Legislature
Internal party wrangling looms as APC Senators-Elect reject Imposition
***say they are capable of producing leaders they want
Some of the Ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Senators-Elect at the 10th National Assembly Induction programme held in Abuja on Monday have express their divergent views as it concerns the election of the principal officers of the National Assembly with many opting for the true independence of the Legislature.
This was happening just as the Ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) named those they have nominated for the various position based on what they described as zoning arrangement of the party
According to a Statement issued in Abuja on Monday by the National Publicity Secretary of APC Barr. Felix Morka the party zoned the Senate Presidency to South South as it named Senator Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom) as it’s choice while the Deputy Senate Presidency was zoned to the North West with Senator Barau Jubrin (Kano) as the party’s choice
For the House of Representatives the Speakership was zoned North West witb Hon. Abass
Tajudeen (Kaduna) as it’s choice and for the Deputy Speaker slot it was zoned to South East-Hon. Ben Kalu (Abia) with Ben Kalu as the party’s choice
Speaking on the issue Abdulraham Kawu Samaila, the Senator elect on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party in Kano South Senatorial District said they are to follow the constitution.
“There is a clear and express provision in the constitution which allows members of the National Assembly to choice their presiding officers amongst themselves irrespective of party affiliation, religious or ethnic considerations.
“Each of us has the qualification to lead the chambers as presiding officers in the National Assembly.
“It is not a just cause that the Senate Presidency should go to the South because of religion. It is against the constitution and morally it is wrong. It is against the character of democracy.
“We are practicing constitutional democracy and presidential system of government which provides for the National Assembly, Executive and Judiciary.
“The parliament is an independent arm of government. The executive is detached from the parliament and judiciary. Therefore, we are canvassing a situation where we will true separation of power. Let the executive led by Mr President, exercise its power to balance its positions.
“Let us as the legislature, also exercise our powers. The executive can suggest but it is our to do what the constitution provides. The head of the judiciary for instance, is from Oyo, the same geopolitical zone with the President Elect.”
Senator Elect Ned Nwoko representing Delta North Senatorial District on the platform of the PDP said, “The defining issue for us is to have an independent National Assembly. We must be independent of the executive. As a third arm of government, we must hit the ground running.
“We should not have leaders that are imposed on us by the executive. In this case, the issue of South East must be taken to account.
“The overwhelming majority of the senators elect are of the opinion that we must be independent. That is the only way we can take the executive to account.
“The parliament is not meant to be pocketed by the executive. There are some of us that are already well established before we came here. So are not push overs. We are very independent minded.
Senator Osita izunaso on his part pointed out that the most natural thing for the APC to do is to zone the office of the Senate President to the South East adding it is long overdue.
“If you are ever contemplating zoning to the South, it is a natural thing that it should go to the South-East. The zone has been part of the process. South East voted for the APC. If you tell me that the South East did not vote for the APC, I will tell you that you are not saying the truth. “Despite the pressure on the South East regarding the Peter Obi’s candidature, we were able to deliver six Senate seats and two governors.
“Labour Party has six senators while the Peoples Democratic Party has two. APC Members In the South East has done exceedingly well. South East Senators-Elect met yesterday and we are categorical that the office of the Senate President should be zoned to the South East in the spirit of justice, equity and balance.
“If we must achieve oneness and unity of Nigeria, the Senate President must be zoned to the South East. That is our stand point and personally,ni am not ready to step down for anybody. I’m running for the position of the Senate President.
Senator Godswill Akpabio said they are awaiting the final position of the APC National working committee which he expressed the believe would come out very soon.
“When the zoning arrangements come out, we would know the position that would be zoned to different geopolitical zone. It is not something that we should speculate about but I believe that justice would be done at the end of the day in terms of balancing the political equation of the country to ensure peaceful tenure for the incoming president.
“On the fact that some aggrieved APC aspirants are forming alliances with opposition political parties, Akpabio said, he was not worried about it because it remained a normal legislative practice.
He said, “I am not worried at all. It is a normal thing. I always described politics as a game of concentric circle of conspiracy. I am not worried about anything. I believe strongly that the will of God will be done.
“My colleagues would decide my fate on the floor during the inauguration. The senators-elect would take a decision.
“The lawmakers would elect the next Senate President. I believe that there should be cooperation between the parties and the lawmakers. “Once the leadership is put in place, there should be collaboration between the leadership and the Parliament to ensure qa smooth administration and we are all mutually dependent on one another while at the same time, exercising our legislative duties and independence. On the whole I believe that we can only get better as our democracy matures.”
***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?
***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
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.
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