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Tag: Reps

  • Reps propose all elections for one day in 2027

    Reps propose all elections for one day in 2027

    The House of Representatives has proposed a single day for the conduct of the five elections in 2027.

    If the proposal is upheld, the reviewed Electoral Act would empower the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to simultaneously conduct the presidential, senatorial, House of Representatives, governorship and House of Assembly polls in one day.

    Other amendments being proposed by the Lower Chamber of the National Assembly include the payment of N50 million by political associations seeking registration as parties, restriction of presidential election expenses to N10 billion, conduct of elections 120 days before the expiration of the incumbent’s term and determination of election petitions within 90 days after the exercise.

    The House also took steps to end series of by-elections arising from resignation and death of elected members of the state and National Assembly, proposing that parties who sponsored the lawmaker who died or resigned be made to produce his replacement.

    The Electoral Bill 2025 titled:  “A bill for an Act to repeal the Electoral Act No 13, 2022 and to enact the Electoral Act 2025, to regulate the conduct of Federal, State and Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory elections and for related matters” had passed through the Second Reading in the House

    The bill sponsored by the Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Bayo Balogun (APC, Lagos), also seeks the payment of an administrative fee of N50 by political associations before the application is processed.

    Although the 202acAct provides that such associations would be required to pay an administrative fee, the amount is left it to the discretion of INEC.

    Also, the proposed amendment seeks to restrict governorship election expenses to N3 billion, representing an increase from N1 billion in the 2022 Electoral Act.

    Senatatorial, House of Representatives, Houses of Assembly, Chairmanship and Councillorship election expenses are restricted to N500 million, N250 million, N30 million (for State Assembly and Chairman) and N10 million respectively.

    According to the proposed review, “no individual or other entity shall donate to a candidate more than N500 million.”

    Clause 27 of the proposed law states that elections at all levels shall be held not earlier than 210 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the tenure of office of the occupants of the office, adding that “where a vacancy occurs in any of the Houses mentioned in sub-section (1) more than 90 days before the date of general elections, an election shall be held to fill such vacancy not later than 30 days after the occurrence of the vacancy.”

    The 2022 Electoral Act makes it mandatory for INEC to declare a notice of election 360 days before the conduct of the election.

    However, the proposed amendment states that “without prejudice to subsections 1 and 3 above, apart from off- circle elections, all the elections shall hold the same day”.

    It adds: “Every political party shall, not later than 210 days before the date appointed for a general election under this Act, submit to the Commission, in the prescribed Forms, the list of the candidates the party proposes to sponsor at the elections, who must have emerged from valid primaries conducted by the political party.

    “The list or information submitted by each candidate shall be accompanied by an affidavit sworn to by the candidate at the Federal High Court, High Court of a State, or Federal Capital Territory, indicating that he or she has fulfilled all the constitutional requirements for election into that office.

    “The Commission shall, within 21 days of the receipt of the personal particulars of the candidate, publish same in the constituency where the candidate intends to contest the election.

    “A person may apply to the Commission for a copy of nomination form, affidavit and any other document submitted by a candidate at an election and the Commission shall, upon payment of a prescribed fee, issue such person with a certified true copy of the document within 14 days.

    “A aspirant who participated in the primaries of his political party who has reasonable grounds to believe that any information given by the political party’s candidate in the affidavit or any document submitted by that candidate in relation to his constitutional requirements to contest the election is false, may file a suit at the Federal High Court in the jurisdiction where the course of action arose against that candidate seeking a Submission of list of candidates and their affidavits by political parties declaration that the information contained in the affidavit is false.

    “Where the Court determines that any of the information contained in the affidavit is false only as it relates to constitutional requirements of eligibility, the Court shall issue an order disqualifying the candidate and the sponsoring political party”.

    Read Also: 2027 elections a done deal, says APC chair

    The law makes it an offence for any one to present himself for election without meeting the stipulated qualification, adding that an impostor risks a fine of N5 million and the party presenting an unqualified candidate will be liable on conviction to a fine of not less than N10 million.

    It also state that political parties shall not be allowed to change or substitute its candidate whose name has been submitted under Section 28 of this Act, except in the case of death or withdrawal by the candidate in accordance with Section 30, provided that in the case of such withdrawal or death of a candidate, the political party affected shall, within 14 days of the occurrence of the event, hold another primary election to produce and submit a new candidate to the Commission for the election concerned.

    Clause 40 of the law states that “where an elected member of a Legislative house at any level of government resigns, dies or is otherwise unable to continue in office before the expiration of the tenure for which the member was elected, the political party under whose platform the member was elected shall have the mandate to nominate a replacement from within the party in accordance with the procedure for nomination of candidates in section 84 (2).”

    It also states that the nomination process for such replacement “shall be made within sixty (60) days after the seat is declared vacant by the presiding officer due to resignation, death, or incapacity of the member” and “the National Chairman of the political party shall submit the name of the nominated replacement to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for ratification and issuance of a Certificate of return”.

    The commission is however, expected to issue a certificate of return to the candidate so nominated after ratification and the nominated member shall be deemed to have been duly elected and shall be sworn-in accordingly, without the need for a by-election.

    The proposed amendment also set aside a date for security personnel; officials of the Commission; accredited domestic observers; accredited journalists; and ad-hoc staff of the Commission to cast their votes under a procedure to be determined by the Commission, adding that “a person whose name is on the early voter’s list shall not vote on the official day scheduled for the respective election”.

    The proposed law is silent on the use of Permanent Voters cards for accreditation during elections.

    But it states that “a person intending to vote in an election shall present himself to a Presiding Officer for accreditation at the polling unit in the constituency in which his name is registered, and shall provide any of “(a) an electronically generated voter identification, including a downloadable voter’ card with a unique QR code; or (b) any other form of identification as may be prescribed in section 10 (2).

    Section 10(2) required the presentation of a Nigerian birth certificate, Nigerian Passport or National Identification Number for the purpose of participating in the continuous voter registration.

