads by bandits in Kogi State on his way to Abuja from Ed...

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30Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

APC Threatens To Report Mbaka To The Pope & To Expose Him

Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, Yekini Nabena, has cautioned the Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, against making statements that could cause instability in the country, threatening to expose him to the Pope. Mbaka had called on the National Assembly to impeach President Muhammadu Buhari if he fails to resign over increased insecurity in the country. Reacting to Mbaka’s statement Friday in Abuja, Nabena said it was unfortunate for a man of God “who is supposed to deploy all known spiritual means of averting crisis but rather threatening a democratically elected government for his own personal benefits while pretending to be speaking for the people.” While making reference to the book of Mark 4: 35-4...

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30Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Nigeria’s Debt Stock To Hit ₦34 Trillion With New Loans

The total debt stock for Nigeria could rise from N33 trillion to N34tr soon as the National Assembly approves another N1.1tr external loan request for the federal government. The House of Representatives yesterday approved the external loan of $1.5 billion (about N571.5bn) and €995 million (about N528.4bn) for the federal government while the Senate had approved the request last week. The Debt Management Office (DMO) had in March 2021 placed Nigeria’s Public debt at N32.915tr as of December 31, 2020. This included the debt stock of the federal and state governments as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). “Total Public Debt to Gross Domestic Product as at December 31, 2020 was 21.61 percent, which is within Nigeria’s new limit of 40 percent.” According to the recomme...

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28Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Let’s Shut Down The National Assembly If We Can’t Save Our People – Smart Adeyemi (Video)

“Let’s shut down the National Assembly, if we cannot save this country, we stay in our homes. Our country is bleeding. People are in poverty. There’s no food. People are hungry. Insecurity is threatening us.” - Smart Adeyemi. https://youtu.be/QXrPsu0xj60

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22Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

DSS Informed FG Of Pantami’s Extremist Views Before His Appointment – Amachree

Former Assistant Director with the Department of State Services, Dennis Amachree, has said the secret police informed the Federal Government and the National Assembly of the past radical pro-Taliban views of embattled Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami before his confirmation as minister in 2019. This came as the Federal Executive Council, FEC, said the alleged link of the minister with Al-Qaeda and Taliban some years ago was not discussed at its meeting yesterday. These came on a day the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu, at plenary, moved for the immediate resignation or sack of the minister for showing sympathy to the deadly activities of insurgents. Amachree, who spoke while featuring on PUNCH Online interview programme...

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22Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Senate Moves To Cut Cement Prices

A move to cut the skyrocketing costs of cement began yesterday at the National Assembly. The Senate urged the Federal Government to introduce liberal policies to stimulate more investment in the manufacturing of the product. The upper chamber said such policies should include provision of industrial and larger tax incentives to encourage local investments in cement production in Nigeria. The resolution was sequel to the consideration of a motion titled: “Need for liberalisation of cement policy in Nigeria”, sponsored by Senator Ashiru Oyelola Yisa and five others. The co-sponsors of the motion are: Senators Muhammad Enagi Bima (Niger South); Adelere Adeyemi Oriolowo (Osun West); Samuel Egwu (Ebonyi North); Kabiru Gaya (Kano South) and Michael Nnachi (Ebonyi South). In his l...

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17Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

NDDC Is Broke, We Need More Funds – Akpabio

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has asked for more funds for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) which he said is broke. The commission was in the news towards the end of last year over allegations of corruption running into billions. At a public hearing of the national assembly, Akpabio had accused federal lawmakers of being beneficiaries of corruption. But speaking on Friday at the NDDC Strategic Capacity Building Workshop in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, Akpabio said the funding system is poor because budgetary provision for the commission is staggered and does not come as and when due. The minister, who called for an amendment to the laws establishing the agency if need be, said he was determined to leave the NDDC better than how...

