Tag: Senate President

16Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Rotimi Amaechi Spotted With Crutches At Airport

There was mild drama and confusion on Saturday when President Muhammadu Buhari’s Minister, Rotimi Amaechi arrived with crutches at the airport for an event. Senate President, Ahmed Lawan and Plateau State Governor, Solomon Lalong were surprised when the former governor of Rivers State arrived with clutches. As at the time of filing this report, it's still unclear why the Minister of Transportation is using clutches. IGBERE TV recalls that Amaechi had dared members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to try him as he is not scared of them one bit. Amaechi was reacting to the attack on Senator Ike Ekweremadu in Germany by IPOB members and the threat that they will continue to harass Nigerian politicians whenever they travel abroad. But Amaechi said he is not afraid of...

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13Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Nigeria Now Earns $2bn Annually From Deep Offshore Production Sharing Contracts

Senate President Ahmad Lawan has said that amendment to the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Act has increased remittances from the sharing contracts into the federation account from $260 million to $2billion annually. He also vowed that “demons” frustrating the passage of Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) within the last fourteen years will be defeated this year by the 9th National Assembly. Lawan stated this on Tuesday while speaking with journalists on his 62nd birthday celebration in Abuja. He said the patriotic zeal used by the National Assembly in October 2019 to pass an amendment to the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Act would be deployed for expeditious consideration and passage of the PIB already before it, latest by...

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1Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

2021 Budget: PMB Sends Finance Bill 2020 To NASS

President Muhammadu Buhari has forwarded the Finance Bill, 2020 to the National Assembly, seeking its expeditious passage into law to aid the implementation of the proposed 2021 budget. Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, read the President’s letter at plenary on Tuesday morning. Buhari’s transmission of the Bill to the lawmakers was done pursuant to Sections 58 and 59 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The Bill is proposing key reforms to taxation and Customs among other far-reaching decisions against the backdrop of the international oil price decline and effects of COVID-19 pandemic.

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1Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Zambarmari Massacre: Senate President, COS, Others Pay Condolence To Borno

Senate President, Dr. Ahmed Lawan, Chief of Staff to the president, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu and other high level officials paid condolence visit to the people of Borno State on Monday, following the recent Boko Haram killing of 43 farm workers in the state. Garba Shehu disclosed this on his Twitter handle. He wrote: "A team of high level officials representing the Executive and Legislative arms of government was in Maiduguri on Monday to deliver a message of condolence and solidarity with the government and people of Borno State following the recent Boko Haram killing of 43 farm workers. The Senate President, Dr. Ahmed Lawan spoke for the team and the Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari represen...

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25Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Senator Elisha Abbo Dumps PDP For APC

Senator Elisha Abbo has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress. Senate President Ahmad Lawan read Abbo’s letter of defection during the plenary session on Wednesday. Abbo noted that alleged mismanagement of the PDP in Adamawa State led to his defection to APC.

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19Oct By dthataNo Comments

Politics

President Buhari meets with National Assembly leaders over lingering #EndSARS protests

President Buhari yesterday October 18, met with President of the Nigerian Senate, Ahmad Lawan, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, over the ongoing #EndSARS protests in all parts of the country.   The meeting took place at the State House, Abuja.   Bashir Ahmad the President’s personal assistant on new media disclosed this via his official Twitter handle. ''President Buhari currently meeting with Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, and Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, on the ongoing #EndPoliceBrutality protests.''   Further details about the meeting weren't released.  

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7Oct By BobbyNo Comments

News

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan kicks against scrapping of SARS

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan has kicked against scrapping of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).   Speaking on Wednesday October 7 as lawmakers deliberated a motion on the recent extrajudicial killings carried out by a security personnel attached to the controversial Nigerian police unit, Lawan said some good personnel in the police unit might be denied the opportunity to perform better if it is scrapped.   He said;   “I think that this is the situation that should be properly investigated. Those involved in recent incident should be arrested and prosecuted. The law should take its due course. This is not acceptable. Nigerians need to know what happened to those who have killed Nigerians. “There are good people and bad people in SARS. Scrapping of ag...

