Legislature
10th Reps: Center gives support to TJ Abass, Ben Kalu as Speaker, Deputy

***Donates 5m to their campaign
The candidacy of the APC anointed candidates, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and Hon. Benjamin Kalu for Speaker, Deputy Speaker respectively recirved a major boost on Monday when a Civil Society Organization, the Initiative for Leadership Development and Change (ILDC) declared support for their emergence
Members of the leadership center who announced their endorsement when they paid a courtesy visit to the Communication Adviser to Tajudeen Ben Kalu movement group, (TBK) Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, at its headquarters in Abuja, announced the donation of N5 million for their campaigns.
Addressing Ugochinyere, ILDC country heads, High Chief Ugochukwu Nnam and Bashir Abubakar Shehu said having taken time to study all aspirants, they come to the conclusion that the ruling party made the right choice in Abass and Kalu to be the presiding officers of the 10th House.
ILDC described the duo as calm, intelligent men who have right educational background and legislative experience for the positions.
According to the group, Abass and Kalu from their legislative track record show that they are core parliamentarians who over the years took their jobs seriously.
While noting that their achievements have placed them above other aspirants, the group appealed to the aggrieved aspirants to sheath their swords and support Abass and Kalu.
He added that aside the monetary donation they will be lobbying to win more Lawmakers to support them
He said, “The time when lawmakers will elect the next leadership of the National Assembly is almost here. We are here as citizens who care about our nation. The development of any nation depends on the kind of leaders we elect. I believe the national working committee of the APC did a thorough research before arriving on the decision of Abass and Kalu as Speaker, Deputy Speaker.
“The duo’s achievements have placed them among the best. They have sponsored the highest number of bills in the lower chamber in the history of Nigeria. Also their performances in their previous offices and contributions to democracy in the country is equally admirable. “We urge the aggrieved aspirants to be like their colleagues Alhassan Ado Doguwa, Hon. Abubakar Makki Yalleman, and Hon. Abdulhameed Olawuyi and jettison their ambitions and support Abass and Kalu.
“Aside the endorsement we will be donating N5 million and also lobby more Lawmakers to support them.
“We have made commitment to meet all members elect to lobby them to vote Tajudeen and Kalu. We will consult our representatives, it’s the ticket we have seen that has competence and inclusiveness.
“They are young and competent and we believe they turn around the image of the National Assembly for good.”
Receiving the group, Ugochinyere who’s also a member-elect representing Ideato North South Federal Constituency, expressed optimism that Abass and Kalu will be victorious, saying that they are currently enjoying support of over 200 members-elect.
While thanking them for their support, he told the group Abass and Kalu state caucuses meeting to consolidate victory will start today.
Ugochinyere said, “You’re all welcomed, I appreciate the commitment your group has shown in helping to lobbying other members elect for the success of this event. More importantly is coming all the way to show evidence of that support and believing in their candidacy, I pray God will help us in achieving this.
“It’s important I highlight some facts about tajudeen and Kalu their background so you understand the kind of leadership to expect.
“Abass was a lecturer, before he came to the National Assembly and has chaired different committees, currently chairing land transport. When you check the primary responsibility of a lawmaker which is to make law, he’s number one.
“This is facts not a propaganda, he has over 74 impactful bills to his name with 21 signed into law.”
Kalu the deputy Speaker aspirant, has held admirable leadership positions before coming to House of Representatives and as a first timer he became the image maker of the house.
“He marketed the image of the house well, with over 40 bills to his name, he has the rich legislative experience to be Deputy Speaker. With his background as a lawyer, he will effectively chair the constitutional amendment committee.
“This ticket is important because we have competence, inclusivity and they will help ensure a country that works. They are very committed.
“Like you said earlier the success of any administration depends largely on the kind of National Assembly leadership in place. We maybe from Opposition Parties but to have a productive, stable and united 10th House of Representatives we will give President Tinubu the required support and cooperation.
“And the ruling party made the right choice in selecting Abass and Kalu as Speaker Deputy Speaker candidates. While many of their colleagues were focused on things that are probably for their personal gains, Abass and Kalu focused on their core mandate, the main objective of their coming to the national assembly.
“It is only appropriate that members-elect of the 10th House queue behind Tajudeen Abbas and Benjamin Kalu to deliver the good governance for the benefit of Nigerians.”
Legislature
Senator Ningi resumes from suspension

