Across the length and breadth of Nigeria, here are the biggest stories around Nigeria’s legislators and the institution of parliament you mustn’t miss this Monday:
Borno Assembly wants military intervention to rescue two LGAs
The Borno State House of Assembly has called for the federal government’s intervention through the military to salvage two local government areas in the state under the control of Boko Haram insurgents.
Speaker of the Assembly, Abdulkareem Lawan, stated this in Maiduguri while speaking to journalists, noted that his constituency, Guzamala Local Council and that of Kukawa have been in control of the insurgents for about eight years. He also stressed the need for all areas to be safe for citizens to exercise their franchise ahead of the 2023 elections.
“There is no peace in Guzamala local government because no there is still no civilian or military presence there. I have consistently pleaded to the federal government to deploy security there so that the civil population can return there. This situation is not restricted to my local government alone. The situation applies in Kukawa local government as well,” he added.
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2023: “Spread of fake news poses serious threat to polls” – INEC
Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and International Press Centre (IPC) have called on Nigerians to join in the fight against disinformation and misinformation.
Both organisations made the call during a Stakeholders meeting organised in Abuja by the IPC, lead partner of component 4 (Support to Media) of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria – Phase II (EUSDGN II) project.
“As we continue to prepare for the 2023 general election, the commission will rely on the support of all stakeholders and friends of Nigeria to overcome the identified challenges. Resort to misinformation and disinformation will not help in the growth and sustenance of the electoral and democratic process. All critical stakeholders must rise and fight the spectre of misinformation and disinformation. It is important to verify information before sharing,” INEC’s Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, said.
Public Petition: Reps invite assaulted Immigration Officer
The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has summoned an official of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Yemi Badru, who was allegedly assaulted by a senior official and victimised by the agency.
Badru, a Deputy Superintendent of Immigration, is said to have had a disagreement with Nasir Umar on July 30, 2019, while working at the VIP unit of the Ikoyi Passport Office leading the senior officer to allegedly rain slaps on him and punched him during the disagreement.
As reported by PUNCH Metro, Badru noted that all the committees set up by the agency did not indict Umar, just as the agency’s leadership refused to honour requests by the police to release the suspect for prosecution.
Reps approve upgrade of Katsina-Ala College of Education to Education Varsity
The House of Representatives has approved the Committee on Tertiary Education and Services report on a Bill for an Act to upgrade the College of Education, Katsina-Ala to a Federal University of Education.
This development took place on Thursday’s plenary, following a ruling on the bill sponsored by Rep. Richard Gbande, a member representing Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Logo Federal Constituency of Benue state.
“That the House do consider the report of the Committee on Tertiary Education and Services on a Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of Federal University of Education, Katsina-Ala; and for Related Matters (HB.539) and approve the recommendations therein,” Rep. Aminu Suleiman, House Committee Chairman on Tertiary Education and Services, read.
2023: Two Gombe lawmakers exit APC for NNPP
Two members of the Gombe State House of Assembly have exited the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) for the opposition New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).
The two lawmakers are Hamza Adamu representing Balanga South, and Bappah Usman Jurara representing Funakaye South State Constituency of the State.
Both lawmakers were said to have defected to the NNPP following a meeting with the party’s gubernatorial candidate in the State, Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki.
Ojochenemi Onje-James
Ojochenemi Onje-James is a research writer and journalist with years of proven footprints in areas of crime and politics. She has a M.Sc in International Relations and Strategic Studies as well as a B.Sc in Mass Communication.
