Tag: House of Rep

The House of Representatives has defended the delay in the passage of the Electoral Amendment Bill, saying the process is aimed at harmonising diverse views to produce a credible and acceptable legal framework.

The spokesman of the House, Mr Akintunde Rotimi, said the delay was necessary to ensure that the final document effectively addresses gaps identified during the 2023 general elections and strengthens Nigeria’s democratic process.

Rotimi spoke over the weekend in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State while commissioning road projects at Isaba and Oke-Ayedun, as well as a staff quarters at Odo-Oro High School, Odo-Oro.

Responding to concerns by Nigerians over why the electoral reform bill is yet to be fully passed by the National Assembly, the lawmaker explained that while the House of Representatives had already passed the bill before its December recess, the Senate was still working on it.

He said, The Electoral Reform Bill before the National Assembly is targeted at improving the transparency, credibility, and efficiency of our democratic system, while also addressing the shortcomings exposed during the 2023 general elections.

“The reforms are all-encompassing and are products of extensive feedback from stakeholders. The Joint House and Senate Committees on Electoral Reforms have met several times. We have held retreats and consultations with community leaders, civil society organisations, and other interest groups.

“The reforms are all-encompassing and are a product of extensive consultations and feedback from stakeholders. The Joint House and Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms has held several meetings and retreats involving communities and organisations. We are at the harmonisation stage, and that will be concluded very quickly.”

Read Also: 70 years journey of Nigeria’s Platinum Navy

Rotimi, who represents Ekiti North Federal Constituency (Ikole/Oye), noted that the Electoral Amendment Bill 2026 is aimed at improving transparency, credibility, and efficiency in the electoral system, stressing that credible elections remain the foundation of democracy.

The federal lawmaker added that the reforms would guarantee that Nigerians can vote freely and have confidence that their votes would count.

Highlighting his legislative achievements, Rotimi revealed that he had sponsored over 40 bills, including the bill to prevent and redress sexual harassment in educational institutions, the Independent Candidacy Bill, and the Whistleblowers’ Bill.

Speaking on the commissioned projects, Rotimi said they were executed based on demands from constituents, stressing that members of the House of Representatives were deliberate in ensuring that constituency projects reflected the needs of the people.

He also urged Nigerians to continue to support the administration of President Bola Tinubu, saying such support would enable the government to deliver more on its promises.

The House of Representatives has commenced investigation into the utilisation of the 460 million dollars loan for the CCTV project in Abuja with assurances of collaboration from the Ministry of Finance, Budget Office of the Federation and the Debt Management Office.

Speaking while inaugurating the ad hoc committee conducting the investigation, Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen said that the House cannot afford to seat back and watch as the security of Nigerians is compromised, but will deploy legislative means to address the rising insecurity in the country.

Abbas who spoke while inaugurating the special ad hoc committee to investigate rising insecurity and loss of lives in the FCT despite the CCTV project secured with a Chinese loan of 460 million dollars said the House intends to find out the state of the project and where the money went.

He said despite the huge investment, crimes of kidnapping and robbery occur with frequent loss of lives and property, turning the city into a nightmare for residents.

The Speaker said “We have convened in this hallowed chamber to see how we can finally bring to end the grave concem and collective anguish of the people we represent, especially those currently resident in the federal capital territory, which has seen more than its fare share of violent crimes.

“The alarming and unprecedented rise in insecurity in the nation’s capital is both unacceptable and intolerable. It commands urgent, decisive attention.

“It is sad and shameful that the city that has earned a reputation for itself as one of the most peaceful, most elegant and most organized city in west Africa, is now been transformed into a haven for hoodlums and other nefarious characters.

“Nearly every other day, crimes of kidnapping and robbery occur with frequent loss of lives and property, turning the city into a nightmare for residents.

“Let me remind us that the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, is more than just a city. It is the symbol of our national unity, the heart of our democracy, and the face of Nigeria to the world. When insecurity festers here, it strikes at the very core of our nation’s sovereignty and shatters the sense of safety that should be the bare minimum expected by every citizen and residents.”

