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Tag: Biodun Olujimi

  • Succour for 2,000 youths, women in Ekiti

    Former Senate Minority Leader, Biodun Olujimi, has provided empowerment materials for members of her constituency in Ekiti South Senatorial District.

    No fewer than 2, 000 people drawn from the 64 wards that make up the constituency had cause to smile when Olujimi donated economic empowerment materials worth over N500 million to them.

    The gesture was in fulfilment of her electoral promises to reduce the level of poverty and provide opportunities to contribute to grassroots economy.

    About 192 beneficiaries and 640 people who were drawn from Ekiti East, Ekiti South West, Emure, Gbonyin, Ikere, and Ise/Orun local government areas that make up the district received empowerment materials and cash grants worth millions of naira respectively.

    The materials distributed included cars, tricycles, motorcycles, car washing machines, sewing machines, grain grinding machines and power generating sets, among others.

    Others empowered were 200 people who received cash grants of N50, 000 each, including three co-operative societies who got N3 million and 100 PDP elders across the state who got cash gift of N100,000 each.

    Also, people living with disability were given cash gift of N2 million and relief materials to provide succour for them in the face of the harsh economic situation.

    Presenting the materials to the beneficiaries, Biodun Olujimi said the programmes are targeted at making people of her constituency, especially youths and women, self-dependent.

    Giving account of her performance in the National Assembly, Olujimi revealed that the bills she had sponsored included the Equal Opportunities Bill, The Whistle Blower’s Bill which has helped the Federal Government recover looted funds, among others.

    The Senator further explained that she had constructed Asphalt roads across the South Senatorial District which also includes towns such as Ikere, Ogotun, Ilawe, Emure, Ise/Orun, Omuo and many more.

    Olujimi said over 40 cars of various brands have been given to her constituents and even beyond her constituency. And over 204 solar-powered motorised boreholes, solar-powered street lights have been installed across towns and villages.

    Speaking further, Olujimi noted that over 50 youths have been employed into various sectors of the economy to relieve the unemployment challenge among the youth.

    She added that over 6, 000 others have been trained and empowered in skills such as carpentry, block molding, makeovers, cake baking, tie and dye and sewing.

    According to her, she also facilitated employment opportunities for her constituents into various sectors of the economy to relieve the unemployment challenge among the youth.

    While speaking, former Acting Governor Tunji Odeyemi explained that the empowerment programme was a clear attestation that Olujimi is a core welfarist who gives premium to the downtrodden masses.

    Odeyemi described Olujimi’s humanitarian gestures as monumental, considering the worth of the materials distributed to her constituents without political considerations.

    Also speaking, a candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last state assembly election, Mrs. Bukola Olowolaju described Olujimi as a unique person whose style of leadership is incomparable.

    Olowolaju said the ex- minority leader has raised the bar of quality representation through implementation of laudable people-oriented programmes that have brought succour to the people at the grassroots.

    Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Dokun Bolarinwa appreciated the Senator for spreading empowerment across communities in the constituency.

    He added that Olujimi’s magnanimity in putting smiles on faces of countless people was legendary despite the expiration of her term in the Senate.

    He said: “There is no-gainsaying the fact that the shoe left by Senator Olujimi in the red chamber is too big to size anybody.

    “Olujimi has set a higher template that I personally doubt anybody can measure up with.

    “With all her achievements so far, there is no doubt that no Senator has performed better than Olujimi since 1999.”

  • Olujimi denies mocking Fayose, Eleka over Supreme Court verdict

    The Senate Majority Leader, Senator Biodun Olujimi has denied mocking the immediate governor, Ayo Fayose and the PDP candidate in the last year gubernatorial election over Supreme Court judgment.

    It would be recalled that there was a widespread report alleged to have originated from Olujimi in which Fayose was alleged to have destroyed the chances of the party with his selfish agenda to ruling by proxy with his puppet fielded as the party’s candidate.

    She allegedly said Fayose’s high handedness in muzzling the party to pursue selfish interest forced many of its strong members who could have swayed votes for the party in the election.

    The lawmaker representing Ekiti South Senatorial District said such statement was handiwork of some mischievous element who wants to cause division within the PDP.