After staying away for 75days out of 90 days suspension slammed on him by the Senate on March 12, 2024, Senator Abdul Ningi ( PDP Bauchi Central), formally resumed legislative activities at the Senate on Tuesday in plenary.
On the strength of motion sponsored by the minority leader Senator Abba Moro on behalf of minority caucus, the Senate recalled Senator Ningi from the three months suspension
Recall that Senator Ningi was suspended by the Senate at the committee of the whole on 2024 budget padding allegation leveled against the Senate during interview he had with the BBC Hausa service.
The Senate had recalled the Lawmaker representing Bauchi Central, Abdul Ningi after 2 Months and two weeks of the 3months suspension slammed on him over his interview in which he alleged padding of the 2024 N28. 7tn budget.
The lawmaker was suspended on the 12th of March, 2023 for three months, but the Senate on Tuesday unanimously resolved to recall their colleague from suspension.
Recall that, Senator Olamilekan Adeola had come under Orders 9, 10, 41, and 51 to move a motion of privilege and issue of national importance against Ningi over his interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (Hausa Service).
Ningi had, in the interview alleged that the budget passed by the National Assembly for the 2024 fiscal year is N25tn while the one being implemented by the Presidency is N28.7tn.
The motion, for the unconditional recall of Senator Abdul Ningi was sponsored by the minority leader Senator Abba Moro, Senator Olalere Oyewumi and Senator Osita Ngwu.
Apparently elated to be back in the Senate, Senator Ningi was among the first set of Senators and House of Representatives members to arrive the National Assembly for plenary on Tuesday
Senator Ningi who along with some few other Senators like Suleiman Kawu ( NNPP Kano South), Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (PDP Sokoto South) etc , came into the National Assembly through the Villa Gate, arrived exactly at 10: 40am, 20minutes to 11:00am fixed for commencement of plenary which even started at about 12:10 pm .
Following his suspension , Senator Ningi lost his Chairmanship position of the Senate Committee on National Identity and Population, which was allocated to Senator Mustapha Musa (APC Yobe East), two days after the now lifted suspension
Legislature
Minimum Wage: Senate tackles Labour over National Grid Shutdown, disruption of Hajj flight

**Resolves to use legislation to prevent reoccurrence
The Senate on Tuesday expressed displeasure at some of the excesses by some members of Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC) and Trade Union Congress ( TUC) during the nationwide strike for new minimum wage on Monday.
The upper legislative chamber declared that the shut down of the National Grid and the disruption of Hajj flight by some labour unionists were more of economic sabotage than agitation for new minimum wage.
It consequently declared that such situation would not be allowed to re – occur as laws against it would be reflected in the new national minimum wage Act that would be enacted soon after submission of bill to that effect by the executive.
Senate’s grouse against the alleged excesses of labour unionists during the now suspended nationwide strike, came through a motion on the strike action and new minimum wage by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Labour, Senator Diket Plang (APC Plateau Central).
Senator Plang had in the motion, requested the Senate to call on the federal government to expedite action on new minimum wage as a way of stopping the industrial unrest which was however overtaken by sudden suspension of the strike by labour.
But in his remarks, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio said though it was heartwarming that the strike has been suspended but the excesses by some labour unionists need to be condemned
“One of such excesses, was the shut down of the National Grid which is more of an economic sabotage than agitation for new minimum wage.
“Disruption of Hajj flight by some other labour unionists as said by the Deputy President of the Senate, is also not palatable being a religious exercise.
“Also, disruption or prevention of students from writing their West African School Certificate Examination by some labour unionists during the strike was bad because the examination is not organized by Nigeria but West African Countries “, he said.
He added that such actions would not be allowed to be repeated as required laws against them, would be reflected in the new National Minimum Wage Bill expected from the executive very soon.
He,however commended the labour unions for calling off the strike
“I want to thank the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress for listening to the voice of Nigerians and the international community by calling off the strike to enable negotiations to continue and we wish them well in the negotiations.
“On our part, we will continue to do our best by making contributions and at the same time awaiting the incoming Bill on Minimum Wage for us to enact for the benefit of all Nigerians”, he said .
Legislature
Senate approves Bill to change National anthem to “Nigeria, We Hail thee”

**Counters AGF, insists Bill does not need wider consultation
The Senate on Tuesday approved a Bill to change the current National anthem titled “Arise O Compatriots ” to the old national anthem “Nigeria, we Hail thee”.
Following the consideration of the report of its Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, and Federal Character, and Inter governmen Affairs on Tuesday, the Senate passed the bill entitled, “National Anthem Bill, 2024” for third reading.
The Senate passed the bill amidst stakeholders misgivings, including Lateef Fagbemi, the Auditor-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice against hasty passage and the need for a wider consultation.
The bill was read for the first and second time last week Thursday at the Senate. It also received an accelerated hearing at the lower house as it was read for the first, second and third time.
The Bill will be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent. If signed into law, it will be the first time Nigeria’s national anthem will be given legal backing.
Mongu nu Tahir, the Senator representing Borno North, while presenting the report of the Committee during plenary informed that the Bill seeks to give a legal framework to the national anthem “so that it can bite and bite with all the legal powers embedded in it.”
He clarified that the Bill, despite the concerns raised by the AGF does not need to be subjected to a wider process of citizen participation through zonal public hearings, resolutions of the Federal Executive Council, Council of State, National and State Assemblies, etc.
He insisted that the Bill is an ordinary Bill, not a constitutional amendment and only requires it to be read first, second and third time after a public hearing.
Presenting the committees report, Monguno however said that the new national anthem is apt as it represents the country’s people, culture, values and aspirations.
“The bill is in tandem with the spirit of unity. It will undoubtedly inspire a zeal for patriotism and cooperation. It will promote cultural heritage. Changing the national anthem will chart a path to greater unity”, Tahir said.
He then recommended that the bill be passed. The Senate then resolved to the committee of the whole to consider the report. After which, Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President put the bill to a voice vote and lawmakers supported it.
The Senate president also noted that the AFG is not a lawmaker and does not have a full understanding of how Bill’s are passed.
The bill was consequently read for the third time and passed.
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