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Senate Marks Midterm, Prioritises Electoral, Constitutional Reforms Ahead of 2027

– Passes 108 bills, reiterates support for Tinubu’s tax reforms for $1tn economy

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

As the 10th Senate marks its midterm anniversary, the upper chamber has outlined its key legislative priorities for the next two years – chief among them being electoral reform, constitutional review, and comprehensive judiciary restructuring.

In a statement commemorating the second legislative year of the 10th National Assembly, Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, said the Senate had introduced a total of 983 bills – 506 of them in the 2024/2025 session alone – with 108 successfully passed into law between June 2023 and June 2025.

According to Bamidele, this milestone represents a significant legislative achievement, with a 232% increase in enacted bills compared to the previous session.

Bamidele said: “The 10th Senate has focused on stabilising Nigeria’s fiscal, monetary, and political environment through strategic legislative engagement. The legislative uptick is a testament to our commitment to national development.”

He listed landmark legislations such as the National Social Investment Programmes Act (2023), Student Loan (Access to Higher Education) Act (2024), National Minimum Wage Amendment Act (2024), Investment and Securities Act (2025), and the Regional Development Commission Establishment Acts (2025), among others.

Bamidele highlighted the Student Loan Act as a transformative tool for expanding access to higher education.

According to data from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, over 1.09 million students have applied, with more than half already benefitting through tuition and upkeep loans.

Electoral, Judicial Reforms top Legislative Agenda

Looking ahead, Bamidele assured Nigerians that electoral reform, constitutional amendment, and judiciary restructuring will dominate the Senate’s focus in the coming months.

“Our aim is to ensure that every vote counts and to boost voter confidence in the system. Electoral credibility is vital for democracy,” he said.

On judicial reform, Bamidele confirmed the existence of several pending bills targeting the appointment process, tenure, and welfare of judicial officers.

Senate Finance Chair: Tax Reform will Eliminate Multiple Levies

Meanwhile the Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa, has expressed the red chamber’s determination to support President Bola Tinubu’s comprehensive fiscal reform bills, describing them as critical steps toward eliminating structural inefficiencies, easing tax compliance, and attracting foreign investment.

Musa in an interview with journalists in Abuja at the weekend said: “We are confident these reforms will help Nigeria achieve a $1 trillion economy by the end of President Tinubu’s tenure.”

Musa, provided insight into the sweeping tax reform efforts championed by the Tinubu administration.

He revealed that the proposed fiscal legislation will harmonise Nigeria’s fragmented tax structure – reducing 73 different levies across federal, state, and local governments – and provide exemptions for low-income earners.

“If you earn less than one million naira annually, you are now exempt from personal income tax. This directly benefits low-wage earners and small business owners,” Musa said.

He also confirmed that existing VAT (7.5%) and corporate income tax (30%) rates will remain unchanged to maintain fiscal stability while enhancing compliance.

Musa said: “To improve revenue collection, all government income streams are now being channeled through a centralised system.

“We are closing leakages and plugging holes, especially in sectors like oil and gas, where inefficiencies have cost the country trillions,” he said.

– Passes 108 bills, reiterates support for Tinubu’s tax reforms for $1tn economy Sunday Aborisade in Abuja As the 10th Senate marks its midterm anniversary, the upper chamber has outlined its

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N39bn ICC Renovation Contract: CP-PDP Petitions EFCC

– Declares contract a rip-off, demands contract details

– Says renaming complex after president Tinubu will not stop probe

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The Conference of Professionals in the Peoples Democratic Party (CP-PDP) has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) over the N39 billion claimed to have been spent in the renovation of the already functioning International Conference Center (ICC) under the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike.

The decision to petition the EFCC is part of the outcome of the CP-PDP’s emergency Governance Policy and Monitoring Review Roundtable in Abuja, yesterday

According to a statement by the chairman of the PDP Professionals, Obinna Nwachukeu, ”After a thorough review by our body of engineers, architects, quantity and quality control experts, the CP-PDP declares the N39 billion renovation contract as questionable and apparent case of Advanced Treasury Swindle (ATS).

