News
House Defends Abbas Over Capital Projects Motion, Says Row Was About Procedure, Not Debate
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has defended Speaker Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas over Wednesday’s controversy surrounding a motion on the implementation of capital projects in the 2026 Budget, insisting that the disagreement was purely procedural and not an attempt to prevent debate on the issue.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, by the House Spokesman, Akin Rotimi, he said public reactions to the incident had misconstrued what transpired during plenary, stressing that the Speaker acted strictly in accordance with the House Standing Orders.
The clarification followed debate over a Matter of Urgent Public Importance sponsored by the member representing Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency of Abia State, Rep. Alexander Mascot Ikwechegh, on funding challenges confronting Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and the execution of the capital component of the Federal Budget.
According to the House, the controversy did not stem from the subject matter of the motion but from discrepancies between the version submitted to the Speaker for approval and the one eventually presented on the floor.
“The issue was not the substance of the motion, but a procedural matter relating to a difference between the version of the motion submitted to the Speaker for approval and the version presented on the floor,” the statement said.
It explained that under Order Eight, Rule 5(1) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives (Eleventh Edition), every Matter of Urgent Public Importance must first be submitted to the Speaker before it can be raised during plenary.
“This ensures that only matters meeting the required threshold of urgency are admitted and that Members deliberate on an authenticated text,” the statement added.
The House noted that despite objections from some lawmakers, Speaker Abbas admitted the motion for debate, allowing Ikwechegh to present it before members.
However, while the motion was being moved, the Speaker observed that key aspects of the document differed from the version earlier approved.
“Some portions of the motion, particularly the proposed resolutions and prayers, differed materially from the version earlier submitted and approved. Additional prayers not contained in the approved document had been introduced,” the statement said.
To safeguard the integrity of parliamentary proceedings, the Speaker directed that the officially submitted version be read aloud and invited members of the Minority Caucus to verify the discrepancies.
“As an institution built on records and due process, the House can only take decisions based on motions and documents duly submitted, authenticated, and admitted for consideration. Any substantial alteration to an approved motion during presentation must follow the appropriate parliamentary procedure,” the statement further read.
The House rejected suggestions that the opposition lawmaker had been prevented from raising the matter.
“It is important to emphasise that the sponsoring Member was not prevented from raising the issue before the House. The concern was solely about ensuring compliance with established procedures and maintaining the integrity of legislative records,” it stated.
The statement further reminded lawmakers of their responsibility to comply strictly with parliamentary rules.
“While acknowledging that Members continue to deepen their understanding of parliamentary practice, all Members are expected to present motions strictly in the form submitted and approved for consideration,” it noted.
According to the House, the Speaker subsequently referred the matter, based on the prayers contained in the officially approved motion, to an ad hoc committee for further legislative examination and a report.
Reaffirming its commitment to due process, the House said it will continue to protect members’ right to raise issues of urgent public importance while ensuring that legislative business is conducted in line with established rules.
“The House of Representatives remains committed to protecting Members’ rights to raise matters of public importance while ensuring that all proceedings are conducted in line with the Standing Orders, due process, and the highest standards of parliamentary integrity,” the statement asserted.
By Prosper Olayiwola
A House of Assembly Candidate for Ikole Constituency 1 on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Kayode Arewa Sanni, has called on his constituents, party members and supporters to unite ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Arewa Sanni made the call in Ikole-Ekiti while addressing party faithful and supporters at a stakeholders’ meeting convened to strengthen grassroots mobilisation in the constituency.
He said the 2027 elections present a defining moment for the people of Ikole Constituency 1 to chart a new course of inclusive representation, people-oriented legislation and accelerated development.
The candidate noted that disunity among party members and supporters remains the greatest obstacle to victory, stressing that only a united front can dislodge entrenched interests and deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
“I appeal to all our party leaders, members, supporters and well-wishers across Ikole Constituency 1 to put aside personal differences and work together as one family. Our strength lies in our unity,” he said.
Arewa Sanni said his candidacy was driven by a desire to give Ikole Constituency 1 a vibrant and responsive voice in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, with focus on youth empowerment, education, healthcare and rural infrastructure.
He assured constituents that if given the mandate, he would prioritise quality representation and ensure that government presence is felt in all communities within the constituency.
He also called on supporters of the ADC across Ekiti State to rally behind the party’s vision of good governance, transparency and accountability as preparations for the 2027 polls gather momentum.
The aspirant expressed confidence that with unity, commitment and collective effort, the ADC would emerge victorious in Ikole Constituency 1 and other constituencies across the state.
No fewer than six inmates have died within one week following a suspected cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Maximum Prison in Kano State.
Amnesty International raised the alarm in a post on its official Facebook page, calling on authorities to immediately declare an emergency at the correctional facility.
Amnesty said several other inmates were currently receiving treatment, warning that the death toll could be higher as the suspected disease continues to spread among prisoners.
It urged the authorities to immediately transfer critically ill inmates to hospitals for proper medical attention to prevent further deaths.
The organisation warned that failure to urgently intervene could amount to arbitrary deprivation of life, which it described as a serious human rights violation under international law.
Amnesty also expressed concern over the broader conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities, particularly the prolonged detention of inmates awaiting trial.
According to the organisation, detainees without financial means face greater difficulty having their rights protected, with some spending years in custody without being convicted of any crime.
It further said many inmates were being held in overcrowded and unhygienic cells without adequate food and healthcare.
Amnesty called for urgent reforms to improve conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities and ensure compliance with international best practices.
Popular media personality and self-acclaimed relationship expert, Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has reportedly lost her second son while remanded in custody.
The development was confirmed in an online appeal by Amira Agiye, head of the Isaamira Love Foundation, who spoke on Okoro’s behalf to request public financial assistance.
She said, “It is sad to announce to you all that Blessing CEO just lost her second son. My name is Amira Agiye.
“I’m here to appeal on behalf of Blessing CEO, who is currently in custody. I understand that people might have different opinions about her and the circumstances surrounding her case.
“And like every one of us, she deserves compassion and an opportunity for redemption.
She needs N20 million to meet the bail requirements. She also needs N36 million to pay the people she owes who brought the case against her.
“Please, Nigerians, let’s forgive her for the sake of that boy who is still in the mortuary. With Blessing’s full consent and authorisation, I’m appealing to all Nigerians to help donate so we can help her out of this situation.”
Also speaking in a voice conversation played by Amira, Blessing, CEO, said, “My second son, Bryan, was full of life. While in custody, I lost Bryan.
I pray this turns out positive so I can leave this place, pick up the pieces of my life and pay my respects to him.”
Recall that the self-acclaimed relationship expert was remanded in Kirikiri Prison over an N69.15 million property fraud trial.
She was granted N20 million bail in July 2026, with two sureties in like sum, and each surety was required to provide three years’ proof of deposits valued at N20 million.
Following her inability to meet the bail conditions, Blessing CEO, remains in prison facility two months after she was granted bail.
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