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Reps Say Safety In Electricity Sectors Non-negotiable

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By Gloria Ikibah
The Chairman of House of Representatives Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations, Rep. Sulaiman Gumi, has  emphasized that safety within Nigeria’s electricity sector is non-negotiable.
Gumi stated this while presenting plans for the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry Safety Conference in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to him, despite efforts by the Federal Government to address safety issues in the electricity sector, challenges persists.
These issues include vandalism, theft, installation of electricity by unlicensed installers, production and use of substandard electrical materials, among other concerns.
The Chairman said that the Committee plans to collaborate with the Association for Public Policy Analysis and other stakeholders in the power sector to host the conference.
“The Power Sector is a critical industry where safety standards and regulations must be strictly followed for effective legislative action,” Gumi said.
He assured that the Federal Government was committed to improving safety standards in the electricity sector through laws and regulations designed to ensure safe and secure electricity service delivery, protecting lives and property.
Despite the existing efforts, Gumi stressed that there are still significant gaps in compliance and enforcement, which necessitate further legislative intervention. He emphasized that the upcoming conference will provide a platform for stakeholders across the country to share insights on opportunities and challenges related to safety standards in the sector.
The conference, according to Gumi, will help the Committee fulfill its constitutional oversight functions as laid out in Section 88 of the 1999 Constitution.
The event aims to bring together key stakeholders, including private operators, consumers, and Nigeria’s international development partners, to develop a policy document that strengthens safety standards and regulations within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
One of the main objectives of the conference is to enhance the capacity of individuals responsible for electricity installations and improve compliance with safety standards. It will also address issues like vandalism, theft, and the use of substandard materials by aligning with the Electricity Act 2023.
“The conference seeks to build collaboration among stakeholders to tackle the importation, marketing, and use of substandard electrical materials, as well as the problem of quackery in the power sector,” Gumi added.
In addition, the conference will address the importation of substandard solar systems and materials used in renewable energy projects and explore the link between electricity safety regulations and broader policies on health and construction at various government levels.
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Defections Deepen as NNPP, PDP Lawmakers Switch Sides in Reps

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Party realignments in the House of Representatives gathered further pace as more lawmakers crossed over to rival platforms, underscoring intensifying political manoeuvres ahead of the 2027 elections.

During plenary, presided over by the Speaker, a fresh batch of six members from the New Nigeria Peoples Party and the Peoples Democratic Party formally defected to the All Progressives Congress and the African Democratic Congress.

The shift was particularly notable within the Kano caucus, where four NNPP lawmakers abandoned their party to align with the ADC, signalling a significant shake-up in the state’s political configuration.

The latest movement adds to an already growing trend of defections within the lower chamber, as legislators continue to reposition themselves amid evolving alliances and internal party tensions.

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Speaker Abbas read the letter of resignation from the NNPP lawmakers, which noted “persistent leadership crisis in the NNPP resulting in internal divisions,” as reason for aligning with the ADC.

“I find it imperative to align with a platform that guarantees inclusion and I hereby notify the House of my intention to join the African Democratic Congress,” the letter read in part.

Still in Kano, three members of of the NNPP, Rep. Umar Zakari, Rep. Umar Datti and Rep. Abdulhakeem Ado resigned their membership from the NNPP and joined the ADC, citing protracted leadership crises both at the sub-national and national levels.

In Zamfara State, Rep. Ahmadu Kabiru, member representing Gusau/Tsafe Federal Constituency stated his resignation from the PDP “with immediate effect due to irreconciliable differences.”

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He therefore announced his decision to join the APC, pleading his readiness to “align with the transformatory policies of the President as contained in the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

Also defecting from the PDP to APC is Rep. Chinedu Martins, member representing Ahiazu/Ezinihitte/Mbaise Federal Constituency of Imo State.

The lawmaker from Imo State confirmed that his switch to the APC had been concluded at ward level as far back as March 2026.

Following the steady stream of defections in recent months, the APC continues to dominate the House with a commanding 282 members. The PDP trails significantly with 30 seats, while the ADC has emerged as a growing force with 24 lawmakers.

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Other parties hold smaller blocs, with the Labour Party at 10 seats, APGA with five, and the Accord Party controlling four. The Action Peoples Party and the Social Democratic Party each have two members, leaving the NNPP with just a single seat in the chamber.

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BREAKING: Tinubu endorses six new appointments in education sector

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President Bola Tinubu has approved a fresh set of appointments across critical institutions in Nigeria’s education sector, reinforcing leadership in examination bodies, technical education, and national library services.

The appointments were confirmed in an official statement issued by the Presidency on Wednesday.

New and Renewed Appointments

Among those appointed is Modupe Adeola Adelabu, who will serve as Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Examinations Council.

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Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi has been retained as Registrar and Chief Executive of NECO, ensuring continuity in the management of the national examination body.

In the technical education space, Babatunde Salako has been appointed Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Board for Technical Education.

Meanwhile, Idris Bugaje has been reappointed as Executive Secretary of NBTE for a second and final five-year term.

Polytechnic and Library Leadership

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The President also approved the appointment of Bongfa Binfa as Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, N’yak-Shendam in Plateau State, where he will serve a five-year tenure.

Additionally, Chinwe Veronica Anunobi has had her tenure renewed as Director-General/Chief Executive of the National Library of Nigeria for a final five-year term.

Focus on Continuity and Stability

The mix of fresh appointments and renewals suggests a strategy aimed at maintaining stability while strengthening leadership across key education agencies.

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Observers say such decisions are critical to sustaining reforms, improving institutional performance, and ensuring continuity in policy implementation within the sector.

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PDP leadership tussle: Supreme Court takes major position

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The Supreme Court has reserved its judgment regarding an appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to reinstate its national convention, which was previously nullified by the Court of Appeal.

The convention in question took place on November 15 and 16, 2025, at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan, Oyo State.

A five-member panel of Justices, led by Justice Lawal Garba, announced that a date for the final ruling would be communicated to all parties involved.

This decision followed the adoption of written briefs by legal representatives for and against the appeal.

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The Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the PDP is urging the apex court to set aside the lower court’s decision, which invalidated the Ibadan convention.

The faction maintains that the dispute is an “internal party affair, which is not justiciable,” and argues that all necessary legal procedures were followed during the event.

However, previous rulings from the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal favored aggrieved members, barring the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing the convention’s outcomes and restricting access to the party’s national secretariat.

The legal trouble began in October 2025, when Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court stopped the convention from proceeding.

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The judge ruled that the party had failed to conduct valid state congresses as required by the 1999 Constitution, INEC guidelines, and the PDP’s own constitution, stating that the party must comply with “relevant statutory provisions including the Electoral Act and Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties (2022).”

A second major blow came from Justice Peter Lifu, who ordered the party to halt the convention after a suit was filed by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido.

Lamido alleged he was unfairly excluded from the chairmanship race. Justice Lifu noted:“The evidence before the court established that Lamido was unjustly denied the opportunity to obtain a nomination form to contest the position of national chairman of the party, in violation of the PDP constitution and its internal regulations.”

On November 14, 2025—just one day before the event—Justice Lifu issued a final order restraining the party from moving forward, holding that the PDP had failed to “afford a former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido the opportunity to prepare and contest as a chairmanship candidate.”

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With the Supreme Court now set to have the final say, the PDP remains in a state of legal uncertainty as it awaits the verdict that will determine the legitimacy of its current national leadership.

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