”As professionals, we find the attempts by the minister to defend such humongous sum for the renovation project as disturbing”, the statement said.

The Conference said that it is appalled that in the face of wide-spread queries by Nigerians, given the overwhelming comparative global indicators of contract overprice, the minister had no answers but chose diversionary dismissive denunciations of critics as not having “good taste”.

The CP-PDP demanded that ”the FCT Minister must come clean to Nigerians by providing the details of the contract including the official Invitation to Tender, showing the Bids by contractors, the Bill of Quantities, the scope of job and the due process certification documents warranting the N39 billion claimed to have been spent for the renovation of the ICC, four times higher than the N8.3 billion allocation for Agriculture for the entire over 3 million FCT residents in the 2025 budget.

”The failure to provide these details tends to validate the wide-spread allegations of treasury looting, opaque award and inflation of contracts and non-compliance with public spending due process by FCT officials in the last two years especially since the politically motivated removal of the FCT from the monitoring mechanisms of the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

”It is completely unacceptable that in the FCT that is plagued by disturbing moribund health and education infrastructure, and where security of lives and property has become a major issue, the FCT authorities are sweating to justify claims of renovating a conference center with a colossal N39 billion?

”Perhaps for FCT officials, good taste refers to approval of sleaze, misplacement of priority and loud showboating. For CP-PDP, good taste can only come with transparency, prudence and proper priorities that better serve the interest of the people,” the PDP Professionals said.

Moreover, the FCT Minister, the PDP Professionals said must know that renaming the International Conference Center to Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Center, a decision that has been widely condemned by Nigerians following President Tinubu’s abysmal failure in office, does not confer immunity and will not deter the demand for investigation into the alleged rip-off.

– Declares contract a rip-off, demands contract details – Says renaming complex after president Tinubu will not stop probe Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Conference of Professionals in the Peoples Democratic Party

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NIPSS Withdraws Yushau Shuaib over Articles on Economy

Wale Igbintade

Following a petition by the founder of PRNigeria, Yushau Shuaib, accusing the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) of unjust treatment and cybercrime, the institute’s Director General, Professor Ayo Omotayo, has officially ordered his withdrawal from the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 47, citing “misconduct and disregard for constituted authorities.”

In a letter addressed to a professional body which Shuaib belongs to, the DG NIPSS stated that the decision, approved by its management followed a disciplinary committee’s recommendation to expel Shuaib over alleged breaches of confidentiality and institutional guidelines.

However, the withdrawal letter signed by Muhammad Kabir Suleiman on behalf of the Director General, did not specify the exact offences constituting “misconduct.”

It concluded by requesting a bank account details to process a prorated refund of Shuaib’s course fee.

Shuaib had earlier petitioned President Bola Tinubu, detailing what he described as “unjust, humiliating, and deeply distressing” treatment at NIPSS.

In his petition, titled ‘Unjust Treatment at NIPSS Over Articles Supporting Digital and Blue Economy Reforms,’ he alleged harassment, cyberbullying, and professional ostracisation—despite claiming full compliance with institutional guidelines.

He further stated that he was abruptly asked to vacate the NIPSS premises following his suspension on May 2, 2025, a move that reportedly shocked his family and colleagues, especially as other participants remained in the programme.

Shuaib argues that he was unfairly queried for innocuous articles, including a news story titled “NIPSS Goes Digital,” which he neither authored nor edited, as well as a positive opinion piece on the “Blue Economy” that made no mention of NIPSS.

Among several troubling episodes, he cited a discriminatory instruction forbidding him from identifying himself as a Member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (mnipr) during plenary sessions.

“This was particularly baffling,” he said, “since others were freely allowed to use their professional affiliations, including informal titles like ‘Dagger’ and ‘Sword.’”

Additionally, he claimed that during a disciplinary panel, he was denied the opportunity to defend himself, with the panel allegedly relying on a rewritten response imposed by Rear Admiral A. A. Mustapha on behalf of Barrister Nima Salman Mann, the acting Director of Studies.

The PR practitioner also accused NIPSS of illegally intercepting and accessing a restricted internal PRNigeria editorial email, describing it as a serious breach of digital privacy, cyber-bullying, and professional misconduct.

