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Parliamentary Oversight of Security Agencies, A Legislative Imperative – Speaker Abbas
By Gloria Ikibah
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has emphasized the crucial role of parliamentary oversight in ensuring security agencies adhere to the rule of law and uphold human rights.
Speaking at a two-day workshop in Abuja, organized by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Abbas, represented by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, underscored the legislature’s responsibility in monitoring security institutions to ensure they effectively safeguard citizens.
He stressed that maintaining a balance between security operations and accountability is essential for fostering public trust in government institutions. Given the technical nature of the security sector, he noted that lawmakers must be equipped with the necessary knowledge to scrutinize security activities and align them with national objectives.
Acknowledging Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges, Abbas called on lawmakers to leverage their legislative powers to support security agencies in overcoming these issues. He encouraged his colleagues to familiarize themselves with the newly developed legislative oversight manual, which offers guidance on navigating the complexities of security governance.
Additionally, the Speaker urged continuous evaluation of existing oversight mechanisms, advocating for both routine assessments and targeted investigations into security operations to identify and rectify inefficiencies or abuses.
He commended the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung for its efforts in strengthening the National Assembly’s institutional capacity and assured that the legislature remains committed to maximizing these resources for national benefit.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday held an Iftar dinner with the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Th pesident also hosted other governmental heads, including Ministers, heads of ministries, departments and agencies at the presidential Villa, Abuja.
Also present at the Iftar dinner which is part of the annual ritual of the President, are Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and Minister and cabinet members.
Among the state governors in attendance are Dr. Alex Otti of Abia State, Pastor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Hyacinth Alia of Benue , Babagana Zulum of Borno, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Monday Okpebholo of Edo, Muhammad Yahaya of Gombe, Umar Namadi of Jigawa and Uba Sani of Kaduna,
Others are Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano, Nasir Idris of Kebbi, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, Mohammed Bago of Niger, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo, Duoye Diri of Bayelsa and Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State.
Also in attendance were heads of key government agencies: the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Professor Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad, the Acting Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, the Comptroller General of the Federal Fire Service, Jaji Abdulganiyu, and the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Abba Kyari and the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Ex-Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has officially resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying the party’s deviation from its founding principles and lack of internal democracy.
In a statement released on Monday, March 10, 2025, El-Rufai explained that after extensive consultations, he had decided to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as a platform to continue pursuing his progressive political ideals.
Disillusionment with APC
El-Rufai, a founding member of the APC, said he had hoped that the party’s core values would remain intact, but recent events had convinced him otherwise.
“Developments in the last two years confirm that there is no desire on the part of those who currently control and run the APC to acknowledge, much less address, the unhealthy situation of the party,” he stated.
He further noted that his contributions to the party’s successes, including the electoral victories in 2015, 2019, and 2023, had been disregarded by the current leadership.
“The APC has castrated its organs and treated its membership with contempt in the last two years. I find this no longer acceptable.”
Announcing his decision to join the SDP, El-Rufai described the party as a better platform for promoting democratic values, good governance, and national unity.
“I have now decided to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and adopt it as the platform for our future political engagements and activities.”
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Senate President, Mr. Godswill Akpabio, has queried the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to hear the suit that was brought before it by the suspended lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Senator Akpabio, through his team of lawyers led by Mr. Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, queried the powers of the court to meddle in the affairs of the Senate.
At the resumed proceeding in the matter on Monday, Ogunwumiju, SAN, noted that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had yet to effect proper service of the court processes to enable him to file the necessary application to challenge its competence.
Aside from Senator Akpabio who was cited as the 3rd defendant in the matter, equally joined in the suit are; the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate; and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.
Meanwhile, counsel to the plaintiff, Mr. Michael Numa, SAN, maintained that all the parties were duly served, even he drew attention of the court to affidavits of service that are already in its record.
After going through the affidavits of service before court, Justice Obiora Egwatu confirmed that all the defendants were served.
At that juncture, Senator Akpabio’s prayed the court to grant a short adjournment for all the processes to be harmonised.
Following agreement of all the lawyers, Justice Egwuatu adjourned the matter to March 25, even as he ordered the parties to file and exchange all the necessary processes before the date.
It will be recalled that the court had on March 4, issued an interim order that stopped the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions from going ahead with the disciplinary proceeding that was initiated against the Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
However, despite the orders of the court, the Committee held its sitting and slammed the plaintiff with a six months suspension.
The plaintiff is among other things, praying the court to declare any action the Committee took within the pendency of her suit, as, “null, void, and of no effect.”
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