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Bills recycling, slow progression characterised 10th national assembly — Report

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Nigeria’s foremost parliamentary monitoring organisation and public policy think-tank, OrderPaper, says slow progression and recycling of bills has defined the first year of the 10th National Assembly.

Mr Oke Epia, Executive Director, OrderPaper, said this in a statement in Abuja while releasing its performance report card.

Ekpia said that the first year of the 10th National Assembly had witnessed a surge but slow pace of progression of sponsored bills,

He added that a significant number of such  bills were proposals recycled from the preceding 9th assembly.

He said that an analysis of the bills processed in the first year of the 10th National Assembly revealed a significant gap between sponsorship and progression of legislative drafts.

He said that data revealed that over half of the bills sponsored in the Senate between June 2023 and May 2024, were recycled from previous assemblies especially the immediate past 9th assembly.

“In a similar discovery, nearly one-third of the bills processed in the House of Representatives within the same period were resurrected from the past.

“This trend raises grave concerns about possible legislative “copy-pasting” and further swirls speculations of merchandising of bills in the federal legislature.

“From June 2023 to May 2024, the Senate introduced a staggering 475 bills out of which only 19 have been passed while 416 remain stuck awaiting second reading.

” In like manner, out of 1,175 bills introduced in the House of Reps within the same period, only 58 have been passed while 967 bills are awaiting second reading,” he said.

He further said that 15 senators, and 149 members of the house, which is 12.6 per cent of the total membership, did not sponsor any bill in the period under review.

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He said that 62 per cent of members of the House of Representatives with no bills to their names, were first-time lawmakers.

He added that the report highlighted a troubling lack of focus on critical issues of national importance.

“Bills related to agriculture and food security make up only 5.8 per cent of the total House bills and 7.3 per cent of Senate bills.

“Security-related bills account for 7.2 per cent of House bills and 5.4 per cent of Senate bills. This is in spite of the significant challenges faced by citizens in these sectors in recent years.

“Bills addressing these issues remain few, with many not even progressing past the first reading,” he said. (NAN

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Ned Nwoko Urges Oborevwori to Leave Behind PDP’s Old Ways in His New APC Journey — Emphasizing the Need for Transformative Change

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Ned Nwoko, the senator for Delta North, has called on Sheriff Oborevwori, the governor of Delta State, to abandon the “old habits” associated with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as he embarks on a new political chapter within the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement directed at the governor following his recent defection, Nwoko emphasized that this transition should not merely be a symbolic gesture but rather a transformative process. He urged Oborevwori to “move beyond politics of survival and embrace the politics of legacy.”

“No one pours new wine into old wineskins. It is essential to leave behind outdated practices, old political dynamics, and the arrangements that have contributed to the PDP’s gradual decline in Delta,” Nwoko remarked.

He commended the governor for his decision to join the APC, labeling it as a courageous move that could open up new avenues for both Delta State and the broader political landscape of Nigeria.

The senator pointed out that the APC, now “reenergized and focused,” has already initiated efforts for constitutional amendments, which include the establishment of Anioma and New Delta states.

“Foremost among these initiatives is the creation of two viable new states: Anioma and New Delta,” he stated.

“Let me remind you that this agenda was endorsed by the party leadership long before your defection, highlighting the APC’s commitment to rectifying historical imbalances and addressing regional marginalization.”

Nwoko urged the governor to take the lead in advocating for constitutional reforms, showcasing a renewed commitment to equity, inclusive development, and progressive governance.

“Your defection must transcend mere symbolism; it must be a catalyst for transformation. This is your moment to adopt a renewed sense of purpose and showcase your commitment to progressive governance, equity, and inclusive development,” Nwoko asserted.

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“The establishment of Anioma state will finally provide a voice, identity, and institutional power to the aspirations of Delta North, representing a long-overdue acknowledgment of a community seeking parity with its counterparts.

“The proposed New Delta will rectify significant internal disparities within the existing Delta state framework. It will empower marginalized communities, bring government closer to the populace, and pave the way for new economic opportunities.”

