In a statement signed by the group’s Project Coordinator, Hon. Muttaka Ahmed Ibrahim,  acknowledged the strong reactions trailing the case, particularly from civil society organisations critical of the senator’s six-month suspension by the Senate. While the court upheld the Senate’s constitutional powers to discipline its members, it described the suspension as “excessive.”

The court, however, ruled against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, ordering her to publish a formal apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page within seven days. In addition, the lawmaker was fined ₦5 million for contempt in a civil proceeding, a move the ARP says underscores the importance of adhering to judicial processes.

ARP cautioned against ongoing efforts by some civil society groups to mobilize mass protests in response to the ruling.

“While civic action is vital in any democracy, reactionary protests at this point risk inciting unrest and may weaken the very institutions we seek to strengthen,” the statement warned.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, justice, and national unity, the Arewa Revival Project urged youth-led and Northern-based organisations to redirect their energies toward constructive civic education and lawful advocacy that support institutional reform and national development.

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This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr., in Abuja on Sunday.

According to the statement, the leadership and members of the House of Representatives will participate in a Special Joint Sitting of the National Assembly scheduled to hold on Democracy Day.

President Tinubu is expected to serve as the Special Guest of Honour at the event and will deliver a national address to the lawmakers.

“The programme will also feature goodwill messages from former presiding officers of the National Assembly and the conferment of National Honours on select legislators by Mr. President,” Rep. Rotimi Jr. said.

The House Spokesman also revealed that the theme for this year’s Democracy Day celebration is:
“26 Years of Democracy: Renewing Our Commitment to National Development.”

He emphasized that the joint sitting marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s democratic journey, reinforcing the crucial role of the National Assembly in protecting democratic principles, promoting transparency, and driving national progress.

Rotimi Jr. called on Nigerians to reflect on the nation’s democratic achievements and embrace the spirit of the occasion.

“Democracy Day is a time for reflection, renewed patriotism, and a collective commitment to building a more inclusive, united, and prosperous Nigeria,” he added.

The June 12 Democracy Day commemorates Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999 and honours the legacy of the 1993 presidential election widely believed to have been won by late Chief Moshood Abiola.

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NGF in a statement proposed an “equitable” sharing formula for value-added tax (VAT).

The communique is signed by the Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum & Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq,CON.

The development was an outcome of a meeting between the NGF and the presidential tax reform committee, convened on January 16, 2025, to deliberate on critical national issues, including the reform of Nigeria’s fiscal policies and tax system.

The communique reads, “COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE SUBNATIONAL CONSULTATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT WITH THE PRESIDENTIAL TAX REFORM COMMITTEE.

We, members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and presidential tax reform committee, convened on the 16th of January 2025 to deliberate on critical national issues, including the reform of Nigeria’s fiscal policies and tax system, and arrived at the following
resolutions:

1. The Forum reiterated its strong support for the comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s archaic tax laws. Members acknowledged the importance of modernizing the tax system to enhance fiscal stability and align with global best practices.

2. The Forum endorsed a revised Value Added Tax (VAT) sharing formula to ensure equitable distribution of resources:

•50% based on equality,
•30% based on derivation, and
•20% based on population.

3. Members agreed that there should be no increase in the VAT rate or reduction in Corporate Income Tax (CIT) at this time, to maintain economic stability. The Forum advocated for the continued exemption of essential goods and agricultural produce from VAT to safeguard the welfare of citizens and promote agricultural productivity.

4. The meeting recommended that there should be no terminal clause for TETFUND, NASENI, and NITDA in the sharing of development levies in the bills.

5. The meeting supports the continuation of the legislative process at the National Assembly that will culminate in the eventual passage of the Tax Reform Bills.”

Daily Dates Nigeria reports that the introduction of President Bola Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bill sparked widespread debates across Nigeria. This proposed legislation aims to overhaul the country’s tax collection and administration systems, presenting an opportunity to create a more equitable and efficient taxation model.

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Senator Ubah was said to have departed Nigeria for the UK, two days ago. According to a close family source, he died in a UK hospital after complications from a recent tummy tuck surgery.

He would have been 53 on September 3.

Ubah had defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Young Progressives Party (YPP) last year but later re-elected into the 10th Senate under the YPP.

The late Senator was billed to seek APC’s ticket ahead of the Anambra State governorship election.

