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Scrap Nigerian Senate To Reduce Costs – Aisha Yesufu
Aisha Yesufu, co-founder of the Bring Back Our Girls Movement, has made a bold call for the abolition of the Nigerian Senate in a bid to reduce the nation’s expenditure on governance.
Speaking exclusively to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Sunday, Yesufu addressed mounting suggestions to transition Nigeria from its bicameral legislature to a unicameral system, citing the potential for significant cost savings.
The proposal comes amidst growing scrutiny over the efficiency and financial burden of maintaining a bicameral legislature, with Yesufu suggesting that Nigeria could follow the lead of countries like China, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Portugal, which operate successful unicameral legislatures.
Moreover, Yesufu advocated for a reconsideration of the parliamentary system of government, emphasizing the need to curb excessive spending in the National Assembly.
According to Yesufu, without addressing the high cost of governance and rampant corruption, Nigerians will continue to be deprived of the benefits promised by democracy.
She said “We need to really and critically examine our democracy and look at what fits us and serve the ordinary people and the masses. The one that will not be too expensive.
“What we have now is too expensive. We need to cut cost and not just continue what we have that has not been working for Nigerians. I totally support the call for us to have a unicameral legislature. It is very important because the kind of governance that we are practising is very expensive.
“As a country, we really don’t have that kind of money. Apart from this, the fact is that both the Senate and House of Representatives end up duplicating functions in terms of what they do.”
She criticized the Senate, referring to it as “a retirement home for many incompetent and failed governors who didn’t adequately serve their states.”
Yesufu highlighted the burden placed on Nigerians due to the annual allocation of resources to these political figures in the Senate.
She further stated “It (Senate) is a joke ground; we cannot say what the Senate does is in a really sense different from what the House of Representatives do.
“They (Senators) do nothing special and at the end of the day, they are paid humongous amounts of our money and such huge allowances for doing nothing different.
“We found out that a good number of them, especially those that are former governors, while they get this humongous salary, they are as well collecting pension from their respective states.
“There is no way democracy can work for the masses with this kind of waste of public funds that could have been directed to put happiness to the face of the common man.
“The House of Representatives is capable of taking care of the law-making aspect of the nation, oversights and other things that the legislative arm of government does.
“Unicameral legislature should be adopted in Nigeria because bicameralism is too expensive apart from the fact that it slows down the business of lawmaking.
“It is not working for us, we don’t have the kind of money to run it and maintain this, especially at a time when the masses are suffering.
“Having a single legislative arm will pay us better in terms of reduction of cost of governance,” she added
The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the tragic death of Inspector Ajele Oloyede, who was on special duty at Goodwill Ceramic Company in Igbesa, Ado Odo-Ota Local Government Area.
In a statement on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, disclosed that the incident occurred on March 14, 2025, around 1:20 p.m.
Oloyede, who was attached to the 78 PMF, Zamfara State, was found dead from a gunshot wound under unclear circumstances.
READ ALSO: No More Sacking Of Unmarried Pregnant Policewomen – NPF
According to preliminary reports, another officer, Tolorunloju Stephen, attached to the Force Headquarters Annex in Lagos, recounted that he had just returned from Ikeja when he saw Inspector Oloyede resting his head on a table in the security office.
After exchanging pleasantries, Oloyede reportedly assured Stephen that he was fine.
Moments later, Stephen went to the restroom but was startled by the sound of a gunshot. He rushed back to find Oloyede lying in a pool of blood.
With the help of private security personnel, the injured officer was immediately transported to Ota General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead by doctors.
The police confirmed that the firearm used in the incident has been recovered, and the body has been deposited for an autopsy.
Reacting to the incident, Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, ordered a full-scale investigation to determine whether foul play was involved or if mental health issues contributed to the tragedy.
The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, for further inquiry.
“The Nigeria Police Force expresses its deepest condolences to the family, colleagues, and loved ones of Inspector Ajele Oloyede. The command remains committed to the well-being of its officers and will ensure that all necessary support is provided during this difficult time,” Odutola stated.
Authorities assured the public that the findings of the investigation would be made known once concluded.
Nine surveyors abducted in the Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State have been released after their families paid a ransom of N20 million.
Recall that the victims were kidnapped a week ago while working at a site in Ilu-Abo.
Their captors initially demanded N100 million for their release.
However, following negotiations, market women intervened, pleading for a reduction to N50 million.
READ MORE: Ondo Market Women Block Governor’s Office Over Nine Abducted Surveyors
The kidnappers initially rejected the appeal before eventually settling for N20 million.
Confirming their release, Pastor Ajibade Owolanke, brother to the Ejemikin of Akure, High Chief Oluwole Omotayo, said: “The victims have joined their individual family members.”
It was gathered that after regaining their freedom, the surveyors were taken to different hospitals for medical examinations.
The abduction sparked widespread outrage in the state, prompting market women and youths in Akure to stage a protest.
The demonstrators urged Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and security agencies to take decisive action against the rising wave of kidnappings in the state.
Security authorities have yet to comment on any arrests related to the incident.
More to follow………..
The Nigerian government has taken a decisive step to curb access to pornographic content in the country, as the House of Representatives directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to enforce a total shutdown of porn websites nationwide.
The directive, issued during plenary on Tuesday, mandates internet service providers to block access to such sites, with penalties for non-compliance.
The motion was sponsored by Dalhatu Tafoki, representing the Faskari/Kankara/Sabuwa Federal Constituency, who emphasized the need to protect societal values.
READ MORE: House of Reps Launches Investigation Into Osun Crisis
“I would like to move a motion for the need to block internet websites hosting pornographic content and sanction the internet service providers responsible for the posting,” Tafoki stated.
“Nigeria is a highly religious country, and all the major religions in the country forbid nudity and obscenity in any form.”
He further highlighted concerns raised by psychologists and sociologists regarding the negative impact of pornography, stating that it leads to “promotion of adultery, prostitution, and other promiscuous behaviours, leading to addiction, escalation, and desensitisation, change of attitude towards oneself and family.”
The House adopted the motion and tasked its Committees on Communications and Legislative Compliance with overseeing implementation, with a report expected within four weeks.
Speaker Tajudeen Abass reinforced the stance, warning that internet service providers who fail to comply will face sanctions.
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