A Bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of an Independent Authority for the registration, regulation, and funding of political parties in Nigeria has scaled second reading in the House of Representatives.

The bill seeks to establish a dispute tribunal and regulate the funding of political parties as well as utilisation of the funds.

The bill, which was sponsored by the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, and another lawmaker, Marcus Onobun, further seeks to ensure transparency and a stable democracy.

At the moment, there are 19 registered political parties in Nigeria. The roles to be performed by the new independent authority are currently the responsibilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The independence and neutrality of INEC have been questioned by many including former President Goodluck Jonathan and former INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega, who decried the influence of political interference on the appointments of electoral commissioners.

“The electoral commission must be fully independent and we must have credible people. Political leaders who are so domineering and over-pressuring you (INEC staffers) to do what is wrong should resign and leave,” Jonathan said at a Yiaga event recently.

Similarly, Jega said, “There is political interference in the appointment or removal of electoral commissioners and other election officials.”

Bishop Isaac Idahosa, the 2023 Vice Presidential Candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), also lamented that nobody puts INEC in check.

Meanwhile, INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu has been pushing for the creation of an electoral offence tribunal.

“A major obstacle to the speedy dispensation of justice in this regard is that electoral offences are not time-bound as is the case with post-election offences through the tribunals. Furthermore, they are solely prosecuted by the Magistrate and State High Courts in the jurisdiction where the alleged offences are committed.

“No priority attention is given to such cases as the courts deal with a variety of other cases. Consequently, electoral offences are carried over from one General Election to another which may sometimes affect the diligent prosecution of the cases.

“It is therefore imperative to renew our call for the creation of the Electoral Offences Tribunal that has a specific jurisdiction and limited timeframe for the speedy dispensation of cases,” he said.

The Senate is anticipated to vote on the recommendation.

The Senate is contemplating a six-month suspension for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

This decision follows an investigation by the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, which has cited her for a complete breach of Senate regulations.

According to the committee’s recommendation, presented by its Chairman, Senator Neda Imasuen, Senator Natasha’s suspension is set to commence on 6th March 2025.

The committee also advised that her office be locked, and she be prohibited from accessing the premises of the National Assembly throughout the suspension period, with her salary and that of her legislative aides being withdrawn.

Furthermore, the committee recommended that she be barred from representing Nigeria in any official capacity as one of the country’s senators during the period of suspension. It was also suggested that the Kogi Central lawmaker may submit a written apology for the Senate to consider regarding her suspension.

The Senate is expected to vote on this recommendation, which, if upheld, would effectively revoke Senator Natasha’s legislative privileges for the duration of her suspension.

BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF

In the history of Nigeria as a country , I have not come across an unrepentant nationalist directly or indirectly like Senator Godswill Akpabio, Nigeria’s Senate President, the uncommon enigma who has made his impact felt both at the state , national and international level as a good ambassador in all spheres.

His state manhood, nationalist tendencies brought him to the fore of national politics soon after his well thought out eight years stint as Governor of Akwa ibom state, were development was taken to the highest pedestal at the state level , after holding forth as commissioner at the state level.

Senator Akpabio mien for good governance and leadership with distinct values brought him to represent the good people of Akwa ibom North West at the 8th Senate , were he displayed utter representation, constituency development, plenary presentation and active participation in adhoc , committee assignments as a first timer, owing to his flare for robust legislation and representation .

Because of his leadership acumen at the 8th Senate , Akpabio was appointed Minister in the Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to supervise the leadership at the defunct Niger Delta Ministry for consecutive four years, were development at that level was uniquely uncommon and commendable both at the development of infrastructure, human and advancement of both the country and the Niger Delta in particular.

His Ministerial stint saw a lot of initiatives and innovations to the hitherto agitated and denied Niger Delta people, that had brought a lot of succour to the good people of the area.

He revolutionised leadership and development to a high pedestal and improvement to his giant contributions to the development of both rural and urban areas of Akwa ibom state, with uncommon passion for uncommon development that earned him an ‘uncommon enigma’.

Senator Godswill Akpabio who returned to the 10th Senate after a break from national leadership from the 9th Senate , was highly favored and became the Senate President who is presiding over the 10th National Assembly leadership in 2023 till date with human face and high tolerance.

His incontrovertible leadership in all ramifications is been displayed in the 10th Senate from robust leadership, Legislative and Executive synergy and non- discrimination between Senators of various political parties that constituted the 10th Senate, that had been the bane of the thriving 10th Senate leadership and the current dispensation.

As Chairman of the National Assembly and Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has ensured a smooth and serene relationship between the other arms of the executive which consisted Ministries, Departments and Agencies that had ensured the smooth running and execution of programs under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the last 21 months.

Senator Akpabio has displayed leadership with maturity, exposure and experience both at the National Assembly, international spheres and National Development.

As President of the Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly, there is no denial for a possible distraction from time to time , but his zeal to sustain the good leadership tempo had been on the high pedestal.

Therefore, Senator Godswill Akpabio is already tested and trusted administrator with high standard of both administrative and political experience, that had contributed to the growth of the country in all areas.

Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.