Category: Legislative

Senate Confirms Joash Amupitan as INEC Chairman, vows electoral reforms

Emporium Reporters

The Senate has officially confirmed Joash Amupitan, a law professor, as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Amupitan’s confirmation followed a rigorous two-hour screening, during which he assured lawmakers of his commitment to restoring credibility to Nigeria’s electoral process and implementing meaningful reforms. The 58-year-old emphasized the need for elections where losers will graciously accept the outcome, strengthening public trust in the system. He also denied any involvement in the legal representation of President Bola Tinubu at the 2023 Presidential Election Petitions Court. Amupitan succeeded Mahmood…

Senate demands justice for slain Two-year-old, orders NDLEA to pay ₦200m,treat injured sibling abroad

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance has summoned the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to appear before it on October 28, following its alleged failure to comply with a Senate resolution directing the payment of ₦200 million compensation to the family of a two-year-old child, Omhonria O. Onosereba Ivan, who was reportedly killed during an NDLEA operation.   The Committee also reaffirmed the Senate’s directive for the immediate sponsorship of medical treatment abroad for the victim’s sibling, who sustained a severe eye injury during the same operation. Chairman of…

Senate orders probe into Aviation safety, seeks urgent reforms after Air Peace incident

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Senate has directed its Committee on Aviation to launch a comprehensive investigation into the nation’s aviation sector to uncover the root causes of recurring runway incidents and operational lapses across Nigerian airports.   The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari (Oyo North), who raised concerns over the growing number of runway-related accidents and near-mishaps in the country. The motion was inspired by the findings of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) on the June 22, 2025 Air Peace runway overrun at the Port…

Defection Drama in Bayelsa: Dickson slams Diri, defends Multi-Party Democracy

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Senator representing Bayelsa West in Nigeria Senate,Seriake Dickson has sharply criticized the defection of Governor Douye Diri from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accused the governor and others who followed suit of fleeing the mess they created within the party.   Reacting after the Senate plenary on Wednesday, Dickson expressed his disapproval of Diri’s move, despite several consultations on the matter. He emphasized that there was no compelling reason for a second-term governor to switch parties, especially at a time when the PDP…

Senator Ekpenyong advocates for Factoring Regulation Bill to strengthen MSMEs , drive economic growth

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a pivotal move aimed at bolstering the growth of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong Jnr. (Cross River South) today introduced the Factoring Regulation Bill, 2024 (SB. 474) before the Senate, calling for enhanced support for MSMEs to address the chronic liquidity challenges that have stifled their potential. The bill, which was read for the first time in June 2024, aims to establish a legal and regulatory framework for factoring a financial arrangement where businesses sell their receivables (unpaid invoices) to licensed financial institutions at a…

Senate to screen INEC Chairman nominee, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, tomorrow

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Office of the Secretary for Research and Information in a release addressed to members of the press and the general public , said that the Senate will conduct the screening of Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan SAN, the nominee for Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Thursday, October 16th, 2025. According to Bullah Audu Bi-Allah, Director of Information, the screening will take place at the Senate Chamber, National Assembly Complex. “Members of the Senate Press Corps are kindly requested to provide their usual media coverage to ensure…

EuroPlus Group advocates major overhaul of Nigeria’s electoral system ahead of 2027 Elections

Emporium Reporters

By James Isaac, Abuja     In a bold move to improve the credibility and transparency of Nigeria’s electoral system, the EuroPlus Management/Consulting Group has called for sweeping reforms to the country’s electoral framework. The group’s proposals, presented during a public hearing organized by the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters on Monday, October 13, 2025, include significant changes to the electoral process as the nation prepares for the 2027 general elections.   Abdullahi Shehu, an Anti-Money Laundering Expert who represented the group, stressed the need for the National…

IPAC calls for electoral reforms to strengthen democracy ahead of 2027 elections

Emporium Reporters

By James Isaac,Abuja     The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), a coalition of registered political parties in Nigeria, has called for comprehensive reforms to the country’s electoral process, urging the National Assembly to amend the Electoral Act in preparation for the 2027 general elections. The call was made during a public hearing on the Bill for an Act to Repeal the Electoral Act 2022 and Enact the Electoral Act 2025, organized by the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters on Monday, October 13, 2025.   Dipo Olayokun, the Deputy…

The Uncommon Legislative Engine: A Record of Reform from Nigeria’s 10th Senate By Rt Hon Eseme Eyiboh

Emporium Reporters

It is a peculiar feature of Nigerian political commentary that verifiable evidence is often sacrificed on the altar of sentiment. A recent Editorial of Leadership Sunday questioning the relevance of the 10th Senate and portraying it as a mere appendage of the executive, though expressing the legitimate anguish of citizens battling hunger and insecurity, falters when confronted with fact. Far from being the “worst in history,” the Senate under Godswill Akpabio has demonstrated a record of legislative productivity and reform unmatched since 1999. _Res Ipsa Liquitor_ Consider the arithmetic of…

Deputy Speaker Kalu pledges support for Bildup AI to drive Tech Innovation, Education in Nigeria

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a significant move to advance technological innovation and human capital development in Nigeria, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has pledged his full support for Bildup AI Learning, a transformative platform leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance education and skills training across the country.   Kalu made this commitment during a visit to the Bildup AI Learning hub in Enugu, where a group of young Nigerians are engaged in various educational programs powered by AI. The visit was part of a retreat…