The passage followed presentation of report by the Committee on INEC by its chairman, Sen. Simon Lalong (APC-Plateau) at plenary on Thursday.

The proposed amendment aims to address gaps, timelines and court jurisdiction in the resolution of pre-election disputes.

Lalong in his lead debate said the bill sought to address one of the most persistent procedural and constitutional challenges in the nation’s electoral jurisprudence.

According to him, it sought to address the uncertainty, multiplicity and inconsistency associated with the jurisdiction for the determination of pre-election matters.

He said democracy thrives not merely on the conduct of elections, but also on the credibility, certainty and predictability of the legal processes that precede the elections.

“The legitimacy of candidates and the integrity of party primaries are foundational pillars of representative democracy.

“Where the legal framework regulating pre-election disputes is uncertain or conflicting, the entire electoral architecture becomes vulnerable to confusion, forum shopping, contradictory judgments and unnecessary delays,” Lalong said.

He said the bill targetted amendments to section 29 of the electoral act and introduces a new section 29A to clearly delineate jurisdictional competence in pre-election matters.

He said in spite provisions of section 285(14) of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 on pre-election matters, the legal system continued to witness conflicting interpretations, regarding appropriate court with jurisdiction to entertain disputes.

The uncertainty, Lalong noted resulted in conflicting decisions from courts of coordinate jurisdiction and abuse of judicial process.

According to him, the uncertainty also results in undue delay in the resolution of electoral disputes and avoidable constitutional tension between courts.

He said the amendment sought would bring clarity, order and constitutional harmony to the adjudication of pre-election matters.

He listed highlights of the amendment to include clause two of the bill which amends section 29 (5) of the principal act.

He said the clause provided that an aspirant might institute an action either in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT or in the jurisdiction where the cause of action arose.

“This amendment is both practical and equitable, it reduces hardship on litigants, improves access to justice.

“It aligns electoral adjudication with territorial realities surrounding political primaries and nomination processes.

“More fundamentally, clause three introduces a new section 29A, which is the substantive innovation of this bill.

“The proposed section 29A establishes a clear jurisdictional framework on pre-election matters relating to elections into the National Assembly, Governorship and State Houses of Assembly.

“It shall originate at the Federal High Court, with appeals lying to the Court of Appeal.”

He said pre-election matters relating to the offices of president and vice president shall originate at the Court of Appeal exercising original jurisdiction, with appeals lying to the Supreme Court.

Lalong said the proposal was not arbitrary, adding that it was rooted firmly in constitutional logic, judicial efficiency and the doctrine of hierarchy of courts.

“Presidential elections are national in character and constitutional significance.

“Given the sensitivity and urgency associated with such offices, vesting original jurisdiction in the Court of Appeal ensures expeditious determination by a superior court of record with nationwide competence and institutional capacity.

“Similarly, assigning jurisdiction over other pre-election matters to the Federal High Court promotes specialisation and consistency, especially given the federal nature of electoral administration through the INEC.”

Lalong said the bill also sought to eliminate the dangerous practice where litigants deliberately institute multiple suits in different judicial divisions in search of favourable orders.

According to him, such practices erode public confidence in the judiciary and undermine electoral stability.

“By expressly providing that no court shall entertain pre-election matters except in accordance with the proposed section 29A, this amendment introduces certainty and procedural discipline into electoral adjudication.”

He said the bill ultimately provided clear judicial pathway that would reduce delays and enhance judicial efficiency.

“The amendment before us is not merely procedural, it is institutional.

“It strengthens electoral justice, deepens democratic accountability and reinforces public confidence in our electoral process.”

Lalong said the bill was timely, necessary and in the national interest and urged lawmakers to support its passage.

Contributing, Sen. Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno) after seconding the motion said the amendment sought was apt and germane.

According to him, it will lead to an improved experience in the nation’s electoral litigation and urged the lawmakers to support the passage of the bill.

President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio in his remarks after the bill was passed commended the chairman and the committee members for their inputs on the bill.

He expressed belief that the bill would be assented to by President Bola Tinubu, saying that act would deepen democracy and governance in Nigeria.