Ubah was a prominent politician, entrepreneur, and businessman who founded Capital Oil (CCO) in 2001 and served as its CEO until his passing.

The post Senator Ifeanyi Ubah Dies At 52 After A Failed Tummy-tuck Surgery appeared first on Daily Dates Nigeria.

The amendment, which are products of the public hearings conducted between May and June, 2021, are as follow:

Abrogation of the State Joint Local Government Account

This seeks to among others provide for a Special Account into which shall be paid all allocations due to Local Government Councils from the Federation Account and from the Government of the State to engender their financial autonomy

Establishment of Local Government as a Tier of Government

The aim is to guarantee Local Government as a tier of government with democratic existence, tenure to remove it from the apron strings of State Governments.

Also related to Local Government are amendments to change the names of Afikpo North and Afikpo South, Egbado North and Egbado South, Barikin Ladi and to correct the name of Atigbo and Obia/Akpor Local Government Areas.

Financial Independence of State Legislature and Judiciary

This is to make State Houses of Assembly and the judiciary financially independent so as not to be under the control and interference of the executive.

Compliance with Legislative Summons

The proposal is to compel persons to obey or comply with legislative summons to provide answers to matters of public importance.

First Legislative Session

The amendment is aimed at regulating the first session and inauguration of Members-elect of the National and State Houses of Assembly.

Legislative Bureaucracy

This is to institutionalise Legislative Bureaucracy-management and staff of National and State Houses of Assembly in the Constitution.

Constitution Alteration Bill

It is to provide for the procedure for passing a Constitution Alteration Bill where the President withhold Assent.

Overriding Executive Veto in Money Bill

This is to provide a procedure for overriding Executive Veto in respect of Money Bill (appropriation) so as to make law.

Placing VAT on Exclusive List

The proposed amendment seeks to include Value Added Tax (VAT) on the Exclusive Legislative List. It will make the collection of VAT an exclusive reserve of the Federal Government.

Removal Legislative Presiding Officers

The amendment seeks to provide for the procedure of removing the President of the Senate, Speakers of the House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly.

Pension for NASS Presiding Officers

The proposal is to provide pension for Presiding Officers of the National Assembly; President of the Senate and Speakers of the House of Representatives and their Deputies.

Revenue Courts

This amendment seeks the establishment of the Federal Revenue Court and the Revenue Court of a States.

Strengthening the Judiciary

The proposal is to further strengthen the Judiciary for timely dispensation of Justice.

Timeline for Civil and Criminal Cases

The amendment seeks to set timelines within which Civil and Criminal Cases are heard and determined at Trial and Appellate Courts in order to eliminate unnecessary delay in justice administration.

Related to the Judiciary are amendments to:

• Ensure Uniformity in the Retirement Age and pension Rights of Judicial Officers of Superior Courts of Records Delete the Reference to the Provisions of the Criminal Code, Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Act, Criminal Procedure Code or Evidence Act.
• Exclude the Period of Intervening Events in the Computation of Time for Determining Pre-election Petitions, Election Petitions and Appeals there from.
• Allow Court or Tribunal proceedings to be conducted remotely, virtually, online or through any media platform or technological innovation.
• Expand interpretation of Judicial Office to include Courts or Tribunals created by an Act of the National Assembly or a State House of Assembly.
• Provide for the Post Call Qualification of the Secretary of the National Judicial Council.
• Impose the requirement of fair hearing in the process of recommendation of removal of Judicial Officers by the State Judicial Service Commission.
• Include Judges of the National Industrial Court in the Composition of Election Tribunal.

The post 68 Ongoing 1999 Constitution Amendments appeared first on Daily Dates Nigeria.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, disclosed this on Tuesday during an interview on a television programme.

Femi Adesina said: “He (Buhari) will sign it (the bill) any moment from now, It could be today, it could be tomorrow, it could be anytime, but within the 30 days.

“It could be signed today; it could be signed tomorrow. In a matter of hours, not days. Hours could be 24 hours, it could be 48 hours; not days, not weeks.”

This comes nearly a month after lawmakers in the Senate and House of Representatives chambers of the National Assembly passed the harmonized version of the bill.

House re-amended the bill to include the direct and indirect primary options, the Senate re-adjusted to include the direct, indirect, and consensus modes of selecting political parties’ candidates.

Both chambers, thereafter, passed the harmonised version – the final agreed version of the amendment to Clause 84 of the bill.