Shuaib further revealed that despite paying the full N18.2 million course fee, he was excluded from SEC 47’s international study tours and officially alienated from other participants. He attributes psychological distress from the ordeal that led to a hypertension diagnosis at the institute’s clinic.

In his appeal to President Tinubu, Shuaib sought an independent investigation into the disciplinary process and alleged cyber-privacy violations.

He also requested a review of his suspension and exclusion, along with the establishment of a clear communication policy for NIPSS participants.

Apart from criticising the “excessive militarisation” of the academic environment at NIPSS, he also highlighted the institute’s lack of a defined communication policy—leaving participants without clear guidance on what constitutes public, restricted, or classified information in social or media engagements.

When contacted about the development, Shuaib stated that NIPSS had not provided any updates on his status for nearly two months since his suspension, despite his awareness of prior attempts to expel him.

“I’m still expecting their correspondence to me directly, as they stated in the suspension letter they addressed to me about two months ago,” he remarked.

Wale Igbintade Following a petition by the founder of PRNigeria, Yushau Shuaib, accusing the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) of unjust treatment and cybercrime, the institute’s Director

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ECOWAS Plans Life Without Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali

– To hold summit on community future

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The Economic Community of West African States on Sunday announced plans to organise a summit: “the Future of the Community,” to strategize on life without exited member states – Burkina-Faso, Mali and Niger Republic.

This move trails the exit of the three francophone countries, who have since formed Alliance of Sahel States,

Relations between the three countries and other members of ECOWAS got broken following the rejection of undemocratic change of government in the now AES states.

Already, the Committee on Administration and Finance of the commission has commenced a three-day, mid-term evaluation of the sub-region’s implementation of the programmes and activities of the Community’s institutions.

The committee which is sitting in Abuja will also look at the difficult financial situation of the Community and the state of recruitment within the institutions.

Speaking at the opening of the 37th ordinary meeting of the CAF, on Sunday, the Vice President of the Commission, Madam Damtien Tchintchibidja, called for speedy reforms needed to adapt to the current reality of the withdrawal.

Tchintchibidja said: “Today’s meeting is part of a twofold dynamics: on the one hand, that of the commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of ECOWAS and, on the other, that of the official withdrawal of three of our member states.

“One of the lessons learnt from the commemoration of our fiftieth anniversary and those learnt from the departure of the three member states is that it is essential and imperative for us to speed up the institutional, organisational, political and security reforms needed in order to adapt to the new realities. I therefore appeal to your sense of responsibility so that together we can undertake the necessary reforms.

“It is in this spirit that I am pleased to announce the forthcoming organisation, in accordance with the decisions of the Heads of State and Government, of a Summit on the Future of the Community.”

She further said that “prior consultations will be organised, including with young people and women, to take into account all the needs for the future of the Community.”

Speaking on the importance of the CAF meeting, she said: “As you know, our organisation is currently going through an existential crisis and in such circumstances, we must sit down together, pose and examine the problems and challenges facing us without complacency and together redouble our efforts to find appropriate solutions.”

Tchintchibidja noted that ECOWAS is currently “at a crossroads, and this calls for a strong capacity to overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of integration and to project ourselves into the future,” stressing the need for the regional body to recognize the importance of unity.

She added that: “But beyond all that, we must be aware and recognise that our strength lies in unity, solidarity and fraternity. Indeed, moving forward together on the road to development, in peace and stability, is priceless.”

She also emphasized that “In many ways, this Golden Jubilee has been a time for collective reflection, introspection and assessment of our achievements, strengths and challenges. It has also enabled us to start looking to the future.”

She said: “I would like to remind you that ECOWAS is all of us: you here today, me, and all the citizens of our community space. It lives through our collective commitment, our solidarity, our fraternity and our shared desire to build a more prosperous and forward-looking region, hence the theme of our Golden Jubilee: ‘Stronger together for a better future’

On his part, Chairman of the ECOWAS Committee on Administration and Finance, Ambassador Olawale Awe, called on ECOWAS to fast-track the process of filling the gaps left behind by the three departed states.