The Speaker lamented that the situation was compounded by a deeply troubling paradox, adding that “this House, in exercising its constitutional duty of oversight, is acutely aware of the substantial investments made to secure our capital. Paramount among these is the Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) project, a sophisticated security infrastructure secured with a Chinese loan of $460M.

“The fundamental question that has compelled the establishment of this Ad-hoc Committee is one that every Nigerian is asking: Why, despite this colossal investment, are our citizens still being terrorized, kidnapped, and killed in the FCT? Where is the digital shield that $460 million was meant to erect? Where is the deterrence, the intelligence-gathering capability, and the operational leverage that this project promised?

Speaker Abbas said further that it is not just a question of financial probity, but one that borders on national security and public trust, saying “the Nigerian people deserve answers. They deserve to know if these funds have been effectively deployed or tragically squandered.

“They deserve to know if the system is operational and merely underutilized, or if it has been crippled by technical failures, inadequate maintenance, or worse, sheer negligence and mismanagement.”

Turning to members of the Committee, the Speaker said “you have been entrusted with a sacred mandate. Your task is not to witch-hunt, but to uncover the truth.

“For the avoidance of doubt, your terms of reference includes to Conduct a thorough and forensic investigation into the status of the $460 million CCTV project; determine its operational capacity, functionality, and integration with the security architecture in the FCT. And ascertain why this project has not yielded the desired result of stemming the tide of criminality in the federal capital territory.

It also include to Identify any acts of impropriety, incompetence, or sabotage, and hold all responsible agencies or individuals accountable, provide actionable recommendations for the immediate activation, completion, or overhaul of this critical security asset and determine why there has been such a significant rise in crime in Abuja and why the police and other security agencies have not been able to cope with the situation.

He said Heads of government agencies invited for the investigation should see it as a clarion call to act, a collective challenge that demands cooperation and constructive support.

He said “It is imperative that you give the committee every assistance it needs to get to the root of this matter. It is both your civic duty and a constitutional obligation. We expect full disclosure, unfettered access, and transparent engagement.

“As for our revered Traditional Rulers, who are the closest to the people, we need their help now more than ever before. We urge you, respectfully, to continue to foster community cooperation and intelligence-sharing with our security agencies. Your roles as stabilizers and trusted intermediaries are invaluable and the National Assembly is determined to formalise those roles and make you secure from undue influence”.

He said the House will not stand idly by while the safety of Nigerians is compromised, but will deploy every legislative instrument at its

disposal to ensure that the investigation is conducted and concluded, while its findings lead to tangible, lasting results.

Read Also: Religious genocide: Minister charges CSOs to help correct misinformation about Nigeria

He said “we owe a huge debt to the victims of these heinous attacks, the families living in fear, and to every Nigerian who looks to us for protection and leadership. The best way to repay that debt is through decisive action, rigorous oversight, and an unwavering commitment to restoring security and accountability”.

Chairman of the committee, Donald Ojogo (APC, Ondo) lamented that Abuja, the nation’s seat of power is “tragically transforming into a theatre of fear, where the echoes of gunshots and the anguish of kidnap victims have replaced the quiet hum of normal life”.

He said the rising incidents of kidnapping, armed robbery, and brutal killings are not mere statistics as they represent a profound national concern and a personal tragedy for countless families with communities are now paralyzed by fear, and the very social fabric of our capital is unravelling at the seams.

He said “what elevates this crisis from tragedy to scandal of monumental proportions is the stark paradox at its core: this relentless wave of terror crashes upon us despite a massive investment—a Chinese loan of Four Hundred and Sixty Million United States Dollars ($460,000,000)secured for the singular purpose of creating an impregnable security shield for the FCT.

“This was no ordinary initiative. It was a flagship project, a critical layer in our national security architecture, promised to be the ever-watchful eye over our capital—a digital sentinel designed to deter crime, empower our security forces, and ensure that perpetrators face the justice they deserve.

“Every life lost in the FCT stains our national conscience. Every dollar squandered on this failed project is a resource victima violation of our resolve for national development. We owe the grieving families answers. We owe Nigerian taxpayers’ accountability. We owe the nation both the restoration of safety and the reaffirmation of justice”.