    (2) To vote, the Presiding Officer shall use a Bimodal Voter Accreditation System or any other technological device that may be prescribed by the Commission, for the accreditation of voters, to verify, confirm or authenticate the particulars of the intending voter in the manner prescribed by the Commission.

    Clause 60(5) provide for an electronic and manual transmission of election results saying “the Presiding Officer shall transmit the results including total number of accredited voters to the next level of collation both electronically and manually”, while also saying in subsection 6 that “a Presiding Officer who willfully contravenes any provision of this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of not less than N 500,000 or imprisonment for a term of not less than six months or both”.

    Clause 62 provides among others,  that “after the recording and announcement of the result, the Presiding Officer shall deliver same along with election materials under security and accompanied by the candidates or their polling agents, where available, to such person as may be prescribed by the Commission.

    “A collation officer or returning officer at an election shall collate and announce the result of an election, subject to his or her verification and confirmation that that (a) number of accredited voters stated on the collated result are correct and consistent with the number of accredited voters recorded under section 47 (2) and transmitted directly from polling units under this Act; and (b) the votes stated on the collated result are correct and consistent with the votes or results recorded and transmitted directly from polling units under section 60 (4) of this Act.

    “Subject to subsection (1), a collation officer or returning officer shall use the number of accredited voters recorded under section 47 (2) of this Act and transmitted directly from polling units under section 60 (5) of this Act to collate and announce the result of an election if a collated result at his or a lower level of collation is correct.

    “Where during collation of results, there is a dispute regarding a collated result or the result of an election from any polling unit, the collation officer or returning officer shall use the following to determine the correctness of the disputed result —(a) the original of the disputed collated result for each polling unit where the election is disputed and (b) the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System or other technological device used for accreditation of voters in each polling unit where the election is disputed for the purpose of obtaining accreditation data directly from Post-election procedure and collation of election results from the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System or technology device.

    The Presiding officer is also expected to use data of accreditation recorded under section 47(2) and transmitted directly from each polling unit where the election is disputed as prescribed under section 47 (2) section 60 (5) of this Act; and (d) the votes and result of the election recorded and transmitted directly from each polling unit where the election is disputed, as prescribed under section 60 (5) of this Act and “where the disputed result under subsection (6) were otherwise found not to be correct, the collation officer or returning officer shall re-collate and announce a new result using the information in subsection (6) (a)-(d).

    Clause 75 which provide for registration of political parties provide among other thing that “a political association that meets the conditions stipulated in the Constitution and this Act shall be registered by the Commission as a political party within 90 days from the date of receipt of the application, and if after the 90 days such association is not registered by the Commission, unless the Commission informs the association to the contrary, it shall be deemed to have been registered.

    “An association, its Chairman and Secretary or principal officer who gives false or misleading information, commit an offence and is liable on conviction, in the case of — (a) the association to a fine of N20,000,000; and (b) the Chairman, Secretary or principal officer of the association to a fine of N10,000,000 or imprisonment for a term of at least two years or both.

    “An application for registration as a political party shall not be processed unless there is evidence of payment of an administrative fee of N50,000,000”, while clause 76 gives the political association the right to challenge the decision of INEC at the Federal High Court.

    The law also required every political party to submit its register of members, both in soft and hard copy to the commission not later than 30 days before the conduct of any party primary, congresses of convention, adding that “only members whose names are contained in the register shall be eligible to vote and be voted for in party primaries, congresses and conventions.”

    It also state that “a party that fails to submit the membership register within the stipulated time shall not be eligible to field a candidate for that election. A political party shall not use any other register for party primaries, congresses and conventions except the register submitted to the Commission”.

    The proposed law also provide that “a political appointee at any level shall not be a voting delegate or be voted for at the Convention or Congress of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election”, adding that “notwithstanding the provisions of this Act or rules of a political party, an aspirant who complains that any of the provisions of this Act and the guidelines of a political party have not been complied with in the selection or nomination of a candidate of a political party for election, may apply to the Federal High Court for redress”

    “Where a court finds that a political party failed to comply with the provisions of this Act in the conduct of its primaries, its candidate for election shall not be included in the election for the particular position in issue.

    “A person that financially or materially induces a delegate for the purpose of influencing the outcome of the party primaries, congresses and conventions commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment to a term of two years without an option of fine.

    “Nothing in this section shall empower the Courts to stop the holding of primaries or general elections under this Act pending the determination of a suit”.

    While requiring that an election petition be filed within 21 days after the date of the declaration of results of the election, the proposed law states that it also says that every pre-election matter shall be filed not later than 14 days from the date of the occurrence of the event, decision or action complained of in the suit.

    It said further that “the Election Tribunal or court shall deliver its judgement in writing within 90 days from the date of filing the petition, while appeal arising from the decision of an Election Tribunal or court shall be filed not later than 14 days from the date of delivery of judgement appealed against. An appeal arising from the decision of an Election Tribunal or court shall be heard and determined not later than 60 days from the date of filing the appeal.

    On pre-election matters, it said “a court in every pre-election matter shall deliver its judgement in writing within 90 days from the date of filing the suit. An appeal from a decision in a pre-election matter shall be filed within 14 days from the date of delivery of the judgement appealed against. An appeal from a decision of a Court in a pre-election matter shall be heard and disposed of within 60 days from the date of filing of the appeal”.

    In addition, it said “an election tribunal or court shall not declare any person a winner of an election in which such a person has not fully participated in all stages of the election”.

    Furthermore, the proposed law states that “for the purpose of this section, where there is a natural disaster, war or any State or national emergency or any other “force majeure” that prevents the filing of a preelection, election petition, sitting of a court over a pre-election matter or the sitting of an election petition tribunal or appellate court, the period of the natural disaster, war or any State or national emergency or any other “force majeure” shall not be reckoned with in the computation of time under subsections (3), (4), (5), (6), (7) (8) (9) and 10) of this section”.

