Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: Nigerian Senate

  • Senate Faces Public Backlash Over Controversial Electoral Act Amendments

    Senate Faces Public Backlash Over Controversial Electoral Act Amendments

    Reporting by Leadership indicates a growing wave of public anger directed at the Nigerian Senate following the passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026. Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central, admitted during a television appearance that lawmakers have been subjected to insults because the version of the bill passed—specifically regarding the electronic transmission of results—did not reflect the expectations of the citizenry.

    The legislative tension was further highlighted by Daily Trust and Sahara Reporters, both of whom documented the disconnect between the Senate’s “transmission” versus “transfer” terminology. Daily Trust noted that “voters feel betrayed by the lack of real-time upload requirements,” while Sahara Reporters quoted Senator Umeh saying, “We have to take the insult because we have disappointed the people with the news they got.”

    The controversy centers on whether the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is mandated or merely permitted to use electronic means to transmit results. Civil society organizations have already begun mobilizing for a protest, demanding a further review of the bill before it receives presidential assent.

    Echotitbits take: The “transmission vs. transfer” debate is more than semantics; it is the frontline of Nigeria’s democratic transparency. Expect legal challenges to follow if the President signs the bill without clarifying these controversial clauses.

    Source: Vanguard — https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/02/electoral-act-senate-passes-bill-rejects-mandatory-electronic-transmission-of-results/, February 6, 2026

    Photo credit: Vanguard

  • Anti-Graft Commission Initiates Investigation into Ex-Minister’s Alleged Certificate Forgery

    Anti-Graft Commission Initiates Investigation into Ex-Minister’s Alleged Certificate Forgery

    According to Premium Times reporting, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has officially launched a probe into allegations that Uche Nnaji, the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, submitted falsified academic and NYSC records. The investigation follows a detailed exposé indicating that the former cabinet member allegedly presented forged documents to both the Senate and President Bola Tinubu during his 2023 clearance process, a scandal that ultimately led to his resignation late last year.

    The development has been mirrored in reports by AllAfrica and The Gazette Nigeria, which confirm that investigators are currently verifying the authenticity of the degree certificates with the respective institutions. AllAfrica noted that “the former minister could face criminal prosecution if the ICPC investigation confirms the forgery,” while The Gazette quoted a source stating, “This is a matter of institutional integrity that cannot be swept under the carpet.”

    Legal experts suggest that the outcome of this probe could set a significant precedent for political appointees in the current administration. The ICPC is reportedly under pressure to ensure a transparent process, given the high-profile nature of the suspect and the gravity of the accusations involving the nation’s highest legislative body.

    Echotitbits take: This investigation serves as a litmus test for Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies. If handled decisively, it could deter future political aspirants from misrepresenting their qualifications; however, any perceived foot-dragging will likely be viewed as a lack of political will to hold former high-ranking officials accountable.

    Source: Premium Times – https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/826505-certificate-forgery-premium-times-to-sue-ex-minister-nnajis-spokesperson-over-false-bribery-allegation.html , February 6, 2026

    Photo credit: Premium Times

  • Senate confirms 64 ambassadors as Nigeria fills key diplomatic gaps

    Senate confirms 64 ambassadors as Nigeria fills key diplomatic gaps

    Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
    2025-12-18 14:00:00

    The Punch reports that Nigeria’s Senate has confirmed 64 ambassadorial nominees after committee screening and adoption of the foreign affairs report.

    The confirmations are expected to strengthen diplomacy, trade engagement and diaspora services, which depend heavily on active missions and leadership capacity abroad.

    Verification: BusinessDay and TVC News also reported the confirmation of the nominee list and the Senate’s decision.

    Quotes: BusinessDay: “Senate confirms 64 ambassadorial nominees…” TVC News: “The Senate has confirmed… 64 persons…”

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: The real deliverable is service quality. Watch posting timelines, mission funding, and performance KPIs—especially consular turnaround, trade facilitation and diaspora engagement.

