Senate

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) has taken a firm stand against President Bola Tinubu’s $21 billion foreign loan request, refusing to endorse the deal despite its approval by the Senate.

The outspoken lawmaker, a known advocate for fiscal responsibility, criticized the lack of transparency in the loan agreement, demanding full disclosure of repayment terms and project allocations before any further borrowing.

“How can we approve such a massive loan without clear terms? This is fiscal recklessness,” Ningi declared during a press briefing.

“Nigerians deserve to know exactly how these funds will be used and how we intend to repay them.”

The rejection comes amid rising concerns over Nigeria’s ballooning debt profile, which has surpassed N121 trillion. Analysts warn that unchecked borrowing could plunge the nation deeper into economic instability.

The Presidency has yet to respond, but sources indicate Tinubu may seek alternative approval routes if Senate support wavers.

Opposition figures and civil society groups have rallied behind Ningi’s demand for accountability.

By Uzair Adam 

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed two interlocutory motions filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio in the case challenging Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan represents Kogi Central.

A three-member panel of justices, led by Justice Hamman Barka, unanimously struck out the motions after Akpabio’s legal team withdrew them. The court also awarded N100,000 in costs against the Appellant.

The ruling, delivered on May 21 and made available to reporters on Wednesday, involved motions dated March 3 and March 25, 2025, identified as CV/395/M1/2025 and CV/395/M2/2025.

Akpabio was listed as the Appellant in the appeal, while the Respondents included Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, and Senator Neda Imasuem, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.

Akpabio’s lawyers had sought the appellate court’s permission to extend the time to appeal a Federal High Court judgment in Abuja, delivered on March 10, 2025, in a suit involving Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and others. 

They also asked for leave to file a notice of appeal against the ruling, citing mixed law and fact grounds.

Ultimately, the appellate court struck out both motions, upholding the objections raised and awarding costs against Akpabio.

By Uzair Adam

The Senate has begun legislative proceedings on a petition alleging the inclusion of non-indigenes as Bauchi indigenes in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) basic military training recruitment.

During Tuesday’s plenary, Senator Abdul Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central, presented a petition written by Governor Bala Mohammed, expressing concern over what he described as a deliberate misrepresentation in the recruitment process.

“This is to bring to the attention of the Senate a matter of grave concern on the inclusion of non-indigenes as indigenes of Bauchi State in the Nigerian Air Force basic military training course,” Mohammed stated in the petition.

He added, “It is imperative, Mr. President, to note that the interests of Bauchi State have been so shortchanged, so marginalised.”

After the petition was read, Senate President Godswill Akpabio referred it to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions, as well as the Committee on Air Force, for a thorough investigation.

“The petition will be argued at the committee’s level,” Akpabio said, directing the committees to report back to the Senate within seven days.

By Uzair Adam

In response to the escalating security challenges across the country, the Nigerian Senate has resolved to convene a two-day National Security Summit in Abuja, bringing together key stakeholders from all levels of government and traditional institutions to chart a path toward improved national safety.

The summit, according to the Senate, will serve as a platform for generating actionable recommendations aimed at reforming Nigeria’s security architecture.

It is expected to influence policy direction, with the Senate urging the Federal Government to consider and implement proposals emerging from the discussions.

The decision to organize the summit followed a motion titled “Urgent Need for a National Security Summit,” presented during plenary by Senator Ibrahim Jimoh, who represents Ondo South and chairs the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Affairs.

The motion was co-sponsored by Senators Zam Titus (Benue North-West), Peter Onyeka Nwebonyl (Ebonyi North), and Ngwu Osita (Enugu West).

While presenting the motion, Senator Jimoh linked the country’s worsening security issues to global instability, referencing the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war, strained North-South relations, and economic tensions like the U.S. tariff war.

He noted how these global developments have intensified food insecurity and disrupted efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Jimoh also expressed deep concern about the persistent violence within Nigeria, highlighting the spread of banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping across both urban and rural areas.

He urged a strategic shift in Nigeria’s approach to combating insecurity, calling for enhanced intelligence gathering, increased military funding, and non-military solutions.

Citing historical political unrest in Nigeria, including the 1953 Kano riots and electoral crises of the 1980s, Jimoh stressed the importance of proactive measures as the country approaches another election cycle.

He reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to national peace and encouraged alignment with the administration’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.”

The Senate emphasized that the upcoming summit would not be the first of its kind. Former Senate President Ahmad Lawan had also convened a similar initiative during the 9th Assembly, which laid groundwork for national security dialogue.

Lawan had pointed to the Senate’s role in guiding conversations toward sustainable solutions.

The new summit is anticipated to build on previous efforts and deliver comprehensive, practical strategies to restore peace and security across Nigeria.

By Uzair Adam 

Suspended senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) has alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio made inappropriate comments about her, including remarks about her waist.  

In an interview with the BBC, she claimed Akpabio would “squeeze my hands in a very suggestive way,” adding, “We women, we know what it means when a man squeezes our hands in a suggestive way.”  

Akpoti recounted an incident where she forgot to wear her ring and was confronted by Akpabio in the presence of other senators.  

“There was a time I forgot to wear my ring because I rushed to work, and there were about five senators there. 

“Akpabio said, ‘Oh Natasha, you are not wearing your ring… is this an invitation to treat?’” she said.  

She further alleged that Akpabio made another remark about her body, saying, “Natasha, your husband is really enjoying. It looks like you’d be able to make good movements with your waist.”  

According to Akpoti, other senators laughed at the comments, highlighting how such issues are often overlooked in Nigeria.  

“I just want a place where I would just work. I thought the worst was over, but I guess for a woman, it’s never really over, right?” she said.  