The House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on Pre-Shipment Inspection of Exports and Non-Remittance of Crude Oil Proceeds has warned that Nigeria stands at a dangerous economic crossroads, with massive revenue leakages threatening national development.

Its chairman, Seyi Sowunmi (LP, Lagos), spoke at the opening of a capacity-building workshop in Abuja.

The committee chairman said Nigeria has been losing billions of dollars annually to unverified crude shipments, under-declarations, and non-repatriation of export proceeds — a trend he said has robbed citizens of hospitals, schools, infrastructure, and opportunities.

“For decades, crude oil has been our economic backbone, yet the system is bleeding,” Sowunmi said. “These leakages are not just numbers — they represent lost futures for millions of young Nigerians.”

The committee chairman said the anomalies extended beyond crude oil to non-oil exports, stressing that the parliament has a constitutional obligation to protect the integrity of the country’s revenue system.

He stated that the House established the ad hoc committee after “alarming evidence” of widespread non-compliance with export and pre-shipment laws.

The committee’s mandate, the chairman said, is to expose institutional failures, engage key stakeholders, and propose tough legislative and policy reforms.

“This is not a witch-hunt,” he emphasised. “It is a national mission to recover value, close loopholes, and restore confidence in Nigeria’s economic governance.”

Sowunmi said the workshop was organised to equip lawmakers with the technical expertise needed to interrogate complex export data, understand crude transaction flows, and make evidence-driven decisions.

Experts in international trade compliance, financial intelligence, maritime operations, and forensic auditing are participating as facilitators in the workshop.

According to him, the capacity-building session is an investment in “competence, credibility, and national integrity,” and the committee will operate with transparency and openness.

“Our task is urgent. Nigeria cannot keep losing foreign exchange because of weak inspection regimes or unremitted proceeds,” Sowunmi said. “We must ensure that every barrel is digitally tracked, every dollar repatriated, and every actor in the export value chain held accountable.”

Read Also: Akume mourns veteran journalist, Agbese, says Nigeria has lost a national treasure

The chairman said his committee intended to push Nigeria towards a modernised export governance architecture grounded in technology, compliance, and enforceable sanctions.

“This is a moment for legislative leadership. The era of impunity and unaccounted exports is ending,” he declared.

Also, Peter Aniekwe (LP, Anambra) urged members to brace for resistance, saying entrenched interests will likely push back as the committee digs deeper.

“They will fight back,” he warned. “But we must stand firm, do the right thing, and deliver results Nigerians can be proud of.”

The workshop sessions will cover the Nigerian Oil & Gas Export Framework, Pre-Shipment Inspection Systems, Crude Oil Revenue Flow and Repatriation, Investigation of Non-Remittance, and Oversight and Reform Strategies, among others.

House of Representatives member, Olawale Raji (Epe Constituency), has completed 400 shops for free allocation.

He also sponsored construction of four roads in Epe to enhance ease of movement and socio-economic activities.

Raji said in a statement that the gesture is part of efforts to ameliorate the suffering of the less privileged.

He said the move conforms with the objective of ensuring peace and security in Epe to further stimulate its growth.

The statement noted that Raji spoke at the inauguration of the building named after the late AIG Ganiyu Agbaje. in Oke-Oyibo area of Epe.

Read Also: Initiative to boost Nigeria’s image, attract foreign investors unveiled in Abuja

Maintaining that legislative representation must translate into impact, Raji said over 20 community roads are ready, with four in Kula Nla, Olooto, Komaadan, and Mafowosofo set for inauguration soon.

The Federal lawmaker stated that over N90 million in grants has been distributed to empower over 1,100 market women and 1,280 cooperative members, while youths have been trained in vocational skills, food processing, and renewable energy.

He added that “Commerce has been strengthened through the construction of over 900 market stalls across the constituency at Mowowale, Ito-Ikin, Mojoda, Aladepekun and Pobo, offering traders dignity and safety.

“Each of these projects underscores our vision: to bring governance closer to the people, empower the industrious, and make Epe a model of inclusive growth.”