    Source: The Punch — 2025-12-18 — https://punchng.com/senate-confirms-fani-kayode-reno-omokri-62-others-as-ambassadors/

    The Punch 2025-12-18

  • Stakeholders warn Senate against death-penalty option in kidnapping bill

    Stakeholders warn Senate against death-penalty option in kidnapping bill

    Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
    2025-12-18 17:00:00

    The Nation reports that stakeholders at a Senate hearing pushed back against proposals to introduce death penalty provisions for kidnapping, citing legal, rights and implementation concerns.

    Critics argue deterrence is unlikely if conviction rates remain low, and that reforms should prioritise investigation quality, prosecution capacity and victim protection.

    Verification: Premium Times and Channels TV also reported the public hearing and documented opposition from the AGF, NBA and other groups.

    Quotes: Premium Times: “AGF, NBA, others oppose death penalty for kidnapping…” Channels TV: “raised concerns… at the public hearing…”

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: Nigeria’s crisis is less about harsh laws and more about weak enforcement. Watch the final Senate wording and whether the bill strengthens investigations, forensics and witness protection without expanding punitive powers that can be abused.

    Source: The Nation — 2025-12-18 — https://thenationonlineng.net/stakeholders-oppose-death-penalty-for-kidnapping/

    The Nation 2025-12-18

  • Senate Advances Overhaul of Nigeria’s Audit Framework With Updated Federal Audit Bill

    Senate Advances Overhaul of Nigeria’s Audit Framework With Updated Federal Audit Bill

    2025-12-18 00:00:00

    The Nation reports that the Senate has concluded work on amendments aimed at replacing the decades-old audit framework, with lawmakers advancing a Federal Audit Service Bill meant to strengthen oversight and public sector accountability.

    The report says the legislation updates Nigeria’s audit architecture and could impact how ministries, departments, and agencies are scrutinised, especially around procurement and project execution.

    Supporters argue the reform is overdue, while critics insist effective enforcement will matter more than new legal text.

    Punch reported that the Senate concluded consideration of the bill, describing it as a move to modernise federal audit structures. (Punch)

    The Guardian similarly covered the development and framed it as a step toward stronger accountability in government spending oversight. (Guardian Nigeria)

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: Modern audit rules can tighten leakages only if institutions are independent and audit findings lead to consequences. Watch the final bill text, implementation timelines, and whether audit reports become more timely and publicly accessible.

    Source: The Nation — December 18, 2025 (https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2025/12/17/senate-concludes-amendment-to-69-year-old-audit-act/)

    Photo credit: PM News Nigeria

    December 18, 2025
  • Editorial Opinion: When Nigeria Happens to the Powerful: A Wake-Up Call for Leadership Beyond Privilege

    Editorial Opinion: When Nigeria Happens to the Powerful: A Wake-Up Call for Leadership Beyond Privilege

    An imaginary former Senator of the Federal republic of Nigeria lamenting among helpless Nigerians

    Not too long ago, a former senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria—no longer in office, no longer surrounded by the trappings of power—was approached by a young citizen. In response to a casual exchange, the former lawmaker, with a tone of sincerity and fatigue, uttered a deeply revealing phrase:

    “May Nigeria not happen to you.”

    That brief remark has reverberated beyond its moment. It wasn’t just a statement—it was a confession, an admission of how quickly the illusion of safety and privilege dissolves when public office ends. It was also a mirror held up to the very soul of Nigeria’s dysfunctional socio-political system.

    This man had once been part of the machinery that ran the country. He had the power to influence budgets, pass laws, and shape policy. And yet, as soon as his tenure ended, he found himself swallowed by the same dysfunction that haunts ordinary Nigerians daily: insecurity, administrative chaos, crumbling infrastructure, and the silent indifference of the system.

    If a former senator can be so brutally vulnerable, what hope is there for the average Nigerian—those who never had the benefit of title, privilege, or armed escort?

    This story is not unique, but it is symbolic. It exposes a fundamental failure in our approach to governance. Public office in Nigeria is too often treated as a sanctuary from the hardship of the nation, rather than as a platform to transform that hardship. For many, leadership is reduced to a fleeting window of protection and accumulation—a time to secure wealth, enjoy prestige, and escape the daily grind of the masses.

