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Impeachment threats: Senators chicken out as Chief Whip confirms they now support Buhari 

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The impeachment threats against  President Muhammadu Buhari in July by senators mostly of the opposition parties before they proceeded on recess may have been overtaken by a new twist as they are now expressing support for the president when Senate resumed plenary from 7 – week recess.

Senators across the opposition political parties and some of their colleagues in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had in the heat of worsening security situation threatened the President with impeachment proceedings with six weeks within which he must address the situation or get the notice.
But at resumption of plenary on Tuesday, they chickened out as none of the Senators raised the issue giving credence to the believe that their threats were empty after all.

Indication that the move had been jettisoned, reflected in the welcome speech read by the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan to senators after two hours of closed door session 
Lawan in the speech said :”Distinguished Colleagues, just before we embarked on our recess the Senate showed serious concerns on the Security situation in the country. We had intimate discussions on the security challenges across the country. 
“Consequently, the Leadership of the senate had two engagements with the Office of the National Security Adviser, Chief of Defense Staff, Service Chiefs, Inspector General of Police, Director General of Department of State Services, Director General of Nigerian Intelligence Agency and other heads of other security agencies precisely on the 5th of August and 12th September, 2022 to ensure that our defense and Security Agencies improve on their operational strategies to secure citizens and indeed our country. 
“From the assessment of the prevailing situation our security agencies are recording more successes and the situation seems to be improving. 
“Nonetheless, the Senate will continue to engage with the defense and security agencies through its appropriate Committees, to ensure that the engagements are sustained”.
Earlier before commencement of plenary, the Chief Whip of the Senate , Senator Orji Uzor Kalu ( APC Abia North), told journalists that the move had fizzled out . 
Kalu who stated this while fielding questions from journalists, said even if such a move is made now, it will be knocked off as majority of the Senators are now behind the President .

“The issue of impeachment is a non existing one .  Nobody is talking about it again .; Even if they try, they will fail because we have the number to resist it. 
“There is nothing wrong with a lawmaker coming up with an impeachment threat but will they succeed, no. So, as far as I am concerned, there is no discussion about Buhari’s impeachment because security has improved. 
“We have been meeting with the service chiefs and some of you were there and can testify that the issue of security has improved and it will keep improving” , he said .

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Legislature

NASS modifies NDLEA Act, Prescribes Life Imprisonment for Drug Traffickers

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The National Assembly has modified the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act to prescribe life imprisonment for individuals found guilty of storing, transporting, or concealing illicit drugs and substances. 

The amendment was adopted on Thursday during plenary, presided over by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, following broad support from the senators.

The amendment reflects a harmonised position of the Senate and the House of Representatives on Section 11 of the NDLEA Act. 

The House had earlier passed an amendment prescribing life imprisonment for drug traffickers, while the Senate had proposed the death penalty.

To reconcile the differences, a conference committee of both chambers was convened. Senator Tahir Monguno, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, presented the harmonised version to the Senate. 

He urged lawmakers to adopt the House’s position of life imprisonment, arguing that enforcing the death penalty could lead to the execution of over 900 accused persons currently awaiting trial for drug-related offenses.

The Deputy Senate President who presided over the plenary had put the resolution to a voice vote, and the majority of senators supported the amendment. 

The approved version stipulates life imprisonment for offenders.
The amended section now reads:
“Anybody who is unlawfully involved in the storage, custody, movement, carriage, or concealment of dangerous drugs or controlled substances and who, while so involved, is armed with any offensive weapon or is disguised in any way, shall be guilty of an offence under this Act and liable on conviction to be sentenced to life imprisonment.”
This amendment aims to strengthen the fight against drug trafficking while addressing concerns over human rights and the judicial implications of the death penalty.
The move is part of efforts to curb the growing menace of drug trafficking and its adverse effects on Nigerian society. According to Senator Monguno, the life imprisonment penalty strikes a balance between deterrence and humane judicial practice.
With the amendment, the NDLEA now has a robust legal framework to prosecute offenders and combat drug-related crimes effectively.

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Legislature

President Tinubu urges Senate to approve ₦1.767trn External Loan

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Bola Ahmed Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally requested the National Assembly’s approval for a $2.209 billion (₦1.767 trillion) external borrowing plan to finance part of the ₦9.17 trillion fiscal deficit in the 2024 budget. The loan, included in the 2024 Appropriation Act, is critical to the government’s broader strategy for economic recovery and growth.
In a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu noted that the borrowing aligns with the provisions of Sections 21(1) and 27(1) of the Debt Management Office (DMO) Establishment Act, 2003. He also indicated that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had approved the plan.
The President explained that the funds would be sourced through Eurobonds or similar external financial instruments. A detailed summary of the loan’s terms and conditions accompanied the letter to guide legislative scrutiny.
“This borrowing is necessary to address the budget deficit and fulfill our fiscal strategy for 2024. Swift approval will enable us to move forward with mobilizing these funds,” the President stated, emphasizing the urgency of the request.
Senate President Akpabio referred the matter to the Committee on Local and Foreign Deb

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Senator Natasha Transforms Kogi Central Schools with 5,000 Digital Learning Devices

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By Isah Bala

Access to quality education is a cornerstone of societal progress, and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is embodying this vision by bringing transformative educational tools to Kogi Central. In a groundbreaking initiative, the senator recently provided 5,000 digital learning devices to public primary and secondary schools in her district, aiming to bridge the digital divide and set a new educational standard.

The devices, unveiled at Abdul Aziz Attah Memorial College (AAAMCO), are preloaded with the Nigerian curriculum from UBEC and internationally acclaimed educational resources, including Khan Academy and Discovery Kids. Through this initiative, students will experience interactive learning, enabling them to explore subjects in depth, enhance digital literacy, and engage with complex topics in a hands-on way.

This project is just the beginning of Senator Natasha’s ambitious plan to make “smart schools” the norm in Kogi Central. She envisions a future where every child in her district has equal access to digital learning, stating, “My dream is to equip all public primary and secondary schools in Kogi Central with digital learning devices before the end of my tenure in 2027.”

Beyond device distribution, the senator’s initiative includes UBEC-led teacher training to ensure educators are equipped to integrate these tools into their classrooms effectively.
With this dual approach of student and teacher empowerment, Senator Natasha is laying a foundation that will support digital literacy and skill development for years to come.

Senator Natasha’s commitment to educational advancement represents a significant step forward for Kogi Central, ensuring that young students have access to the tools they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world. This initiative marks her dedication to the constituency that entrusted her with this mandate.

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