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6Oct By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Be Patient With Any Law You Have Misgiving About – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday appealed to Nigerians to be patient with any legislation or law which they have certain misgivings about. President Buhari also urged the citizenry especially critics to engage the process for reviewing such laws in line with democratic practices, adding that the interest of his administration was to promote collective will and aspiration to build a nation where justice, peace, and progress are the norms. This is as the Senate President, Dr.Ahmad Lawan, said that the National Assembly was not bothered about being referred to as “a rubber stamp” as long as it works with the executive to make the country better. Recall that there has been stiff opposition by a section of Nigeria over the Water Bill and the Land Use Act. In his remarks at t...

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5Sep By BobbyNo Comments

News

Photos from the wedding of President Buhari’s daughter, Hanan

President Buhari and his wife, Aisha, on Friday, September 4, gave their daughter, Hanan's hand in marriage to her fiance, Turad Sha'aban.   The wedding took place in the Presidential Villa in Abuja and was attended by various dignitaries.   Guests at the wedding included Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and wife, Dolapo, Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila, Ekiti state governor Kayode Fayemi and wife Bisi, Minister of Labour and Employment Chris Ngige, Africa's richest man Aliko Dangote, first ladies of various states and many others.   See more photos below.  

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4Sep By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Senators Protest Fuel, Electricity Hikes

There is tension in the camp of the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, over increasing protests from lawmakers, following recent actions taken by President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration. The fear, Daily Sun gathered, is borne of claims that some of the lawmakers drawn from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were plotting to convene an emergency sitting next week. The emergency sitting, it was further gathered, is to provide an avenue for lawmakers to question the response of the leadership to recent hikes of electricity and petroleum products. The Petroleum Pipeline and Product Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporations (NNPC), had on Wednesday announced a new ex-depot price of N151.56k fo...

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1Sep By BobbyNo Comments

News

We won’t tolerate disrespect from Buhari’s appointees again – Senate President, Ahmad Lawan

Senate President Ahmad Lawan has issued a warning to President Buhari's appointees following the continous face-off that has been recorded between the executive cabinet members and the legislature in the last few weeks.   Addressing State House reporters on Monday August 31 after Buhari inaugurated the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo-led Executive/Legislative/Party Consultative Committee, Lawan disclosed that the President has addressed the issues.   He said;   "I believe that should be the end of it (appointees knocking heads with legislature). We believe that we should work together. “Mr President made it very clear that he is not going to tolerate any of his appointees doing things that are not respectable, things that have no dignity to the National Ass...

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22Jun By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Non-Performing Service Chiefs Can Go – Senate President

Senate President Ahmad Lawan on Sunday said any officer found short of expectations should be shown the way out if he refuses to go. Lawan, who briefed State House reporters after meeting President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said the National Assembly was ready to receive supplementary budget to tackle the security challenge, including the recruitment of more personnel in various security agencies in the country. He said the resources must be provided to empower the security agencies to fight the Boko Haram in the North East, banditry and other security challenges across the country. Lawan, who said the security situation in the country especially in the northern part of the country required that more resources be given to the security agencies, added that...

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21Jun By BobbyNo Comments

News

Details of Buhari’s Meeting with Lawan on Sunday Revealed

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, has shared details of his meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari. Both men met behind closed doors on Sunday at the State House in Abuja. Buhari and Lawan discussed the current state of security in the country, the crisis currently engulfing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and other topics. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Lawan said “You know that the country is facing many serious and deep security challenges and I have come to meet with Mr President to discuss with him what we have discussed in the senate previously that we should do whatever it will take to improve the security situation in the country. The Senate President also called for more resources to be provided for the Army, Navy, Air F...