    Highlighting the grounds on which an election can be questioned, the bill states that “an election may be questioned on any of the following grounds —(a) the election was invalid by reason of corrupt practices or noncompliance with the provisions of this Act; or (b) the respondent was not duly elected by majority of lawful votes cast at the election”.

    It however, statesthat “an act or omission which may be contrary to an instruction or directive of the Commission or of an officer appointed for the purpose of the election but which is not contrary to the provisions of this Act shall not of itself be a ground for questioning the election”.

    In addition, it seeks to deter frivolous election suits, stating that “where the court makes a determination that an election is being questioned by a political party or candidate on grounds outside of those provided for under subsection (1), the court shall impose penalties of not less than N5,000,000 on the counsel and not less than N10,000,000 on the petitioner”.

  • Reps to introduce green jobs bill, target women, youth

    Reps to introduce green jobs bill, target women, youth

    The House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy has announced plans to introduce a new legislation that will mandate the creation of green jobs across the country, with clear targets for the inclusion of women and youth in Nigeria’s renewable energy sector.

    Chairman of the Committee, Afam Ogene, disclosed this yesterday during the Africa Policy Dialogue (APD) Kick-off Workshop on Green Jobs and Low Carbon Transition held at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

    The proposed legislation, titled the National Inclusive Green Jobs Act (NIGJA), is expected to provide a framework for linking renewable energy investments to employment generation, targeted skills development, and inclusive participation of young people and women.

    It will also align with regional trade goals under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), aimed at enhancing competitiveness in Africa’s energy market.

    Ogene said the move builds on resolutions reached during the First Annual Legislative Conference on Renewable Energy held earlier this year in Lagos.

    He described the bill as a key component of the Committee’s agenda and a practical step towards turning Nigeria’s energy transition into a tool for social and economic development.

    Read Also: Prioritise Nigeria’s development over ‘Japa’ – Tacha tells youths

    He noted that climate change policy must go beyond environmental goals to focus on social justice and job creation, especially in rural and underserved areas.

    “For Nigeria to achieve meaningful and sustainable development, prioritising the interests of women and youth is crucial,” Ogene said.

    He commended the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, for creating the Committee on Renewable Energy as a full standing committee of the House, the first in Nigeria’s legislative history, to push forward policies and track progress in the sector.

    The Committee Chairman also referenced a recent House resolution mandating all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to transition to renewable energy sources for their power needs.

    He said efforts are already underway to draft legislation that will give the resolution the force of law.

    According to Ogene, green jobs are not abstract, but real and measurable outcomes of energy investments.

    He cited the Nigeria Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) project, the Solar Power Naija initiative, and the Next-Gen RESCO Programme as examples of ongoing projects creating employment opportunities. He said the Next-Gen RESCO programme alone is expected to create 10,000 jobs in the coming years.

    He added that Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan, which targets 30% renewable energy generation by 2030, could create 340,000 direct jobs by 2030 and up to 840,000 by 2060.

    However, Ogene expressed concern that women and youth remain underrepresented in technical and decision-making roles in the energy sector.

    He said while women account for about 27–37% of sector-wide roles, only 8% occupy STEM-related positions. Youth currently hold about 28% of formal jobs in the distributed renewable energy sub-sector.

    He stressed the need for gender-responsive policies, targeted technical training, and employment guarantees in government-funded renewable energy projects.

    “If we truly want a just energy transition, we must place youth and women at the centre of green job creation,” he said.

    Ogene also highlighted the existing skills gap in the renewable energy sector. He said nearly 50 per cent of skilled labour needs are unmet, especially in areas such as solar panel installation, engineering, and systems operation. He added that a significant portion of renewable energy equipment is still imported, despite Nigeria having the raw materials to produce them locally.

    “This is not just a workforce problem; it is a policy problem,” he said, stressing the need to strengthen technical training institutions and build capacity for local manufacturing.

    He acknowledged the efforts of institutions such as the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN), the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), and the Next-Gen RESCO Programme, but said more action is needed to scale up green skills and apprenticeships nationwide.

    Ogene said the Committee is already working with legislative drafters, legal experts, and stakeholders to prepare a comprehensive bill that will reflect these priorities.

    On behalf of the 10th Assembly, he pledged that the House will push for oversight, funding, and legal support to mainstream green jobs into national planning and budgeting processes.

    He called on development partners, private investors, civil society, and academic institutions to support the legislative efforts through data sharing, joint implementation, and co-creation of policy frameworks.

    Ogene said the workshop marks the beginning of a legislative journey that will define Nigeria’s renewable energy future and urged participants to treat the engagement as a national assignment.

    INCLUDE Knowledge Platform called for a deliberate, inclusive, and labour-centered approach to Nigeria’s low-carbon transition, warning that without targeted reforms, the country risks replicating existing inequalities under the guise of climate action.

    Speaking at the event, INCLUDE’s representative, Victoria Manya, said Nigeria must design its energy transition as an opportunity to address unemployment, gender imbalance, and systemic exclusion.

    Manya said INCLUDE, alongside its international partners, is fully backing the development of the proposed National Inclusive Green Jobs Act (NIGJA) and the National Green Skills and Employment Alliance (NGSEA), both aimed at creating job opportunities in renewable energy, particularly for women and youth.

    Citing data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Manya noted that Nigeria’s youth unemployment rate stands at over 42%, with women disproportionately affected. Meanwhile, she noted, the renewable energy sector alone has the potential to create up to 340,000 direct jobs by 2030, mostly in solar photovoltaic (PV), according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

    However, she said less than 5% of the country’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes are aligned with renewable energy skills, according to a 2024 report jointly produced by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and INCLUDE.

    She warned that without binding labour-based incentives, Nigeria’s energy transition could widen rather than reduce economic inequality.

    Manya praised the House Committee on Renewable Energy for taking the lead through its proposed green jobs legislation, and reaffirmed INCLUDE’s commitment to working closely with lawmakers, civil society, and other stakeholders to co-design policies that directly respond to Nigeria’s employment crisis.