“For the first time, the APC possesses the numbers necessary to amend the constitution. This time, we can honor these commitments without imposing burdensome trade-offs on the South. We are not negotiating from a position of weakness; we stand resolutely in a position of strength.

“These proposed changes are not merely political; they are economic imperatives. They concern targeted governance, improved infrastructure, enhanced federal allocations, and grassroots democracy. The creation of two new states will serve as two new engines for development.”

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2027: South should be allowed to complete its eight years – APC Chieftain

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A chieftain of All Progressives Congress.(APC), Uche Nwosu, has said the South should be allowed to complete its eight years of presidency.

Nwosu, a former Chief of Staff to Imo government, stated this in an interview with newsmen on Saturday in Abuja.

According to him, the southern part of the country should be allowed to complete its eight-year tenure, just like the North did under former President Muhamadu Buhari.

“It is unfair and unjust to say power should return to the North in 2027. I am not in support of that. I’m 100 per cent in support of the south to compete its eight years.

“We have President Bola Tinubu who is from the south. So why should we, at this point in time, start talking about power returning to the north?

“Former President Buhari just finished his eight years. So, it is very justifiable that the south should finish its eight years too before we now talk about power shifting,” Nwosu said.

On the agitation for power shift to the South-East zone, Nwosu said that the people of the zone should allow Tinubu to finish his tenure first.

On his assessment of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration, Nwosu said it was too early to start judging the administration, advising Nigerians to still give it more chance.

He said that Tinubu had been able to record achievements in socio-economic and infrastructural development.

Nwosu stated that the president and his team were doing everything to address economic hardship, develop infrastructure and put food on people’s tables.

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On the move by some opposition leaders including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi and former Gov. Nasir El-Rufai to form a coalition to take over power in 2027, Nwosu said it was not a challenge to APC.

“Coalition is good, but I don’t see them coming together because they all have their different ideas, personal interests and ambitions,” he said.

The APC chieftain urged the federal and state governments to address the root cause of insecurity in the country.

He also called for more collaboration between government and communities on protection of the lives and property of citizens.

Nwosu suggested the deployment of more security personnel to the areas where there were insecurity challenges.

On the gale of defections by politicians and political office holders to the ruling APC, Nwosu said that this did not mean that Nigeria was drifting toward a one-party.

“There is nothing new about the gale of defections. It is the people’s choice to decide which party they want to join, especially when their parties are in crisis.

“We all know that PDP is currently in crisis, with more than one national secretary. Also if your party is in crisis, you cannot be talking about party manifesto,” he said.

He also dismissed insinuations that people who had questions to answer for their past actions were the ones joining APC, saying that this was not true.

“APC is a separate entity from the federal government. So, when you move from PDP to APC, it does not mean that if there is anything you have done in the past, it should be closed,” he said.

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He maintained that APC was waxing strong in Anambra, assuring of the party’s chance to win the forthcoming governorship election in the state. (NAN

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2027: Governor Buni speaks on dumping APC for Atiku’s coalition

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Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, has declared he will not join the opposition coalition led by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.

The Director-General, Press and Media Affairs, Alhaji Mamman Mohammed, stated this in a statement issued in Damaturu on Saturday.

Recalled that a viral text message had claimed that Buni and four other APC governors had concluded arrangements to defect to the opposition PDP and join the coalition before the 2027 general elections.

Reacting to this, Governor’s media aide described the viral message as baseless fabrications, unwarranted imagination and assumptions that did not cross path with reality in any way, shape and form.

He said that at no time was the author of the text ever been close to the governor to think that he could attempt to predict the governor’s political movement.

“Buni is no ordinary member of APC; he is not just an APC governor. He is APC in all ramifications, with APC flowing in his veins.

“His contributions to building APC as a two-term National Secretary and National Chairman who chaired the party’s convention committee makes him unique and whose imagination of leaving the party cannot be speculated,” he said.

Mohammed said that the author and his paymasters must have been interested in Buni’s political sagacity and only wished they would have the likes of the governor. It must be wishful thinking,” he said.

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