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20Jun By BobbyNo Comments

News

Oshiomhole’s masquerade will dance naked in the market – Saraki

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has reacted to the defection of Governor Godwin Obaseki to the Peoples Democratic Party and the suspension of the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Adams Oshiomhole. Saraki who welcomed Obaseki to the PDP, said he ignored Oshiomhole's verbal attack because he knew “a day would come when his masquerade will dance naked in the market.” The former Governor of Kwara state averred that the man who was garrulously proclaiming the end of the political career of some other people is now about to meet his waterloo. He said in a statement released on Friday June 19;   “I also thank Obaseki’s colleagues, the PDP Governors, for their role and for ensuring that while bringing him into the party, they carried along the local ...

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11Jun By BobbyNo Comments

News

Non-performing Service Chief Should be Sacked — Senate President, Ahmad Lawan

Senate President Ahmad Lawan on Thursday June 11, called for the sack of underperforming service chiefs. The senate president made the comment after Borno North senator, Abubakar Kyari raised a point of order over the massacre of over 81 people in Gubio village, part of the district he represents.   Ahmad said; “The Senate has passed several resolutions on the insecurity in the country with all stakeholders carried along, but the issue has persisted.” “The stand of the Senate should be that people who have performed in office should be allowed to stay in such office." The federal government was also urged to deploy the armed forces and other security agencies to beef up personnel around the Lake Chad shores. The is coming ahead of a meeting between the leaders...

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8Jun By dthataNo Comments

Politics

We Passed Buhari’s $5.5 Billion Loan Request To Save 20 Million Jobs – Senate President

The passage of the $5.513 billion loan request by President Muhammadu Buhari will save 20 million jobs, President of the Senate Ahmed Lawan said at the weekend. Dr. Lawan explained that the national Assembly did not give frivolous approval. He said Nigeria was able to get concessionary, multilateral or bilateral loans with very favourable conditions of one per cent, 10 years or 20 year moratorium. He also claimed that over 400 bills are being processed in the national assembly to add value to Nigerians’ lives. He said there has been less friction between the Legislature and the Executive because a Special Committee is working behind-the-scene to avert feuds as it was between the two arms during the Eighth Assembly. Lawan said: “We are not doing that in a frivolous way. W...

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5Jun By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Senate President Lawan Leads Senators, Ministers To Orji Kalu’s Residence After He Was Released From Prison (Photos)

Senate President Ahmad Lawan on Thursday night led a delegation of Senate leadership to visit the Senate Chief Whip , Senator Orji Uzor Kalu in his Aso Villa residence , Abuja. The visit took place one day after Kalu, a former governor of Abia, was released from prison following his conviction by a federal high court in Lagos. Kalu alongside Ude Jones Udeogu, a former director of finance and account of Abia state were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on 36 counts of money laundering to the tune of N7.1 billion and they were jailed in December. But they appealed the verdict of the court. The host and his visitors all wore face masks but did not observe social distancing when they posed for photographs.  

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19May By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Buhari Asks Senate To Confirm Lamido Yuguda As SEC DG

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has written the Senate to confirm Lamido Yuguda as the new Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Ezrel Tabiowo, Special Assistant on Press to Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, announced this in a statement on Tuesday. Tabiowo also said three other nominees were put forward by the President for confirmation as commissioners in SEC. They are Reginald Karawusa, full-time Commissioner; Ibrahim Boyi, full-time Commissioner; and Obisan Joseph, full-time Commissioner. According to him, the President’s letter read in part, “Pursuant to Section 3 and 5(1) of the Investment and Securities Act 2007, I write to request for confirmation by the Senate, the appointment of the following four nominees as Director-Gene...

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13May By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Speak For Yourself – Senate President Tells Enugu Senator Who Said “Africans Marry For Children Not Love”

Senator representing Enugu north, Chukwuka Utazi says that Africans do not marry for love, but simply to have children. Utazi said this while contributing to a debate on a bill seeking to prevent, control and manage sickle cell anaemia in the country, on Tuesday, May 12. Utazi, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senator further stated that it is painful to realise that some people cannot marry their main choice because of blood group. “This bill is taking me down the memory lane because I’m an AS carrier and when I was about getting married, several years ago, I moved into this orbit and I know what I went through because I was in love. I knew the trauma. After that incident, for five years I didn’t come out of it,” he said. “So I am speaking from experience and I know how ...