Source: NAN

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The post Senate passes 2026 Electoral Act Amendment bill appeared first on Frontpageng.

The Senate had earlier passed the Electoral Act (amendment) Bill, retaining Clause 60(3) of the principal law, which provided for transfer of results during the February 4 plenary.

The earlier passage had generated heated debates among Nigerians, particularly on provisions regarding electronic transmission of results from polling units.

At the emergency plenary on Tuesday, the Chief Whip, Sen. Mohammed Monguno, sought the Senate approval to rescind his earlier motion adopted during the February 4 sitting.

The motion was seconded by the Minority Leader, Sen. Abba Moro.

Moving the motion, Monguno recalled the passage of the Electoral Act Repeal and Enactment Bill by the Senate last Wednesday.

“Note that upon careful examination of the bill, fresh issues have emerged in respect of clause 60(3), requiring further legislative consideration for smooth, transparent elections.

“Relying on the provisions of Orders 1(b) and 52(6) of the Senate Standing Orders, 2023, as amended, I hereby move accordingly.

“That I resolve to rescind my earlier motion on Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act Bill, as previously passed by the senate to replace ‘transfer’ with ‘transmit’.

“I also move that clause 60(3) be recommitted to the committee of the whole for further reconsideration and passage.

“The reason behind this amendment is that I was the one who moved the motion for the retention of the existing act.

“The controversy that it has generated has led me to rescind the decision,” Monguno stated.

During the reconsideration of the motion, the Senate adopted all the clauses of the Electoral Act amendment bill after extensive deliberations by lawmakers.

Clause 60(3) was amended to mandate electronic transmission of results from polling units to IReV after EC8A forms might have been signed and stamped.

The amendment specified the signing by the presiding officer and available party agents at polling units before the electronic transmission.

It also provided that where electronic transmission failed due to communication issues, the EC8A form signed or countersigned shall remain primary.

The amendment further stated that in such cases, the signed EC8A shall serve as the basis for collation and declaration of election results.

The amended clause 60(3) reads: “that results shall be transmitted electronically from each polling unit to IReV.

“And such transmission shall be done after the prescribed EC8A has been signed and stamped by the presiding officer and party agents who are available at the polling unit.

“Provided that if the electronic transmission of the result fails as a result of communication failure, the result contained in form EC8A signed by the presiding officer and/or countersigned by the polling agents shall, in such a case, be the primary source of coalition and declaration of results.”

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, thereafter, listed the names of the conference committee, chaired by Simon Lalong (APC-Plateau South) and other members to harmonise the electoral act for the president’s assent.

Source: NAN

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The announcement is contained in a statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, on Monday in Abuja.

Ejodame said the operation was conducted on Monday, following credible intelligence on the plan by the terrorists to attack Marte and Monguno communities.

According to him, the airstrikes resulted in the neutralisation of several terrorists as well as the destruction of key logistics infrastructure, including supply vehicles, weapons storage sites, and makeshift shelters.

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“Battle Damage Assessment confirmed that the strike effectively disrupted imminent threats posed to the communities of Marte and Monguno, reinforcing NAF’s proactive posture in safeguarding civilian populations and critical territories.

“The NAF remains resolute in its mandate to protect the sovereignty of the nation and ensure lasting peace and security across the Northeast and beyond,” he said.

Source: NAN

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To those who may not really understand what has so far transpired in the hollow chambers of the Senate, they got a glimpse of the ‘Tom and Jerry’ show when Akpabio who got tired of seeing the beautiful face of Natasha, ordered that she be moved to one obscure corner in the chamber.

A woman that is used to the limelight and feels at home to the flashes of cameras would not allow that manner of ‘insult’. With the combined fury of a Kogi worrier and the hot Ukrainian blood flowing through her veins, Natasha refused to move. The Chief whip, Tahir Monguno, had called the attention of Akpabio to the fact that a new seat allocated to Natasha had remained unoccupied and that she should not be allowed to make any contribution from a wrong seat in the Senate chambers. When she rose to defend herself, she was told that she won’t be recognized until she moved to her new seat.

