Tremors in Abuja, flood in some parts of the country and rejection of Edo gubernatorial result by LP Reps caucus top activities in the House
- Speaker’s welcome address
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas (APC Kaduna) at Wednesday’s plenary session welcomed members back after the 9 weeks of recess, and just as forecasted in our Legislative Intelligence Forecast Entry (LIFE), the speaker revealed the focus of the second session (2024-2025) of the House.
According to the Speaker, the House will focus on key areas, including the full digitization of legislative records, further promotion of gender equality, and robust security sector oversight. The House will also promote legislative frameworks that support economic diversification and energy infrastructure.
He noted that “The House will prioritise several key bills to address critical national issues across security, governance, and environmental protection.” These include the Armed Forces Act (Amendment) Bill and the Police Act (Amendment) Bill focus on strengthening Nigeria’s security apparatus amongst others.
- Flood disaster gained attention
The recent flood cases in Maiduguri, and Bauchi stage got members attention during Wednesday’s plenary session just as predicted by OrderPaper LIFE This Week. This is as the House urged the Federal Government (FG) to intervene urgently in the aftermath of the devastating floods. The House also called on the Federal Ministry of Health to mitigate the effect of the flooding in the hospital and the Ministry Power to restore power to hospitals.
The House also Federal Ministry of Works, North East development Commission, National Emergency Management Agency and Ecological Fund Office to immediately allocate resources to these constituencies.
Rep. Amos Gwamna Magaji (PDP, Kaduna) who moved a motion on the “ urgent need of intervention in the University of Maiduguri hospital over the devastating flood that happened re recently” said the teaching hospital suffered due to the flooding making it inoperable and inaccessible to the public and displaced people in need of tertiary medical care. In the same vein, Rep. Kadijat Bukar Ibrahim (APC Yobe) in her urgent motion “on terrorist and flood disaster in Mafa town of Tarmua local government and Gunyadi town of Gujiba local government of Yobe State” while Rep. Sani Ibrahim Tango (APC Bauchi) in his motion of urgent importance on the flood that ravaged five constituencies in Bauchi State.
- Reps to investigate intermittent tremor in parts of FCT
The House of Representatives has announced an urgent investigation into the recurring tremors in parts of the Federal Capital Territory. This follows a motion raised by Rep. Kingsley Chinda (PDP Rivers) during Wednesday’s session, noting that despite several investigations, no clear explanation has been provided for the cause of the tremors. Chinda expressed concern that Abuja residents in Mpape, Gwarimpa and Maitama are living in constant fear due to the tremors and warned that if the issue is not promptly and effectively addressed, it could result in loss of lives and properties.
- Reps LP Caucus reject Edo guber result
33 members of the Labour Party in the House of Representatives Wednesday called on Nigerians to join them in rejecting the Edo gubernatorial election results announced on Sunday by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Led by the Deputy Minority Whip, Rep. George Ozodinobi (LP, Anambra), the caucus made this appeal while addressing journalists at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
The lawmakers also urged INEC to urgently restore credibility and public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.