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15Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

National Assembly Leaders Meet Buhari, Seek SIP Reforms

The Senate President , Ahmed Lawan, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives , Femi Gbajabiamila , on Tuesday , met with the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd. ) , behind closed doors to discuss the implementation of the National Social Investment Programme , among other issues . This comes days after a clash between the National Assembly and the Special Adviser to the President on Social Investment Programme , Maryam Uwais , over the need for a reform of the process of implementing the programme. Uwais had, on April 8 , responded to criticisms of the programme by the legislature with allegations that lawmakers were criticising the implementation of the SIP partly because some of them tried but failed in their bid to insert the names of would -be beneficiar...

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12Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

SERAP Asks Lawan, Gbaja To Give ₦37 Billion NASS Renovation Fund To States

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an urgent appeal to the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila urging them to “immediately make a public commitment to redirect the N37 billion for the renovation of the National Assembly complex to give N1 billion to each of the 36 states, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, as COVID-19 direct reliefs and benefits to the country’s poorest and most vulnerable people.” SERAP said: “We applaud the patriotic steps and voluntary contributions already made by the National Assembly towards fighting COVID-19 in the country. We now urge you to make major strides to national efforts to deal with one of the greatest threats facing the country by immediately redir...

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9Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

“Your Reaction To Our Comment Is Baseless” Lawan Tells Uwais

Senate President Ahmad Lawan has described as ”unfair and baseless” a statement made by Maryam Uwais, special adviser to the president on social investments. Uwais had reacted to comments credited to Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house of representatives, on the national social investment programme (NSIP). Uwais said the comments of the national assembly leaders were “regrettable and unfortunate”. At a meeting with Sadiya Umar Farouq, minister of humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development, in Abuja on Tuesday, Lawan and Gbajabiamila demanded a reform of the programme. While the speaker wondered what parameters the government was using to implement the programme, the senate president said: “I think we have not been able to reach far out th...

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7Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Lawan, Gbajabiamila Fault Social Investment Programme Implementation

The leadership of the National Assembly has faulted the way the Social Investment Programme of the Federal Government is being implemented and called for an enabling legislation in line with global best practices. Senate President Ahmad Lawan and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila made their reservations about the scheme at a meeting held on Tuesday with the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq and some top officials of the Ministry. The meeting was attended by the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, Deputy Speaker, Idris Wase and some other principal officers and members from both Chambers. The meeting convened by the leadership of the National Assembly against the back...

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1Apr By BobbyNo Comments

News

Prominent Nigerian medical doctor dies after contracting Coronavirus while treating UK COVID-19 patients

A prominent Nigerian doctor who works in the United Kingdom has died after contracting Coronavirus while treating victims of the virus.   Dr Alfa Saadu's death was announced on Facebook by former Senate President, Bukola Saraki.   The Facebook post shared by Saraki to mourn Dr Saadu reads: "Inalilahi Wa Ina Ilaehi Rajiun. My condolences go to the family of late Dr Alfa Sa’adu, the people of Pategi and Kwara State on the death of the foremost medical practitioner who passed away in London this morning (March 31).   "Late Dr Sa’adu provided leadership for our people in the diaspora as he served for many years as chairman, Kwara State Association of Nigeria (Kwasang UK). Back at home, he was a community leader and traditional office holder as Galadima of Pateg...

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25Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

COVID-19: NASS Shuts Down, Says No Lawmaker Tested Positive

The two chambers of the National Assembly yesterday suspended legislative activities for two weeks following the spread of the deadly coronavirus disease. Senate President Ahmad Lawan announced the suspension after the Red Chamber emerged from an about one-hour executive session. He, however, said the Red Chamber would be on hand to attend to emergency issues. He said, “The Senate further resolves to adjourn sitting for two weeks from today due to the pandemic of coronavirus ravaging the entire world. The Senate resumes on the 7th of April.” He urged the federal government to devote special fund to fight the coronavirus pandemic. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has asked its members to remain in Abuja throughout the two weeks period. The Green Chamber’s resolution to suspend s...

