Tag: NASS

2023: NASS will amend Electoral Act to remedy weaknesses, says Lawan

Aminu Imam

…Senate to reconsider stance on direct party primaries Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, says the National Assembly will further amend the Electoral Act 2022 to serve as a safeguard against weaknesses identified in the law. Lawan stated this following ‘a matter of urgent national importance’ brought by former Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi, during the plenary yesterday. Abdullahi had suggested that the Senate “reverts to its earlier stand on direct primaries”. The lawmaker also asked lawmakers of both the Senate and House of Representatives to look out for the loopholes and weaknesses…

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NASS directs APCON to regulate digital advertising

Aminu Imam

The National Assembly has impressed on the management of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, (APCON), on the need to regulate advertising within the digital space. This followed several petitions by concerned Nigerians over unwarranted contents being shared across different social media platforms. Speaking on this development in Lagos recently, the Registrar/Chief Executive of APCON, Dr. Lekan Fadalopo said, “How will a mother feel seeing her ten-year-old boy or girl watching adverts on breast and penis enlargement on the social media through his or her phone? Or a traditional medicine…

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Darkness envelopes NASS as June 14 resumption date looms

Aminu Imam

…No water, No light Electricity, water and other essentials have been cut off from the National Assembly (NASS), with eerie darkness hovering over the complex. This followed an indefinite strike action by the Parliamentary Staff Association of National Assembly, (PASAN). In a circular to members, it announced a strike starting at midnight on Sunday, June 5. The Clerk of the House, Yahaya Danzaria, made this known in a notice issued on Monday. The notice read: “Please be informed that the two chambers of the National Assembly (Senate and House of…

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Electoral Act 2022: Supreme Court to hear suit by Buhari, AGF Malami Thursday

Aminu Imam

Nigeria’s Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing for May 19 in the suit by President Muhammadu Buhari and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, (SAN). The scheduling is not only reflected in the court’s case list for the week but it was gathered that parties have since been served hearing notices. The suit, filed on April 29, 2022, the National Assembly is listed as the sole defendant. The plaintiffs are contending among others, that the said section of the Electoral Act 2022 is in…

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Buhari seeks quick passage of money laundering, terrorism Bills

Aminu Imam

The Senate has received the Money Laundering Bill and Terrorism Prevention Bill transmitted by the President Muhammadu Buhari for expeditious consideration and passage. The Bills were accompanied by a letter read at the start of the plenary on Thursday by the Senate President, Ahamad Lawan. Buhari, in a letter dated 12th April 2022, said the request for the passage of both bills was pursuant to the provisions of Section 58(2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended. He explained that the deficiencies in the country’s Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism…

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2023: Federal High Court orders AGF to delete Section 84 (12) from amended new Electoral Act

Aminu Imam

…Declares section unconstitutional, invalid illegal The Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia yesterday struck down Section 84(12) of the newly amended Electoral Act which President Muhammadu Buhari had written to the National Assembly requesting them to delete. The court, in a judgment delivered by Justice Evelyn Anyadike, held that the section was unconstitutional, invalid, illegal, null, void and of no effect whatsoever and ought to be struck down as it cannot stand when it is in violation of the clear provisions of the Constitution. Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had,…

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Just In! 2023: Federal High Court strikes down Section 84 (12) of amended new Electoral Act declares section unconstitutional, invalid illegal

Aminu Imam

…Orders AGF to delete section from Electoral Act The Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia has today struck down Section 84(12) of the newly amended Electoral Act which President Muhammadu Buhari had written to the National Assembly to delete. The court, in a judgment delivered by Justice Evelyn Anyadike, held that the section was unconstitutional, invalid, illegal, null, void and of no effect whatsoever and ought to be struck down as it cannot stand when it is in violation of the clear provisions of the Constitution. Recall that President Muhammadu…

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Nigerian women occupy National Assembly over rejected ‘special seats‘ Bill

Aminu Imam

Various women groups, yesterday, occupied the gate of the National Assembly in protest after both chambers rejected a Bill meant to create ‘special seats‘ for women. The women, who gathered early in the morning at the Three-Arms Zone, marched to the National Assembly gate chanting songs of solidarity. The groups demand that the Federal lawmakers should reconsider the requests for 111 seats for women, equal citizenship, 35% representation in party leadership, more appointive positions in government, and vote in favour of these amendments. The women were mobilised by the United…

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Constitution Amendment: NASS approves financial autonomy for State Legislatures, Judiciary, LGs

Aminu Imam

…Rejects FG’s grip on VAT, pension for NASS presiding officers, and other matters The Senate and House of Representatives have approved financial autonomy for State legislatures, Judiciary and local governments in the country, in the ongoing voting on Nigeria’s Constitution amendments. The approval came yesterday, during voting on the report of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bills, 2022. The senators, during voting on the report, rejected pension for presiding officers of the legislature. Out of a total number of 88 Senators registered to…

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NASS passes Bill for nominee Ministers, Commissioners to emerge in 30 days

Aminu Imam

The Senate and House of Representatives have passed a bill for an Act mandating the President and Governors to submit nominees for Ministers and Commissioners within 30 days of swearing-in. Ninety-two Senators voted in favour of the Bill, while one abstained. Twenty hundred and eighty-nine members of the Green Chambers voted in favour of the Bill, which was passed.

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