    The Africa Policy Dialogue workshop is being held in collaboration with INCLUDE Knowledge Platform and brought together stakeholders from UNDP, Women in Renewable Energy, renewable energy firms, lawmakers, civil society organisations, and the media. It is expected to produce recommendations that will feed directly into the drafting and refinement of the green jobs bill.

  • Reps order recovery of N103.8b, $950,912 from 31 MDAs

    Reps order recovery of N103.8b, $950,912 from 31 MDAs

    • EFCC, ICPC, others get marching orders

    The House of Representatives has indicted 31 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) for alleged financial irregularities and breach of the nation’s financial regulations.  

    Consequently, the House asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC), and other relevant bodies to recover over N103.8 billion and $950,912.05 from the MDAs and remit the same to government coffers.

    The directives followed the adoption of the House Public Accounts Committee (PAC) recommendations during yesterday’s plenary.

    A member of the committee, Bamidele Salam, who moved the motion recommendations, said there were “massive internal control failures, unauthorised expenditures, and procurement violations” found in many MDAs.

    The infractions contained in the Auditor-General’s Annual Reports for the years ending December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2020, were reviewed by the committee.

    Some of the major MDAs that various sums are to be recovered from are the Foreign Affairs and Petroleum Resources ministries, Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc(NSPML), Bank of Agriculture(BOA), the Nigerian Communication Satellite Limited (NCSL) and the Cross River Basin Development Authority.

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) was recommended for sanction for exceeding approved mobilisation limits, totalling N110.8 million without required guarantees.

    Read Also: Reps indict 31 MDA of financial infractions, seek recovery of ₦103.8 billion, $950,912.05

    To be recovered from the Foreign Affairs Ministry are N124 million and $795,000 it spent without  =authorisation on a presidential lodge at the Nigerian Embassy in Ethiopia. To be recovered also from the ministry are N31.7 million and $155,923.00  the ministry disbursed without supporting documents.

    The Petroleum Resources Ministry is to refund N373.4 million unapproved virements, N66.7 million used without prepayment audit and N12.3 million cash advances. It is also to retrieve a Toyota Prado (Registration Number: A1803FG) from one of its transport officers within 21 days.

    BOA was asked to refund about N75.6 billion, representing its uncollected debts during the period of the review by the Accountant General’s office.  The bank was mandated to publish the debtors’ names in three national newspapers.

    Also to be recovered from the bank and reported within 90 days is N350 million.

    The NSPML was accused of disbursing N14.4 billion in unapproved salaries and allowances. It was ordered to recover the sum from the beneficiaries.

    It is also to refund  N91.5 million it spent on ICT procurements without clearance from the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

    The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS)   was directed by the House to recover about  N7.47 million in unpaid withholding taxes. Besides, the  House wants the service to work closely with the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to produce a detailed list of all items credited to both the Federation and Non-Federation Accounts to ensure transparent accounting.

    Apart from the N1.3 billion to be recovered from the Rural Electrification Agency, a former Managing Director of the agency is to refund ₦394 million expended on electrification projects not approved by the tenders board.

    About ₦969 million transferred to an Eurobond ledger by the agency’s management, and ₦4.2 million it spent on publicity without approval are also to be recovered. 

    NCSL is to refund over ₦1 billion in total, including ₦95 million in unremitted taxes it collected between 2012 and 2018.

    In addition, its former Managing Director is to return ₦250 million misappropriated by contractors and staff members, as well as ₦700 million that the firm paid in advance for procurements. 

    The Cross River Basin Development Authority(CRDA) is to refund ₦3.5 billion for failing to present 731 payment vouchers from 2019. The Federal Inland Revenue Service(FIRS) was mandated to recover ₦41.4 million unremitted stamp duty from the authority for a 2019 contract, while the EFCC is to investigate ₦278.8 million in contingencies hidden in contracts from 2014–2019.

    The Nigerian Police Force was asked to verify claims that contract files were destroyed during the 2020 #EndSARS protests, while the EFCC was mandated to probe ₦169.1 million allegedly paid in compensation for the Bunyiaa-Akatom Imuan Dam project.

    The National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) is to recover ₦27.1 million for unauthorised foreign travel payments to staff members, while the NRS is to recover ₦12.4 million in unremitted Value Added Tax (VAT)   on contracts.

    Also, the Federal Government Girls College, Imiringi (Bayelsa State) is to refund ₦32.1 million due to advisory negligence in awarding a construction contract on unsuitable land, while the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy is to refund ₦4.8 million paid for unapproved international training in South Korea.

    The committee’s report also said that the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria should be cautioned for spending ₦10.2 million on an external solicitor without necessary approvals. The EFCC and ICPC are to recover ₦7.2 million overpaid to a contractor for office building construction at the National Centre for Energy Efficiency and Conservation (NCEEC), Lagos.

    The Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Company is to recover ₦188.3 million from its ex-CEO, Marylin Amobi and others, being property loans. It was also asked to use legal channels to recover $69.3 million owed by a Benin Republic-based firm; recover ₦63.6 million worth of properties allegedly converted for personal use by the former Managing Director, and ₦7 million in under-deducted stamp duties from 2019 contracts.

    FIRS was directed by the committee to recover ₦4.3 million in unpaid withholding tax from the National Film and Video Censor Board and ₦20.2 million spent on unauthorised police training programmes.  

    The EFCC is to investigate ₦18.5 million and ₦43.5 million in fictitious contracts and refund ₦27.2 million spent on unauthorised international travels.

    The Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiation is to refund ₦71.9 million for unauthorised virement, provide evidence of ₦198.1 million tax remittances and refund ₦123.7 million and ₦149 million spent on unapproved international trips.