    But here’s the painful truth: that escape is temporary.

    When power fades, the failing system you helped uphold comes for you too. That reality should frighten anyone in leadership who still believes that political office is about securing the moment instead of changing the system.

    This is a moral reckoning. We must ask: Why should any citizen have to fear that their country might “happen” to them? Why do even our lawmakers, governors, and ministers dread the same system they once managed? Why is Nigeria a place you survive while in office, but suffer once you’re out?

    Until we abandon the model of power as refuge and embrace leadership as responsibility, we will remain in this cycle. We need leaders who understand that the true measure of success is not what they gain while in power, but what they leave behind after power.

    A senator should not have to plead for mercy from the same country he helped lead. And a citizen should not have to pray that their nation does not “happen” to them.

    Leadership must become a legacy, not an escape.

    It is time to stop using the privilege of office for pecuniary gain, and start using it to build the kind of nation we won’t have to apologize for—even after we leave office.

  • Nigerian Senate Warns Government of Another Protest if Needs Aren’t Met

    Nigerian Senate Warns Government of Another Protest if Needs Aren’t Met

    The Nigerian Senate has warned the Buhari-led Federal Government to dedicate a substantial part of the 2021 budget to create employment opportunities, reduce poverty and ensure food security for Nigerians or risk another agitation similar to the recent EndSARS protest by Nigerian youth.

    The warning was sounded by Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Chairman Senate Committee on Agriculture Abudullahi Adamu (Nasarawa West) during the 2021 budget defence session by the Minister of Agriculture, Sabo Nanono, in Abuja.

    The “abysmally low” budget allocation to the agricultural sector in past years was decried.

    Senate President Lawan affirmed agriculture as a potential job creation vehicle.

    In his advise, Lawan said the Federal Government (FG) ought to be “practical and radical” in applying its resources to address the urgent needs of the masses.

    “Recently, we had some of our youths protesting genuinely. They were seeking the attention of leaders and they got the attention of leaders.

    “So, our budget, especially for 2021 should be mindful of what we do to provide employment opportunities for these youths.

    “They demonstrated and protested because they could do so, there are so many other people who may not be youthful but are also in the same need and they didn’t protest.

    “Let’s meet them where they are. We don’t have to wait until they also start to grumble or protest.

    “We should be proactive, we should reach them and most of them are in the rural areas and give them what we can and what they need to some extent within the purview of our resources and keep them there to live a productive life and that is the only way that we can make a difference in the lives of the people.

    “And for us, elected people, we are going to be accountable. If we escape this one (#EndSARS protests), the other one is inescapable and I am sure people will know what I am saying”, he said.

    Chairman Senate Committee on Agriculture, Abudullahi Adamu also lamented that despite the Maputo declaration that stipulates 10 per cent of national budgets should go to agriculture, the FG’s 2021 allocation to the agricultural sector is less than two per cent of the N13.8 trillion total appropriation.

    “In 2021, the sector (agriculture) witnessed a slight increase with a total allocation of N139,458, 322,208.00.

    “Over the years, the sector’s allocation has been abysmally low, a far cry from the Maputo declaration which states that a country should allocate at least 10 per cent of their national budget to the agricultural sector.

    “This year’s budget proposal only allocated less than two per cent to the agricultural sector.

    “The sector’s N139,458,322,208.00 is broken down as follows: Personnel – N68,031,135,074.00, overhead – N3,186,608,895.00, capital – N110,240,253,439.00”, Adamu said.

    The Minister of Agriculture, Nanono however argued that the agricultural sector recorded meaningful progress in 2020 and remains one of the fastest growing sectors in the country.

    He regrettably admitted the current budgetary allocations for the sector has been low.

  • Plateau: Suspected herdsmen have So Far Struck 10 Traditional Rulers Dead

    Plateau: Suspected herdsmen have So Far Struck 10 Traditional Rulers Dead

    Ten traditional rulers in Plateau state have so far been murdered by suspected herdsmen, the Nigerian Senate has said during Tuesday’s plenary.

