Legislature

Hallowmace tackles INEC over vacant seats at NASS, State Houses of Assembly

Published

3 years ago

August 9, 2022

The Hallowmace Foundation has beamed its searchlight on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) interrogating the electoral umpire why it has not taken steps to conduct by-election to fill vacant seats at the National Assembly and some State Houses of Assembly.

The vacant seats came to be owing to death of members, resignation to take up new appointment and other issues without replacement for some months now.
The foundation expressed dismay that INEC is shirking from its duties wandering whether it is becoming so overwhelmed that the conduct by-election to fill such vacant seats after 60 days has been brushed aside.
It took note of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)’s election of its national leaders where Senator Abdullahi Adamu (Nassarawa West) became National chairman of the party leaving his seat vacant in the National Assembly.
Also Sen. Abubakar Kyari (Boro State) was elected Deputy National Chairman (North) of theparty leaving his seat vacant.
On February 23rd, 2022, The Zamfara State House of Assembly impeached the deputy governor Mahdi Aliyu Gusau, from office, and immediately replaced him with Senator Hassan Nasiha the serving senator representing Zamfara Central Senatorial District, as a new deputy governor of Zamfara state, his seat is still vacant.
The lawmaker representing Oron Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Nse Ekpenyong, passed on to the great beyond, Mr Ekpenyong, 58, reportedly died on Saturday April, 25th, his seat is also vacant.
The Executive Director of the foundation Sunny Anderson Osiebe in a statement expressed worry that some other constituencies both Federal and State have existed for months without any representative, a case he liken to disenfranchisement of the constituents.
The statement reads in part, “The attention of Hallowmace Foundation has been drawn to the issue of vacancies, which have for some time now existed at the two Houses of the National Assembly and some State Assemblies as a result of deaths, resignations and sundry other factors and the urgent need to address what seemingly is an uncanny indifference on the part of INEC, the Electoral Management Body.”
He urged the electoral umpire to strive to fill the vacancies so created by such factors as identified earlier even with the tenure of the 9th Assembly subsisting till June next year.
“These past few months, our organisation, as a responsible Watchdog of the Legislature and a stakeholder Civil Society partner in our nation’s legislative business, has observed with serious dismay and concern that such vacancies that have occured in no less a place than the National Assembly and some State Houses of Assembly, where all Nigerians possess the right of representation, have been in many of the cases allowed to linger beyond the Constitutionally allowed threshold of sixty(60) days.
“As it now stands, all that concerned Constituencies without representation at the National Assembly and its State counterparts at present are allowed to stagnate without anyone promoting it.

“Without doubts, the current indifference or even perceived non-challant disposition of INEC, with regard to conducting elections to fill the vacancies created in such Constituencies constitutes gross negligence and a direct violation of Section 76(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
“While frowning at such affront against the laws of our land, Hallowmace Foundation, therefore, called on the esteemed Chairman of INEC and its numerous collaborators in the business of conducting elections in Nigeria to, as a matter of urgency activate all necessary mechanisms aimed at conducting bye elections in Constituencies that have lost their representative due to death, resignation or appointment into other political positions.
“The need for the above cannot be overemphasized. In the face of the present reality of non- representation for some Constituencies across the country at the National and State Assemblies, it is indicting negligence on INEC to stand aloof or claim ignorance of its Constitutional responsibility in this regard, especially, when considered against the backdrop that the current Assembly still has almost one year to wind down its tenure.
“This complete shirk in the responsibility of INEC seems to be nothing other than a calculated attempt to willfully deny a section of the populace their right to effective representation for whatever reason
He said they are using the medium as a strident and clarion call on the Electoral Management Body to rise up to the occasion and do the needful, knowing full well that in this case, time is of the essence, too, for such affected Constituencies without a current voice at the National and State Assemblies.

Legislature

NASS approves ₦54.99 Trillion 2025 Budget

Published

1 week ago

February 13, 2025

National Update

National Assembly Complex

***Allocates N23.96 Trillion for Capital Projects, N14.31 Trillion for Debt Servicing

The Nigerian Senate along with the House of Represebtatives have passed the 2025 Appropriation Bill, approving a record-breaking budget of N54,990,165,355,396 to finance government activities in the coming fiscal year.

The budget, titled A Bill for an Act to Authorise the Issue from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation, was approved after deliberations on its allocations and implications for economic growth, debt management, and infrastructure development.
The chairman of the National Assemble Godswill Akpabio who is also the President of the Senate gave the beakdown of the 2025 Budget to show that Statutory Transfers: ₦3.65 trillion, debt Servicing: ₦14.32 trillion, Recurrent (Non-Debt) Expenditure: ₦13.06 trillion and
Capital Expenditure: ₦23.96 trillion

The largest chunk of the budget, ₦23.96 trillion, was allocated for capital expenditure, aimed at infrastructure development, healthcare, education, and security.
This signals the government’s commitment to addressing Nigeria’s infrastructural deficit.