    Other agencies which  are either to make refunds  to government or cautioned include Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Enugu, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; Federal Medical Centre, Bida; Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria; Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe; Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital; Department of ICT, Nigeria Police Force HQ; Ministry of Labour and Employment; Ministry of Mines and Steel Development and University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

    The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) is to recover eight official vehicles and ensure the return of four operational vehicles unlawfully retained by some officials of the  Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment.

  • Reps to probe failed refinery turnaround projects, planned sale

    Reps to probe failed refinery turnaround projects, planned sale

    The House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) has launched an investigation into the massive investments made in the turnaround maintenance of Nigeria’s major refineries and the reasons the efforts have failed, prompting discussions about their potential sale.

    Committee Chairman Ikenga Ugochinyere disclosed this at a press conference on Wednesday, expressing concern over the shutdown of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries shortly after being declared operational.

    He noted that the company responsible for the maintenance is reputable, raising questions about what went wrong.

    The committee is also probing the challenges faced by local and modular refineries in securing crude oil, including why Nigerian refiners must travel to Switzerland to negotiate for crude sourced locally.

    Ugochinyere revealed that the House has received multiple petitions from refinery owners, oil marketers, and retailers regarding bottlenecks in operations, including fears over a possible monopoly in the sector.

    Stakeholders raised concerns about policies allegedly favouring Dangote Refinery, particularly in petroleum product transportation and retailing, which they claim could jeopardise their investments and lead to market domination.

    The committee also plans to reopen investigations into the acquisition of OVH by NNPC Retail and related complaints from NNPC staff, following the House’s rejection of an earlier report.

    Furthermore, Ugochinyere stated that the committee will propose amendments to the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to address emerging issues not currently covered by the law. These amendments aim to strengthen the regulatory framework for the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

    He also announced the committee’s decision to dismiss a petition calling for the dissolution of the NMDPRA, noting that under the PIA, the power to appoint or remove its leadership resides with the President.

    “We are not out to protect anybody. If anybody is found to have been engaged in corrupt activities, the law should be allowed to take its course”.

    He said the House Committee will also investigate the issue of the incorporation of Artisanal Miners into the petroleum refining value chain, following complaints that the experience of such persons will be eroded if they are excluded.

    Read Also: Reps blame NAICOM for 25 insurance firms financial infractions

    Another investigation by the committee, he said, is the alleged abandonment of the Biomas Ethane project as well as allegation and counter-allegation over the continued importation of fuel and protection of local refiners- legislative solutions.

    He also announced that the House intends to hold the inaugural edition of the annual Downstream Petroleum Week event beginning from October 2, 2025.

    He assured that the House will not allow any monopoly in the oil sector of the country, ensuring that all the sub-committees set up will fast-track the investigation of pending referrals to the Committee, address crucial matters and developments that have arisen, which threaten sustainability in the downstream sector, to make the downstream industry stronger and more viable.

  • Reps plan 55 special seats for women, 27 PWDs for NASS

    Reps plan 55 special seats for women, 27 PWDs for NASS

    …as Reps open doors to public scrutiny

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, said on Tuesday that the House was considering reserving 10 percent of elective seats in the National Assembly for women and 5 percent for persons with disability in the ongoing constitution review process.

    If passed and signed into law, the special seat for women being advocated for will add an additional 82 members to the National Assembly, with 55 members in the House and 28 in the Senate.

    Speaking at the second Legislative Open Week of the House, Speaker Abbas said reserved-seat representatives would enjoy the same rights, privileges, and committee assignments as their peers, reinforcing their full integration into legislative work”.

    Speaking on the ongoing constitutional reform, he said, “We are considering 109 amendment bills across various sectors, including electoral, judicial, legislative, and inclusive governance. Twelve electoral reform bills address the scheduling of all general elections on a single day, establish independent candidacy, and create a dedicated commission for local government elections. Judicial reforms encompass 21 bills designed to streamline appellate processes and strengthen judicial independence”.

    Speaker Abbas said further that a central feature of the House inclusive governance proposals is the introduction of constitutionally guaranteed reserved seats for women and persons with disabilities, saying “under the draft amendment, ten per cent (10%) of seats in both the Senate and the House of Representatives would be set aside for women, apportioned by state to ensure regional balance.

    “These seats would be filled through direct elections on separate ballots, with staggered terms to promote continuity and mentorship. Five per cent (5%) of seats would be reserved for persons with disabilities, with candidates nominated by accredited disability advocacy organisations.

    He explained, “Historical data underscores the urgency of this reform. At independence in 1960, women occupied less than one per cent of seats in the National Assembly. By 1990, their share rose only to two per cent. With the restoration of democracy in 1999, women held 3.9 per cent of House seats and four per cent of Senate seats. Today, despite constituting half the population, women’s representation has barely moved beyond these levels.

    “International experience shows the impact quotas can have. Rwanda and Senegal utilised constitutional provisions to increase female representation from under 5% to over 30% in a single cycle. South Africa’s voluntary party quota has delivered steady gains, though its success depends on enforcement. By embedding reserved seats into our Constitution, we will break the cycle of stagnation.

    “This mechanism will accelerate progress towards gender parity, enrich our legislative debates with diverse perspectives, and ensure that the National Assembly truly reflects the people it serves. The 10th House will pursue vigorous collaboration with the State Houses of Assembly and all stakeholders to ensure that the Bill on the reserved seat is passed and becomes part of our constitution”.

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    The Speaker said that in its first two sessions, the House introduced 2,263 bills, saying 1,478 have gone through Second Reading, 135 are awaiting further consideration by the House and 339 are pending before Standing Committees, with five negative, reflecting rigorous legislative debate.

    Out of the number, he said member-sponsored bills accounted for 2,204 of the total, with 26 Executive bills and 33 emanating from the Senate for concurrence, saying “these figures indicate a steady upward trend since 1999, highlighting an ever-growing legislative capacity and competence”.