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17Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

FG Yet To Rebuild Chibok College Seven Years After Destruction – Ndume

Senator representing Borno South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Ali Ndume, on Friday, lamented that the Federal Government had yet to rebuild the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, which was destroyed seven years ago by Boko Haram insurgents. Ndume, who is also the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, said the Federal Government had adopted the Borno State-owned college, following the abduction of 276 schoolgirls by the terrorists in 2014. Ndume, who spoke with journalists in Abuja, also noted with concern that parents of the abducted schoolgirls were still living in pain without comfort since the unfortunate incident. He said, “It is seven years since the Chibok girls were abducted. Up till today, 112 of them are not accounted for. We hear storie...

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16Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

2023 Polls: NASS Under Pressure To Pass Electoral Act Amendment Bill

Stakeholders are putting pressure on the National Assembly to pass the Electoral Act Amendment Bill. They warned that the reluctance by the leadership of the National Assembly to expedite action on the passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill may have negative consequences on the smooth conduct of the 2023 general elections. President Muhammadu Buhari had thrice rejected the bill, the third time being August 30, 2018 when he returned it to the National Assembly. However, lawmakers in the 8th National Assembly, under the leadership of then Senate President, Bukola Saraki, quickly incorporated the areas the president raised objections to and sent the bill back to him for his assent on November 7, 2018. After nearly one month on his desk, President Buhari in December 2018 aga...

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14Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Electoral Offences Bill: Political Parties, Officials Risk ₦50 Million Fine

In order to guarantee the sanctity of the ballot and as well engender a credible electoral process in the country ahead of the 2023 general election, the National Assembly has made far-reaching provisions in the Electoral Offences Commission Bill and the Electoral Act (2010) Amendment Bill (2020) which are under consideration and will soon be passed into law. Both legislations are to discourage underhand dealings and malpractices in the nation’s electoral process. In the proposals included in the proposed electoral law, candidates who submit false credentials and their political parties would be fined N5million and N50million apiece for that infraction, plus a possible jailtime for the offender. Consequently, the Electoral Act (2010) Amendment Bill (2020) is currently at an ad...

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30Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Senator Sani Musa Bemoans Massacre Of 20 Vigilante And One Soldier In Niger State

Senator representing the Niger East Senatorial Zone in the National Assembly, Senator Sani Musa, yesterday described the recent killings of 20 members of the local vigilante and a soldier in Kontokoro town of Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State as “callous, inhuman and wicked.” The vigilantes were killed in an ambush last Thursday when they were going on a routine patrol while the bandits reportedly attacked the military post in the town killing the soldier. Musa, in a condolence message to the Niger State Governor, Mr. Abubakar Sani Bello, and the entire people of the senatorial zone, called on all peace loving people of the state and the country to raise their voices against this dastardly act. He described those behind the massacre of these innocent people as enemie...

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28Mar By dthataNo Comments

Education, Politics

National Assembly Proposes 235 New Tertiary Institutions, Despite Cash Crunch

Bills are at different stages of legislative activities at the National Assembly for the establishment of 235 new federal universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and specialised institutions despite poor funding of the existing federal tertiary institutions. Checks by Daily Trust show that the federal government currently has 119 universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and monotechnics. Various labour unions in the tertiary institutions and the federal government often haggle over salaries and other school running costs, hence frequent strikes by staff of the institutions. In 2020, a strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over a payroll system and condition of the universities lasted nine months. Not long after ASUU ended its strike, ano...

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26Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Nigeria Can’t Be Left Behind In Protecting Women – Femi Gbajabiamila

Nigeria could not afford to be left behind in the global trend to protect and defend the rights of women, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has said. The Speaker stated that on the part of the 9th House, it had already made the protection of women and promoting gender-based issues, an important item on its Legislative Agenda. He spoke at the National Assembly when he received a delegation from a development partner, OXFAM International, on a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja on Thursday. Gbajabiamila assured the team that the House would do everything within its limits to protect and defend the rights of women, though he clarified that the ultimate goal would be to achieve gender equality by addressing the interests of both women and men. ...

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22Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

SERAP Sues Lawan, Gbajabiamila Over Alleged Missing ₦4.4 Billion NASS Fund

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, and Speaker of House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila at Federal High Court, Abuja over alleged missing N4.4 billion National Assembly fund. In the suit filed at the weekend, SERAP is seeking “an order of mandamus directing and compelling Lawan, Gbajabiamila and National Assembly to perform their constitutional oversight functions to ensure prompt and transparent investigation into the allegation that N4.4 billion budgeted for the National Assembly may be missing and unaccounted for.” The suit followed publication of annual audited reports for 2015, 2017 and 2018 in which the Auditor-General of the Federation raised “concerns about alleged diversion and misappropriation of public...