Hell was literally let loose on the floor of the Senate following the rue, as Natasha looked everyone in the face and told Akpabio pointedly that she was not afraid of him, and that she was simply being unduly punished by the Senate President by such an order.

The question that agitated the minds of many onlookers was that at what point did the chummy relationship between the duo go south? When the going was good, Emmanuel Uduaghan, Natasha’s husband and Akpabio, were bosom friends. In fact, Akpabio was a prominent figure at the lavish wedding ceremony between Natasha and Emmanuel on March 5, 2022, in Ihima, in Kogi State. That was even before Natasha was elected into the Senate.

When she was elected into the upper chamber of the Nigeria’s legislative house, Akpabio bent the Senate’s standing rules backwards to take care of Natasha by appointing her as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content. A rooky first-time Senator does not normally enjoy such a privilege. Not long after, the duo and some other Senators travelled out of the country to a conference in Geneva, Switzerland, where she reportedly sat beside the Senate President throughout the duration.

Indeed, when the going was good, Akpabio gave her a pet name – The Princess of the Niger Delta, as she was married to a Prince. Her husband, Uduaghan, is the Alema of Warri Kingdom.

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However, the beautiful relationship went south after Natasha was removed as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content and moved to head the Senate Committee on the Diaspora. That was the genesis of the present Tom and Jerry show that has been on display since last week. That was how a woman that is used to having her way became infuriated and promised to teach the Senate President a lesson.

Now, there are accusations by Natasha that she was being unduly punished for not ‘playing ball’ with the Senate President. Her removal from a juicy committee chair to an obscure one as well as the changing of her seat are parts of an orchestrated plan to frustrate and silence her.

Going by the Senate’s standing rules, the President of the Senate has the power to allocate seats to his/her colleagues on the floor of the Senate. The allocation, based on the extant rules made by the Senators themselves gave preferences to principal officers of the Senate and those that have been in the Senate for several years. But Natasha, a first-time Senator and member of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) felt that she must enjoy certain privileges. However, when she insisted on being recognized and openly confronted Akapbio, the Senate President had to direct the Sergeant-at-arms to walk her out of the chamber.

Heaven hath no fury like a woman scorned. Natasha appeared on a Television programme to allege that she was receiving such treatment from Akpabio due to her rejection of his sexual overtures.

The Senators at that stage seemed to have had enough, and simply processed her suspension order for six months. This is in spite of a court order barring the Senate Ethics Committee from investigating her. But a court order that is not favourable to Nigerian lawmakers can be shoved under the rug.

To the coven at the Senate, Natasha had stepped out of line and must be disciplined. Whether the process that led to her suspension is fair and just does not matter. A former senator, Shehu Sani, recently revealed what he went through when he publicly disclosed the salaries and allowances of Senators. He escaped suspension by the whiskers.  According to him, if you are there and turn yourself into a whistle blower, you are on your own.

Indeed, not one Senator out of 109, including three other women in the Senate spoke in favour of Natasha. Perhaps being a young woman and a new Senator, Natasha did not play her cards well. It was wrong for her to have refused to move when her seat was changed, moreso when speaking from an unrecognized seat is not allowed on the floor of the Senate, according to the rule book. What she should have done was to approach any of the principal officers to plead her case.

Again, her experience in politics should have been enough to guide her on how to navigate such a terrain as sexual harassment. While I won’t say much on the sex-for-favour allegation as the case is in court, Natasha, could have handled the situation better.

At 44 and at the height of her prime and beauty, Natasha is easy bait for advances from the opposite gender. Born of a Nigerian father from Kogi State and a mother from Ukraine, Natasha hated her skin colour while growing up in her father’s home town, Obeiba-ihima in Kogi State. While she expected other young girls to play with her, she always became the subject of their play, as they would chant ‘Oyinbo pepper’ wherever she went. Her skin colour also became an issue when her father died in 1998, and she gained admission into the University of Abuja to study Law a year later. Although she became pregnant at the age of 19 in her first year, her determination did not waver.