    According to a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Chief Sanya Atofarati, the widespread report can be easily affirmed as a figment of imagination of the writer and his cohorts and a miscalculated attempt to fan the embers of discord within the PDP.

    Read Also: Afenifere, Fayose, others: victory well deserved

    “For me, considering my very busy schedule would not have dignified these rants with any response, but in the overall interest of the unsuspecting citizens whom by this statement might be misled, hence, the need to set the records straight.

    “Senator Biodun Olujimi, a party leader whose efforts in uniting the party at all times and having been commended at all levels could never have issued such a disuniting statement.

    “It must be noted that prior to the governorship election, Senator Biodun Olujimi spent her personal resources to mobilize well-meaning leaders and members of the PDP to ensure the success of the party in the election.

    “She also rallied round across the 16 local government areas and the 171 political wards of Ekiti state with the guber candidate, Prof. Olusola Eleka whom she has always enjoyed smooth relationship with.

    “The general public, especially PDP members are hereby urged to disregard such statement and see it as one orchestrated by agents of political ravagers set out to malign the hard earned reputation of sportmanship built over the years by our distinguished Senator Biodun Olujimi”, he said.

  • Olujimi mocks Fayose, Eleka over Supreme Court verdict

    Senate Minority Leader, Biodun Olujimi, has lashed out at immediate governor of the Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose and the PDP candidate in the last gubernatorial election, Prof. Olusola Eleka after the Supreme Court judgment.

    The Apex Court had upheld the election of Governor Kayode Fayemi in a unanimous judgment by a five-man panel, declaring the petition filed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the last governorship election in Ekiti, Kolapo Olusola Eleka as frivolous and lacking in merit.

    Olujimi alleged Fayose of destroying the chances of the party with his selfish agenda to ruling by proxy with his puppet fielded as the party’s candidate.

    Read Also: Judge’s absence stalls fraud trial of Fayose

    She said Fayose’s high handedness in muzzling the party to pursue selfish interest forced many of its strong members who could have swayed votes for the party in the election.

    The lawmaker urged the duo to cover their faces in fame for sacrificing the people’s party for their unrealistic selfish interest.

    According to a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Chief Sanya Atofarati, “We told them but they wouldn’t listen. How do you expect Fayose’s stooge who is not even conversant with politics to win at the polls not to talk of the Supreme Court.

    “He (Fayose) destroyed the party by fielding unsellable and unpopular candidate.”

  • PDP ‘ll bounce back In Ekiti, says Olujimi

    Senate Minority leader, Biodun Olujimi has expressed optimism that the Peoples’ Democratic Party in Ekiti State will re-establish its dominance in the State’s political horizon.

    Olujimi said the party has put behind the defeat it suffered in the just concluded general election and determined to take over Ekiti State through democratic means in 2022.

    According to INEC results, the All Progressives Congress won all the three Senate, six House of Representatives and 26 Assembly seats in the 2019 general election.

    She stated that the present APC-led administration in the State has failed to meet the expectation of the people, saying the quick resurgence of the party was a child of necessity in order to take over.

    Olujimi who spoke with journalists in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday explained that Fayemi lost some years back and relaunch itself into saddle, saying PDP is cocksure of springing itself back to the corridor of power.

    “Whether you like it or not, PDP will bounce back. When a new government came in they swept everything and the next thing you find is that other comes and sweeps everything. And We are going to sweep everything next time around.

    “I believe PDP also will bounce back if swords are sheathed and we reconsolidate our party.

    “What was required of the party is to put its house in order and we have begun moves to reconcile aggrieved individuals within the party.

    “And those that have left the party for greener pastures will soon return home because they were disenchanted.

    “And the Internal crisis will soon be resolved very soon and efforts will be geared towards liberating Ekiti people from shackles of penury, unemployment among others”.

    She, however, urged party members not be dismayed by the outcome of the polls but remain steadfast and committed, saying PDP will be back to its formidable political base.

    Speaking on the poor performance of the PDP in Ekiti during the general election, Olujimi said the party’s lingering internal crisis contributed partially to the woeful performance coupled with electoral malpractices.

    She added that the election was fraught with electoral irregularities, saying “the exercise was not free, fair, credible but characterised with electoral fraud.