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24Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Senators Worried Over COVID-19 Status Of 35 Colleagues

FEAR heightened on Monday over the fate of about 35 senators who have not complied with the measures to determine their Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) status. The senators last week returned from a trip to the United Kingdom (UK), where they attended a Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB) seminar in London. It was learnt that they were caught in the web of coronavirus outbreak in the UK at a time the Federal Government directed that those returning from any of the COVID-19 high-risk countries should self-isolate for 14 days. It was gathered that other senators are pressuring Senate President Ahmad Lawan to prevail on their colleagues to excuse themselves from the chamber’s business. Some of them (senators) were also said to be pushing for COVID-19 test for their collea...

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19Mar By BobbyNo Comments

News

Nigerian Senate Suspends Public Hearings over Coronavirus

The Nigerian senate has suspended public hearings following the outbreak of coronavirus in the country. Senate President, Ahmed Lawan who made the announcement during plenary on Thursday March 19, added that the upper chamber will also be suspending excursions to the National Assembly as well as shutting the Senate gallery until further notice. There was however no announcement on suspension of plenary sessions in the Senate.

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5Mar By BobbyNo Comments

News

Abuja is Not Ready for Coronavirus – Senate President, Ahmad Lawan Decries FG’s Failure to Release N620m for Abuja Isolation Centre

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan has raised an alarm of Abuja not being ready for coronavirus at the moment as the isolation center in the capital city is still in a bad state. The Senate President who alongside his colleagues toured the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital in Gwagwalada on Wednesday March 4, stated that the N620 million meant for the completion of the isolation center has not been released. Lawan called on the Minister of Finance,  Zainab Ahmed to immediately release N620 million which is the budgeted amount for emergency response to the coronavirus (COVID – 19) outbreak, to the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to ensure the isolation center is completed. He said;   “First of all, let me say that the representatives of the federal minis...

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26Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Nigerians Reject Immunity For Senate President, Speaker, Others

A bill seeking to amend section 308 of the 1999 Constitution to provide immunity for presiding officers of the National Assembly including the Senate president, speaker, deputy Senate president and deputy speaker yesterday scaled through second reading at the House of Representatives. Section 308 of the country’s constitution provides immunity to the president, vice president, governors and their deputies. The proposal is to amend the section to accommodate the presiding officers of both national and state assemblies. Daily Trust reports that thunderous rejection is trailing the proposal. This is the second time that the proposal would be made during President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. At the eighth assembly, a similar bill sponsored by the then House Minority Leader, Le...

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23Feb By BobbyNo Comments

News

Osinbajo, Wike, Okowa, Others Attend Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege’s Thanksgiving Service in Delta

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha, State Governors Ifeanyi Okowa, Nyesom Wike, Nasiru El-Rufai, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar and Hope Uzodinma, stormed Effurun, Delta State for the Thanksgiving Service of the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege today February 23rd. Omo-Agege had the thanksgiving to celebrate his re-election and elevation as the deputy senate president. The thanksgiving mass was held at the Mother of the Redeemer Catholic Church, Effurun. See more photos below.

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19Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

National Assembly Under Invasion – Senate President Cries Out

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, on Tuesday, raised security alarm that the National Assembly is under invasion by “many unknown and uninvited people”. Lawan raised the alarm at an emergency meeting the leadership of the Senate had with top security officials in Abuja. The Senate President said he had received report of security threat to the Assembly and tasked top security officials to beef up security measures at the complex to avert any threat. He warned that any security official found wanting in the line of duty would not be spared. Lawan, in a statement by his media aide, Ola Awoniyi, said, “Any Security person who is given the job to ensure compliance and he’s found involved, we will not hesitate to get that person prosecuted for any wrongdoing. Because it is not eno...