This included the direct, indirect, and consensus primary modes of nominating candidates by political parties for elections.

The post Buhari Set To Sign Electoral Act Amendment Bill appeared first on Daily Dates Nigeria.

Gatekeepers News reports this was made known in a letter addressed to the presiding officers of the National Assembly and read at Senate plenary on Wednesday by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan.

Lawan affirmed that the President will be at the premises of the National Assembly by 12PM Thursday for the “annual ritual.”

The post Buhari To Present Proposed 2022 Budget appeared first on Daily Dates Nigeria.

The Upper legislative chamber, Senate rejected Lauretta Onochie’s appointment after Kabiru Gaya, Chairman of the INEC committee, presented a report in plenary.

Lauretta was nominated for the job by President Muhammadu Buhari in October 2020.

While presenting the report on Thursday, Gaya said the presidential aide was disqualified on federal character principles, adding that there is currently a serving commissioner from Delta state, where Onochie hails from.

The post Senate Takes Stand On Lauretta Onochie As INEC Commissioner Nominee appeared first on Daily Dates Nigeria.

In reaction to this, Chairman Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, in a statement said: “National Assembly is not responsible for the maintenance and renovation of the complex.

The Senate also added that the “N9billion approved for the renovation of the National Assembly complex in the 2020 Appropriation Act was never released by the Federal Government of Nigeria, Daily Dates Nigeria reports.

NASS noted that it is true that an initial appropriation was made due to the decaying nature of the National Assembly Complex which has not witnessed any major maintenance or overhauling since the construction.

He added that the amount was reduced to 9billion naira after the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Contrary to the widespread falsehood being peddled both in the mainstream and online media as a fall out of the reported incident of the leaking roof of the National Assembly Complex after a heavy downpour on Tuesday, 21 June 2021, it is pertinent to inform the General Public that the National Assembly and its leadership is not responsible for the maintenance and renovation of the National Assembly Complex and they have not received a sum of 37 billion naira or any amount for the renovation of the Complex.

“Even with this reduction, the sum of 9 billion or any amount is yet to be cash-backed or released to the National Assembly. None of this amount is even appropriated for the National Assembly bureaucracy or its leadership.

“It must be reiterated that the National Assembly Complex is a National Monument which falls under the purview of control of the Federal Capital Development Agency. In essence, the FCDA is responsible for its maintenance as well as renovation and not the Leadership of the National Assembly as being falsely bandied about.

“The leakage witnessed at the foyer of the National Assembly yesterday (Tuesday) justifies the apprehension of the leadership of the National Assembly and the FCDA and further underscores the need for an urgent intervention in revamping the dilapidated structures within the complex before it falls into further dilapidation with the attendant huge cost of a possible replacement.” The statement read in part.

The post Senate Speaks On NASS Roof Leakage appeared first on Daily Dates Nigeria.

Read his full speech:

SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE OCCASION OF COMMEMORATION AND CELEBRATION OF DEMOCRACY DAY ON 12TH JUNE, 2021

Fellow Nigerians,

I join you all today to commemorate and celebrate our Democracy Day. It is a celebration of freedom and a victory for one people, one country and one Nigeria.

2. As with all democracies we will always be going through improvement processes in our desire to reach the goal of a mature democracy, a strong, evolved and integrated nation state to be reckoned with globally.

3. In the last two years we have witnessed and overcome a good number of testy challenges that would have destroyed other nations especially relating to our collective security.

4. The indefatigable CAN DO Spirit of the Nigerian has sustained us and would keep pushing us to put these challenges behind us.

5. Unfortunately some of these challenges came in the shape of violent outrages leading to the loss of lives of many of our dear compatriots and the destruction of some of our infrastructure, including those devoted to improving our democratic processes.

6. Once again, I want to render my sincere and heart-felt condolences to the families and friends of our gallant service men and women who lost their lives in the line of duty and as a sacrifice to keep Nigeria safe.

7. I extend the same condolence to the families and friends of our country men, women and children who were unfortunate victims of such senseless arsons, kidnappings and murders.

8. I also share the pains of families and direct victims of ransom-seeking, kidnaped victims who went through unimaginable trauma in the course of their forced imprisonment.

9. Let me assure my fellow citizens that every incident, however minor gives me great worry and concern and I immediately order security agencies to swiftly but safely rescue victims and bring perpetrators to justice.