    “It was a daylight robbery as the electorate were driven away from Polling booths. If it has been free, fair and devoid of rancour, I would have garnered more than the 54,000 votes”, she said.

    The minority Leader, however, stressed the need for electoral reform, saying Nigerian electoral process does not encourage democratic consolidation but rather cast a pall on the country’s democratic status.

    “We need to look at the electoral process and make sure it is improved better because West Africa and Africa are looking on us”, Olujimi said.

  • Scores injure as PDP, APC supporters clash in Ekiti

    * APC Accuses Senate Minority leader of instigating crisis

     

    Supporters of the All Progressives Congress and the People’s Democratic Party on Monday clashed during a campaign rally in Omuo Ekiti, headquarters of Ekiti East Local Government Area, with no fewer than 20 persons sustaining various degrees of injuries.

    The members of the APC were said to be holding a joint rally for the senatorial candidate in Ekiti South District, Prince Dayo Adeyeye and the House of Representatives candidate in Ekiti South Federal Constituency, Hon Femi Bamisile when the suspected PDP thugs invaded the rally and launched attacks on them.

    Those who allegedly carried out the attacks were those loyal to the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Biodun Olujimi and senatorial candidate of the PDP in Ekiti South.

    Some APC supporters, Adeniyi Saliu , Kayode Ojo and Adeniyi Ayo , who were victims of the attack sustained deep cut in the heads, back and stomach, had been referred to Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti for intensive medical care.

    Another 15 others were said to have been wounded during the unexpected attack.

    It was gathered by our reporter that those who committed the crime had fled the town and are now being trailed by the police for possible arrest and prosecution.

    Former Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly and an APC House of Representative candidate, Bamisile described the attack as unfortunate and a threat to democracy.

    Bamisile said the desperation of some of the PDP members is nothing but an attempt to subvert democratic consolidation.

    Read Also: APC accuses Amosun of sponsoring attack against Buhari, party leaders

    He, therefore, called on the security agencies in the state to apprehend the perpetrators of the latest ugly development in the area without further delay.

    “APC as a party will not fold arms and watch its members be attacked by members of other political parties, hence the need for a strong warning to troublemakers to retrace their steps and allow peace to reign in the land.

    “Nobody has monopoly of violence, therefore PDP members should be aware of that, and stop provoking peace loving APC members in the state”.

    APC senatorial candidate and former Minister of Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, warned miscreants and political thugs planning violence and mayhem in the build-up to Saturday general elections to be careful or risk being sent to prison.

    Adeyeye while reacting to the sudden wave of political violence and attacks on APC members in Omuo Ekiti said the long arms of law will catch up with political louts that were led by one Sunday Awolusi no matter how fast they run.

    Prince Adeyeye said: “Arresting and prosecuting the suspects will serve as a deterrent to others inclined to political violence. I enjoin the security agencies to be on the red alert to curtail the overbearing influence of these political violence perpetrators.

    “Ekiti is a peaceful state and nobody should turn it into theatre of war in the name of politics”.

     

  • Fayose campaigns against Olujimi on social media

    Former Governor Ayo Fayose has gone digital in his attacks against Senate Minority Leader Biodun Olujimi.

    The battle between the two leaders has polarised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the January 14 visit of the presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar for a rally in Ado-Ekiti.

    Fayose and Olujimi had on Tuesday set up parallel PDP Presidential Campaign Councils with offices at different locations in Ado-Ekiti with their loyalists queuing up behind them.

    Olujimi, who represents Ekiti South in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly, accused Fayose of drawing a list of members contrary to the one agreed by party stakeholders.

    But Fayose, in a video circulated on various social media platforms seen by our reporter on Thursday, called on the people of the state to vote against Olujimi in the February 16 National Assembly polls.

    Olujimi has former Minister of State for Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as main opponent in the battle for Ekiti South senatorial chair.

    Fayose, who wore a white long sleeve kaftan over a white pairs of

    trousers with a black cap to match, advised Ekiti electorate to vote

    Atiku and other PDP candidates expect Olujimi.

    The video, which lasts 13 seconds, has gone viral on Facebook, YouTube and other social media platforms.

    In the video, Fayose said: “Ekiti Kete o, my name is Ayo Peter Fayose, Osokomole. My beloved teachers, my beloved workers, okada riders and entire people of Ekiti State.