    He said further that as of 30 June 2025, the House has passed 237 bills and forwarded them for presidential assent, of which 55 have been signed into law, including the Tax Reform Laws, comprising the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, the Nigeria Revenue Service Act, and the Joint Revenue Board Act, which simplify the tax code and harmonise revenue collection across tiers of government.

    “The Electricity Act (Amendment) 2023 transfers electricity to the Concurrent Legislative List, empowering both federal and state governments to legislate on power generation, transmission, and distribution. The Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act 2024 establishes the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) as an independent body to expand access to tertiary education, among others.

    The Speaker said the House has received 621 petitions from citizens on wrongful terminations, rights violations and other grievances, adding that 24 of the petitions have been fully treated, with reports ready, 30 dismissed for lack of merit, while the remaining 567 are at various stages of the hearing and investigation process.

    Speaker Abbas said the House will continue to advance security reform with bills for state policing and the devolution of powers over natural resources and infrastructure, adding that the House is considering 14 bills that aim to strengthen institutions, enforce fiscal accountability, and improve governance frameworks. Citizens’ rights feature in four human rights bills that align domestic law with international standards.

    Speaking on Executive–legislative cooperation which he said remains essential, the Speaker thanked the President for always consulting the National Assembly on key policy matters, and for respecting the input throughout the legislative process, saying “his willingness to engage with our debates and incorporate our recommendations has strengthened governance and reinforced the balance of powers that underpins our democracy”.

    He said the House recognizes the challenges before Nigerians and the House, such as economic constraints, high turnover rate, and public expectations for immediate improvements which require resilience, saying, “we will continue to balance fiscal realities in our budget appropriations, prioritize critical sectors, and ensure that we deliver fully on our legislative agenda. Similarly, we will continue to invest in research support, modern library facilities, and peer-learning initiatives to strengthen the institution.

    Senate president, Senator Godswill Akpabio, commended the House for the achievement in the past two years and for opening their House for the Nigerian people, assuring that the Senate will follow the footsteps of the House, while plans are on to organise a joint open week with the Green chambers.

    Akpabio said the event was necessary to educate the Nigerian people on the functions of the lawmakers as a way of reducing the large turnover rate in the parliament, adding that in the Senate, about 80 percent of Senators were new to the parliament.

    He said this huge turnover rate of lawmakers affects institutional memories in the legislature and even the effective performance of their functions.

    According to him, many Nigerians are unaware of the actual function of the legislator and has often piled pressure on them to build roads, provide employment and other activities meant for the executive, adding that when the lawmaker fail to deliver on these areas, they are regarded by their constituents as failures, thereby affecting their efforts at returning to the National Assembly.

    Akpabio said further that because the current is not at loggerheads with the Executive, but chooses to engage in dialogue in arriving at definite positions, it does not mean that the Assembly is a rubber stamp Assembly, adding that together with the Executive, they have always put the interest of the Nigerian people first.

    Former Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, charged the lawmakers to continue to promote the spirit of transparency and accountability, saying it is only when you are accountable that you can hold others accountable.

    Another former Speaker, Patricia Ette, reminded the lawmakers of the need to constantly return to their constituencies to engage with the people, adding that there was a need to take a cue from the open week because their main office is not in Abuja, but in their constituencies.

  • Reps approve ₦774.77 billion 2025 revenue target for NIMASA

    Reps approve ₦774.77 billion 2025 revenue target for NIMASA

    The House of Representatives Committee overseeing the activities of the Nigeria Maritime Safety, Education and Administration (NIMASA) on Monday approved the ₦774.77 revenue target presented to it by the agency. 

    Speaking at a budget defence session with the agency, Chairman of the Committee, Khadijat Abba-Ibrahim however queried the possibility big the agency meeting the revenue target considering the short fall in its 2024 revenue generation exercise. 

    Director General of the agency, Dr. Dayo Mobereola had told the committee that the NIMASA was target an increase in its revenue for 2025.

    She drew the attention of the management to a major fiscal shift under the present administration, requiring NIMASA to remit 50% of its IGR to the federal treasury—”A significant departure from the previous policy that allowed the agency to retain all IGR”.

    The committee, however, questioned the credibility of doubling the revenue target given the ₦97 billion shortfall in 2024.

    It also raised the alarm on the steep rise in personnel costs, from ₦42 billion in 2024 to ₦73 billion in 2025, and queried whether this was due to mass recruitment or inflated benefits. 

    Represented by the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Hon. Chidi Offodile, the DG disclosed that after deductions, including federal remittances and maritime fund contributions, ₦264.96 billion would be available for operations.

    He listed freight levies, offshore waste management, sea protection and ship registration as major revenue sources, alongside new gains expected from automation, the rollout of a modular floating dock and collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guards.

    Speaking on the implementation of the 2024 budget, the executive director disclosed that while NIMASA projected ₦467.4 billion in revenue for 2024, actual collections amounted to ₦370 billion, indicating a 79% performance rate. Recurrent expenditures reached 87% of budgeted allocations, while capital spending stood at 51% implementation.

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    The capital expenditure also came under scrutiny, with the committee questioning how NIMASA plans to implement ₦89 billion in capital projects when 50% of its revenue will be deducted at source.

    Responding to questions, the executive director said all budgets are projections subject to economic variables. 

    He attributed the ambitious 2025 targets to anticipated oil production increases, enhanced revenue automation, and operational scale-up. “We are confident that with better systems and strategic partnerships, we can meet these targets,” he said.

    In adopting the budget to be presented to the plenary, the committee urged the agency to release the N200 billion approved for NIMASA for some key projects at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron in Akwa Ibom State.

  • Reps panel directs IGP to enforce summons on shipping giant MSC

    Reps panel directs IGP to enforce summons on shipping giant MSC

    The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has directed the Inspector-General of Police to compel the Mediterranean Shipping Company Nigeria Limited (MSCNL) to appear before it, following a petition by the Citizens Whistleblowers Coalition (CWC) accusing the firm of tax evasion and unfair trade practices.

