March 13, 2024
Following a breach of privilege motion moved by Senator Olamilekan Adeola (APC Ogun West) against Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) over Ningi’s interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (Hausa Services), alleged that senior senators got N500m each.
Ningi was suspended for three months on Tuesday. He also resigned as the Chairman of the Northern Senators’ Forum.
Adeola had come under orders 9, 10, 41, and 51 to move a motion of privilege and issue of national importance against Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) over Ningi’s interview with the BBC.
Adeola had come under orders 9, 10, 41, and 51 to move a motion of privilege and issue of national importance against Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) over Ningi’s interview with the BBC (Hausa Services)
Ningi, in the BBC interview on Friday, alleged that N3.7tn was not tied to specific projects in the 2024 budget.
Also, at a press conference on Monday, the senator insisted on the allegation, adding that he was not afraid of suspension.
Contributing to the debate on Tuesday, Senator representing (PDP, Cross-River North) Jarigbe Jarigbe said issues about the missing N3.7tn as alleged by Ningi had been clarified under the Government Owned Enterprises and the first line charge.
He said, “I thought this issue should have ended when the chairman of the Committee on Appropriation explained that the N3.7tn was under GOEs and the first line charge.
“That explains everything. We are going back and forth on this issue and coming up with the issue of budget and individual issues concerning what comes into our various constituencies.
“If we want to go into those issues, all of us are culpable. Some senators here—the so-called senior senators—got N500m each. I am a ranking senator, but I didn’t get it. Did I go to the press? Most of you here got it.”
However, when given another chance to speak, he clarified that it was Ningi who told him that some senators got N500m.
December 18, 2023
The immediate Governor of Plateau State and Minister of Labour and Employment Simon Lalong has left President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet, over the weekend to take the Plateau South Senatorial seat which he won.
He is due to be sworn in this week by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Lalong, the Director-General of the Tinubu Campaign Organisation in the rundown to the February Presidential poll, was declared loser of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He challenged the result, and victory was given to him by the Court of Appeal
Lalong, a lawyer and two-term Speaker of Plateau State House of Assembly, tendered his resignation after Wednesday’s FEC meeting, in preparation for resumption at the Red Chamber of the National Assembly.
A presidential aide Imran Muhammad in his X handle last night wrote “President Tinubu has accepted Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong’s resignation from the cabinet. His valedictory will hold at the next FEC meeting.”
Also the spokesman for APC in Plateau State, Sylvanus Namang also confirmed Lalong’s resignation from FEC.
Lalong received his Certificate of Return last month.
The Court of Appeal ordered the electoral commission to issue him the certificate of return, following the nullification of the election of Air Vice Marshall Napoleon Bali of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who has now vacated the seat.
Lalong was accompanied to the INEC Headquarters by his wife, Regina, and children as well as former Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives Idris Wase; member representing QuanPan, Shendam, Mikang Federal Constituency John Dafaan; APC Deputy National Secretary Festus Fuanter; Minority leader of Plateau House of Assembly Joe Bukar and some members of the Plateau Assembly; former Majority Leader Naalong; some former Plateau Commissioners; former Head of Service Sunday Hyat, some serving local government chairmen and other supporters.
Also last month, the President and other party leaders held consultations with Lalong after he received the certificate of return on his replacement in FEC.
At the meeting, he was given an opportunity to recommend four names as possible replacement in FEC.
Party leaders also believe that his experience as a two-term House of Assembly Speaker will come in handy as he will unofficially enjoy the status of a ranking senator.
August 28, 2023
President of the 9th Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, representing Yobe North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, has distributed 9,000 bags of grains to his constituents.
The move was an intervention by the former Senate President, to complement the various efforts by both the Yobe State and Federal governments, to ease the hardship currently being faced by the people of his senatorial district.
Senator Lawan, through his media aide Dr. Ezrel Tabiowo, said the intervention was undertaken by the Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan (SAIL) Empowerment Foundation across the 60 wards in Yobe North Senatorial District.
The event, held on Saturday, August 26, 2023, at Filin Katuzu, Gashua, Bade Local Government Area of Yobe State where the grains distributed included 6,000 bags of rice, and 3,000 bags of millet.
He added the beneficiaries were drawn from the six local government areas of Yobe North Senatorial District, which are: Bade, Nguru, Jakusko, Karasuwa, Yusufari and Machina LGAs.
July 4, 2023
The Adamu-led National Working Committee NWC of the ruling All Progressives Congress; APC, has disowned the majority leadership positions announced by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, saying the party has not officially communicated the presiding officers.
National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu made the declaration on Tuesday at a meeting with governors of the party.
The President of the Senate, had announced Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central as the Senate Majority leader and former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, APC, Borno Soutg as the Senate Chief Whip.
Reading the letter from the All Progressives Congress, APC, Akpabio also announced Senator Dave Umahi, APC, Ebonyi South as the Deputy Leader and Senator Lola Ashiru , APC, Kwara South as the Deputy Whip.
The Minority positions were handed to Mwadkwon Davou -Senate Minority Leader (Plateau North, PDP), Kamorudeen Olarere as Deputy Minority Leader (Osun West, PDP), Darlington Nwokeocha as Senate Minority Whip (Abia Central, LP) and Rufai Hanga as Deputy Minority Whip ( Kano Central, NNPP).
At the House of Representative, the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, on Tuesday, revealed the new principal officers of the 10th House of Representatives.
They include Julius Ihonvbere (APC – Edo, House Majority Leader), Halims Abdullahi (APC – Kogi, Deputy Majority Leader), Bello Kumo (APC – Gombe, Chief Whip), Adewunmi Onanuga (APC – Ogun, Deputy Chief Whip).
Abbas also read a letter from the Minority Caucus which detailed the names of the principal officers.
The letter named Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Minority Leader), Aliyu Madaki (NNPP, Deputy Minority Leader), Ali Isah (PDP, Minority Whip), and George Ozodinobi (Labour Party, Deputy Minority Whip).