It was the late Apala Music Maestro, Ayinla Omowura, who sang in one of his songs in Yoruba that “Enife Iyawo Arewa, to gba fun peki Oma ta Oti”, loosely translates in meaning: “A man who marries a beautiful woman and opens a beer parlour shop for her should be ready for stiff competition”. Natasha should know that she is an attractive woman who would always attract men and should have devised a means of wading them off without appearing antagonistic.

Again, there is a thin line between ‘toasting’ or wooing a woman and harassing her for attention, in which case it becomes an assault. God created men to woo and toast women. In actual fact, she should count herself lucky that men are still toasting her at the age 44. There are thousands of women on the streets who are looking for men to even look in their direction, but who are not as lucky.  The fact that she is a married woman, again, does not stop a man from approaching her. She should simply stand her ground and move on.

As stated earlier, the Tom and Jerry show between Akpabio and Natasha would soon be resolved when tempers die down and Nigerians would be told that it was another family affair that has been resolved.

So far, one of the epic movies that has been made on the subject is ‘Indecent Proposal’, a 1993 American erotic drama film directed by Adrian Lyne and written by Amy Holden Jones. It is based on the 1988 novel by Jack Engelhard, in which a couple’s marriage is disrupted by a stranger’s offer of a million dollars for the wife to spend a night with him. It stars Robert Redford, Demi Moore, and Woody Harrelson. Although it was the husband that pleaded with his wife to accept the proposal as they were broke, he could no longer live with the conscience of whether his wife actually slept with the man who offered the largesse or not. In spite of the $1million, trust issues eventually led to the end of the marriage.

What I am driving at is that both genders will continue to be attracted to each other. There are men now who go after beautiful women only, they are not bothered whether she is married or not. This is where Omoruwa’s admonition should come in handy – Don’t marry a beautiful woman if you are not ready for competition.

With the sexual harassment suit now hanging on Akpabio’s neck, his brothers and sisters in the Senate are battle-ready with tarnishing the image of Natasha. Despite being a proud mother of four children, some have alluded to her sexual harassment claim against Reno Omokri in 2012, Dino Melaye, as well as the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, to paint a picture of a woman crying wolf where there is none. While Natasha could be described as a woman who is aware of her beauty and is used to getting her way, Akpabio’s hand has also been caught in the cookie’s jar in the past.

In 2020, Ms. Joy Nunieh, former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), accused Akpabio of sexual harassment. Speaking with Arise TV on July 13, 2020, following a probe of the NDDC by the National Assembly during which Akpabio was the Minister of the Niger Delta Ministry, Ms. Nunieh said she slapped Akpabio for sexually harassing her at his guest house in Abuja. Akpabio only got her sacked as the NDDC Managing Director on the allegation of “insubordination.” In his response to sexual harassment claim, Akpabio had simply said: “…No matter the allegation, I wish that she will go to the hospital, see a doctor, take some injections and relax. I’m not saying there is something wrong with her, I’m saying there is something wrong with her temperament.”

As stated earlier, the Tom and Jerry show between Akpabio and Natasha would soon be resolved when tempers die down and Nigerians would be told that it was another family affair that has been resolved. What has however been brought to the fore is the calibre of people we elect as leaders in the country. Our leadership recruitment process is faulty, and the earlier we realise this, the better for us as a nation. For now, let us sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.

See you next week.

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Chairman of the committee, Sen. Neda Imaseun (LP-Edo), made this statement during an investigative hearing on petitions related to alleged misconduct by Akpoti-Uduaghan and allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio.

During Wednesday’s plenary, Akpoti-Uduaghan had announced her petition, read it aloud, and submitted it, with Akpabio accepting it.

“I have a petition against the President of the Nigerian Senate, His Excellency Sen. Godswill Akpabio, for sexual harassment, abuse of office, and malicious obstruction of my legislative functions,” she said.

“You may recall, sir, that on Friday, during an Arise TV interview, I made certain statements. I have now decided to formalise those statements in a petition against the president of this senate.

