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10th HoR 1st year: So far, so good we’ll continue to strive through legislative intervention to accomplish our duty as Leader of Opposition parties business – Rep Chinda
… opposition has been interestingly rough but we’re forging ahead
…. amendment of the Local Content Act if successful will have a positive and spiral effect on job creation in all sectors of the economy.
…insists opposition still stands on a 90-day ultimatum given to FG to checkmate insecurity.
As the House of Representatives marks its first year in tenth House of Representatives, Opposition leader, Rep Kingsley Chinda has said so far, so good, the House would continue to strive through legislative intervention to accomplish purpose of government that encompasses all Nigerians.
The Rivers born lawmaker, who represents Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency made this assertion in commemoration of the HoR one year anniversary in the tenth National Assembly stating that:
“All we have been doing in the last year is to ensure that we make provock or influence legislations that could catapult Nigerians from abject poverty and improve security of life’s and properties of Nigerians. We ensure that where government falters, we quickly checkmate it.
” A very vivid example is the area of security which is everybody’s business and we told government that in three months, which will expire on July 16th, that if there is no improvement in the area of security, that we might be compelled to take steps to call on Nigerians to take steps to compel government to action.
“Also, all we have caused the House to compile all Resolutions passed by the House on insecurity for same to be forwarded to the Executive for appropriate and adequate compliance to help curtail insecurity in Nigeria.
“Now aside that, in area of protection of citizens’ welfare, most recently, we took a position on the cyber security levy and implementation of the Cyber Security Act. This proposed levy led to a lot of brouhaha in the society. We stood firmly with the people and shot down the levy.
“We intervened quickly to say no. The Central Bank circular, which intended to impose fees on Nigerians, was not correct, and it should be withdrawn. Fortunately, the President responded to it and withdrew that circular.
“So we think that these are some of the roles that we should be playing to check some of the excesses of government and draw attention of Nigerians to these issues and also call on government to take steps to correct them in the interest of Nigerians.
On the proposed amendment to the Local Content Act, Chinda said: “Well, like I said, that through legislative intervention, we should strive towards accomplishing the main purpose of government. Which security of lives and welfare of the people.
“The Local Content Act that we have today is limited to the oil and gas sector. And because of that Local Content Act, you can agree with me that more Nigerians are becoming big players in the oil and gas sector. Knowledge and skills is being developed locally in the sector.
“Yes, the general economy in the country is also hitting hard in that sector. And so that’s why you see some of these IOC’S, (International oil giants, Shell, Elf, Mobil, etc) talking about either downsizing or selling off their interest and all that.
“But who are those that are buying off those interests? Most of them are Nigerians. So this is the advantage of the Local Content Act in the oil and gas sector.
“And we felt that it would not be proper to limit it to that sector. It should also dovetail into all other aspects and facets of our economy, into construction, into medical, into ICT, and all that.
“So it will develop local capacity. It will give opportunity for our people to be big-time players in all these other fields. And then it will also give minimum requirements for local content in those areas. Most importantly creat more jobs for locals.
“Now, an example, again, is the issues of unemployment. What it means is that for every locality where you go to establish these firms or these operations, those from such locality must produce at least the lower cadre of the staff of such firms. And where there is an expatriate staff, there is provision of training of locals to take over the responsibility within a set time.
Companies are compelled by law to continue to do training for these persons and then also be prepared to hand over even the job of the expatriates to the locals within a particular number of years. Some of these provisions apply in other countries like UAE.
An Ikeja Special Offences Court has scheduled May 4, 2026, to deliver its ruling on whether an extra-judicial statement made by co-defendant Henry Omoile will be admitted as evidence in the ongoing trial involving former Godwin Emefiele.
The statement in question was allegedly made by Omoile, who is standing trial alongside Emefiele. Presiding judge, Justice Rahman Oshodi, fixed the date after both the prosecution and defence teams adopted their final written addresses during a trial-within-trial session.
The hearing is focused on determining whether Omoile’s statement was given voluntarily and is therefore admissible in court.