    “I commend to you, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, our President-in-waiting. I commend to you all candidates of PDP in Ekiti except Senator Abiodun Olujimi.

    “That is, we must not return Abiodun Olujimi to the Senate. I know you will do exactly what I ask you to do.

    “I love you and may God bless you, this is Act 1, Scene 1.”

    But Olujimi said: “The right-thinking party leaders and members” are not surprised about Fayose’s latest campaign against a candidate of his party.

    In a telephone chat with our reporter, Olujimi who spoke through the Director General of her Campaign, Chief Bunmi Olugbade, said Fayose has a history of anti-party activities which reached a climax with defeat of the PDP in the 2018 governorship poll in Ekiti State.

    The senator, who described Fayose as a “wounded lion roaring ready to devour anybody he meets on his way,” said her campaign is on course and would not be distracted by the tirades of the ex-governor.

    Olujimi said: “Fayose has a chronicle of anti-party activism since his election in 2014 and you will recall that during the first anniversary of his return to power, he invited (former Osun governor), Rauf Aregbesola, an APC man to deliver the keynote address.

    “Fayose disbanded the state party structure which led to the defection of prominent party stalwarts after he disallowed them from having a say in the affairs of the party.

    “Eighty per cent of the candidates in other parties who contested the last governorship election left PDP due to high-handedness and dictatorial tendencies of Fayose.

    “At the height of the crisis in the party, Fayose vowed to drive the vehicle of the PDP aground and we were not surprised that he lost an election even as an incumbent governor.

    Read Also: APC ready to win February poll, says Akpabio

    “What he (Fayose) is doing is not a surprise to anybody but party

    members are prepared for him. We are not bamboozled by his ranting.

    “Party leaders at the national level and in the Southwest have

    excellent confidence in the ability of Senator Olujimi. She is not a

    person that can be rattled by the ranting of a failure.

    “The glory that was lost under the hegemony of Fayose will be restored under the leadership of Olujimi.”

  • Drama in Senate over $3.8bn subsidy fund

    There was mild drama on Tuesday in the Senate over the management of over $3.8 billion fuel subsidy fund by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    Senators were at each others throat following accusations and counter accusations of alleged compromise in their line of duty.

    There was also allegation of subterranean plot to source campaign funds from the oil behemoth.

    Senate Minority Leader, Senator Biodun Olujimi, sparked the controversy when she raised the alarm over alleged mismanagement of huge subsidy fund.

    Olujimi (Ekiti South) told her colleagues that it was dangerous to allow just two people in NNPC, the Group Managing Director (GMD) and  the Executive Director in charge of Finance, as the sole controllers of huge subsidy fund.

    The fund, she said, has been curiously renamed “Fuel Subsidy Under-Recovery Fund” for a purpose that has not been explained to Nigerians.

    She recalled that NNPC has been severally requested to submit subsidy budget to the National Assembly for consideration and approval.

    A request, the lawmaker said, has been resisted by the NNPC without reason.

    She insisted that the Senate cannot sit by and allow only two people to continue to manage over $3 billion oil subsidy funds.

    Olujimi who came under a point of order, reminded the upper chamber that attempts to compel NNPC leadership to do what is right by submitting a budget to the National Assembly on subsidy payment, has failed.

    Read Also: Senate condoles with family of slain Red Cross worker

    The amount involved, she reiterated, was “too huge for only two people to control and manage without appropriation.”

    Olujimi said, “I need to bring this issue to the attention of the Senate. The NNPC is operating an illegal fund on subsidy. As a Senate, we are the true representatives of the people. We cannot sit back and allow this to continue to happen.

    “I am bringing this to the attention of the Senate so that we can look at the issue. Let the various committees, especially the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), look into this issue. Let them investigate and tell us what the position on ground is.”

    She prayed the Senate to mandate its committee on petroleum (downstream) to cause the NNPC to come before the senate to explain what has happened to the fund and the new terminology formulated to manage the fund.

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki, agreed.

    Saraki asked Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan and chairman, Petroleum Committee (downstream) Senator Kabiru Marafa to inter face with those involved and report back to the Senate within four days.

    He said that “the issue is too serious and the money involved too huge to be left just like that.”