“So, if it pleases you, I will humbly step forward and lay this petition.”

However, a heated debate ensued when Senate Chief Whip, Sen. Mohammed Monguno, citing Order 40(4), argued that Senate rules must be strictly followed.

Order 40(4) states: “No senator may present to the Senate a petition signed by himself.”

Monguno warned that any deviation from the rules could lead to “chaos and anarchy” and emphasised the senate’s duty to uphold its procedural integrity.

He further noted that the matter was already subjudice, as Akpoti-Uduaghan had taken the case to court.

“And also, the wife of the senate president has equally gone to court in respect of this matter. So, this matter is subjudiced.

“Therefore, the senate does not have to do anything to entertain this matter,” he said.

He advised that the matter should be referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.

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In his remarks, the President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio said “the Senate actually referred her matter not because I’m not aware of the provisions of the rules.

“It is because when people are watching from outside, they may not know we are guided by rules.”

Imaseun at the investigative hearing after plenary said:

“It is the procedure of this committee, as a matter of fact, the first thing we ask when the petition comes to us is whether or not that petition is before any law court.

“And if the answer is yes, we do not touch such petitions.

“In addition to that, our Red Book also, under Order 40, has also laid down the processes that must be followed before a petition is laid.

“If you allow me, Order 40 of our rule book, subsection 4, says that no senator may present to the Senate a petition signed by him or herself.

“In other words, I cannot submit a petition about myself, signed by myself; that petition ought to be presented by another senator.

“And I’m sure that there are three senators from Kogi, as it is with other states, and that was not done.

“That report, we will not even touch it because it’s a matter before the court.

“We do not place much emphasis on this order that was presented. We are referring back to our rule book. As I said earlier, the petition she submitted today is ‘dead on arrival.’

“I say this because it directly contradicts Order 40, Subsection 4, which states that no senator may present a petition in the Senate that is signed by themselves.

“Since the petition was signed by her, this committee will not entertain it.”

The committee had earlier launched an investigation into the alleged disorderly conduct of Akpoti-Uduaghan during the plenary session on February 20.

The senate had referred a petition, presented by its spokesperson, Sen. Yemi Adaramodu (APC-Ekiti), to the committee on February 25, mandating it to submit its report within two weeks.

The petition stemmed from the controversy surrounding a recent altercation between Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate leadership over seat allocation.

Present at the hearing to make presentations were the petition’s author, Sen. Adaramodu; Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Sen. Titus Zam (APC-Benue); and the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate, Mr Murthar Usman.

However, Akpoti-Uduaghan was absent from the investigative hearing.

Speaking further on the alleged disorderly conduct, Imaseun said:

“Ladies and gentlemen, she’s not here, now I can understand why she’s not here; she’s probably not here on the order of her lawyers, that being the case, the committee will sit and will deliberate on what we’ve gotten.

“Senators have presented their cases before us based on our rule book and all other documents that are available to us, we shall make a decision here, and then present to the full senate,” he said.

Source: NAN        

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A drama on the floor of the Senate on Thursday, 20th February 2025, attracted varied commentaries on the social, print and broadcast media. The drama was both unnecessary and avoidable as it merely distracted from the business of the day in the Chamber.

Legislative activities, whether in the hallowed Chamber or in committee rooms, are guided by the Senate Rules. This may lead a first-timer at the public gallery to wonder if lawmakers do anything without reference to their Standing Rules. Every time they get the recognition of the Presiding Officer to contribute to a discussion in the chamber, Senators are guided by the Standing Rules in what to say. This is well known to the lawmakers. The Rules also stipulate sanctions for members whose actions or conducts deviate from the Rules. The Chamber is called hallowed because it is known for Order and decorum.

The drama of that Thursday started right at the commencement of the day’s business when the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, raised a Point of Order to report Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, to the Senate on her disregard for the Senate Rules. Order 6, which Senator Monguno cited, stipulates that “the President of the Senate shall allocate a seat to each senator,” while section 6(2) states that senators may only speak from the seat allocated to them by the Presiding Officer. It also provides that the President of the Senate may change the allocation from time to time as the need arises.