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16Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Bukola Saraki And Ahmad Lawan Smile As They Meet At Udom’s Father’s Burial –

President of the Senate, His Excellency, Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan arrives Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom state for the burial of Late Elder Gabriel Emmanuel Nkanang, father of the governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Emmanuel Udom. Upon arriving the Victor Atta International Airport in Uyo, Senate President Ahmad Lawan met his predecessor in office, Senator Bukola Saraki and other personalities who had also come for the burial ceremony.

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11Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Obaseki Wins As APC Replaces Ahmad Lawan As Reconciliatory Team Head

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has reconstituted a 12-person committee following the rejection of the Senate President Ahmad Lawan-led National Reconciliation Committee by the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki. The party had earlier set up a 10-person reconciliatory committee in December, 2019, to appease the aggrieved members of the party nationwide and resolve the crises in the party. However, Mr Obaseki, in his reaction faulted the development. He accused the Senate president and the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Wase, of playing a prominent role in the crisis rocking the party in the state. Mr Obaseki rejected the former arrangement and vowed not to heed to it until the party substituted those he complained about. “We believe the com...

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6Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Senate Inaugurates Constitution Review Committee

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan has inaugurated a 56-member Constitution Review Committee to be chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege. The committee, inaugurated during Thursday’s plenary consists of all the eight principal officers, one Senator each from the 36 States and two members from each of the six geo-political zones. Members of the committee are: Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi; Deputy Senate Leader, Ajayi Borrofice; Deputy Chief Whip, Sabi Abdullahi; Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe; Senate Deputy Minority Leader, Emmanuel Bwacha; Minority Whip, Philip Aduda; Deputy Minority Whip, Sahabi Ya’u. Ike Ekweremadu; Opeyemi Bamidele, Smart Adeyemi, Danjuma Goje, James Manager, Stella Oduah, Oluremi Tinubu, Biodun Olujimi, Uche Ekwuen...

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5Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Ahmad Lawan’s Cousin, Ahmed Kadi Amshi Confirmed NASC Chairman Amid Outrage

Amid outrage caused by the nomination of Engr. Ahmed Kadi Amshi who is a cousin of the President of the Nigeria Senate as Chairman of National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), he was on Wednesday confirmed as the Chairman of National Assembly Service Commission (NASC). Engr. Amshi was also a Legislative Aide to the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan before his appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari. The confirmation of Engr. Ahmed Kadi Amshi alongside eleven others followed a committee report which was submitted by the Chairman of Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau. Shekarau in the report submitted that the nominees made themselves available for screening and were found satisfactory to serve as members of the National Assembly Servic...

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3Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Insecurity: Lawan & Gbajabiamila Open Up After Meeting President Buhari, Says The President Is Concerned

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila on Monday said President Muhammadu Buhari is concerned about the security situation in the country. The two presiding officers of the National Assembly disclosed this while fielding questions from journalists at the State House, Abuja, on the outcome of the meeting with President Buhari. Gbajabiamila said the leadership of National Assembly told Mr President of the need to increase funding of the Nigeria Police Force and recruit more personnel to tackle the current challenges. He said the lower chamber had constituted a committee involving the two arms of government and the party to periodically review the issue of security across the country. He downplayed the resolution of th...

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3Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Insecurity: Buhari, Ahmed Lawan, Gbajabiamila In Closed-Door Meeting

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), is meeting with the leadership of the National Assembly. The President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, walked into the venue of the meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, at 3.04pm. The agenda of the closed-door meeting is not disclosed officially. However, The PUNCH gathered from credible National Assembly sources that Lawan and Gbajabiamila came to formally hand over last week’s resolutions of both chambers on the state of insecurity in the country to Buhari. Recall that last week, the House had urged the President to sack the service chiefs. On its part, the Senate sought the declaration of emergency on insecurity. “The Senate President and the...