Fellow Nigerians,

10. When you elected me as your President in 2015, you did so knowing that I will put an end to the growing insecurity, especially the insurgency in the North East, but the unintended consequences of our scattering them in the North East pushed them further in-country which is what we are now facing and dealing with.

11. We will, by the Grace of God put an end to these challenges too.

12. Unfortunately, like in most conflict situations, some Nigerian criminals are taking undue advantage of a difficult situation and profiteering therefrom with the misguided belief that adherence to the democratic norms handicaps this Administration from frontally and decisively tackling them.

13. We are already addressing these obstacles and we will soon bring some of these culprits to justice.

14. We are, at the same time addressing the twin underlying drivers of insecurity namely poverty and youth unemployment.

15. Interventions led by Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria driving economic growth over the past 6 years are targeted mostly to the agricultural, services, infrastructure, power and health care sectors of the economy.

16. In the Agricultural sector, for instance, the Anchor Borrowers Programme resulted in sharp decline in the nation’s major food import bill from $2.23billion in 2014 to US$0.59billion by the end of 2018.

17. Rice import bill alone dropped from $1 billion to $18.5 million annually.

18. This initiative supported local production of rice, maize, cotton and cassava. Government financed 2.5 million small-holder farmers cultivating about 3.2 million hectares of farmland all over the country and created 10 million direct and indirect jobs.

19. Several other initiatives, namely AgriBusiness/Small and Medium Enterprise Investment Scheme, the Non-oil Export stimulation Facility, the Targeted Credit Facilities operated across the 774 Local Governments.

20. In the manufacturing sector the CBN – BOI N200 billion facility financed the establishment and operations of 60 new industrial hubs across the country, creating an estimated 890,000 direct and indirect jobs.

21. The CBN’s N50 billion Textile Sector intervention Facility increased capacity utilization of ginneries from 30% to nearly 90%.

22. The Economic Sustainability Plan – our rebound plan for the COVID-19 pandemic developed in 2020 is currently being executed. The plan is primarily focused on the non-oil sector, which has recorded phenomenal growth contributing over 90% to the GDP growth in Q1 2021.

23. Though marginal we have recorded GDP growth over two quarters; Q2 2020 and Q1 2021. This is evidence of a successful execution of the ESP by the Federal Government.

24. My vision of pulling 100 million poor Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years has been put into action and can be seen in the National Social Investment Programme, a first in Africa and one of the largest in the world where over 32.6m beneficiaries are taking part. We now have a National Social register of poor and vulnerable households, identified across 708 local government areas, 8,723 wards and 86,610 communities in the 36 States and the FCT.

25. Our conditional cash transfer program has benefited over 1.6 million poor and vulnerable households comprising more than 8 million individuals. This provides a monthly stipend of N10,000 per household.

26. I have also recently approved the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy Plan that augments existing plans to further reduce poverty in Nigeria.

27. As at the end of 2020, the Development Bank of Nigeria had disbursed 324 billion Naira in loans to more than 136,000 MSMEs, through 40 participating Financial Institutions. I am to note that 57% of these beneficiaries are women while 27% are the youth.

28. We are able to do all these and still accelerate our infrastructure development through sensible and transparent borrowing, improved capital inflow, improving and increasing revenue through capturing more tax bases and prudent management of investment proceeds in the Sovereign Wealth Fund.

Fellow Nigerians,

29. Our infrastructure revolution continues with key projects attaining critical milestones under the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund; The Second Niger Bridge, The Lagos- Ibadan Expressway and the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway.

30. I have also approved the establishment of Infraco Plc, a world-class infrastructure development vehicle wholly focused on Nigeria with a capital structure of N15 trillion.

31. The rail system is not left out as the Itakpe-Warri standard gauge rail was completed and commissioned 33 years after construction began. The Lagos-Ibadan double track railway line which I have just commissioned has commenced operations.

32. We are focused on ensuring that our infrastructure drive is key to economic growth and one that can be felt by every Nigerian. Building critical infrastructure in our ports is also opening up opportunities for the Nigerian economy.

33. My approval for 4 new seaports using a Public-Private-Partnership approach is hinged on growing the Nigerian economy. These four sea ports; Lekki Deep Sea Port, Bonny Deep Sea Port, Ibom Deep Sea Port and Warri Deep Sea port will create massive job opportunities and foreign investment inflows.

