Politics
National Assembly And Over Sight Functions
The National Assembly under the Nigerian presidential system
of government is a bicameral legislature with two chambers, namely the Senate
and the House of Representatives.
The 7th National Assembly was inaugurated on June 6, 2011,
with the Senate having 36 re-elected members and 73 elected for the first time,
making the 109 Senators of the upper chambers; House of Representatives with
360 members had 100 persons re-elected while 260 were first timers.
The 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as
amended provides that the National Assembly is the highest elective lawmaking
body of the country. It has vested in it the power to enact laws for the peace,
order and good governance of the federation.
No doubt, the National lawmakers had made relevant laws for
the betterment of society and corporate existence of the nation as well as
undertaken oversight functions to the best of their ability in line with the
principle of checks and balances.
Just recently the lawmakers intervened in the Central Bank
proposal for the introduction of N5,000 note and other denominations requesting
that the plan be kept in abeyance. President Jonathan also accepted the
resolution and subsequently directed the Central Bank to put the idea on hold.
This move was applauded by Nigerians for government being sensitive to
perceived negative impact of the proposal for the wellbeing of the common man.
In the words of Mr. Gary Hamel, author and research fellow
at the Harvard Business School, “The real challenge for leaders is not to seek
perfection in all issues but to set up structures that allow institutions to
thrive with their less than perfect leadership and the key strength of
democratic institutions are the capacity to adapt and evolve peacefully.”
There is no gainsaying the fact that members of the National
Assembly are political leaders in their own right, they represent the interests
of their constituencies whose mandate they carry and it behoves on them to make
justifiable laws for the benefit of the people.
Shortly after the proclamation of the National Assembly, the
issue of leadership structure created some challenges because the ruling
People’s Democratic Party (PDP), was alleged to have zoned major political
offices with the emergence of Dr Goodluck Jonathan as president from the
South-South region.
It was rumoured that the presidency have endorsed Senator
David Mark to continue as Senate President while the exit of former speaker
Oladimeji Bankole left a vacuum. Jonathan was said to have favoured a candidate
from the South-West but the odds weighed against her as majority of House
members preferred the incumbent speaker from the North.
Barrister Innocent Sunday, a political analyst and pundit,
fingered these initial scenarios as the contaminating blood in the political
vein of the house and the presidency.
“Otherwise how can you fathom the quick alliance with the opposition in a House
dominated by the President’s party members to issue impeachment threat for
below average implementation of the 2012, budget barely five months after its
passage.
Although, the constitution provides that any law passed in
any chambers must have a concurring response from the other and the state House
of Assembly are equally empowered to deliberate on such issues especially on
the impeachment of the commander-in-chief.
Simply put, if the plot was probably to attract the
attention of the president, then they have succeeded, otherwise, the effect was
like water poured on the back of a duck.
In a presidential system of government lobbying of lawmakers
by the executive and other interest groups, is a necessary pastime to either
support or discourage the passage of a bill into law, depending on which side
of the divide.
In America, President Barak Obama’s Health bill generated
controversy among citizens, Republicans and Democrats but it has since been
passed into law because the government utilised the instrument of lobbying.
This process which engages persons with oratory prowess and knowledgeable in
government affairs have been degraded in the Nigerian system misunderstood,
misrepresented and even given the colouration of bribe.
However, there is nothing that demoralises people more
effectively than the belief that other persons are being rewarded or favoured
for reasons that has nothing to do with talent, effort and results.
Without mincing words, President Jonathan and the National
Assembly have enjoyed cordial working relationship particularly for allowing
each arm performs its duties without interference. To this end, several laws
have been passed and assented to, some were inherited proposed laws improved
upon and given the green light like the Freedom of Information Law (FOI).
Worthy of note and rightly too is for the legislature to
discharge its oversight function on the executive arm to ensure that
appropriations approved in the budget for implementation were carried out.
Regrettably, such exercise has attracted misdemeanor consequences on the
lawmakers.
As earlier mention, the motion which was adapted by the
House on the non-implementation of the 2012 budget was sponsored by Chairman
Committee on Business and Rules, Hon. Albert Sam-Tsokwa, and 20 others. Opinion
is divergent on the rational for the hasty impeachment threat on the president
even when the Senate had not peeped into the matter, considering the time
frame.
Perhaps, the achievement of the House radicalism has
necessitated the need for early presentation of the budget and in compliance
with the perceived lapses Dr. Jonathan has concluded arrangements to present
the 2012, appropriation bill to the joint session of the National Assembly soon
to allow ample time for legislative inputs and approval.
Infact, under the current 7th Assembly, the Senate appears
to have demonstrated more maturity in debates, motions and resolutions to
justify their distinguished status as against the House that ventured into
critical sectors of the economy, raised hopes and aspirations of Nigerians
towards sensitizsing the system but unfortunately ended up debasing the very
essence of such endeavour.
The lawmaker began the oversight function journey that
brought dishonour to the honourable members with the Independent Power Project
(IPP) of the federal government, otherwise called Power probe headed by Hon.