Senator Monguno, relying on the rules stated above, submitted that “It is at the discretion of the Senate president, as circumstances may warrant, to change the seat of any Senator, based on circumstances that may crop up in the course of proceedings in the Senate.

“In the course of proceedings, two Senators – Ned Nwoko of the PDP and Senator Francis Ezenwa of the Labour Party, decamped to the APC, thereby necessitating their movement from the other side (Minority) to this side (Majority). In the exercise of the powers conferred on the President of the Senate, pursuant to Order 6(2), the President of the Senate decided to rearrange things, giving a directive to the Chief Whip to exercise that function. And pursuant to that directive, seats were reallocated and I want to report that Senator Natasha, having been given another seat, refused to vacate her former seat in flagrant violation of our Rules.”

Senator Monguno consequently referred the Senate to the Standing Rules, which mandate Senator Natasha to comply with the directive of the Presiding Officer to move to her new seat, failure of which she would be denied recognition to make any contribution during plenary.

After the Chief Whip landed on his Point of Order, the Senate President hit the gavel and pronounced that the Point of Order was sustained. This means that Senator Natasha could not speak on the floor of the Senate except from the new seat allocated to her.

Upon the Senate President’s ruling on the Point of Order, Senator Natasha sprang to her feet, waving the same document containing the Standing Rules and shouting, “Point of Order.” However, the Senate President reminded her that she could not speak outside her allocated seat.

Senator Natasha ignored the Presiding Officer’s ruling and continued to scream, citing Order 10, which has to do with the breach of privileges of a Senator.

Because she continued to scream, the Senate President ordered the Seargent-At-Arms to “take her out of the Chamber.”  The Seargent-At-Arms moved swiftly in her direction but hesitated to act, probably expecting the Senator to calm down and comply with the Senate President’s ruling and avert her evacuation from the Chamber. However, the Senate President kept a dignified silence. He did not repeat his directive, obviously to avert aggravating the drama.

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By this time, some Senators had walked over to pet Senator Natasha, but she rebuffed their intervention and continued uttering discourteous statements.

To demonstrate that he had no personal issues with her, the Senate President eventually offered an apology to the Senate on her behalf for holding up the day’s proceeding, citing his own 2018 experience of how a firm application of the Rules can hurt some egos and be misinterpreted.

Against the backdrop of the unfortunate drama, commentators have raised some questions: Why should the Senate President reallocate Senators’ seats? Why can’t Senators speak from any seat in the Chamber? Why wasn’t Senator Natasha allowed to explain her objection to her seat being changed?

A reference was also made to an incident on 17th October 2018 when Senator Godswill Akpabio protested being denied recognition to speak from a seat other than the one allocated to him. Are the two incidents similar?

The answers to the questions above are provided by the Senate Rules and Procedure. The Standing Orders book guides the Senate’s legislative business.

Pertinent to this issue, are clauses that empower the Senate President to allocate and reallocate seats as the need arises. Seats change in the Chamber from time to time without senators protesting because they know that occasions demand it and their rules permit it.

Senators do not sit just anywhere at the plenary. This is to ensure Order and decorum in the hallowed Chamber. The practice in the Parliament all over the democratic world is that members sit with their party colleagues. Ruling party or majority party members have a section in the Chamber and those of the opposition or minority parties another section.

A movement of members across party lines through defection will automatically necessitate an adjustment of the sitting arrangement.

Therefore, as explained by the Senate Chief Whip on Thursday, the change of Senator Natasha’s seat was made necessary by the defection on Wednesday 5th February 2025 of Senator Ned Nwoko of the Delta North Senatorial District from the PDP to the APC and Senator Ezenwa Francis Onyewuchi of the Imo East Senatorial District from Labour Party to APC as well.

Therefore, Senator Natasha was not the only Senator affected by the changes in the sitting arrangement. The difference with the others was that they graciously accepted the change, obviously seeing no point in making a drama out of an innocuous, routine development in the hallowed Chamber.