34. We have worked at deepening our Eastern ports leading to success like having three container ships berth at Calabar port, a first in 11 years. Similarly, on October 30 2019, an LPG tanker operated by NLNG berthed in Port Harcourt, the first time an LPG ship is berthing at any of the Eastern Ports.

35. As we invest in these new assets, we have also made strides in ensuring that they are secured and protected. In this regard I am also pleased to note the launch of the NIMASA Deep Blue project – which is an Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure that I recently commissioned. This initiative is designed to add to the layer of security we have to safeguard our maritime sector.

Dear Nigerians,

36. I will be the first to admit that in spite of our efforts and achievements which are there for all to see, there is still much more to be done and we are doing our best in the face of scarce resources and galloping population growth rate that consistently outstrips our capacity to provide jobs for our populace. Our over-all economic target of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years is our goal notwithstanding COVID-19.

37. In the last two years we lifted 10.5 million people out of poverty – farmers, small-scale traders, artisans, market women and the like.

38. I am very convinced that this 100 million target can be met and this informed the development of a National poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy. The specific details of this accelerated strategy will be unveiled shortly.

39. In the last one year, Nigeria and the whole world faced COVID-19 for which no one was fully prepared.

40. Our response to the pandemic involved making hard choices in balancing livelihoods and public health concerns. You are all living witnesses to how successful this has been due to a number of pro-active measures put in place. Our response to COVID-19 is globally acclaimed.

41. We were able to ensure that the various lockdown measures did not impact too negatively on the ability of ordinary Nigerians to continue sustaining their livelihoods.

42. During the pandemic, we disbursed N5,000 to 1 million Nigerians using a Rapid Response Register and advanced N20,000 to 750,000 beneficiaries of the Conditional Cash Transfer Progamme and provided 1.37 million Nigerians with palliatives from CACOVID.

43. At the same time the Federal Government released 109,000 metric tonnes of food reserve stocks and 70,000 metric tonnes of grains to the poor and vulnerable in all 36 states of the federation.

44. In addition, Government reduced interest rates from 9% to 5% for struggling businesses and extended credit facilities to 548,345 beneficiaries.

Fellow Nigerians,

45. When this administration decided to change our Democracy Day from 29th May to June 12th in my first tenure, it was not only to honour the sacrifices of the men and women of our country who fought for the return to democracy but also to demonstrate our commitment to satisfy the aspirations of the people and creating an environment for democracy to be an accepted way of life.

46. As your President, I remain committed to providing an enabling environment for a free, fair and credible electoral system under my tenure.

47. However, you need to play your part by getting involved at any level you can supporting a democratic system that works for all and not for a section or a select few and demand accountability from your elected leaders.

48. My commitment to bequeathing a sustainable democratic culture remains resolute, my pursuit of a fair society remains unshaken and my desire to see that Nigeria remains a country for each and every one of us has never been stronger.

49. In responding to the challenges that this period imposes on us, Government also recognises the need to acknowledge notions of marginalisation and agitations for constitutional amendments among various segments of our population.

50. While this government is not averse to constitutional reform as part of our nation building process, everyone must understand that the primary responsibility for constitutional amendments lies with the National Assembly.

51. This body which, as I said, is the arm of government responsible for constitutional changes has concluded the preliminary stages of amending and improving our constitution in a way that the majority of Nigerians will be happy with.

52. Government is, however, willing to play a critical role in the constitutional amendment process without usurping the powers of the National Assembly in this regard.

53. As a nation we have come very far from where we started and we are getting incrementally closer to where we ought to be.

54. Overcoming the present challenges is but one of a necessary process that we have to undergo as a nation so that we can come out stronger. The day I joined the Nigerian Army I was prepared to lay down my life for Nigeria.

55. As your President I remain ever committed to upholding and defending Nigeria’s Corporate existence.

56. In adhering to the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy notably section 14(2)(b) I shall do all within my power to ensure that the Security and welfare of the people remain the primary purpose of government.

57. I have, throughout my tenure, provided the security agencies with all they require relative to available resources and will be providing more as the dynamics unfold to put an end to our security problems.

58. My strong belief in the Nigerian spirit gives me comfort that we are facing these challenges with renewed commitment to keep our country one.

59. I thank you for your patience and attention and more importantly your resolve to join hands in making Nigeria the country of our dream.

Happy Democracy Day! God Bless us All, God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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