Category: Legislative

INEC dismisses recall petition against Senator Natasha

Emporium Reporters

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed the recall petition against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, citing procedural deficiencies.   In a statement signed by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC stated that while the recall process is constitutionally guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022, the petition submitted did not meet the necessary requirements.   According to the Commission, the petitioners from Kogi Central had presented six bags of documents, purportedly containing signatures from over half…

Judge withdraws from Senator Natasha’s suit against Akpabio over bias allegations

Emporium Reporters

Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has recused himself from the suit filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and others. The case seeking to prevent the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from proceeding with disciplinary action against Akpoti-Uduaghan over alleged misconduct.   Justice Egwuatu announced his withdrawal on Tuesday, citing allegations of bias leveled against the court by Akpabio, who is the third defendant in the suit. The Senate President reportedly expressed a lack of confidence in the court’s…

House of Reps amends, approves State of Emergency in Rivers … Aguocha, Agbese, Ali Isa, Others raise concerns over process

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The House of Representatives on Thursday approved President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request for a state of emergency in Rivers State but not without key amendments to ensure constitutional compliance and a defined duration. During plenary, Speaker Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, presented the President’s request, allowing lawmakers to debate before a final vote. However, the session took a critical turn when Hon. Obinna Aguocha (Labour Party, Abia State) raised a constitutional point of order, insisted that the House must strictly follow Section 305(6b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandated…

NNPC debunks Port Harcourt refinery explosion rumor, assures public of safety

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has dismissed reports of an explosion at the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) in Rivers State, urged the public and media to disregard the misinformation.   In a statement released on Wednesday in Abuja, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, Olufemi Soneye, clarified that the incident in question was a controlled flare operation, which has since been fully contained.   “There is no danger or health hazard to staff, the surrounding communities, or the environment,” the statement assured.   The…

Senator Ipinsagba’s 18-Month Scorecard: Transforming Ondo North with Developmental Strides

Emporium Reporters

By James Isaac, Abuja   Senator Emmanuel Olajide Ipinsagba, representing Ondo North Senatorial District and serving as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Procurement, has showcased his achievements over the past 18 months. During an interactive session with selected journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, the APC chieftain highlighted key developmental projects and initiatives that have positively impacted his constituents.   Within his first three months in office, Senator Ipinsagba initiated three signature projects across the six local government areas in Ondo North. These included a state-of-the-art cottage hospital…

Senate advances bill to enhance Articulated Vehicle Safety

Emporium Reporters

By James Isaac, Abuja   The Nigerian Senate has passed for second reading a bill seeking to regulate the movement and safety of articulated vehicles on the nation’s roads to curb frequent accidents and fatalities. The bill, titled Articulated Vehicle Safety Regulation Bill, was sponsored by Senator Hussaini Babangida Uba (Jigawa North-West). In his lead debate, he emphasized the need for stricter regulations to ensure the roadworthiness of articulated vehicles, particularly petroleum tankers, in line with the Nigerian Constitution. Key provisions of the bill include mandatory six-month vehicle inspections, enforcement…

Reps members Jallo Hussaini, Adamu Tanko dump PDP for APC amid political realignments

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Two members of the House of Representatives have defected from the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing dissatisfaction with their former party’s leadership and confidence in the APC-led administration. The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, announced their defections during plenary on Tuesday, marking another shift in the National Assembly’s political dynamics. Hon. Jallo Hussaini Mohammed, who represents Igabi Federal Constituency in Kaduna State, and Hon. Adamu Tanko, representing Gurara/Suleja/Tafa Federal Constituency in Niger State, officially declared their move to the…

NCoS Boss, Nwakuche pledges reforms to tackle Prison Congestion, ensure speedy trials

Emporium Reporters

By James Isaac, Abuja   The number of inmates on death row in Nigeria has risen to 3,688, marking an increase of 98 prisoners within six months, the Acting Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Mr. Sylvester Nwakuche, has disclosed.   Speaking during his screening before the Senate Committee on Interior, chaired by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Nwakuche described the worsening congestion in correctional facilities as a major crisis, calling for urgent collaboration among security and judicial agencies to expedite justice delivery.   He attributed part of the problem to…

Senate approves restoration of Aniocha North II State Constituency, directs INEC to Act

Emporium Reporters

By James Isaac,Abuja   The Senate has approved the restoration of Aniocha North II State Constituency in Delta State, in compliance with the Supreme Court judgment in suit SC/129/2019.   It also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to implement the ruling by ensuring the constituency take effect in the next Delta State House of Assembly election after the current legislative term, in line with Section 115 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).   Additionally, the Senate instructed its Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, as well…

Senate dismisses Natasha’s sexual harassment petition against Akpabio

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions has dismissed a sexual harassment petition filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.   During the investigative hearing at the National Assembly on Wednesday, the Committee Chairman, Senator Neda Imasuen, ruled the petition “dead on arrival,” citing a breach of Order 40 of the Senate Standing Orders.   Imasuen emphasized the need for strict adherence to Senate rules, warning that any deviation could lead to “chaos and anarchy.” He further stressed that matters pending before…