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Tinubu to declare House retreat open Tuesday
Tinubu to declare House retreat open Tuesday
…as Reps engage NNPC, CBN, FIRS, others on PIA, tax reforms
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives will on Tuesday commence a two-day retreat for members on Tinubu to declare House retreat open Tuesday economic laws, policies, and programmes of the Federal Government, especially under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
The retreat has been themed: ‘Economic Transformation & Development: Towards Effective Implementation of the Petroleum Industry Reform Act (2021) and Tax Reforms / Modernisation. The sub-theme is ‘Navigating Change: Legislative Strategies for Economic Transformation.’
President Tinubu is expected to declare the retreat open at the Abuja Continental Hotel (formerly Abuja Sheraton Hotel and Towers), while the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, CON, will serve as the host the event.
With the Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D, as the chief host, President of the Senate, Sen. Godwill Obot Akpabio, CON; Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Barau Jibrin; and Deputy Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, would speak at the event.
Apart from Wike, those expected to deliver goodwill messages at the opening ceremony are the Group Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kolo Kyari, OFR; Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, FCA; Clerk to the House of Representatives, Dr Yahaya Danzaria, Esq.; and Resident Representative of Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), Marija Peran.
The panellists and discussants will include Chairman, Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele; Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, CON; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Oil & Gas, Hon. Heineken Lokpobiri; Governor of the Central Bank (CBN), Dr. Olayemi Cardoso; Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN.
The retreat was designed to achieve the following objectives: “Understand the Petroleum Industry Act: Delve into the contents, purposes, and expected outcomes of the PIA, emphasising its significance in transforming the oil and gas sector.
“Legislative Oversight and Implementation: Explore the legislative role in overseeing the implementation of the Act, ensuring its provisions are actualised effectively and align with national interests.
“Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration: Identify opportunities for collaboration between the parliament, the executive, industry stakeholders, and communities to foster a conducive environment for the Act’s successful implementation.
“Policy and Regulatory Framework: Discuss the development of subsidiary legislation and regulatory frameworks essential for operationalising the Act, including addressing gaps or challenges.
“Drive Tax Reforms: Specifically focus on the parliament’s role in conceptualising, initiating, and implementing tax reforms that are equitable, efficient, and conducive to economic growth.
“Foster Collaboration: Create a platform for dialogue among members, experts, and stakeholders, fostering collaborative efforts towards economic and fiscal reforms.
“Promote Accountability: Emphasise the importance of transparency, accountability, and effective oversight in public financial management and tax administration.
The expected outcome of the retreat include enhanced understanding of the Petroleum Industry Act among members of the Nigeria House of Representatives, a clear roadmap for legislative and oversight roles in implementing the PIA, strengthened collaboration between the parliament, the executive, and other stakeholders in the petroleum sector.
Others are, recommendations for policy adjustments, capacity building, and regulatory frameworks to support the effective implementation of the Act, and deeper insights and knowledge that inform the drafting and passage of legislation supporting economic development and tax reforms.
The retreat would also cause improved capacity for effective oversight of government’s economic policies and public financial practices, ensuring alignment with national development goals.
Members of the Enugu State Caucus of Peoples Democratic Party, ( PDP) in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Nnolim Nnaji , Rt. Hon. Martins Oke and Hon Anayo Onwuegbu have welcomed Rt. Hon. Dennis Agbo and Hon. Chidi Mark Obeta of Labour Party, (LP) to the PDP fold.
They observed that the visionary leadership of Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mba in Enugu State has ignited massive decamps and unprecedented upsurge of membership of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in the state.
The caucus in a statement issued after the two members of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Dennis Agbo of Igboeze North/ Udenu and Chidi Mark Obeta who represents Nsukka/Igboeze South formally announced their transfer of membership to PDP at the resumption of House plenary on Tuesday said it was gladdening to receive them into the PDP fold.
They stressed that PDP in Enugu State was witnessing a great rebirth as a result of the transformative development agenda being unleashed in various sectors of the economy of the state by Governor Mba which has received global commendations.
The Enugu State caucus Leader, Rt. Hon. Nnolim Nnaji on behalf of the members further noted that Governor Mba’s investments in infrastructure, agro economy, and security among others have made Enugu State a tourist’s haven adding that with the good governance structure he has put in place, his second tenure would be a walkover.
Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, along with twenty-one other former members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), elected into the Assembly has officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), following a major realignment of political stakeholders across the state.
The defection of the twenty-two lawmakers has effectively transformed the Delta State House of Assembly into a one-party legislature, as the remaining seven members were originally elected on the ticket of the APC.
Announcing the development on Tuesday during the resumption of plenary after the Easter break, the Speaker stated that the decision was the result of extensive consultations with their constituents and political leaders throughout the state.
He emphasized that the move aligned with Section 109 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
While expressing appreciation to members for their contributions so far, Guwor urged the House to ensure the completion of all pending bills as the second legislative session nears its end.
He noted that the political shift towards the APC was in response to the realignment of stakeholders and the desire to align with the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.
“The mass defection of members of the Peoples Democratic Party, led by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, to the All Progressives Congress was made in the overall interest of Deltans and the state,” the Speaker said.
He explained that the decision followed extensive consultations held on April 23 and which cumulated on the official reception on April 28, 2025, at the Government House and the Cenotaph, respectively.
He said: “We are fully committed to partnering with the Federal Government to deliver greater development to Deltans.
“On behalf of the House, I commend the courage and visionary leadership of our Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, in making this strategic and timely decision.
“As a legislative body, we stand with His Excellency in this endeavour. This renewed partnership between the state and Federal Government must be supported and allowed to flourish, so that we can begin to enjoy its benefits in the shortest possible time.”
He informed the House that he had received twenty-two letters (including his own) notifying of the change of party affiliation from the PDP to the APC.
The defection, he said, was driven by instability within the PDP’s national leadership and factional divisions within the South-South Zonal Executive Committee, leading to internal conflicts and disunity within the party.
Citing Section 109(1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Speaker affirmed the constitutional basis for the defection.
“With this action, the Delta State House of Assembly is now composed entirely of members from the All Progressives Congress. We thank our constituents for endorsing this progressive course of action”.
A motion to adopt the letters of party change was moved by the Majority Leader, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, and seconded by Hon. Ferguson Onwo, who represents Isoko South II.
Speaking to journalists after the plenary, the Majority Leader, Hon Emeka Nwaobi reiterated that the defection was prompted by the crisis within the PDP.
“Our decision was based on the instability at the national level and the factionalization at the South-South level. Consequently, we chose to move to the ruling All Progressives Congress, in accordance with Section 109 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended,” he said.
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