As the National Assembly reconvenes for plenary today, the focus will be on constitutional and electoral reforms, alongside escalating security issues affecting various regions of the country.

According to Daily Trust, in addition to addressing constitutional amendment bills, lawmakers are set to tackle several urgent matters. This includes the summons of the governors of Zamfara and Benue, pending tax reform legislation in the Senate, the summons of the Rivers State sole administrator, and various outstanding committee reports.

Upon their return, legislators are also expected to introduce new bills and motions aimed at addressing the welfare of their constituents.

In a statement yesterday, House of Representatives spokesman Akin Rotimi indicated that the plenary will prioritize discussions and legislative actions on critical national concerns, particularly the rising tide of insecurity in numerous states as well as broader economic challenges. He emphasized that these issues will shape the legislative agenda as members respond to the immediate needs of their communities.

Both chambers of the Assembly adjourned for recess on March 27, with an original return date of April 29. However, this was later postponed by a week to May 6 to allow members to partake in Workers’ Day events and attend to constituency matters, as explained by National Assembly Clerk Kamoru Ogunlana.

**Focus on Constitutional Review and Electoral Reform**

As lawmakers return, the ongoing constitutional review led by the 10th Assembly and amendments to the Electoral Act are expected to take precedence. Prior to the recess, the House of Representatives passed 81 constitutional amendment bills for a second reading in a swift process completed in just two days, without a debate on their general principles.

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Okezie Kalu, who chairs the committee overseeing the constitutional review, revealed that over 250 amendment bills have been submitted. The House is anticipated to continue its consideration of these bills.

Rotimi provided an update on the constitutional review and electoral reform processes, stating that during the recess, the committee’s secretariat and technical consultants held a retreat to unify memoranda and draft proposals. A list of bills that have successfully passed the second reading will be published soon, ahead of zonal public hearings to gather citizens’ feedback nationwide.

He added that amendments to the Electoral Act 2022 will also be prioritized, aiming to address legal gaps and enhance Nigeria’s electoral framework.

The Senate is similarly expected to prioritize constitutional amendment legislation. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele confirmed that constitutional and electoral reforms are also among the upper chamber’s key priorities, stating that the review of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), is progressing steadily.

**Engagements with Zamfara and Benue Governors**

The House Committee on Public Petitions plans to engage Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal and Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia on May 8, concerning allegations of interference with legislative activities in their respective state assemblies.

The committee has requested explanations from the governors regarding why the National Assembly should not invoke Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution to assume control of the affected houses of assembly during periods of dysfunction. This follows a petition from the civil rights group Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law.

Both governors have challenged the constitutionality of the summons. A senior official from Benue State indicated that the government is assessing the summons to determine whether the National Assembly has the authority to compel a sitting governor to appear.

Governor Lawal’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Mustafa Kaura, also criticized the summons, asserting that only a state assembly has the constitutional authority to summon its governor.

**Rivers State Administrator to Address House Committee**

Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, is expected to appear before the House Ad-Hoc Committee on the State of Emergency in Rivers after previously missing two scheduled hearings. He attended a hearing on April 25, requesting additional time to prepare his briefing, and is now expected to address the committee’s concerns regarding governance and security in the state.

**Addressing Rising Insecurity**

While the legislature was on recess, several states—including Plateau, Benue, Borno, Zamfara, Yobe, Niger, Katsina, and Adamawa—experienced a spike in insecurity. Lawmakers are expected to propose motions and resolutions aimed at mitigating the deteriorating security situation in their constituencies and senatorial districts, with security issues anticipated to dominate discussions in both chambers in the coming weeks.

Senator Bamidele stated that the Senate will collaborate with the executive branch to tackle the resurgence of violence and terrorism, emphasizing the commitment to ending acts of terrorism nationwide.

**Senate to Prioritize Tax Reform Legislation**

The Senate is set to focus on four key tax reform bills put forward by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as part of broader fiscal policy reforms. These bills—the Nigerian Tax Bill, the Tax Administration Bill, the Revenue Tax Board Bill, and the Nigerian Revenue Service Establishment Bill—were passed by the House of Representatives prior to the recess but are pending in the Senate.

Concerns have been raised regarding the delay in the Senate’s passage of these bills, especially since the House approved them two weeks before the recess. Senate Committee on Media and Publicity Chairman, Yemi Adaramodu, had previously indicated that the bills would be passed before the break, but this did not occur.

