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 Wednesday:
Ekiti Assembly Crisis: Impeached Speaker, two others cry out over threat to life
The embattled former Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Olugboyega Aribisogan, have petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba Alkali over an alleged threat to his life.
Aribisogan alongside two of his allies who were suspended indefinitely after his impeachment – Tajudeen Akingbolu and Adegoke Olajide in a petition the IGP, titled: ‘Save my soul/Appeal for Police protection,’ dated 7th November 2022, recounted his ordeal after his controversial impeachment.
In the petition made available to journalists in Abuja, the lawmaker alleged that three unknown men visited his private office and residence to make enquiries about his whereabouts since he announced his resolve to challenge his removal in Court on 17th November 2022.
READ ALSO: Parliament Spotlight: Olubunmi Adelugba | Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly
NDDC Board: Senate screens Lauretta Onochie, 14 others
The Senate has begun the screening of President Muhammadu Buhari’s nominees for the position of the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and fourteen others.
Senate Leader, Ibrahim Gobir (APC, Sokoto East) had during plenary read the Executive Communication that the Upper Chamber do consider the request on the confirmation for the appointment as Chairman and members of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(2)( a) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (Establishment) Act, Cap N86 LFN.
Consequently, the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan (APC, Yobe North) referred the screening to its Committee on Niger Delta Affairs chaired by Senator Peter Nwaoboshi (APC, Delta North), to carry out an expeditious action and report at plenary next week Tuesday.
Senate calls for suspension of Zungeru Power Project
The Senate has mandated the National Council in Privatisation (NCP) and all those connected with the process of concession of Zungeru Power Project to suspend it until necessary infrastructure are put in place to avoid the pitfall of similar exercises in the past.
This was the outcome of an investigative hearing on a motion titled “ongoing bid to concession the Zungeru Hydroelectric power power project located in Niger state” held on Tuesday by the Senate Committee on Power.
Although the Senate made it clear that it was not opposed to the concession arrangements, the Chamber however expressed surprised at the “jet speed” the programme was taking when the vital infrastructure that will help in evacuating the power, like the 132 line and the 35km are at 15% completion.
“Kidnapping and banditry has reduced because of the DSS” – Reps Committee
The House Committee on National Security and Intelligence has commended the Department of State Services (DSS) for its effective intelligence service and approach in delivering its statutory mandate.
Rep. Sha’aban Sharada who disclosed this on Tuesday, when he led members of the committee on an oversight function at the DSS headquarters, in Abuja, stated that kidnapping, banditry and terrorism have been reduced in the country because of the Service.
“It is significant to note that the level of crime, especially kidnapping, banditry and terrorism has reduced considerably despite approaching the 2023 general election due to his inclusive approach of utilising stakeholders’ input in the delivery of its statutory mandate of the service.”
2023: INEC commence decongestion of polling units in Ekiti
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is mapping out plans to migrate some voters from congested polling units in Ekiti State to make the voting process during the 2023 general elections devoid of rigours and enhance security..
INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Prof. Ayobami Salami, in stating this on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ meeting called on political parties and other stakeholders in the state to educate the electorate on the new development, which he said would enhance effective electoral system.
“The commission is planning to migrate some voters who fall within the densely populated polling units to decongest such polling units and give room for the sparsely populated ones that are within the same cluster or location to be populated,” he noted.
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.
