“Let us not be deceived. This is a deliberate, coordinated, and well-funded assault on Governor Siminalayi Fubara.” By Charles Jiduwah By any stretch of democratic logic, what is happening in Rivers state today is nothing short of a full-blown constitutional crisis – and the National Assembly (NASS) is complicit. The Nigerian Constitution makes no provision for a sole administrator in any state. Yet, here we are, witnessing a dangerous political experiment unfold in full view...
The high rate of non-compliance of government agencies with legislative resolutions is brought to the fore in INEC’s stalling the conduct of by-elections while swiftly moving forward with the recall process of Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan The credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process is once again under the spotlight, but this time, not because of a general election or widespread voter irregularities but for what appears to be an inconsistent approach to its responsibilities. On one hand,...
Since 1999, no lawmaker has been sacked by citizens during their tenure, exposing the recall process as an impotent safeguard against poor representation When Nigeria transitioned to democracy in 1999 after years of military rule, its constitution provided a mechanism that allowed citizens to hold their elected representatives accountable. Among these mechanisms was the power of recall, a constitutional process that gives constituents the right to remove a lawmaker before the end of their tenure...
Where is the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)? Where is the Labour Party (LP)? Their collective silence in the face of this constitutional breach is a national embarrassment. By Charles Jiduwah The political crisis in Rivers State has laid bare the troubling weaknesses of Nigeria’s democratic institutions. What started as a battle for control between Gov. Siminalayi Fubara and his estranged political benefactor, Minister Nyesom Wike, has escalated into a full-blown constitutional crisis—one now exacerbated by...
INEC Â claims the petition failed to meet the conditions set by Section 69(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) for the recall of a senator. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed the petition seeking to recall Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, (PDP, Kogi central) in the senate, citing non-compliance with constitutional requirements. INEC confirmed the rejection in a statement on Thursday, stating that the petition failed to meet the conditions set by Section 69(a) of...
“Akpabio told Yahaya Bello that he should make sure that killing me does not happen in Abuja…” Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi central) has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of allegedly instructing former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, to have her killed. She further claimed that the current governor, Usman Ododo, was complicit in the alleged plot against her. Despite a government-imposed ban on political rallies and processions in Kogi state, Akpoti-Uduaghan was received by...
The National Assembly adjourned plenary for five weeks ahead of Eid Fitr and Easter celebrations The House of Representatives and Senate on Thursday adjourned plenary for five weeks for Eid Fitr and Easter celebrations. The House leader Rep. Julius Ihonvbere (APC Edo), who moved for the adjournment said the House will resume plenary session on April 29, 2025. However, he noted the members will continue their oversight function at the committee level while plenary sessions...
Sen. Mustapha underscored the urgent need for electoral reforms, highlighting the rising financial burden of elections in Nigeria. The senate has passed for second reading a bill seeking to amend the Electoral Act 2022 to reduce election costs and introduce same-day voting for all elective offices in Nigeria. Titled the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025, the proposed legislation was sponsored by Sen. Saliu Mustapha (APC, Kwara central) and was first read on February 12, 2025....
The senate dismissed requests to immortalise him but agreed to observe a minute silence in his honour. The senate has has thrown out prayers contained in a motion seeking to rename the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after the late Prof. Humphrey Nwosu. He was a former chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission (NEC) who conducted the historic June 12, 1993, presidential election. The motion, re-sponsored by Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe on...
Sen. Ekpenyong lamented how service providers have increased data costs by about 200 percent, placing significant financial strain on millions of Nigerians. The senate has directed its committee on communications to investigate the recent surge in the cost of data services across the country and recommend measures to ensure a more sustainable and business-friendly telecommunications sector. This resolution followed the adoption of a motion on “The urgent need to address the increased cost of data...