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31Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Senate Probes NNPC Over $396 Million Refineries’ Maintenance

The Senate resolved to investigate the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation over the $396m spent on Turn-Around Maintenance of refineries between 2013 and 2015. This followed the adoption of a motion titled “The Moribund Refineries in the Country” by Senator Yusuf A. Yusuf (APC, Taraba Central). The Senate mandated its Committees on Petroleum Downstream, Upstream and Gas to investigate the expenditures. It also asked the committees to probe the current state of the refineries as well as convoke a stakeholders’ conference with the aim of finding ways to revamp them. Senator Yusuf recalled that Nigeria, through NNPC, had in the past 25 years spent billions of dollars in Turn-Around Maintenance of the refineries, the latest being over $396m spent between 2013 and 2015 without meanin...

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28Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Nigeria’s Security Architecture Has Failed, Needs Restructuring – Ahmad Lawan

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, on Monday reviewed the current security architecture of the country and demanded an urgent restructuring to make a way for intervention from other tiers of government . Lawan, in an interview with journalists in Abuja , also welcomed the recent regional and states initiatives to tackle the unfortunate security challenges in the country . He said the Senate would summon the heads of the various security agencies in the country as soon as plenary resumes this week to work out a realistic arrangement that could adequately tackle the menace. Asked to state his position on the regional intervention by governors to tackle insecurity , Lawan said it was a good idea. He said , “All hands must be on deck . The Federal, states and local governm...

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28Dec By dthataNo Comments

Events

Photos From Senate President, Lawan’s Son’s Wedding In Kano

The son of Senate President Ahmad Lawan, Ibrahim Lawan, has got married to his heartthrob, Amani Umar. The wedding ceremony, according to report gathered was held at Al Furqan Mosque with a dinner party being held at Meenah Event in Kano. Mr. Lawan in a post on his social media account on Christmas Eve announced with a photo of an invitation card the wedding. It was further gathered that the glamorous wedding has in attendance top government officials and politicians.

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17Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

President Buhari Signs 2020 Budget

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday signed the 2020 budget into law. He assented to the N10.6trillion package in his office at the presidential villa, Abuja. The ceremony was witnessed among others, by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmed Lawan and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila

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17Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

You Will Decide Fate Of ‘Hate Speech Bill’ – Lawan Tells Nigerians

Senate President Ahmad Lawan has asked Nigerians to mobilise against the proposed hate speech bill if they do not want it. Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja on Monday, the senate president said it is up to Nigerians to decide, at the public hearing, if the bill should be passed or not. In November, Sabi Abdullahi senator representing Niger north, sponsored the bill, which has sparked widespread criticism across the country. It proposed death by hanging for any person found guilty of any form of hate speech that results in the death of another person, the lawmaker later promised that the death sentence would be reviewed. The bill also proposed that in the case of an offence committed by a body of persons where the body of persons is a corporate body, every director, trus...

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17Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

We Have To Respect The Rule Of Law – Ahmad Lawan

Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan has called on the President Muhammadu Buhari led federal government to obey the rule of law to the fullest. Lawan made the call while fielding questions from newsmen on Monday in Abuja, an event that was covered by Igbere TV correspondent. Speaking on the repeated violations of the rule of law by President Buhari, the Senate President said Nigerians should not suffer unduly for a crime they are not guilty of. This is coming at a time the Buhari administration has been accused of disrespecting the rule of law in the trial of Omoyele Sowore, convener of RevolutionNow Movement. Sowore, SaharaReporters publisher has been in custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), despite been granted bail by courts. On December 9, 2019, DSS operativ...

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13Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Senate Probes DSS Court Invasion

The Senate has mandated its committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to investigate Friday’s invasion of a federal high court and rearrest of the publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, by operatives of the State Security Service (SSS). This comes almost a week after the incident. Nigerians have criticised the lawmakers for failing to react and address the issue. The chairman of the Senate committee on Judiciary and Human Rights and Legal Matters, Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central), raised the matter during plenary on Thursday. He came under Order 43 of the Senate Standing Rule. Order 43 allows for a lawmaker to raise and issue but prohibits other lawmakers from making contributions or debating the said issue. He said the “alleged” invasion of the court...