Was Senator Natasha denied her right to speak in the Chamber that day? Nope. She was not recognised to speak because she was not on her seat, just like Senator Akpabio was not allowed to speak from Senator Ali Ndume’s seat in 2018, even though Akpabio moved over to another seat that day because the microphone on his allocated seat had malfunctioned.

The then Senate President, Bukola Saraki, was firm in his ruling that Akpabio would only be allowed to speak from an alternative seat (with a functioning microphone), which the Clerk of the Senate already provided him,  but which he had rejected. Akpabio protested, but he eventually accepted the reallocated seat and apologized to the Senate.

That shows that Akpabio did not invent the rule that prevented Senator Natasha from speaking outside the seat allocated to her. He also did not apply the Rules to embarrass or victimize her.

Granting her recognition to speak after a Point of Order was raised by the Chief Whip and sustained would have been inconsistent with the Senate Rule. All that Senator Natasha was asked to do was to move to her seat to state her case of the alleged breach of her privilege.

It is noteworthy that neither of her two Senator colleagues from Kogi State agreed with Natasha on this issue. Senator Jibrin Isah, representing Kogi East, apologized on behalf of the Kogi Senate Caucus to the Senate while Senator Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi West, asked Natasha to apologise to the Senate for her conduct.

To demonstrate that he had no personal issues with her, the Senate President eventually offered an apology to the Senate on her behalf for holding up the day’s proceeding, citing his own 2018 experience of how a firm application of the Rules can hurt some egos and be misinterpreted.

*Ola Awoniyi writes from Abuja

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Chairman of Senate Committee on Appropriations, Sen. Solomon Adeola, stated this on Monday in Abuja at a meeting with the chairmen of standing committees in the Senate.

According to him, January 31 is the date for laying of reports on the appropriation bill before the Senate and the House of Representatives.

He said upon resumption from Christmas and New Year break on January 14, both chambers of the National Assembly would suspend plenary for two weeks for budget defence by Ministries Departments and Agencies, MDAs.

Adeola also said that NASS had fixed January 9 for an open day on the budget to enable various stakeholders, aside heads of MDAs, to make inputs on the budget.

“A tentative time table has been drawn for consideration of the budget at committee level.

“Budget defence sessions begin from January 7, while reports from various committees are expected to be submitted from 15th to 18th of this month.

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“Afterwards, collation and tidying up of the various reports will be done by the appropriation committee, with the hope of laying final report on the budget at the Senate on 31st of this month.

“However, the 31st of January fixed for laying of the budget is tentative, as it is just given to guide our work,” he said.

The principal officers of the Senate who attended the meeting included the Deputy Leader, Sen. Lola Ashiru and Senate Whip, Sen. Tahir Monguno.

They said that the time frame for consideration and passage of the 2025 budget by the National Assembly was short.

They, however, expressed hope on the timely passage of the budget.

The committee, thereafter, went into a closed session with chairmen of the various standing committees in the Senate.

Source: NAN        

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This contribution, announced on Sunday by Paul Ibe, media adviser to Atiku in a press statement, follows a heartfelt visit by Atiku to Maiduguri, where he extended his deepest sympathies to the state government and those affected by the catastrophe.

Ibe said, “The Waziri’s generous gesture is a testament to his unwavering dedication to humanitarian efforts.”

The Maiduguri flood, which has displaced an estimated 500,000 individuals and wrought widespread destruction, represents an acute humanitarian emergency.

Ibe emphasized that in addition to his donation, Atiku has called upon his network of friends and associates to contribute further to the relief efforts.

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This gesture mirrors Atiku Abubakar’s previous humanitarian initiatives, notably during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he mobilized support from his circle to address urgent needs.

Upon his arrival at Maiduguri airport, Atiku, accompanied by family and close associates, was received with warmth by Senator Mohammed. Tahir Monguno (SAN) representing Borno North and Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan (SAN) representing Borno Central.

His visit continued with a significant courtesy call to Governor Babagana Zulum at the Government House, where the donation to the flood relief fund was announced.