Senator Bamidele reaffirmed that the tax bills are a top priority for the Senate, stating, “First on our agenda is the further consideration of the Tax Reform Bills, 2024.” He emphasized that passing these bills is vital for overhauling the country’s tax system and enhancing federal revenue.

**National Policy Dialogue on Legislative Agenda**

As the midterm of the 10th Assembly approaches on June 13, 2025, the House will host its inaugural National Policy Dialogue on the Legislative Agenda on Monday, May 12.

According to Rotimi, the Speaker will present the 10th House Midterm Report Card and lead strategic discussions with stakeholders from government, civil society, the private sector, and international development partners. This forum aims to facilitate reflection and planning to reinforce impact-driven lawmaking and people-centered representation.

**Other Legislative Priorities**

Rotimi indicated that the House would also expedite the consideration of bills and reports that align with its legislative agenda. This includes reports from standing and ad hoc committees that are essential for delivering on the chamber’s commitment to responsive governance.

Senator Bamidele also announced that the Senate will commence the screening of nominees for significant federal appointments announced during the recess, including members of the management board of the South-South Development Commission and other executive positions requiring legislative confirmation.

Daniel Bwala, special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on policy communication, says former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar should accept that presidency may not be his destiny.

Bwala spoke on Monday during an interview on TVC, where he addressed issues surrounding political succession and the future of opposition politics in the country.

He asked Abubakar to embrace reality and collaborate with President Tinubu in building the country.

“If I have the opportunity to meet him face to face, what I will tell him is just this: ‘Your Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, you have to believe in destiny,’” Bwala said.

“God gives power to whomsoever He chooses. And it seems from the facts on the ground that it may not have been the will of God for you to govern Nigeria.”

He advised the former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to align himself with Tinubu’s administration to leave a lasting legacy, “even if it is realised through another person”.

“There are many other ways you can contribute. Since you have been a friend to President Bola Tinubu for many years, come together and bring your contribution towards the Nigeria that both of you wanted to create for the Nigerian people,” he said.

“Your legacy will be that in your political dying days, you will be able to achieve some of your dreams, albeit through your friend.

“But if he insists that he wants to run and he wants to become the president, as we have already seen it playing out, his political ending might not be as palatable as he’s thinking.

“Right now, from his political family, he has lost substantial people, probably 60 to 70 percent.”

Bwala added that younger politicians who once followed Abubakar are now determined to seek power in their own right and have shown no signs of retreating.

The presidential aide’s remarks come amid a gale of defections from opposition parties to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

There are speculations that some governors of the opposition parties may soon join the APC.

In March, Abubakar said he was unsure about contesting the 2027 presidency, adding that there must be a viable platform.

The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) says it will no longer accept cash payments at its post office counters nationwide from July 1, as part of new reforms aimed at modernising the agency.

In a statement on Monday, Franklin Alao, NIPOST’s director of corporate communications, said the transition to a cashless system is one of several initiatives under a reform agenda themed “Change of Renewed Hope Berths at NIPOST Shores”.

Alao said the new direction aligns NIPOST with global best practices, the demands of Nigeria’s growing digital economy, and President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.

“Beginning July 1, 2025, all Post Offices counters nationwide will no longer accept cash payments for their services. Customers will be required to use approved electronic channels for all transactions,” the statement reads.

“This is a crucial step in our modernization journey — one that ensures safer, faster, and more transparent service delivery.”

The director said the core of the transformation is NIPOST’s dedication to evolving into a modern postal service guided by innovation, accountability, value creation, and a commitment to service excellence.

“We are assuring Nigerians of a revitalised NIPOST that delivers superior service and embraces the future,” he said.

Alao announced plans to introduce a performance-based reward and recognition system to encourage excellence, alongside disciplinary measures aimed at promoting integrity within the agency.

NIPOST expressed appreciation to Bosun Tijani, minister of communications, innovation and digital economy, for his “unwavering support and leadership”.

The organisation also commended Isaac Kekemeke, the newly appointed chairman of the NIPOST board, and Tola Odeyemi, the postmaster general and chief executive officer (CEO), for their efforts in driving reforms, improving staff welfare, and boosting capacity development.

NIPOST added that with the initiatives, the postal service aims to position itself as a forward-looking, tech-driven institution playing a central role in Nigeria’s digital advancement by “Connecting Nigeria, Delivering Solutions, and Improving Lives”.