NEWS
Senate, House To Hold Valedictory Session As 9th Assembly Concludes
According to report, the ninth National Assembly, which commenced on June 11, 2019, is set to conclude its activities this week.
The House of Representatives is scheduled to hold its valedictory session on Tuesday, while the Senate will have its own session on Wednesday.
Ahmad Lawan, the President of the Senate, is expected to adjourn the sitting at the Red Chamber indefinitely, while Femi Gbajabiamila, the Speaker of the House, will bring the proceedings in the Green Chamber to a close on Thursday.
This was according to a hint provided by Gbajabiamila last week Thursday.
He said, “The Clerk (to the House, Yahaya Danzaria) has just reminded me, which we were supposed to announce today at the end of the sitting. The Clerk has just reminded me that our valedictory is for Tuesday while Senate’s is for Wednesday.
“Our valedictory session is for Tuesday and Senate’s is for Wednesday. So, I think those matters can come on Wednesday. We will adjourn the House (sine die) on Wednesday or Thursday. Leave Tuesday free and all the others can come up on Wednesday and Thursday.”
On June 13, 2023, the 10th Assembly is scheduled to be inaugurated, marking the beginning of a new term in the Nigerian legislature. During this event, a new set of presiding officers will be either adopted or elected.
In anticipation of the inauguration, various pressure groups comprising both intra and inter-party alliances have emerged within the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) announced the zoning formula for the leadership positions of the 10th National Assembly on May 8, 2023.
According to the formula, Godswill Akpabio from Akwa-Ibom in the South-South region has been chosen as the nominated candidate for the position of President of the Senate.
Jibrin Barau from Kano in the North-West region has been nominated for the position of Deputy President of the Senate.
Tajudeen Abbas from Kaduna in the North-West region has been nominated for the position of Speaker, while Benjamin Kalu from Abia in the South-East region has been nominated for the position of Deputy Speaker.
However, there are opposing voices and alternative candidates who have emerged in response to the APC’s choice.
In the Senate, there are several other aspirants vying for leadership positions which include Orji Uzor Kalu, the current Chief Whip representing Abia State; Abdulaziz Yari, a former Governor of Zamfara State; and Senator Sani Musa from Niger State.
In the House of Representatives, a group known as the G-7, consisting of aggrieved speakership aspirants, has surfaced which includes the incumbent Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Wase; Yusuf Gagdi, Chairman of the House Committee on Navy; Aliyu Betara, Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations; Sada Soli, Chairman of the House Committee on Water Resources; as well as Chinedu Ogah, Miriam Onuoha, and Sani Jaji.
Furthermore, on Friday, President Bola Tinubu made an appointment, selecting Femi Gbajabiamila, who was re-elected for a sixth term in the House on February 25, as his Chief of Staff which is set to take effect from June 14, enabling Gbajabiamila to continue leading the House until the conclusion of the ninth Assembly.
Additionally, Ahmad Lawan has also been re-elected to the Senate, securing his position for another term.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) wishes to clarify that despite a minor incident at a section of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) earlier today, the plant remains operational and continues to produce on-spec refined petroleum products.
ALSO READ: Tinubu Swears In Ibas As Rivers Sole Administrator
This was disclosed in a statement on its verified handle on micro-blogging site, X on Wednesday night by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi O. Soneye.
The NNPC Ltd assures the public that there is no cause for concern, as all sections of the recently rehabilitated plant are in full operation, Soneye explained.
The House of Representatives has moved to investigate the Federal Government’s conditional cash transfer programme following complaints of delayed and unpaid disbursements to beneficiaries.
Leading the motion, Honourable Abass Adigun reminded the House that in August 2024, nominees were informed they would receive N50,000 each for three months.
However, while some beneficiaries received their payments much later than expected, others have not been paid at all.
READ MORE: FG Set To Roll Out Cash Transfers For 20m Vulnerable Nigerians
He noted that the National Cash Transfer Office has not responded to inquiries regarding these outstanding payments.
The programme, which was first introduced during President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration under the National Social Investment Programme, was suspended by President Bola Tinubu in January due to allegations of corruption.
However, the government announced its resumption in February, expanding it to cover 12 million more households.
With this probe, lawmakers aim to address the lack of transparency surrounding the disbursement process and ensure that the intended beneficiaries receive their payments.
President Bola Tinubu has officially sworn in Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.) as the sole administrator of Rivers State following the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state House of Assembly.
The brief swearing-in ceremony took place at the State House in Abuja at approximately 3:00 PM, with top government officials present, including Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and Principal Secretary to the President Hakeem Muri-Okunola.
READ ALSO: Tinubu Appoints Vice Admiral Ibas As Rivers Administrator
Ibas, who previously served as Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021, arrived at the Presidential Villa around 12:48 PM before taking the oath of office.
The swearing-in followed President Tinubu’s Tuesday night announcement declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State.
In a national address, Tinubu justified the move, citing governance paralysis caused by political conflict, constitutional violations, and security threats.
The crisis in the state has been fueled by a bitter rivalry between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
“In the circumstance, having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State, the Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State have failed to make a request to me as President to issue this proclamation as required by Section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
“It has become inevitably compelling for me to invoke the provision of Section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State with effect from today, March 18, 2025, and I so do,” Tinubu declared.
With the state’s elected leadership suspended for an initial six-month period, Vice Admiral Ibas has been tasked with managing state affairs.
Tinubu assured that while the executive and legislative arms are affected by the suspension, the judiciary will continue to operate as usual.
“By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months,” Tinubu stated.
“In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd.) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State. For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate.”
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