Politics
Reps Want Equal Status For Senate President, Speaker At Joint Session
The House of Representatives has adopted a resolution advocating for restructuring joint sessions of the National Assembly so that the Senate President and the Speaker of the House alternate the presiding roles.
This initiative aims to establish parity between the two chambers, an issue the lawmakers raised when Senate President Godswill Akpbio was honoured with GCON CFR.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu later reversed course and awarded Tajudeen Abbas, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, GCON.
Under the new proposal, the Speaker would initiate sessions while the Senate President would provide closing remarks, and vice versa. This resolution emerged from deliberations on the findings of an ad-hoc committee that examined issues of discrimination in the National Honours Awards between the two legislative bodies, as presented by House Leader Prof. Julius Ihonvbere.
According to Elanzanews, during joint sessions—typically held for events such as the president’s budget presentation—the Senate President, who serves as the chairman of the National Assembly, traditionally presides over the meeting. This has led to the Speaker giving closing remarks, raising concerns about perceived imbalance.
Recent discussions among House members intensified after the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, was awarded the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON). At the same time, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen received the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR). The Speaker was later conferred the GCON by the president, prompting further dialogue on the issue.
The House emphasised that alternating leadership roles during joint sessions would foster equality and address the long-standing perception of one chamber being superior.
While commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for exercising his discretion in awarding the GCON to the Speaker, the House insisted that similar recognition should be extended to the Deputy Speaker, the Deputy Senate President, and other principal officers from both chambers to ensure equity within the National Assembly.
Additionally, the House resolved that former presiding and principal officers of the National Assembly should also be considered for similar honours.
To reshape public perception, the legislature plans to actively promote its narrative, addressing the skewed representation of the National Assembly in media portrayals that have contributed to misunderstandings about the hierarchy between the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The committee highlighted the importance of eliminating terms that suggest superiority, such as “Upper Chamber” for the Senate and “Lower Chamber” for the House, as well as the term “Chairman of the National Assembly.”
Furthermore, the House proposed legislation to create a National Assembly Service Award, modelled after the Congressional Gold Medal in the United States, to recognise excellence, service, and dedication within the legislative body.
Lastly, lawmakers called for a review of the National Honours Act, Cap. N43, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, to align it with contemporary realities and the evolving political landscape, noting that the existing framework dates back to 1964.
The All Progressives Congress has fixed the nomination and administrative fees for aspirants vying for the different seats in the July 12 Local Government Election in Lagos State.
The fees are contained in the party’s election guidelines, jointly signed by Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi and Dr Adeola Jokomba, the APC chairman and secretary, respectively.
The party, in the guidelines released on Tuesday, said chairmanship aspirants are to pay N5 million as a nomination fee and an additional N500,000 as an administrative fee.
According to the party, female chairmanship aspirants are to pay N2.5 million as a nomination fee and the same N500,000 as administrative fee.
APC noted that aspirants below the age of 40 years would have a 50 per cent discount on their nomination fee, but will pay the same administrative fee of N500,000.
The party, however, waved the nomination fee for aspirants with disabilities, while charging an administration fee of N250,000.
“For the councillorship position, male aspirants will pay N1 million for nomination form and N100,000 administrative fee, while female aspirants will pay N250,000 for nomination form and N100,000 as administrative fee.
“Youths aspiring for councillorship positions will have 50 per cent discount for nomination form fee, while the administrative fee remains the same.
“Persons Living With Disabilities(PLWDs)will collect the nomination forms free for councillorship seats, while the administrative fee is N50,000.
“There shall not be a separate fee for Vice Chairman. These fees shall be paid by way of bank draft in favour of All Progressives Congress, Lagos State”,the party added.
Giving more details, the party saidthe nomination form for the chairmanship position shall be supported by five registered members, who are registered voters in all the aspirants’ wards, local government or LCDA.
It noted that for the councillorship seats, the nomination form shall be supported by 20 registered members, who are registered voters in the aspirant’s wards.
The party said all aspirants must be Nigerian citizens in addition to possessing other qualifications and meeting other conditions for the election.
“An aspirant must be educated up to at least school certificate level or its equivalent, and a higher qualification will be an added advantage.
“For council and LCDA chairmanship, the aspirant has to attain the age of 30 years, while for councillorship, the aspirant has to attained the age of 25 years.
“All aspirants are to submit evidence of membership of the party. Aspirants are to submit a demonstrable evidence of active party support.
“Aspirants must provide a portfolio of loyalty to the party. All Aspirants must sign the party’s Code of Conduct.
“Only aspirants cleared by the Screening Committee shall be eligible to stand election at the party’s primaries,” the party said.
According to the party , any party office holder interested in contesting for an elective office (whether party office or office in a general election) shall resign and leave office 30 days prior to the date of election or party primary.
It said that all aspirants “shall comply with constitutional provisions and requirements applicable to the public office they seek to contest for,”.