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4Dec By Czar Owolabi MarcusNo Comments

News

We won’t pass hate speech bill – Senate President, Ahmed Lawan

Following the public outcry that greeted the hate speech bill, the Senate President Ahmed Lawan has said the Senate won’t pass the proposed anti-free speech bills. Lawan made the disclosure in response to a detailed written protest letter against the hate speech bill and anti-social media bill before the senate by the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA. He said legislators will listen to the pulse of the Nigerians who have rejected the bills and will do exactly as they demanded. Lawan had in his letter to HURIWA dated November 20th, 2019 which was endorsed by his Chief of Staff; Alhaji Babagana M. Aji but received on December 4th, 2019 titled: “RE: WHY NATIONAL ASSEMBLY’S BILLS AGAINST FREE SPEECH ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL: BY HURIWA,” stated as follows: “I write to present ...

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21Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Orji Uzor Kalu Emerges Head Of African Parliamentary Union

The Senate has appointed the Chief Whip, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu the Head African Parliamentary Union (APU), one of the international lawmaking unions at the National Assembly. The former Governor is to lead APU for the next four years. The Abia North senator is to lead a delegation of the National Assembly comprising of the Senate and House of Representatives from 24-30 November, 2019. Our correspondent gathered that the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan is also heading the International Parliamentary Union (IPU). A source at the National Assembly told our correspondent that two other international lawmaking unions are domiciled at the House of Representatives.

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20Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Social Media Bill Scales Second Reading In Senate

The Senate on Tuesday passed the bill for an Act to make provisions for the protection from internet falsehood and manipulations and related matters, for a second reading. It is opularly known as anti-Social media bill, sponsored by the Senator representing Niger East Senatorial District, Sani Musa. Only Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, a former governor of Enugu State, spoke against the bill while Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah raised a constitutional point of order to caution the red chamber against its passage. However, Senators Ibrahim Gobir, Elisha Abbo, and Abba Moro supported the bill in their various contributions during the debate that lasted about 10 minutes. The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, put the passage of the bill for a second reading to a voice vote after confirming ...

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16Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Governor Akeredolu Receives Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, Others In Ondo

Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on Friday, November 15, 2019 received the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan and other principal officers of the Senate at the Government House, Alagbaka, Akure. The Senate President, alongside Senator Ajayi Borrofice, Senator Ayo Akinyelure, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele and other senators are in the state to visit one of their own, Senator Nicholas Tofowomo, who was involved in a road accident recently. Receiving the lawmakers at the Government House, Arakunrin Akeredolu thanked the Senate President for deeming it fit to come by himself and visit Senator Tofowomo. According to the Governor, the decision of the Senate President to leave the seat of power in Abuja to visit Tofowomo has demonstrated his good leadership quality. He...

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14Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Lawan Swears In Senator Olujimi As Adeyeye’s Replacement

Senate President Ahmad Lawan has administered the oath of office on Senator Biodun Olujimi as Senator representing Ekiti South Senatorial District. Olujimi replaces former Senate spokesperson, Adedayo Adeyeye, whose election was nullified by both the National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal in Ado Ekiti and the Court of Appeal in Kaduna. The Appeal Court judgment, which was initially scheduled to be delivered in Ado Ekiti, was moved to Kaduna for security reasons. The tribunal in Ado Ekiti on September 9 nullified declaration of Adeyeye as winner of the February 23 senatorial election. In the judgment, the tribunal nullified elections in some polling units which left Olujimi polling 54,894 votes to defeat Adeyeye, who scored 52,243 votes.

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13Nov By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Senate Approves N10 Billion Loan For Kogi Amidst Protests

The Senate on Wednesday approved the N10bn loan refund for Kogi State despite stiff resistance from the opposition senators. No sooner had the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Loans, Senator Clifford Ordia, laid the report of his panel on the issue at plenary than the Senate President called for the debate on it immediately.

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