    The directive was issued during the committee’s sitting on July 2, after MSCNL failed to honour two previous invitations and refused to respond to the petition, despite being served both directly and through a national newspaper publication.

    The Deputy Chairman of the committee, Hon. Martins Nwogu, who presided over the session, ordered that the company’s Managing Director, Andrew Lynch, and Deputy Managing Director, Jake Iosso, be compelled to appear at the next hearing scheduled for July 31.

    Counsel to the whistleblowers, Hon. Uzoma Abonta, condemned MSCNL’s disregard for Nigerian laws and institutions, and called for the potential revocation of the company’s operational licence should it persist in defying legislative summons.

    Abonta also urged the committee to invite key regulatory agencies in the maritime sector—including the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Nigerian Shippers Council, and Nigerian Customs Service—to support the investigation.

    The committee invoked Sections 88 and 89 of the Nigerian Constitution, which empower the National Assembly to investigate matters and summon individuals. Specifically, it applied Section 89 (c) and (d) to enforce compliance.

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    The CWC’s petition accuses MSCNL of multiple infractions, including arbitrary charges, shipment delays, and failure to accurately declare revenue in Nigeria—its largest market in Africa—despite the company’s global revenue exceeding €83 billion.

    The petition said, “MSC’s shipping practices are often depicted by many as being oppressive and unfair to Nigerians, especially as it relates to demurrage and detention charges.

    “MSC prides itself as the largest Container line worldwide, with over 200,000 employees and revenues over €86 billion. However, a company, no matter its size, should have regard for the laws of the land where it generates revenue.

    “Over the years, stakeholders in the nation’s Maritime industry have continued to cry out against the malpractices being perpetrated in the nation’s Maritime transport industry by MSC Nigeria Limited.

    “In May 28, 2021, Importers and clearing agents, under the auspices of Nigerian Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders and the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, threatened to stop shipping consignments into Nigeria through MSC Shipping Line over allegations of container deposit scams allegedly being perpetuated by officials of the company in Nigeria. This, of course, will affect the volume of imports into the country, with grave implications for the nation’s economy.

    “MSC Nigeria Limited, allegedly, collects container deposits from freight forwarders and licensed customs agents acting on behalf of the importers, but they fail to refund the money after the container has been returned. The company collects deposits ranging from N200,000 to N400,000 on 20-foot containers and 40-foot containers, respectively.”

  • Reps seek special erosion fund for Ondo

    Reps seek special erosion fund for Ondo

    The House of Representatives on Thursday asked the federal government to create a special fund to tackle the menace of erosion in Ondo state.

    This followed a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Donald Ojogo (APC, Ondo) on the need for the government to provide relief for victims of the flood disaster ravaging Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency of Ondo State.

    In the interim, the House asked the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to swing into action and send relief materials to the affected communities and provide shelter for the people displaced by the flood.

    Moving the motion, Ojoho said that a devastating flood which started on 1st July, 2025, is presently raging in Ilaje Ese Odo Federal Constituency of Ondo State and has seriously affected many communities in the constituency.

    He expressed concern that the flood has affected seventeen (17) out of the twenty-two (22) electoral wards in the constituency and has displaced more than 15,000 people in the area, while nine persons affected by the flood are already hospitalised.

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    He said victims of the flood disaster are presently going through a lot of stress and trauma as a result of the raging flood and having been rendered homeless.

    He disclosed that a Traditional Ruler, the Traditional Prime Minister (Tarabiritoru) of the ancient Arogbo Ijaw Kingdom, is among those displaced by the flood and rendered homeless.

    He said there was an urgent need for the Federal Government to tackle the worsening situation to prevent the outbreak of waterborne diseases, which may become an epidemic in the area.

  • Reps move to expand technical aid corps mandate to tackle global devt challenges

    Reps move to expand technical aid corps mandate to tackle global devt challenges

    The House of Representatives on Thursday passed for second reading a bill seeking to broaden the mandate of the Nigeria Technical Aid Corps (TAC) in line with evolving global challenges and opportunities for international development collaboration.

    Sponsor of the bill, Hon. Adewale Hammed (APC, Lagos), while leading the debate, lamented the limited awareness of the agency’s potential, especially among Nigerian youths.

    He noted that the TAC was originally established to deploy Nigerian professionals to African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries in need of technical assistance, aimed at promoting South-South cooperation and fostering mutual development.

    Hammed stressed that the world has changed significantly since the creation of the agency, with issues like climate change, food insecurity, and disaster vulnerability now demanding more comprehensive and adaptive frameworks for global technical support.

    He explained that the proposed amendment would expand TAC’s operational scope to include these emerging sectors and align its work with current international development priorities.

    “The current Act is outdated and silent on critical areas that are now at the core of global development strategies,” he said, adding that the bill would make the agency more relevant and impactful in today’s world.

    He said, “As nations significantly face complex challenges in public health, education, food security, and environmental sustainability, Nigeria must rise to the occasion not only as a beneficiary but also as a provider of meaningful technical assistance.

    “This amendment is timely and necessary to reposition the Technical Aid Corps as a strategic tool in Nigeria’s foreign policy, soft diplomacy, and global development footprint. By expanding its objectives to include key development sectors and enabling partnership with international organisations, NGO’s, and the private sector, we will strengthen Nigeria’s role as a development leader in the global south.

    He said the bill should be amended to strengthen its objective, while modifying the mode of appointment to the board of the agency to cover all the geopolitical zones in the country.

    The objective, he said, should be to share Nigeria’s experience and expertise with the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries and any other countries/organisations that may from time to time be recommended by the Directorate as capable of partnering with Nigeria under the Scheme in pursuance of its stated objectives.

    In addition, the agency should be made to give assistance on the basis of the available manpower, skills and capabilities the Directorate can provide to the recipient countries; promote cooperation and understanding between Nigeria and those of the recipient countries and facilitate meaningful contact between the people of Nigeria and those of the recipient countries.

