Senate

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Nigerian Senate has passed the N2.18 trillion 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Bill, a request for consideration by President Bola Tinubu.

The bill, which was presented to the Senate during Tuesday’s plenary session, received expedited attention as requested by President Tinubu in his letter to the Senate. 

The Chairman of the Senate Committee of Appropriations, Solomon Adeola, laid the report before the Red Chamber on Thursday, leading to the bill’s express approval.

Reports indicate that the Committee on Appropriations had engaged with key ministers heading the agencies outlined in the supplementary budget, including the Minister of Works, David Umahi; Minister of Housing, Ahmed Dangiwa; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari; Minister of State for Defence, Hon. Bello Matawale; and service chiefs. 

Prior to the bill’s passage, the Senate adopted a harmonised report compiled from discussions in both chambers concerning the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Bill, submitted by Senator Adeola. Lawmakers emphasised that swift approval was in the best interest of the nation. 

Senator Adeola stated that his committee had meticulously reviewed the budget details with input from relevant sub-committees and heads of the benefiting ministries, departments, and agencies of the government. 

Following a thorough clause-by-clause consideration, the Senate adopted the Committee’s report without any alterations, returning it to the President.

This decisive action underscores the Senate’s commitment to national fiscal responsibility and ensuring the timely allocation of resources for the country’s development projects.

By Muhammadu Sabiu 
 
President Muhammadu Buhari asked the Senate on Wednesday to approve a $800 million loan to fund the National Social Safety Network Programme.
 
During the Senate’s Wednesday plenary session, Ahmed Lawan, who is the President of the Senate, read a letter from Buhari that contained the request.
 
The money, according to the President, will be distributed to 10.2 million low-income and destitute households for a period of six months, with a predicted multiplier effect of 60 million people.
 
To ensure proper implementation, the president therefore asked the lawmakers to take action quickly.

By Muhammad Abdurrahman

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Adams Oshiomhole of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of Saturday’s election for Edo North Senatorial District in Edo.

Benjamin Adesina, the INEC Returning Officer, on Sunday in Auchi, declared Mr Oshiomhole as the winner of the polls with 107,110 votes.

He defeated the incumbent Senator Francis Alimekhena of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 55,344 votes.

“Adams Oshiomhole of APC, having scored the highest number of votes, is hereby declared as the winner of the election conducted on the 25th of February for Edo North Senatorial District,” Mr Adesina said.

(NAN)

By Muhammadu Sabiu

Three All Progressives Congress (APC) senators have resigned from the ruling party.

Senators Ahmad Babba Kaita (Katsina North), Lawal Yahaya Gumau (Bauchi South), and Francis Alimikhena (Edo North) are the defecting lawmakers.

Gumau defected to the New Nigeria Peoples Party, while Babba Kaita and Alimikhena joined the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, read three different letters in Tuesday’s plenary in which they announced their defections.

Senator Alimikhena’s decision to leave the APC was motivated by the “ongoing and complex crises that have plagued the APC,” particularly in his Senatorial District, “that has formed parallel executives that have weakened internal discipline, coherence, and commitment.”

Explaining the reason for his detection, Babba Kaita was quoted as saying, “As Senator representing Katsina North Senatorial District, I write to formally notify you of my resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), and registration declaration for the Peoples Democratic Party.

“My resignation from the APC was born out of the marginalisation of critical stakeholders by the State Government and Leadership of the Party in Katsina State, where small people like me do not have a chance.

“I have since been joyful and graciously accepted into the fold of the Peoples Democratic Party in Katsina State.”