    Saraki said: “When we passed the budget, I said the executive needed to bring subsidy budget. In the light of the enormity of this, we will direct the Leader and chairman of Downstream to summon those in charge. They need to get back to us in four days. I don’t want this issue to be partisan. I want us to speak on the basis of fact. I don’t want us to take up this issue and people will begin to see it as a partisan issue.”

    Some Senators were however not comfortable with the inclusion of the committee on Petroleum as part of those to investigate the matter.

    Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume suggested that since committee on Petroleum has oversight function over NNPC, it should be left out of the probe.

    The Borno South Senator re-echoed what Senator Buka Abba Ibrahim murmured that the Petroleum Committee might have compromised on the issue.

    Apparently for emphasis, Ndume said that his proposal that the Petroleum Committee should not be part of the investigation stemmed from the insinuation by Ibrahim that the Petroleum committee might have compromised in the course of its oversight duty.

    He said, “Issues like this should be looked at seriously. When these things happen, the committee should know. I suggest that the Leader and other people who are not members of the committee should look at this. The committee may have compromised. We should set up an ad-hoc committee to look into the issue.”

    Marafa felt injured by the comment that members of his committee might have been comprised by officials of the NNPC.

    The Zamfara central lawmaker said that he would not be bothered if his committee was disbanded.

    He said that it would not be out of place to say that those proposing the setting up of ad-hoc committee in place of a standing committee have other motives.

     He did not stop there. Marafa said that those behind the proposal for ad-hoc committee were actually gunning to generate campaign funds ahead of the elections in 2019.

    There was uproar on the floor. Many senators attempted to shout him down. He persisted.

    Marafa said that Ndume must also asked to withdraw his statement that members of his committee have been compromised.

    He said that Ndume must not only stop at withdrawing the statement but also tender an apology to them.

    He said, “I feel insulted. If the Selection Committee agrees today to dissolve our committee, I will not have any problem with that. They have the right to do that. But for anyone to just accuse us that we have been compromised, I think it is an insult.

    “I know that those advocating that an ad-hoc committee be set up to investigate the issue are out to generate campaign funds for their election next year. They are free to do so. I will not stop them. But no one should malign us and accuse us of compromise.”

    Saraki attempted to restrain Marafa.

    Marafa refused to apologize.

    He insisted that Ndume must first tender unreserved apology and withdraw his statement.

    Sensing total break down of law and order in the chamber, Ndume told his colleagues that Buka Ibrahim had given him the authority to apogise and withdrew his statement.

    Marafa followed and withdrew his statement. He also apologised to his colleagues for what many considered a sweeping statement.

    The matter did not end there as the Senate Leader protested Marafa’s statement.

    He declined to serve in the yet to be constituted committee.

    Lawan said that he was declining his nomination to head the probe team to protect his integrity.

    Although he did not mention Marafa, Lawan said that it took him several years to build his integrity and reputation and will not want anybody to soil his name.

    Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, requested Lawan to reconsider his decision.

    The Senate President said that the Senate cannot afford to handle the issue haphazardly.

     He said that “the country cannot be running a subsidy fund of $3.8 billion without knowing who is doing what.”

  • 2019: Olujimi wins PDP Ekiti south senatorial ticket

    Senate Minority Leader, Mrs. Biodun Olujimi, has clinched the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ticket for Ekiti South senatorial district ahead of the February National Assembly election.

    Olujimi was elected by affirmation by delegates from all the six local government areas that make up the senatorial district at a primary conducted in Ikere Ekiti on Tuesday.

    Party leaders and delegates from Ekiti Southwest, Ikere, Ise/Orun, Emure, Gbonyin and Ekiti East local government areas elected Olujimi by voice vote.

    The shadow poll was witnessed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the National Orientation Agency (NOA), security agencies and journalists.

    The primary was conducted by Ekiti PDP Women Leader, Mrs. Yemisi Afolabi, on behalf of the panel from the party’s national secretariat.

    Read Also: 2019: Ekiti PDP aspirants plot mass defection to APC

    Mrs. Afolabi explained that panel members’ flight had a delay saying she had the permission of the panel to conduct the primary.

    Speaking shortly after winning the PDP ticket to seek a re-election, Olujimi appreciated party members for the confidence reposed in her promising to do more for the senatorial zone if elected at the general election.

