Legislature

Senate Presidency: 72 Non-Serving Senators drum support for Akpabio

Published

2 years ago

May 8, 2023

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AS the race for the 10th Senate presidency gets ‘tougher’, 72 non-serving senators have endorsed former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, to head the 10th Senate.

A former senator representing Kano Central, Basheer Garba Lado, in a press conference in Abuja on Monday, on behalf of the group expressed support for the zoning of the position of the president of the 10th senate, to the south-south geo-political zone of Nigeria.

Addressing the press, Lado said:

We are a group of non-serving Senators of the Second to the Fourth Republics.

We have invited you today to announce our position with regards recent developments which will no doubt affect our progress as a nation.

Before we begin however, we wish to sincerely commend our President/Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, for providing exceptional leadership over a very challenging period of our national journey.

We also wish to congratulate and extend our best wishes to the incoming President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his excellent electoral campaign and well deserved victory.

We believe that our President Elect H.E. Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu is an inspirational leader with a clear vision.

His Excellency has consistently demonstrated a high sense of responsibility, maturity, doggedness and empathy. These attributes are imperatives for effective leadership and good governance.

We also acknowledge the articulate, focused and able Vice President-elect, H.E. Senator Kashim Shettima Mustapha whose contributions, political weight and wise support contributed in no small measure to the success we are celebrating today.

We must also recognise the tireless efforts of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, H.E. Senator Abdullahi Adamu, CON, as well as commitment of members of the NWC who demonstrated wisdom and fair play that successfully guided our party to this critical stage in our political development.

The high level of integrity exhibited by our Party’s national chairman in the successful general elections cannot be overstated.

We, in the spirit of equity, fairness, political expedience and following extensive consultations with stakeholders, hereby express our total support for the zoning of the position of the President of the 10th Senate, to the South-South geo-political zone of Nigeria.

We also affirm our unfettered support for the position of the President of the 10th Senate who also doubles as the Chairman of the National Assembly to be conferred on His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON.

The position of Senate President represents the third position in hierarchy of our current democratic dispensation.

This position carries considerable weight in discharging vital constitutional responsibilities and for charting the right course for our national development.

It is also important that the holder of such a position enjoys the confidence and support of the party leadership and that of his peers as Senator Godswill Akpabio undoubtedly does.

With this same spirit of fairness, we also affirm our solid support that the position of Deputy President of the 10th Senate be conceded to Distinguished Senator Barau I. Jubril, CON, representing Kano North Senatorial Zone, Kano State.

It is our conviction that a diverse and united legislative leadership is critical to good governance.

At a trying period in our nation’s political history, the National Assembly requires experienced and level headed leaders at the helm of its affairs.

Gentlemen of the press, as you are all aware, the stakes are high and that a successful transition to a new political dispensation is key in ensuring national unity, cohesion and overall progress as one nation.

In view of the above, we wish to respectfully appeal to all other aspirants to these key positions to kindly support our position by withdrawing their respective bids.

We believe that their withdrawal and cooperation will reduce the acrimony that commonly characterises the jostle for power in the National Assembly amongst the geo-political zones

This will go a long way in ensuring a peaceful and smooth take-off of the incoming administration.

Thank you for your audience.

I wish you all a good day.

Amidst all the support received from some persons in the All Progressives Congress, Akpabio has not formally declared his intention to run for the presidency seat.

See full list of the senators below:

Basheer Garba Lado
Ben Ayade George Akume Rilwan Akanbi Barnabas Gemade  Grace Bent Binta Masi Garba Ayogu Eze Andy Uba Ibrahim Ida Olorunnimbe Mamora  Anthony Adeniyi  Ganiyu Solomon  Gbenga Obadara  Gbenga Kaka  Musiliu Obanikoro  Arise Ayo  Felix Kolawole Bajomo  Hassain Mudashiru  Domingo Obende  Wilson Ake  Ita Enang  Heineken Lokpobiri  Clever Ikisikpo Ita Giwa Ibrahim Musa  Alex Kadiri  Ocheja Emma Dangana Jibriu Wowo Isa Maina Mohammed Ohiare  Abubakar Sodangi Joseph Akaagerger  Jack Tilley Gyado  Abubakar Tutare  Bello Tukur  Ahmed Barata  Abba Aji  Mohammed A. Mohammed  Umar Idris  Adamu Talba  Sidi Ali  Timothy Adudu  Ishaq Adebayo Salman  Akin Odunsi  Seye Ogunlewe  Fatima Raji Rasaki  Lanre Tejuoso  Nkechi Nwaogu  Margery Chuba Okadigbo Mohammed Saleh  Sani Kanba  Abubakar Abdullahi Naamo  Danladi Sankara Mohammed Ibrahim  Sola Adeyeye Anthony Agbo  Ikechukwu Obior Chris Adighije  Emma Anosike  Jalo Zarami Alkali Jajere Oladipo Odujinrin Mohammed Alkali Sunday Ogbuoji Abu Ibrahim Bello Maitama Saddiq Yar’adua Jide Omoworare Anthony Manzo Aminu Inuwa Magnus Abeh

Legislature

NASS modifies NDLEA Act, Prescribes Life Imprisonment for Drug Traffickers

Published

16 hours ago

November 21, 2024

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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.

Legislature

President Tinubu urges Senate to approve ₦1.767trn External Loan

Published

3 days ago

November 19, 2024

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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

Legislature

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

Published

2 weeks ago

November 11, 2024

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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.