– To hold summit on community future Michael Olugbode in Abuja The Economic Community of West African States on Sunday announced plans to organise a summit: “the Future of the Community,”

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LGA Autonomy: Do Not Blame Tinubu, NASS for Non-Implementation of Supreme Court Judgment, Says Sen Karimi

Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

Senator Sunday Karimi representing Kogi West has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly should not be held responsible for the slow or near-non implementation of the Supreme Court judgement granting local government financial autonomy.

Karimi who disclosed this while speaking in a chat with journalists in Lokoja yesterday noted the presidency and National Assembly are not culpable for the slow process of the local government autonomy .

He said President Tinubu’s vision leading to the favourable judgement of the supreme court is aimed to free the people from slavery and underdevelopment, which starts with financial autonomy for the third tier of government.

He urged Nigerians to continue to support the president in his effort to bring good governance close to the people at the grassroots.

“The provisions of Section 235 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, (As Amended) within Chapter 7, Part 1, deals with the finality of determinations by the supreme court.

“It states that no appeal can be made to any other body or person from a decision of the supreme court, except for the powers of the president or a state governor regarding the prerogative of mercy.

“In essence, this section establishes the supreme court as the final arbiter of legal disputes within the country, with its decisions being binding and unappealable.

“Without prejudice to the powers of the president or of the governor of a state with respect to prerogative of mercy, no appeal shall lie with any other body or person(s) to revalidate the already determined matter or dispute by the supreme court”

Responding to question on why the senate has not deemed it fit to give any legislative backing to the supreme court judgement of the 11th July, 2024 on local government autonomy, Senator Karimi described the supreme court judgement granting full autonomy to the councils as the president’s trump card to legally and holistically address the local government challenges once and for all.

“That was why the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Federation went to supreme court to institute that case”, he said.

He emphasized the importance of local government autonomy, stating that case instituted by the attorney general at the supreme court, and mid-wived by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, demonstrates the federal government’s commitment and support for a functional local government system in the country.

He further stressed that “As a means of solving local government problems, the president wants autonomy for local government. If the Federal Government of Nigeria doesn’t want local government autonomy, it wouldn’t have instituted the case in the first place.

“And for us in the National Assembly, we are fully in support of local government autonomy and the steps so far taken to restore proper governance at the local level in Nigeria.

“I don’t want to say much about it before when I came in. But we will talk about it. Local government autonomy must come to stay. It’s not for National Assembly alone but for the good of every Nigerian, therefore, it is a fight for all of us, because if we keep quiet, that autonomy will not stand.

“But if we talk, it will stand. I am not the one who brought this question in. Somebody brought it, but I have to speak to it. And I have to speak the truth always. Some people are not interested in this local government autonomy”.

Senator Karimi noted that the leadership of the National Assembly, including the Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker, House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, were in full support of the Local Government Autonomy.

Ibrahim Oyewale in LokojaSenator Sunday Karimi representing Kogi West has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly should not be held responsible for the slow or near-non implementation

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Obi Arrives UK on Air Peace, Preaches Support for Local Businesses

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has again reiterated his call for necessary support and encouragement to local businesses.

Obi, who flew into the United Kingdom at the weekend on a local airline, Air Peace, wrote in his X handle that the flight was smooth and lively.

He appealed to Nigerian elites to always support and patronise local businesses as it’s not easy to establish and sustain a viable business.

“I just arrived in the UK this morning, on Air Peace from Lagos to London. I have now taken almost a dozen flights to or from London on this airline. I want to sincerely thank the management and staff of Air Peace for their professionalism, consistency, and competence on this route.

“Once again, I use this opportunity to appeal to Nigerian elites and political leaders to give strong and deliberate support to indigenous businesses.

“It is never easy to run any business in our difficult environment, let alone highly capital-intensive sectors like air and land transportation, especially given the challenges of competitiveness and rising operational costs.

“Nigerian businesses need our encouragement and patronage, not harassment or unnecessary intimidation.

“Supporting local businesses, particularly those that create massive employment, is critical for job creation, economic growth, and sustainable national development.”

Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has again reiterated his call for necessary support and encouragement to local businesses.