    The former Ekiti Deputy Governor urged party members to be more united to ensure victory at the election.

    According to her, she has succeeded in bringing visibility to Ekiti South and attracted more projects there in the last three and half years and empowered the constituents.

    The senator urged party members and people of the district to guard their votes at the general elections to ensure that their votes count.

    She called on INEC to conduct credible polls next year to win back the confidence of the electorate in the ballot box criticising the electoral umpire’s handling of the last governorship poll in Osun State.

  • Ekiti poll: Olujimi, Eleka differ over intimidation of aspirants by Fayose

    Two governorship aspirants of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in Ekiti State, Senator Biodun Olujimi and Deputy Governor, Olusola Eleka on Friday differed over alleged intimidation of certain aspirants by the Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose.

    While Senator Olujimi, who represents Ekiti South senatorial district, affirmed that Fayose has been intimidating and harassing aspirants other than Eleka, the latter flatly denied the allegation.

    Olujimi however said she remained undeterred by what she described as the governor’s antics, adding that she remained the candidate to beat in the party’s primary election billed to hold on May 8.

    The female aspirant who was at the Abuja secretariat of the PDP to return her nomination papers, said cannot be cowed by the antics of the state governor to withdraw from the race.

    Olujimi said, “All aspirants, except Prof Eleka, are being intimidated but I can’t be intimidated at all. Many of our people have decamped because of what they are going through. The governor was biased, the party in the state was biased

    “All other former deputy governors aspiring for the position have left because of high handedness, because they are being harassed, because they are been intimidated. I can’t leave the party because of anybody. I can’t go to any other party party. The SDP is just a gimmick for the PDP to lose focus”.

    The federal lawmaker said she had no issues with Fayose or Eleka, stressing that the deputy governor is a political neophyte, compared to her track record of having been a commissioner, a deputy governor and a senator.

    “I know the terrain of Ekiti politics. I know where Ekiti people are coming from. I know where they are going. I know what they want and am ready to give it to them.

    “I have done a lot for them in the past. I have been there for quite a number of them. I have impacted positively on the people of Ekiti. If there is a level playing ground, I know I will emerge as PDP candidate in the May 8, 2018 primary election”.

    Eleka, who was also at the party secretariat to return his nomination documents, admitted being Governor Fayose’s anointed candidate, saying he was proud to be so favoured by the governor.

    He however insisted that he was in the race based on his personal conviction to better the lot of the Ekiti people by building on Fayise’s legacy in the state.

    According to him, the governor did no wrong by supporting his aspiration, stressing that Fayose reserved the right to support any aspirant of his choice.

    Eleka said, “To be anointed is not a new thing. God himself anointed Jesus Christ for a purpose. Everyone of us has a destiny to fulfill and it is going to be through certain means and persons.

    “Governor Fayose has the right to pick interest in someone and I don’t think he should be crucified for that. I have been under his tutelage for over two years now. I have acquired a lot of experience from him. He is my leader, my mentor and my benefactor”.

    Both Olujimi and Eleka however said they would support any of the aspirants that emerged the candidate of the party if they lost the nomination. They however stressed the need for free and fair exercise in the overall interest of the party.

     

  • Senate gets committee on Electoral Act

    Senate gets committee on Electoral Act

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Thursday announced a six-man committee to reconcile the Senate’s version of the amended Electoral Act with the version passed by the House of Representatives.

    The Senate’s conference committee has the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Senator Suleiman Nazif, as chairman.

    Other members of the committee are – Senators Shehu Sani, Biodun Olujimi, Hope Uzodinma, Dino Melaye and Peter Nwaoboshi.

    The committee is expected to meet with the House of Representatives to harmonise the version of the amended electoral bill before being sent to President Muhammadu Buhari for his assent.

    The Senate had in 2017 passed an amended version of the 2010 Electoral Act.

    While the House of Representatives had on Tuesday amended the Electoral Act to change the 2019 general elections time table.

    This came barely a month after the INEC released the time table for the general elections.

    With the amendment, the National Assembly election will take place first, followed by gubernatorial and state assembly polls.

    The presidential election will be conducted last.

    The amendment was made at the Committee of the whole House, presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Yussuff Lasun.