    As a result of the killings, Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammad Adamu, to as a matter of urgency, deploy security for the protection of traditional rulers in Plateau State.

    A point of order 43 raised on the matter by Senator Istifanus Gyang (PDP), representating Plateau North had instigated the urgent security call by Senate President Lawan.

    While lementing the various murder of traditional rulers, Senator Gyang said: “the latest is the killing of Gwom Rwei of Foron, His Royal Highness, Da Bulus Chuwang Jang, who was assassinated at his palace last week, and the burial is due for this Friday.

    “Mr. President, this trend is quite disturbing, because not less than ten other traditional rulers have unfortunately suffered death through the same circumstances.

    “This development calls for the need for security to be tightened around our traditional rulers, to ensure that the increasing threat to their safety is averted.

    “It is also unfortunate that just last week, five of our youths who were resting and having an evening out were brutally assassinated in Vom district, Jos South Local Government Area. All of these developments are providing increasing insecurity in my constituency.

    “Plateau State and my constituency which had experienced the return of peace is suddenly again being visited with these very ugly attacks. And of course, it is common knowledge that the attackers are suspected to be killer herdsmen.

    “This is very disturbing in a nation where we need to be our brother’s keeper,” Gyang said.

    In his remark, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, who condoled with the Government and people of Plateau State, called on security agencies in the country to provide security for traditional rulers as well as the people of Plateau State.

    “Let me on behalf of the Senate send our condolences to the Government and people of Plateau State, particularly Plateau North Senatorial district, where all of these incidents took place.

    “We pray that the security agencies should provide sufficient security around traditional rulers, as well as for everybody.

    “The situation requires that we continue to work together with the Executive arm of Government until we find enduring solutions to the security challenges which the country faces,” Lawan said.

  • CBN demands power to freeze accounts linked to criminals; credit tribunal

    CBN demands power to freeze accounts linked to criminals; credit tribunal

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Wednesday demanded statutory powers from the Nigerian Senate to enable freeze bank accounts that are linked to criminal suspects.

    This demand was made on behalf of CBN by the Director, Legal Services, Mr Kofo Salam-Alade, who appeared before a Senate Committee Hearing for a new Act seeking to replace the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) of 2004.

    The lawmakers have commenced the process of repealing/replacing BOFIA 2004 with the re-enactment of BOFIA 2020. However, a particular omission in the new bill has the CBN worried.

    In his presentation to the committee, Salam-Alada pointed out that the new BOFIA bill has ‘inadvertently’ omitted a clause that should normally grant the CBN Governor the power to freeze any bank accounts linked to criminals, subject court order.

    In 2004, the BOFIA Act had contained this clause. However, the new bill seeking to re-enact BOFIA does not have it. Interestingly, this new bill has passed its second reading at the senate, meaning that it could soon become law.

    According to Salam-Alade, the clause should be re-introduced into the new BOFIA bill in order not to frustrate the CBN’s fight against fraud and other financial crimes.

    “This omission erodes the powers of the CBN and creates a huge gap in the regulatory and resolution framework. Therefore, we propose that the extant provisions should be reinstated,” Salam-Alada argued.

    Also, the CBN director called on the lawmakers to consider the creation of a credit tribunal saddled with the responsibility of addressing persistent issue of non-performing loans in the banking sector.

    Salam-Alada explained that such tribunal will fast-track the recovery of loans from banks and other financial institutions through the enforcement of rights over collaterals.

    “As part of measures to address the role of nonperforming loans, we propose the creation of a credit tribunal. The overarching objective is to create an efficient regime for the recovery of eligible loans of banks and other financial institutions and enforcement of rights over collateral securities.

    “Several new types of licensed institutions have entered the Nigerian financial services sector since the enactment of the 1991 Act. These include the non-interest banks, credit bureaux, payment system service providers, among others. There is a compelling need to introduce new provisions in the bill to address the unique peculiarities of these institutions”, he said.

    As a matter of importance to the Apex bank, Salam-Alade also raised the issue of intervention, pointing to the committee the omission of  power granted the CBN to intervene and rescue a failing bank in the new BOFIA bill.