Emefiele is facing a 19-count charge bordering on alleged gratification, corrupt practices, and abuse of office, involving transactions estimated at $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion.
Omoile, meanwhile, is standing trial on a three-count charge relating to alleged unlawful acceptance of gifts connected to dealings with the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Counsel to Omoile, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Adeyinka Kotoye, argued that the statement should be rejected on the grounds that it was not voluntarily made. He cited provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, stressing the importance of video-recorded interrogations to ensure transparency.
The defence also raised concerns over possible coercion, inducement, and lack of proper legal representation during the recording of the statement.
Similarly, counsel to Emefiele, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), urged the court to discountenance the statement, arguing under the Evidence Act that any involuntary confession is inadmissible.
However, Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), maintained that the statement was properly obtained in line with legal procedures, adding that although it was not video-recorded, it was made in the presence of Omoile’s lawyer.
He further argued that the contents of the statement do not support claims of coercion, noting that Omoile did not implicate Emefiele and denied the allegations against himself.
After hearing all submissions, Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter for ruling on May 4, 2026, while also fixing June 26 and June 30, 2026, for continuation of the substantive trial.
Nine kingmakers of Ijebu-Ode have been re-invited by the Ogun State Police Command to appear at the command headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta, next Monday and Tuesday over fresh allegations of bribery and financial inducement in the selection of the new Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland.
The development marks the second time the kingmakers are being summoned by the police on the matter.
Recall that the Ogun State Government, in January 2026, suspended the selection process through a statement signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat.
The suspension followed petitions from security agencies and other stakeholders.
The kingmakers were first invited by the Ogun State Police Command in February over similar accusations of cash inducement. However, the probe was later dropped following the intervention of superior authorities.
In the latest development, the nine kingmakers have been re-invited through a letter dated April 17, 2026, signed by Gbenga Adeoye, Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).
One of the kingmakers, the Kakanfo of Ijebuland, Chief Abimbola Okenla, confirmed the invitation.
He disclosed that four of them are expected to appear on Monday, April 21, 2026, while the remaining five are scheduled for Tuesday, April 22, 2026.
Chief Okenla described the repeated invitations as a distraction, insisting that the allegations are unfounded.
“It’s true that the Ogun State Police Command has invited the kingmakers to the command’s headquarters in Abeokuta.
Four of us are to be there on Monday while the remaining five will be there on Tuesday,” he said.
“None of us is happy with this frequent invitation by the security agencies over unfounded allegations. The people of Ijebuland are equally not happy about it because it is becoming more of a distraction.”
The Kakanfo appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun to allow the kingmakers to conclude the selection process without further delay.
“We are only pleading with Governor Dapo Abiodun to allow the kingmakers to do their job and complete the assignment of picking the next Awujale of Ijebuland without any further delay,” he added.
Parts of the police invitation letter read:
“In continuation of the aforementioned case under investigation, you are kindly requested to report at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, Ogun State, on [Monday/Tuesday] April 21/22, 2026 at 1000hrs for an interview with the Commissioner of Police, through the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department.
“This is a fact-finding invitation pursuant to the investigative powers conferred on the Nigeria Police by the combined provisions of Section 214 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Section 4(a) of the Police Act 2020.
“Your presence is therefore required to assist in advancing the course of criminal justice delivery and fairness. Should you require any clarification, kindly contact 08038455857. Please take note that you are at liberty to come along with your lawyer.”
Nigerian-American singer, David Adedeji Adeleke popularly known as Davido has commended Nigerian businessman Aliko Mohammed Dangote for his style of living.
According to him, the owner of Dangote cement is a different kind of billionaire.
He said unlike other billionaires who always buy luxury cars and show off, Mr. Aliko buys two cars every 8 years.
Speaking in an interview, Davido stated that the businessman always tells him to save his money.
“Uncle Aliko is a different kind of a billionaire, Uncle Aliko buys like two cars every 8 years. He is different ” Davido said.
“Anytime he sees me he just says one thing, save your money. There is nothing more he tells me than save your money.” He added.
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