Category: Senate

Senators Clash Over Seating Arrangement in Renovated Chamber

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Tensions erupted in the Senate today as lawmakers engaged in a heated dispute over seating arrangements in the recently renovated chamber. The incident occurred as Senators reconvened for plenary after a forty-day break, marking the first time they used the refurbished chamber in nearly nineteen months. The trouble began when Senator Sahabi Alhaji Ya’u of APC Zamfara North expressed dissatisfaction with his allocated seat and voiced his concerns to the Senate Leader, Senator Micheal Opeyemi Bamidele of APC Ekiti Central. Shortly after, Senator Danjuma Goje of APC Gombe Central also…

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Nigerian Senate Passes Student Loan Act 2024

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The Nigerian Senate has approved the passage of the Student Loans Access to Higher Education Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill for the year 2024. The decision came after careful consideration of the report presented by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, led by Senator Muntari Dandutse, during a plenary session. Senator Muntari Dandutse, in his capacity as the chairman of the committee, outlined the key points of the report, paving the way for the Senate’s resolution. This legislative move follows a request made by President Bola Tinubu to…

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Nigerian Senate Suspends Senator Ningi For Three Months Over 2024 Budget Padding Claims

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In a dramatic turn of events, the Nigerian Senate suspended Senator Abdul Ningi for a period of three months on Wednesday, following allegations of a whopping N3.7 trillion padding of the 2024 Budget. The Upper Legislative Chamber was plunged into chaos as deliberations on budget padding allegations made by the lawmaker intensified. Solomon Olamilekun, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, spearheaded the motion that ultimately led to Senator Ningi’s suspension. Olamilekun clarified that the contested figure was not reflected in the budget due to certain agencies being on first-line…

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Nigerian Senate Approves 12 Members, Including Olayemi Cardoso, for Central Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee

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In a significant move to address the challenges facing Nigeria’s economy, the Nigerian Senate confirmed 12 members for the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria. The confirmed members, led by CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso as Chairman, are expected to swiftly devise policies aimed at revitalizing the nation’s ailing economy. The confirmation process, which took place on Thursday, followed the presentation of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance, and other Financial Institutions’ report, chaired by Senator Adetokuunbo Abiru. Senator Abiru highlighted the nominees’ wealth of experience and…

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Nigerian Senators Unanimously Reject Proposed Electricity Tariff Increase

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In a unified stance, Nigerian Senators expressed strong opposition on Wednesday to the proposed increase in electricity tariff, deeming the move retrogressive and ill-timed. The lawmakers also mandated the Senate Committee on Power to investigate the alleged over N2 trillion subsidy requirement disclosed by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu. The deliberations took place during Wednesday’s plenary session after a motion was introduced by Senator Iya Abbas, representing Adamawa Central. Following a thorough debate, the Senators urged the federal government to immediately abandon the idea of raising electricity tariffs in…

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Senate Criticizes N17 Trillion Loss to Tax Waivers, Urges FIRS to Adopt Rebating System

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In a session focused on the 2024 budget presentation of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Senate Committee on Finance, led by Senator Sani Musa, expressed dissatisfaction with the reported N17 trillion loss incurred by the country due to tax waivers over the last five years. The committee raised concerns about the allegedly abused tax waivers and urged the FIRS to suspend their implementation, recommending the adoption of a rebating system as an alternative. The Chairman of FIRS, Zacch Adedeji, presented a targeted total tax collection of N19.4 trillion…

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President Tinubu Nominates Cardoso and CBN Deputy Governors for MPC Roles, Seeks Senate Confirmation

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President Bola Tinubu has formally requested the Nigerian Senate to confirm the appointment of a Chairman and Members for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC). The President’s request was transmitted via a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and it was read during the plenary session in Abuja on Wednesday. The letter from President Tinubu outlined the proposed composition of the MPC, with CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso nominated as the Chairman. Additionally, eleven other individuals were listed as members, including CBN Deputy Governors Muhammad Abdullahi,…

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Sen. Plang Advocates Permanent Solutions Over Palliatives for Plateau Security Crisis

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Senator Diket Plang of the All Progressives Congress (APC) representing Plateau State has emphasized the urgent need for lasting solutions to address the persistent security challenges in the state, dismissing the efficacy of temporary palliatives. Speaking to journalists in Jos on Wednesday, Sen. Diket Plang stressed the importance of implementing permanent measures to bring an end to the ongoing bloodshed and loss of lives in Plateau. He expressed the view that the state requires comprehensive and proactive security strategies rather than reactive approaches. Senator Diket Plang of the All Progressives…

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National Assembly Passes N28.7 Trillion 2024 Budget with Adjustments

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In a significant development on Saturday, the National Assembly successfully passed the 2024 Appropriation Bill, thereby giving the green light to a budget of N28.7 trillion. This amount reflects an increase from the initial proposal of N27.5 trillion put forth by President Bola Tinubu. The approval came after thorough deliberations and the review of reports presented by the Appropriations Committees of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Among the notable alterations made to the initial proposal was the adjustment of the exchange rate from N750 to N800 per…

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Akpabio Shares Exhaustion Experience Following Birthday Colloquium

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Senate President Godswill Akpabio revealed details on Friday about the aftermath of his birthday colloquium held on Thursday. Celebrating the second part of his 61st birthday in Abuja, attended by President Bola Tinubu, the event occurred five days after the first celebration at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State. Reports indicated that Akpabio slumped in his chair at the hotel venue after the event. Speaking to journalists in his office on Friday, Akpabio clarified that his condition was stress-induced, compounded by a bout of malaria. He stated,…

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2024 Budget Defence: National Assembly Summons Petroleum Ministers

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The Joint Committees on Upstream and Gas in the National Assembly have unanimously decided to summon the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, and the Minister of Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo. They are required to appear before the committees on Monday, the 18th of December 2023, under the threat of legal consequences if they fail to comply. The ruling was issued by the Chairmen of both committees, Senator Etang William and Hon. Alhassan Doguwa, during a budget defense session held in Abuja on Thursday. Expressing their…

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Senate Grants 24-Hour Deadline for Kyari and NUPRC Head to Attend Budget Defence

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Senator Adeola Olamilekan, Chairman of the Senate Appropriation Committee, issued a directive on Wednesday, giving Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), a 24-hour ultimatum to appear before the committee. The directive also includes the presence of the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). Olamilekan emphasized that the failure to comply with this directive would undermine the legislative process and pose a threat to its integrity. The summoned individuals are required to submit a comprehensive list of all…

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