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Senate Passes 2nd Constitutional Amendment, Today
Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will today, make good its promise to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accelerate the process of the passage of its request for time extension in the electoral schedule.
The Upper chamber has also distanced itself from the alleged insertion of a clause for ‘right to first refusal,’ saying there was no such clause proposed in the second alteration.
By the passage of the second alteration, INEC will have more time to ‘play with’ as the commission will have to hold elections not earlier than sixty days before the May 29 hand-over date and not later than thirty days before the May 29 date which remains sacrosanct in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Speaking to Senate correspondents, after plenary, yesterday, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information, Senator Ayogu Eze said the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendment may likely lay its report today while the Senate is expected to also consider the report and vote on it at the same time.
“I want to say that we meant everything we say. Hopefully, by this week or so, we will be done with the constitutional amendment and transmit it… “I want to put it on record that we are doing our own beat, whatever is required of us we are ready to do it to ensure that this process goes on smoothly
“All things being equal, we were hoping to lay it today (yesterday) and vote tomorrow (today). But our technical committee is doing its work and we are meeting this afternoon. It is very likely that we can lay and vote tomorrow. Very very likey that we can lay it and vote tomorrow and then wait for the house because, until they pass it in the House, we cannot transmit.”
Senator Ayogu Eze also elaborated on the Senate ‘s interface with Chairman of INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega over the media report, which he said complained that NASS’s delay on the amendment may derail the 2011 elections.
He confirmed that the INEC Chairman’s denial of the allegation, and his follow up vote of confidence on the Senate has further ensured that NASS has really been doing all things possible to ensure a hitch free general election.
“I hope that you listen to Jega. He said we were doing everything possible and that the National Assembly has not constituted any distraction or any delay in the process of amending the constitution of the Electoral Act and has provided support to INEC to ensure that we have free, fair and credible elections
“I want to put it on record that we are doing our own beat, whatever is required of us, we are ready to do it to ensure that this process goes on smoothly.
I was also very happy that one of the most vocal critics of the process, Mr. Femi Falana was here and he confirmed that the civil society group is satisfied with the work we are doing to ensure that the process of holding free, fair and credible elections is on course”
On the issue of the clause right of first refusal, Senator Eze said the senate had never contemplated that and the committee on the constitution amendment has not come across such in the proposals for alteration in the constitution.
“I also know that the media has been awash with insinuation that in the National Assembly we have inserted the clause of right of first refusal.
I want to state categorically that that is not true. Nigerians are free to bring in whatever views they feel, but it will be the views of Nigerians that will prevail.
This National Assembly is very patriotic and we will not make personal and selfish laws that will serve the interest of the National Assembly alone as is being insinuated outside. We are not making any laws for ourselves.
“I am not aware that that clause is being considered by any of the chambers or any of the committees or sub-committees dealing with the process of amending the constitution of the Electoral Act. I want to clarify that before Nigerians.
The Senate spokesman also denied the insinuation that the lawmakers are only rejecting it because it is meant to favour the leadership of the National Assembly and not all members.
At a public hearing held at the National Assembly on the clauses for the second alteration in the Electoral Act, Monday, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC said it was comfortable with the ongoing second alteration of the constitution to extend the time-line for next year’s general elections in the country.
Speaking at the opening of a one day public hearing on the constitution second Alteration Bill, 2010 at the National Assembly, Abuja, Professor Jega said they had been privileged to have obtained and read a copy of the draft bill. According to him, the time they had asked for had been adequately provided for.
The Senate President, David Mark, noted that the National Assembly had no ulterior motive in the Constitutional Amendment as is being insinuated by the public.
Nneka Amaechi- Nnadi, Abuja
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have foiled attempts by drug trafficking syndicates to smuggle illicit substances concealed in carton walls, winter jackets, and body cream containers through Murtala Muhammed International Airport and a Lagos-based courier firm.
The agency said two consignments bound for Italy were intercepted at the Lagos airport, leading to the arrest of suspects linked to the shipments.
In a statement released yesterday, the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said one of the suspects, 37-year-old Friday Ehianuka, was intercepted on Friday, March 20, 2026, while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Rome, Italy.
The statement partly read, “Two of the consignments heading to Italy were to be moved through the Lagos airport where two suspects linked to the shipments were promptly arrested.
“One of them, 37-year-old Friday Ehianuka, was going to Rome, Italy on Friday, March 20, 2026, when he was intercepted while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight with 2,698 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed in containers of skin-lightening body cream, all packed in the suspect’s luggage.
“In his statement, Ehianuka, who is a resident of Milan, confirmed that he was to be paid a negotiated fee in Euros if he had succeeded in trafficking the consignment to Italy.”
In another operation on Wednesday, March 18, Babafemi said NDLEA officers at the departure hall intercepted another passenger, Christian Agbonhese, attempting to board a Lufthansa flight to Milan.
A search of his luggage uncovered 23,150 pills of tramadol 225mg, 4,000 tablets of tapentadol 250mg, and 1,320 pills of tramadol 100mg concealed in two large winter jackets.
“No fewer than 23,150 pills of tramadol 225mg; 4,000 tablets of tapentadol 250mg; and 1,320 pills of tramadol 100mg, all concealed in two large winter jackets, bringing the total number of opioids recovered from him to 28,470 pills. The 38-year-old Agbonhese is also a resident of Milan,” the statement added.
In a separate operation at a courier firm in Lagos, Babafemi said NDLEA officers on Monday, March 16, intercepted two parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 1kg, hidden in a carton shipped from the United States.
“Also thwarted was an attempt to export 158 grams of methamphetamine concealed in the walls of a carton to New Zealand,” he said.
