News
Ningi’s constituents, Bauchi politicians warn Senate against suspending members
Members at the National Assembly have been told to desist from suspending their colleagues over unclear allegations.
The Vice Presidential candidate of the APGA party in the 2023 general election, who incidentally is from the Bauchi Central Senatorial District, Comrade Abdullahi Koli stated this in an exclusive interview with Arewa PUNCH following Senate’s recall of Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi.
Comrade Koli who said he is proud that his senator is back to the floor of the National Assembly, insisted that the assembly had no constitutional right whatsoever to suspend Ningi in the first instance, especially as the matter was not thoroughly investigated.
While expressing his confidence in Senator Ningi’s representation, Koli called on the National Assembly to henceforth desist from such undemocratic decisions of suspending its members without investigating the truth of allegations against any member.
Koli stated, “If somebody is trying to defend himself, he should be allowed, and therefore be given enough time to defend himself.
“Moreover, there was no committee, nothing, and the Senate just decided to take action on him,” he lamented.
Comrade Koli maintained that Senator Ningi’s saga should be a great lesson to the National Assembly and the entire senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He expressed concern that Ningi’s absence from the National Assembly created a great gap bordering on his contributions to the debate in the House.
The APGA chieftain insisted, “He contributed a lot to the assembly not only in favour of his zone and state but in favour of the nation and the next generation.
“But that has been done. It should not be allowed to repeat itself because all the constitutional provisions did not allow for suspension of any member. But, we are law-abiding citizens, and that is why we did not take it in the wrong way,” Koli added.
He recounted that all that they did as constituents of Senator Abdul Ahmad Ningi was plead with the government to understand that the position taken by the assembly was wrong.
A grass roots politician who was another respondent from the Warji Local Government Area which is also a Constituent of the Bauchi Central Senatorial District, Muhammad Mansir Sadiq, said they are all delighted, that Senator Ningi had been recalled.
He added that the people in his Constituent and District are confident that he did fight for the common man and not for himself.
In the words of Mansir Sadiq, “We are aware that he was fighting for the people.
“He is known for his capabilities to speak the truth to the powers that be, and that is what we voted him for.”
In a similar vain, Mas’ud Hassan, a resident in one of the communities within the Constituency, stressed that “the world is a witness to the fight our representative is fighting at the NASS.”
He disclosed that “at the height of Ningi’s suspension, and following his return to the Red Chamber, it was with a warm welcome he was received by his constituents in Bauchi State when he visited and the same warmth from his colleagues was he received by his colleagues on the floor of the chamber.”
Hassan insisted that it was a testament to his dedication to service.
By Gloria Ikibah
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a revised documentation requirement for transactions conducted through the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) in Nigeria.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the apex bank’s acting Director, Corporate Communications, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali
The CBN said the new initiative is part of its ongoing commitment to foster seamless intra-African trade, financial inclusion, and operational efficiency for Nigerians engaging in cross-border payments within Africa.
Launched by Afreximbank in partnership with the African Union and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) secretariat in January 2022, PAPSS serves as a centralized payment and settlement platform that enables instant, secure, and efficient cross-border transactions throughout Africa.
By facilitating payments in local currencies, PAPSS minimizes reliance on third-party currencies, reduces transaction costs, and supports the rapid expansion of trade under the AfCFTA.
In a recent circular referenced TED/FEM/PUB/FPC/001/006 issued on April 28, 2025, CBN outlined the key changes to the documentation requirements associated with PAPSS transactions.
The key changes it added take effect immediately and include simplified documentation for low-value transactions, which allows customers to now use basic KYC and AML documents provided to their authorized dealer banks for low-value transactions of up to $2,000 and $5,000 equivalent in naira for individuals and corporate bodies, respectively.
“For transactions above the thresholds, all documentation as stipulated in the CBN foreign exchange manual and related circulars remains mandatory,” the bank said.
Also, the CBN added that applicants are responsible for ensuring all regulatory documents are available to facilitate the clearance of goods, as required by relevant government agencies.
“Authorized dealer banks may now source foreign exchange for PAPSS settlements through the Nigerian foreign exchange market, without recourse to the CBN.
“All export proceeds repatriated via PAPSS shall be certified by the relevant processing banks.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria urges all banks to adopt PAPSS and commence originating transactions in line with this new policy.
“In addition, CBN encourages exporters, importers, and individuals to familiarize themselves with the new requirements and leverage PAPSS for cross-border transactions within Africa,” the statement said.
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives is set to host the country’s first National Legislative Conference on Renewable Energy, aimed at driving new laws, attracting investment, and pushing Nigeria further along its energy transition journey.
This was revealed during a press briefing by the Chairman, House Committee on Renewable Energy, Rep. Afam Victor Ogene, who described the event as a turning point for energy legislation in Nigeria.
He said: “The conference aims at bringing together key stakeholders and industry players to discuss renewable energy legislations, energy transition, renewable energy financing, investment opportunities and related matters.
“It’s about developing a national legislative framework on renewable energy”.
The conference, which is being organised by the House Committee on Renewable Energy in partnership with the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), will take place under the UNDP Parliamentary Development Program.
Rep. Ogene noted that recent legal reforms have created space for state governments to play a more active role in Nigeria’s power sector. He pointed to the Fifth Alteration Bill 2022 (No.33), now signed into law, which allows states to legislate on electricity matters within the national grid. Before now, states could only act on off-grid power.
In addition, he highlighted the Electricity Act of 2023, which came into effect in February 2024.
“It permits states to issue licenses for all electricity activities – generation, transmission and distribution across the entire power sector value chain,” he said.
The Committee Chairman further stated that the new National Integrated Electricity Policy, expected in 2025, will guide states in forming new electricity markets, where solar power and other renewable sources will be key to reaching underserved communities.
Ogene explained, “The conference has three clear objectives:
“To promote dialogue among legislators, experts and stakeholders on critical legislative priorities.
“To establish a coordinated platform for federal and state lawmakers, and to produce a clear, time-bound legislative action plan.
“International partners are also on board. The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) will participate, and parliaments from South Africa, Ghana and Gambia have confirmed attendance. Ghana is sending a three-man delegation led by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Alban Kingsford Bagbin”.
In another major highlight, the Netherlands-based platform INCLUDE will host a Pan-African Legislative Dialogue session on renewable energy, to be chaired by the Hon. Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen.
“The session will focus on how to establish a unified legislative framework on renewable energy development, investment and financing.
“The time has come for us to act. This is not just another conference – it is the foundation of Nigeria’s renewable energy future”, Ogene added.
Expected outcomes from the conference include new policy and legislative reform proposals to boost renewable energy use, as well as draft laws that will encourage public and private sector investment.
Other goals are to enhance collaboration between federal and state lawmakers, raise public awareness, and roll out a practical roadmap for implementation and progress tracking.
The event will also feature a technology showcase of renewable energy innovations and business opportunities.
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