The House of Representatives ad-hoc Committee on the Rehabilitation and Operationalisation of the Baro Inland Port has expressed concern over the poor state of infrastructure surrounding the Baro port development project, describing the situation as a setback to the country’s economic growth.

The chairman of the ad-hoc committee, Honorable Saidu Abdullahi during a legislative inspection tour of the port and its facilities, said while most of the equipment required to make the port functional had been procured, critical components such as access roads and rail connectivity were still outstanding.

He lamented that what should have been a 30-minute journey to the facility took his team nearly four hours due to the deplorable state of the access route. 

“It is unfortunate that a contract awarded close to 10 years ago is still not completed, leaving us with this kind of difficulty in accessing the port,” he said.

The legislator stressed that project delivery should not drag endlessly, insisting that every contract must be backed with proper management and timelines. “This project has lingered for more than six to seven years, yet we are still here. I have had cause to interface with the Federal Ministry of Works to understand the status of this road project and to question the laxity on the part of the contractors,” he added.

On the role of the National Assembly, Abdullahi explained that the visit was part of an ongoing assessment of the port facilities, the access route, and the rail corridor noting that the findings from the tour would guide lawmakers in engaging relevant stakeholders and proffering solutions. 

“With what we have seen now, we are better informed and better guided. We’ll go back to the Assembly and push for actions that will make the port fully functional,” he assured.

Reacting to concerns that the visit might be another political ritual, Abdullahi dismissed such claims, insisting that the exercise was different from previous ones. 

“This is not about politics. If you see the composition of the committee and the stakeholders we mobilized, you’ll realize this has never been done before,” he said.

Abdullahi expressed confidence that with the renewed effort to bring all stakeholders together, the challenges hindering the port’s operations would soon be resolved, paving the way for the facility to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s economy.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji, represented by the General Manager of Business Development, Adetola James, welcomed the intervention of the House committee.

Read Also: Nigerian govt urged to prioritise kidney disease prevention, treatment

 “The port was commissioned in 2019 but has been underutilised since then. With the support of the committee and other stakeholders, we are optimistic that it will soon become operational and benefit Nigerians. The major challenges remain funding, the access road, and dredging of the channels. But with the involvement of the National Assembly, solutions are now within reach,” he said.

One of the leaders in the community, Captain Hassan Baro called on the Legislators to listen to the community by intervening to ensure that the purpose why the Baro Port was set up is actualized. 

He said that the roads need to be addressed asking the givernment to fish out the contractors given contract to the roads to give account about the billions of naira that have been allocated and disbursed for the road construction. 

“You have seen the situation of the road.

How can you have these edifices and there is no road to link to it? Baro, before the construction of the port, had a railway line but now, the railway line has been vandalized. If you are putting in a port complex with all this state-of-the-art equipment and you don’t have the road to bring goods and take out goods, of what relevance is it?

 “So it is good that if they really come to look at the port and report it appropriately, it is the best thing they are going to do now”, he said.

Hassan, who was a former Chairman of Agaie local government further stated the need for a townhall meeting saying that the House of Representatives ad-hoc committee should not only listen to NIWA but also to the people of the community.

The chairman of the House of Representatives committee on aviation, Hon. Abdullahi Idris Garba, has appealed to the Chief of Defence Staff for swift and comprehensive military action to halt the growing wave of violent banditry in Niger State.

He warned that if left unchecked, the situation could spiral into a broader national security threat.

In a letter to the Directorate of Defence Liaison at the National Assembly, the federal lawmaker representing Kontagora/Wushishi/Mariga/Mashegu Federal Constituency expressed alarm over coordinated attacks by armed groups on communities in Mariga and Kontagora Local Government Areas.

“I write with deep concern regarding the alarming escalation of violent attacks by armed bandit groups in Niger State, particularly the recent coordinated assaults on Mariga and Kontagora Local Government Areas,” the letter began.

Garba cited a major incident on June 25, 2025, when heavily armed bandits launched a fierce assault on military bases and nearby civilian communities in Kwanan-Dutse. The attacks spread to Bangi, Kumbashi, Maburya, Kakihun, and Gulbin Boka.