    He said the law should also be amended to ensure the agency provides technical assistance in the areas of agriculture and food security, health and medical services, education and human resource development, infrastructure development, environmental protection and conservation, and disaster risk reduction and management.

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    He also called for the expansion of the functions of the agency to undertake the periodic monitoring of the activities of volunteers in their countries of deployment with a view to optimising the realisation of the objectives of the Scheme. The monitoring exercise.

    The amendment he said will empower the Corps to collaborate with international organizations, development partners, non-governmental organizations, and private sectors to enhance technical aid delivery and maximize impact; to align the Act with current development priorities, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union Agenda 2063 and to deepen south-South cooperation by leveraging Nigeria’s abundant human capital in responding to the needs of developing nations.

    He said the amendment presents an important step in strengthening Nigeria’s leadership role in regional and international development, adding that “It is not merely an expansion of scope; it is a strategic recalibration of Nigeria’s global engagement and technical diplomacy.”

  • Reps to consider requests for creation of 46 states, 117 councils

    Reps to consider requests for creation of 46 states, 117 councils

    The House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has said it is considering requests for the creation of 46 new states and 117 additional local government areas across the country

    The committee also said it would consider two requests for boundary adjustment, as well as about 86 Constitution amendment Bills the House has passed.

    The Northcentral is leading with 12 requests, followed by the Southwest with eight requests, the Northwest and the Southsouth with seven requests each, while the Northeast and the Southeast have six requests each.

    The Northeast has 22 requests for the creation of new local governments, the Northwest has 14 requests, the Northcentral has 21 requests, the Southeast has 24 requests, the Southwest has 12 requests, while the Southsouth has 24 requests.

    The committee listed the names of the requested states as: Savannah (from Borno), Kwararaafa, South Sadauna and Muri (from Taraba), Katagum (from Bauchi), Amana (from Adamawa), Gurara and New Kaduna (from Kaduna State), Hadejia (from Jigawa), Gobir (from Sokoto), Kainji (from Kebbi and Niger) as well as Tiga and Ghari (from Kano).

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    The other requested states also include Edu (from Niger State), Okun and Okura (from Kogi), Plateau, South Plateau and Lowland (from Plateau), new Kogi (from Kogi, Nasarawa and Edo states), Ifesowapo (from Kwara), Abuja (from the FCT), Apa, Apa-Agba and Ayatutu/Benue Ala (from Benue).

    There are also: Orashi (from Anambra, Imo, and Rivers states), Orlu, Anioma, Etiti, and Aba (from the Southeast geopolitical zone, Adada (from Enugu State), Atlantic City, Bori, and Iwuroha (from Rivers), Obolo (from Akwa Ibom and Rivers states), Warri (from Delta), Toru-Ebe (from Delta, Edo, and Ondo states), and Ogoja (from Cross Rivers state).

    The other requested states are: Ijebu and Remo (from Ogun State), Igbomina (from Osun, Kwara and Ekiti states), Oke-Ogun, Ibada,n and New Oyo (from Oyo State), Ife-Ijesha (from Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states) and Lagoon (from Lagos and Ogun states).

    Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu said the committee had segmented all the memoranda and Bills the committee had received into different categories to assist the public in making their contributions to the process.

    He listed the areas of attention as Electoral Reforms, Judicial Reforms, the Legislature, Inclusive Governance, Security and Policing, Devolution of Powers, Strengthening of Institutions, Traditional Institutions, Fiscal Reforms, Citizenship and Indigeneship, Fundamental Human Rights, Local Government Reform as well as Creation of States and Local Governments.

    Kalu urged Nigerians to participate fully in the review of the 1999 Constitution to bring it to everyone’s expectations.

    The Deputy Speaker told those who refuse to participate in the exercise not to complain later.

    He said the continuous review of the Constitution is necessary as the nation’s democracy advances.

    The committee chairman noted that doing the needful in the course of the review would accelerate national development since there are always areas of improvement in the legal document.

    He said the committee remained committed to ensuring broader participation by Nigerians and other critical stakeholders in amending the Constitution.

    Kalu said the committee had segmented the country into 12 for effective coverage during the public hearings, which are expected to be held in two phases.

    The first phase, which is scheduled to be held between July 11 and 13, will be in Kaduna and Sokoto for the Northwest; Minna and Lafia for the Northcentral as well as Gombe and Borno for the Northeast.

    The second phase, which is scheduled for July 18 to 20, will take place in Lagos and Akure for the Southwest; Yenagoa and Calabar for the Southsouth, as well as Enugu and Owerri for the Southeast, while the national public hearing will hold on Monday, July 21, in Abuja.

    Kalu said the “hearings are designed to provide an open platform for citizens, civil society organisations (CSOs), professional bodies, traditional institutions, and other interest groups to express their views and contribute meaningfully to the constitutional reform process”.

    He announced that “86 Constitution Review Bills currently under consideration in the House will be presented to the general public in the form of a compressed compendium consisting of a collation of explanatory memoranda, long titles and a comprehensive exposé of the Bills for their inputs”.

    He added: “The Bills, sponsored by members of the House, represent legislative efforts aimed at addressing various developmental challenges affecting governance practices in Nigeria.”

    Kalu said the Bills had been summerised in a compendium as reference materials to all stakeholders and members of the public during the Zonal Public Hearings, thereby enabling them to understand the legislative proposals.

    The compendium, he said, is meant to allow citizens to seek clarifications, examine the Bills based on their subject matter, and contribute through constructive input, while fostering the exchange of ideas during the Hearings, thereby providing Members of the House with valuable insights into the expectations and concerns of their constituents and the wider public.

    This, he said, would help guide their legislative actions and inform their decisions when the Bills are brought up for voting, while also providing feedback to members of the public who submitted memoranda, informing them whether and how their concerns have been addressed in the proposed amendments.

    He urged all stakeholders and the general public to actively participate in the zonal and national public hearings, as their contributions and inputs are crucial to the success of the constitutional review process.