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19Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

National Assembly Workers Issue Strike Notice Over Minimum Wage

Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission. It was jointly signed by Messrs Sunday Sabiyi and Ojemeri Oisameye, chairmen of the NASS and NASC chapters of PASSAN, respectively. The workers’ ultimatum to the management expired on March 18. PASAN, in another letter on Thursday, jointly signed by Sabiyi and Oisameye, and obtained by our correspondent, wondered why the management ignored its 21-day ultimatum. The workers, therefore, said they could not guarantee industrial harmony if at the end of their fresh 14-day strike notice, the management still ignored their demands.

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16Mar By MosesianNo Comments

News

Deputy speaker, Idris Wase explains why he rejected petition on insecurity from Nigerians living abroad

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Idris Wase has explained why he rejected a petition on insecurity from Nigerians living abroad which was presented on the floor of the lower chamber of the national assembly by Mr Mark Gbillah who represents Gwer East-Gwer West constituency of Benue State. Wase in a statement released by his media aide Umar Puma, stated that the petition from a socio-cultural association based in the United States which alleged that indigenes of their community have not been resettled in their ancestral land after being sacked by gunmen, was rejected "based on rules of parliamentary procedures”. The Deputy Speaker who alleged that the reports in circulation had been “doctored, slanted and bent to give political and ethnic coloration to an event that...

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12Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

National Assembly Is Broke, Needs Bigger Budget To Be Efficient – Benjamin Kalu

The House of Representatives has said the National Assembly is underfunded to function efficiently and effectively as a national parliament. The House decried that the paucity of funds has made the working environment not conducive for lawmakers while they have not been able to carry out their legislative activities to the best of their ability. The lamentation came from Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Benjamin Kalu, at his weekly media conference on Thursday. The National Assembly had a budget of N139.5bn in 2018, N125bn in 2019 and N128bn (N125bn proposed, N3bn added) in 2020. While the sum of N125bn was proposed for the National Assembly in 2021, it along with its affiliates got about N134bn. Kalu was asked if it was true that the House reduc...

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9Mar By dthataNo Comments

News

Minimum Wage: NLC To Embark On Nationwide Protest On Wednesday

THE Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and its allies will on Wednesday, embark on a nationwide protest over the alleged attempts by some elements at the National Assembly to remove the Minimum Wage from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List. A statement from the NLC headquarters, Abuja, on Tuesday stated that the mobilization will start from the Unity Fountain Abuja at 7:30 am to the National Assembly complex.

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7Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Professor Sagay Says All Nigerians Should Carry Arms

One man, one gun; one woman, one rifle. The above, Professor Itse Sagay appears to be saying, might be the panacea to Nigeria’s seemingly untameable security crisis, as insurgents, bandits and other criminals continue to seize the country by the jugular. Given the worsening insecurity situation in the country, the Chairman of Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), Prof. Itse Sagay has called on the President, the National Assembly and all concerned authorities to empower every Nigerian to carry arms. It will help to make for a balance of terror, he insists, in the current situation whereby the country is gradually sliding into a Hobbesian state where life is brutish and where might is right, no thanks to the activities of kidnappers, bandits, terrorists and herd...

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3Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Rumble In National Assembly Over Lopsided Promotions

There is growing tension in the National Assembly over alleged illegal and lopsided promotion of over 150 staff without recourse to the public service rule. The tension, Daily Sun learnt, might lead to protest soon if the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) failed to act. According to documents seen by Daily Sun, the said promotion was done in August, 2017, when Adamu Fika held sway as chairman of NASC. In one of the memos addressed to the former clerk to the National Assembly, Sanni Omolori by Fika, he admitted that the action the commission took in addressing the issue of proper placements was against the public service rule. It was learnt that some of those promoted bypassed some steps in the service and were promoted ahead of their contemporaries. The development ...

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