He reported that the assault resulted in the deaths of 20 soldiers, left several others injured, destroyed military equipment, and caused the abduction of civilians, looting, and widespread displacement among farming communities.

Read Also: New Aircraft leasing policy boosting Nigerian aviation industry — NCAA

He noted that only days later, on July 1 at approximately 9:00 p.m., the same pattern of violence resurfaced when bandits invaded Kontagora through Waya and Basawa, killing one resident and abducting nine others in a nighttime raid.

According to Garba, over 300 armed men engaged security forces in a sustained three-hour firefight, a confrontation that he said underscored the growing sophistication and audacity of the attackers.

According to the lawmaker, credible intelligence and several media reports suggest that the influx of armed bandits into Niger State is a direct consequence of intensified military operations in Zamfara State.

The fleeing elements, he said, have been regrouping in Niger’s forests and border towns and are now launching increasingly frequent and deadly incursions.

He warned that failure to take immediate and forceful action could allow the security crisis to spread beyond Niger to other parts of the country, posing a threat to the broader North Central and North West regions and undermining national cohesion and security.

In response to the deepening crisis, Garba called on the military to deploy additional personnel and Special Forces to strategic locations across Mariga, Kontagora, and surrounding local government areas.

He urged the reinforcement of existing bases with logistics support, armoured vehicles, and advanced surveillance tools, including air reconnaissance and drone operations, to improve the army’s capacity to detect and respond to attacks.

He also stressed the need to strengthen coordination between the military, police, and civilian actors, especially through enhanced collaboration with local vigilantes and intelligence networks.

Furthermore, he recommended that the Defence Headquarters consider establishing forward operating bases in identified bandit hideouts and infiltration corridors, particularly those along the Zamfara–Niger axis, to break the mobility and operational strength of the criminal networks.

“The people of Niger State and indeed the Nigerian public are looking to the Armed Forces to restore order, protect lives, and uphold the sovereignty of the Nigerian state against the terror of armed banditry,” Garba wrote.

He ended the letter by affirming his full support for the military’s efforts, stating, “Please accept the assurances of my highest regard and unwavering support for the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas yesterday announced the appointment of Ayokunle Ibrahim Isiaka (APC, Ogun) as the new Deputy Chief Whip.

Isiaka takes over from the late Oriyomi Onanuga, also from Ogun State, who died recently.

Announcing the appointment, Speaker Abbas said the leadership of the Green Chamber picked Isiaka after extensive consultation with the leadership of the party as well as the Southwest Caucus in the House.

Read Also:Remembering Isiaka Adeleke at 66 posthumous birthday

He urged the new Deputy Whip to uphold the integrity of the office by discharging his responsibility diligently and with the highest professional standard.

Isiaka, who represents Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency of Ogun State, is a third-term member of the House.

The House of Representatives Committee on Aviation Technology says it may recommend the blacklisting of Integrated Services Development Ltd for failure to appear before it to explain why it abandoned the remodelling of Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) Headquarters in Abuja, which was awarded in 2020.

The committee, which has Hon. Abiodun Akinlade, as its chairman, was piqued that the managing director of the company had failed to turn up without any reason after more than three invitations.

The Federal Ministry of Aviation had awarded the contract for the construction of NSIB   Headquarters to Integrated Services Development Ltd for the sum of N939,163,060.43 in May 2022, whereas the sum of N788,780,057.56 representing 97% (less vat and tax) of the contract sum was paid to the contractor in August 2022.

Read Also: Soludo wins best performing governor in PHC in Nigeria

Akinlade said to the dismay of the committee members while on oversight, the contractor was never seen on site and the level of work done was put at 27% by the site consultants.

The Committee has therefore resolved to recommend that the contract be revoked and the company be blacklisted for its inability to honour the contractual agreement, coupled with lack of capacity to execute the contract.

It also resolved that relevant agencies of government will be asked to recover money paid to the company, as this will serve as a lesson for those that think they can collect government’s money and abscond.