Governor Zulum expressed heartfelt gratitude for Atiku’s compassionate visit, acknowledging, “The people of Borno deeply appreciate this show of solidarity.”

Atiku Abubakar’s generous support not only highlights his deep humanitarian commitment but also serves as a powerful beacon of hope and solidarity during these trying times.

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Ribadu, who was appointed by President Bola Tinubu on June 19, took over from retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno.

“This is work for Nigerians and we intend to continue with what has been done.

“We will stabilise this country, we will secure our country, and we will make Nigeria peaceful,” the new NSA said.

He said that the administration of President Bola Tinubu had the firm belief that “time has come for this country to enjoy peace, restore order and the rule of law just like any other country in the world.

“Securing the nation is a continuous process. We will look at what has been done and build on it. We will count on your support in the course of discharging our responsibilities.

“Mr. President has a huge commitment to securing every inch of our country. We will work with all stakeholders to deliver on this vision.

“This enormous task of securing our country is that of all Nigerians, and all friends of Nigeria.”

Ribadu solicited the full cooperation of all servicemen and women, as well as all Nigerians.

He said there was need for Nigerians to unite to accomplish the administration’s quest for a more stable, peaceful, and prosperous nation.

In his remarks, the former NSA said “Ribadu is well equipped, well qualified, well educated and have a very deep understanding of the complexity of the security challenges confronting the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

He added that the new NSA had the capacity to tackle whatever challenge he might encounter having served in various related positions.

Monguno said he had submitted a comprehensive handover note to his successor and briefed him extensively.

“For me, I want to give gratitude to the Almighty God for giving me the grace to serve for such a long time.

“And also allowing me to depart in good health and enjoy the rest of my life in an atmosphere that is bereft of the type of pressure associated with this very important office.

“I am also wishing in the same vein, that Malam Nuhu Rubadu will have a very successful tenure and depart in good health when the time comes for him to depart.”

Monguno said the ever changing 21st security environment demanded complex approach.

“Today we are dealing with a situation in which we have terrorists and insurrectionists.

“The way and manner you will deal with the situation is such that you will have to rely on a collection of competent staff,” he added.

He urged the staff to support and cooperate with the new NSA to achieve the desired national security objectives.

Source: NAN

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The president spoke after undertaking a tour of the new Office of National Security Adviser and facilities at the National Counter Terrorism Centre, NCTC, in Abuja.

While noting the efforts demonstrated in countering terrorism and the state-of-the-art facilities at the two facilities, Tinubu highlighted the importance of backing such efforts with knowledge.

He said his administration had recognised that in order to achieve economic revival, prosperity, and development, security should be of optimum priority.

“It is a great joy to see that we are getting proactive resources to prepare ourselves.

“Terrorism is not unique to Nigeria alone. It is across the world and we have to fight it. We have to eliminate it completely.

“If we as Nigerians are looking for economic revival, prosperity and development, then we have to give priority to security.

“What I have seen here is a demonstration of intelligence efforts to counter-terrorism.  This must be backed by knowledge.

“Counter-terrorism that is not backed by knowledge and intelligence is not going to be of any service to any nation. We are going to work on that together.

“The effort of the entire armed forces of this country must be put together in a way that there will be one single focus on securing the country.

“You can’t have disharmony in an orchestra. We must focus on one tunnel; coordinate, share information, share intelligence and work harder.

“You cannot hoard information. You cannot hoard intelligence. I am glad that Nigeria is on the path to succeed. We will, I assure you.

“We will make it a priority and that is why I am here this morning.”

President Tinubu, who described the tour of facilities at the new ONSA building as very important, expressed his willingness to do whatever necessary to support the nation’s security architecture.

In his remarks, the NSA, Major-General Babagana Monguno (Rtd), thanked the president for making the visit his first engagement outside the Villa, saying that “it reinforces his commitment, dedication and inflexible rigidity to ensuring that the security misfortunes of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and by extension the sub-region are overcome within the shortest possible time.”

Monguno pledged the total commitment and dedication of ONSA to ensuring that President Tinubu realized the promises he made to the Nigerian people on security.

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