Akpoti was suspended by the Senate on March 6 for “gross misconduct and unruly behavior” following a confrontation with Akpabio over seating arrangements. 

The suspension came just a day after she submitted a petition accusing the Senate President of sexual harassment.  

However, the Senate has insisted that her suspension was unrelated to the petition.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The House of Representatives has approved four crucial tax reform bills during its session on Thursday in Abuja. 

The bills, which are now awaiting Senate concurrence, include the Nigerian Tax Bill, the Tax Administration Bill, the Revenue Tax Board Bill, and the Nigerian Revenue Service Establishment Bill.

James Abiodun Faleke, Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, highlighted the thorough process that led to the bills’ adoption. Over 80 key stakeholders participated in public hearings, and an eight-day retreat was held to debate the clauses. 

Faleke expressed confidence that the tax reforms would result in widely accepted laws and thanked lawmakers and House leadership for their support.

“We cannot continue using outdated tax laws that no longer meet our business, survival, and revenue needs,” Faleke emphasized, referring to the existing tax laws, some of which date back to 1959.

Deputy Committee Chairman Saidu Abdullahi praised Speaker Tajudeen Abbas for fostering consensus among stakeholders and ensuring that input from all geopolitical zones was considered. 

He added that the recommendations reflect the contributions of various groups and that the final version resulted from extensive consultation.

Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere, an opposition member, also lauded the reform process, highlighting its transparency and the adjustments made to reflect public interests better. He assured the reforms would expand the tax base, enhance revenue collection, and protect small businesses.

Benson Babajimi, a lawmaker from Lagos, noted that all concerns from various stakeholders, including issues like inheritance tax and VAT, were carefully addressed during the legislative process.

With the House’s approval now secured, the tax reform bills await the Senate’s concurrence.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

In a decisive move, the Nigerian National Assembly (NASS) has suspended Senator Natasha for six months following recommendations from the Ethics and Public Petitions Committee.

The suspension, which takes effect from March 6, comes after the senator stood up for her rights during a Senate session.

The committee has mandated that Senator Natasha must submit a written apology before she can resume her duties.

Additionally, her office will remain locked throughout the suspension period, and she is barred from entering the NASS complex. Her salaries, allowances, and security details have also been suspended for the duration of her penalty.

Furthermore, Senator Natasha is prohibited from representing herself as a senator in both local and international media during her suspension.

This development has sparked widespread debate, with critics labeling the punishment as excessive and indicative of deeper governance issues in the nation.

As Africa’s most populous black nation, Nigeria continues to grapple with political controversies, and this incident has further fueled discussions about transparency and accountability in its leadership.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Senate has dismissed a petition filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, citing procedural irregularities.

The petition, which alleged sexual harassment, was declared “dead on arrival” by Senator Neda Imasuen (LP, Edo South), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions.

Imasuen stated that Akpoti-Uduaghan breached Senate rules by signing the petition herself instead of having it endorsed by another individual.

He also noted that the issues raised were already in court.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was reported to have failed to appear before the committee during its scheduled session, which began nearly an hour late.

The matter was referred to the Ethics Committee two weeks ago after she publicly challenged Akpabio over seat allocation and repeated her allegations in a media interview.

The Senate has now tasked the Ethics Committee with further reviewing the case.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Ebira People’s Association (EPA) has expressed its full support for Senator Natasha Hadiza Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, while urging the Nigerian Senate to prevent any form of intimidation or harassment within the legislative chamber.

In a statement issued on Friday, the National President of EPA, Dr. Oyibo Godwin, condemned recent developments in the Senate, including Senator Natasha’s removal as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Local Content and the sudden relocation of her seating position.

Dr. Godwin described these actions as politically motivated and deliberate, sparking widespread reactions on social media and traditional news platforms.

“We have closely followed the events in the Senate, from the ‘nightclub’ comment saga to Senator Natasha’s removal from her committee and the abrupt change of her seating position. These actions clearly indicate a targeted and unjust treatment,” the statement read.

The association emphasized that while it had previously refrained from commenting on the matter, it believed the Senate would resolve internal issues fairly and ensure the rights of all senators, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or political affiliation.

However, EPA expressed concern over the involvement of certain ethnic groups in the controversy, stating that this has compelled the people of Kogi Central to respond.

“We are closely monitoring any steps the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges may take. We continue to gather all relevant information and will respond appropriately at the right time,” the statement added.

The association reiterated its unwavering support for Senator Natasha, praising her for carrying out her legislative duties competently and vowing not to allow her to be victimized or punished for any ulterior motives.

“Senator Natasha has demonstrated excellence in her role, and we will not stand by while she is unfairly targeted or marginalized,” the statement concluded.

The EPA’s statement comes amid growing tensions in the Senate, with calls for transparency and fairness in the treatment of lawmakers.

By Anwar Usman

Tensions flare-up in the Senate on Thursday after Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan exchange words with the leadership over a seating arrangement dispute.

The issue started when Akpoti-Uduaghan’s seat was reassigned following a reshuffle prompted by opposition members moving to the majority wing which she refused to abide by.

The Chief Whip of the house, Senator Tahir Monguno, explained the Senate rules to justify the change, and stated that seat adjustments were under the authority of the Senate President.

He also warned that non-compliance could lead to penalties, including exclusion from Senate debates.

The president of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio supports Monguno’s order and denied Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan the floor when she attempted to speak from her old seat.

In response to that, the Kogi lawmaker raised her voice, accusing the leadership of trying to silence her.

She stated that “I don’t care if I am silenced. I am not afraid of you. You have denied me my privilege”.

The standoff intensified when the Senate President directed the sergeant-at-arms to remove her.

However, with the help of some lawmakers calmness was restored, although Akpoti-Uduaghan stand firm in her refusal to move.