In Kano State, operatives arrested Abdulkadir Mamuda, 35, with 102.5kg of skunk at Dan-Tsalle, while another suspect, Uche Johnson Festus, 47, was nabbed at Naibawa Gabas with 95.5kg of the same substance.
Babafemi said the agency also recovered 21,737 bottles of codeine-based syrup during a raid at Otto, Ijora area of Lagos on Wednesday, March 18, adding that two suspects, Chidiebere Anigbogu and Paul Nwagbara, were arrested the same day on the Third Mainland Bridge while conveying 8,380 bottles of the syrup.
In Edo State, operatives recovered 97.5kg of skunk from the residence of Akeem Idde, 37, in Ojah, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area on March 16.
In the FCT, officers intercepted a commercial bus along the Gwagwalada Expressway on March 18, recovering 91,840 pills of tramadol hidden in body compartments of the vehicle. The driver, Aminu Ali, 27, was arrested.
In Oyo State, a suspect, Bankole Bari, was on Tuesday, March 17, arrested at Oke-Oyan, Ibarapa LGA, with 71.2kg of skunk, which he smuggled into Nigeria from Benin Republic through the Oyan River.
In a similar development, “Not less than 586,000 pills of tramadol and Exol-5 were recovered by NDLEA operatives from Lawal Anas, 28, along Kaduna-Zaria Highway, Kaduna, on Tuesday, March 17, while 7,290 tablets of tramadol 225mg were seized from Musa Shuaibu, 22, at the same location on Friday, March 20,” Babafemi said.
In Taraba State, officers intercepted Aliyu Adamu, 26, along the Takum-Jalingo Highway with 77,660 capsules of tramadol, while in Adamawa State, six suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure of 82.8kg of tramadol in a truck in Yola.
The suspects include Ramatu Aliyu, Jungudo Abdullahi, Najid Abdullahi, Musa Mohammed, Usman Abdulrahim, and Musa Mohammed.
The agency said its commands across the country also intensified War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation campaigns in schools, worship centres, and communities during the week.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers of the MMIA, DOGI, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Edo, Oyo, FCT, Taraba, and Adamawa commands for the arrests and seizures, urging them to sustain the balanced approach to drug control efforts.
News
RSG Applauds FRSC, NDLEA For Enhancing Security In Rivers …As NDLEA Pushes For Drug Tests In Schools, NYSC Camps
The Rivers State Government has commended the dedication and collaboration of federal government agencies in sustaining security in the State.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the State Commander of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), CN Bature Dawa, in Port Harcourt, last week, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Dagogo Wokoma, said Governor Siminalayi Fubara appreciates the strong synergy between the agencies in promoting his administration’s vision of peace, prosperity and progress in the State.
Wokoma urged residents to remain law-abiding, noting that respect for the law is essential for good governance and sustainable development in all parts of the state.
He stated that the governor has remained committed to initiatives that promote peace and social order, stressing that the administration will continue to support programmes of federal agencies aimed at strengthening security and public safety.
“Our governor is committed to peace, progress and prosperity in Rivers State. I therefore encourage all residents, especially young people who are often targeted by those involved in drug abuse, to stay away from drugs, crime and reckless driving,” he said.
In his remarks, the State NDLEA boss, Dawa, disclosed that the agency has arrested 39 suspects in the state from December 2025 to date, including 16 new cases currently under investigation.
He explained that the NDLEA, through its Drug Demand Reduction and Drug Supply Control Units, has intensified efforts to curb the spread of illicit drugs and ensure offenders are brought to justice.
Dawa also called on parents and guardians to closely monitor their children, while urging hotel owners and managers to remain vigilant and prevent their facilities from being used for drug-related activities.
He further advocated the introduction of drug integrity tests in schools and within the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme as part of measures to discourage drug abuse among young people.
In a related development, Dr Wokoma received the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), CC Inyang Umoh, during a courtesy visit, and urged residents to abide by road safety laws and drive in consideration of other road users.
In his remarks, the FRSC boss expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the continuous support to the Corps.
Muslims in Rivers State have commended Governor Siminialayi Fubara for his dedication and commitment to the development of the state.
They also lauded the governor for promoting peaceful co-existence among various religious groups in the state.
Vice President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs ,Alhaji Nasil Awhelegbe Uhor, gave the commendation last Friday during the Eid-el Fitri prayer to mark the end of Ramadan fasting period, at the Port Harcourt Central Mosque, Niger Street, Port Harcourt.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the prayer, Alhaji Uhor said Governor Fubara has shown exemplary leadership in the affairs of the state.
Uhor who is the leader of the South South Muslim Ummah of Nigeria, called on Muslims to remain committed to the ideal of peace and fear of the Almighty Allah.
According to the Rivers State Islamic leader, the message is for Muslims to imbibe and allow the lessons of Ramadan to sink into their lives and shape their ways of doing things.
He urged Muslims to imbibe the culture of love and respect for one another.
“My message is that all Muslims should imbibe and allow the lessons of Ramadan to sink with them,” he advised.
Uhor stressed the need for Muslims and all Nigerians to remain patriotic, while avoiding all forms of anti-social behaviours.
He also called on the political leaders to put the country first, stressing that there is no need for Nigerians to continue to wallow in abject poverty when the country is so rich with natural resources.
Also speaking, the Chief Imam of Rivers State, Alhaji Ibrahim S Yalo, urged Muslims to fear God, and speak the truth always.
According to him, time has come for Nigerians to cultivate the habit of peaceful coexistence, speak the truth and be each others keeper.
“Nigerians own a duty to ensure peace, live together in fear of God and speak the truth always,” he said.
By: John Bibor