NAN
By Amos Tauna, Kaduna
A 13-member interim State Coordinating Council (SCC) of the Obidient Movement for Kaduna State has been constituted.
The appointments, confirmed in a formal letter signed by National Coordinator Dr. Tanko Yunusa, aimed at marking a strategic effort to strengthen grassroots mobilization and governance advocacy in the region.
According toYunusa, “The Obidient Movement reiterated its commitment to service, inclusion, and people-first leadership, urging appointees to confirm their roles via the NCC’s official link. Dr. Yunusa emphasized: This council embodies our resolve to build a New Nigeria from the ground up.”
He explained that the SCC would spearhead initiatives to deepen political education, coordinate advocacy campaigns, and foster collaboration with civil society and faith-based group.
The National Coordinator ztated, “The Obidient Movement continues to consolidate its presence nationwide, with Kaduna’s SCC expected to play a pivotal role in shaping its 2027 political strategy. The state’s socio-political significance in Northern Nigeria makes this appointment critical for broader national influence.”
The Kaduna state SCC interim members are
Elder Yusuf Solomon Danbaki – State Coordinator, Lawal Umar– Secretary, Barr. Kate Issue – Legal Advisor, Muhammed Liman – Grassroot Mobiliser, Jemimah Ebiega – Member and Mal. Ilyasu Muhammad – Member.
Others are Natty Auta – Member, Mal. Jabir Ibrahim Yaro – Member, Tinok Andrew – Member, Comr. Daniel Ejembi – Member, Mal. Usman Aliyu – Member, Saratu Larai Shekari – Member and Danjuma Saleh – Member.
Christian leaders and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi have extended Easter felicitations to Nigerians, urging reflection, compassion, and collective action to address the nation’s pressing challenges, including insecurity, hunger, and political tensions.
In separate statements issued on Sunday in Abuja, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, and Obi emphasised the significance of Easter as a time for spiritual renewal and national introspection.
CAN: Easter Reflects Nigeria’s Faith and Resilience
Archbishop Daniel Okoh, CAN President, described Easter as the “cornerstone of Christian faith,” symbolising Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for humanity’s redemption.
He noted that in Nigeria, Easter transcends religious observance, embodying a vibrant cultural celebration marked by colourful parades in Lagos and solemn processions in northern villages.
“Easter is a time when families gather, communities unite, and our rich cultural heritage is showcased through music, dance, and festive gatherings,” Okoh said.
He acknowledged the persecution faced by Christians in some regions, yet stressed the enduring spirit of Easter, which inspires resilience and unity.
Okoh urged Christians to engage in acts of kindness, promote interfaith dialogue, and work towards a just society.
“Let us reach out to neighbours of other faiths, fostering mutual respect and peaceful coexistence,” he added.
Kaigama: A Call to Address Insecurity, Hunger
Archbishop Kaigama struck a sombre tone, highlighting Nigeria’s escalating crises.
He mourned the recent killing of travellers in Uromi, Edo State, and ongoing violence in Plateau State’s Bokkos and Bassa areas, where communities have been devastated.
“These attacks underscore the urgent need for a sincere and coordinated response to insecurity,” he said.
Kaigama also decried the widespread hunger and economic hardship gripping the nation.
“Families struggle daily to put food on the table in a nation so richly blessed,” he lamented, calling for collaborative efforts to ensure no Nigerian goes hungry.
Expressing alarm over the rising kidnappings of clergy, Kaigama described such acts as a “blow to the conscience of the nation.”
He further addressed the political crisis in Rivers State, where a state of emergency was declared, cautioning against actions that could deepen divisions.
“No democracy can thrive without a culture of give and take,” he said, urging leaders to prioritise dialogue and the welfare of citizens.
Kaigama also condemned the “acrimonious political rhetoric” fuelling tensions, urging politicians to focus on governance rather than power struggles.
“Nigeria needs healing, not hostility,” he asserted, calling for accountability and protection for all Nigerians, regardless of tribe or faith.
Obi: Pray for Compassionate Leaders
Peter Obi, in a message signed by his spokesperson Ibrahim Umar, called on Nigerians to use Easter to pray for compassionate leaders who prioritise the people’s welfare. He described Easter as a celebration of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, offering a timely opportunity to seek leaders who emulate such selflessness.
“What is apparent in Nigeria today as insecurity and myriads of problems engulf the land is a visible abdication of responsibility by insensitive and indifferent leaders,” Obi said.
He stressed that Nigeria’s abundant natural and human capital should be harnessed to benefit the populace, lamenting the current leadership’s failure to do so.
**A Unified Call for Renewal**
The messages from CAN, Kaigama, and Obi converge on a shared theme: the need for reflection, compassion, and action to address Nigeria’s multifaceted challenges.
As Christians celebrate Easter, the leaders’ calls for unity, justice, and better governance resonate amid ongoing struggles with insecurity, economic hardship, and political division.