However, the ₦14.32 trillion earmarked for debt servicing highlights the country’s rising debt burden, sparking concerns over long-term financial sustainability.

With the National Assembly approval, the budget now awaits President Bola Tinubu’s assent, after which implementation will begin. Analysts predict a challenging fiscal year, balancing economic growth with prudent spending and debt repayment.

However, time will tell whether the historic budget will deliver on its promises, or economic realities force adjustments down the line?

Legislature

Senator Adeola Olamilekan explains N54.99trn Budget passage

Published

1 week ago

February 13, 2025

National Update

Deola Solomon Olamilekan

***Says addittional fund is to Prioritize Infrastructure, Health, Economic Growth

The chairman of the senate committee on Appropriation Senator Adeola Solomon Olamilekan has explained the approval of the 2025 Appropriation Bill by the national Assembly which it increased from N49.7 trillion to N54.99 trillion—the highest in the nation’s history.
The adjustment followed legislative reviews that uncovered additional revenues from key government agencies.
While explaining the Budget Expansion and Revenue Sources Olamilekan indicated that the additional N4.99 trillion was sourced from Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Government-Owned Enterprises (GOEs)

These he said led to an increase in funding for critical sectors, including N1.5 trillion for Bank of Agriculture, N500 billion for Bank of Industry, 1 trillion for Ministry of Solid Minerals, N1.5 trillion for Renewable Infrastructure Fund, N300 billion – Road construction and N400 billion for Rail transport.
Others are N380 billion of Water resources, irrigation, and dam projects, N250 billion for Military barracks renovation N120 billion for New military aviation projects, N50 billion for Border security agencies
Following the suspension of U.S. health aid, which previously provided funding for HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and polio treatments, President Tinubu approved $200 million (N300 billion) to ensure continued medical supplies and healthcare support for affected patients.

On the major Boost for Infrastructure Development he said a record N23.7 trillion has been allocated for capital projects, marking a significant leap in infrastructure investment.
He listed the areas the funds will focus on to include Roads and railways,nEducation and healthcare improvements and Other critical public infrastructure
To prevent delays in budget implementation, the 2026 budget process will begin in July 2025, with the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) submitted early and the Appropriation Bill expected by October 2025.

Concerns over inadequate rail infrastructure funding in the South East were raised, but legislative leaders clarified that rail projects are primarily funded through public-private partnerships (PPPs).
According to him, the 2025 budget focuses on light rail development in Lagos, Ogun, Kaduna, and Kano, while further discussions on South East projects are ongoing.

He explained that to maintain Economic Stability the budget parameters remain unchanged, with key revenue sources including FIRS increasing its revenue target to N25.1 trillion, Nigeria Customs Service boosting revenue collection through stricter enforcement and Independent revenue agencies contributing 100% of their generated funds to the federal government

Legislature

Reps Launch Probe into Telcos Over Unauthorized NIN-SIM Linkages

Published

2 weeks ago

February 7, 2025

National Update

Patrick Umoh

The House of Representatives has directed its Joint Committee on Communications and Interior to investigate reports of unauthorized National Identification Number (NIN) linkages by telecom service providers across Nigeria.

The decision followed the unanimous adoption of a motion jointly sponsored by Hon. Patrick Umoh (APC, Akwa Ibom) and Hon. Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo). The House also instructed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to probe the allegations and sanction any telecom operator found guilty of violating privacy laws.

Additionally, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has been asked to clarify whether telecom providers were authorized to link NINs to subscriber lines and if such actions comply with existing regulations.

Hon. Umoh raised concerns about recent reports indicating that telecom companies have linked NINs to subscribers’ SIM cards without their consent. He warned that this unauthorized linkage exposes Nigerians to criminal activities, such as identity theft, financial fraud, and other cybercrimes.

“This action is a clear violation of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) 2019, which guarantee the right to privacy and the protection of personal data,” Umoh stated.

He further emphasized that while the NIN system was introduced to enhance national security and streamline identification processes, unauthorized linkages undermine public trust and jeopardize citizens’ safety.

“Aware that innocent citizens have been wrongly implicated in crimes, suffered reputational damage, harassment, and legal challenges for offenses they know nothing about, it is imperative that we address this issue immediately,” Umoh added.

The House has mandated the probe committee to submit its findings within four weeks, as lawmakers seek to protect Nigerians from potential data breaches and uphold the integrity of national security protocols.