Elemelu and the outcome of the engagement ended in scandalous circumstances.
As Speaker, Hon. Aminu Bello Tambuwal puts their duty in
proper perspective when he said “the act of law making is crucial to the
success of our nation in all sphere, however, the legislature does not work in
isolation but places great emphasis on its cooperation with other arms of
government.”
Again, in the spirit of patriotism to the father land, the
House in a motion brought before it resolved and indeed set up a probe panel
for the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), with the intention to redeem
the organisation. Sadly enough, the effort was marred by accusations and
counter accusations of alleged demand of bribe from the SEC boss Ms Arunma
Oteh. The rest of the issues can be confined to our political history as the
rife led to some level of ego and muscle flexing by the stakeholders.
Certainly, not done with controversies, the mother of them
all was unveiled in the now popular Faroukgate scam. Kudos must be given to the
House for its vibrancy and concern for the masses but having probably suffered
credibility questions in previous attempts, went into its arsenal and assigned
the petroleum subsidy probe to the litherto respected Hon. Farouk Lawan as
chairman with other equally ace lawmakers to dive into the hydra headed
downstream sector of the petroleum industry.
Hon. Lawan failed to learn from the mistakes of others and
literally urinated on his trousers. The courageous outburst of an oil merchant,
Chief Michael Otelola to expose corruption has today diminished the flourishing
political fortune of the once vibrant lawmaker.
Nigerian leaders must learn the key skills in achieving
balance in the onerous task of developing the country by engendering the
communality of interest and doing away with personal egocentrism. It has
therefore become pertinent to appreciate that despite individual differences,
the nation’s founding fathers worked together, devoid of rancour, bickering and
acrimony to secure. Independence.
Politics
Makinde Renames Polytechnic After Late Ex-Gov

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has renamed The Polytechnic, Ibadan as Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan, in honour of a late former governor of the State, Dr Omololu Olunloyo.
Dr Olunloyo, who died on April 6, 2025, was the pioneer Principal of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, while he also served as Governor of Oyo State between October 1 and December 31, 1983.
Governor Makinde made the announcement at the state interdenominational funeral service held yesterday in honour of the late former governor at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Liberty Road, Ibadan.
Governor Makinde said Dr Olunloyo lived an eventful life, adding that his attainment and personality could not be summarised in one sentence.
“He was not a man we could summarise in one sentence. He was a scholar, a statesman, a technocrat, a lover of culture and, above all, a man of deep conviction.
“While giving the exhortation, I was listening to Baba Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu and he said in 1983, Baba became Governor of Oyo State. Though his time in office was brief, his election victory over a popular incumbent remains a powerful testament to the trust people gave him.
“I talked about preserving and digitising his library yesterday [Wednesday] as a mark of honour to Baba Olunloyo.
“Today, we will be giving Baba another honour to immortalise him. He was the first Principal of The Polytechnic, Ibadan; that institution will now be named Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan.”
Earlier in his sermon, a retired Methodist Archbishop of Ilesa and Ibadan, Ayo Ladigbolu, described the late Olunloyo as a role model with intellectual inspiration and unassailable integrity.
The cleric said the deceased also demonstrated leadership in most superior quality during his lifetime.
In attendance were the state Deputy Governor, Chief Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal; wife of a former Military Governor of the old Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Dupe Jemibewon; wife of a former Governor of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Mutiat Ladoja; former Deputy Governor and PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; and former Deputy Governor, Hazeem Gbolarumi.
Others were the member representing Ibadan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency, Hon Abass Adigun Agboworin; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Oyo State Exco members; Chairman of Oyo State Elders’ Council, Dr Saka Balogun; Chairman of All Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State, Hon Sikiru Sanda; President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Adeniyi Ajewole; religious leaders and family members, among other dignitaries.
Politics
10 NWC Members Oppose Damagum Over National Secretary’s Reinstatement
Ten members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) have countered the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, on the reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary.
The dissenting members, led by the Deputy National Chairman ( South), Taofeek Arapaja, in a joint statement, said no organ of the opposition party could overturn the decision of the 99th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC).
The dissenting NWC members include Arapaja; Setonji Koshoedo, Deputy National Secretary; Okechukwu Obiechina-Daniel, National Auditor; Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary; Ologunagba; Woyengikuro Daniel, National Financial Secretary and Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, National Treasurer.
Others are Chief Ali Odefa, National Vice Chairman (South East); Emmanuel Ogidi, Caretaker Committee Chairman (South South); Mrs. Amina Darasimi D. Bryhm, National Woman Leader and Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese, National Vice Chairman (South West).
The group also insisted that contrary to the position of the acting National Chairman, the 100th NEC meeting of the party would be held on June 30 as earlier scheduled.
The statement read: “The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a press briefing by the acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, today Wednesday, June 25, wherein he attempted to overturn the resolution of the 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting which scheduled the 100th NEC meeting for Monday, June 30.
“The acting National Chairman in the said press briefing also reportedly announced that Senator Samuel Anyanwu has been asked to resume as National Secretary of the party contrary to the resolution of the 99th NEC meeting, which referred all matters relating to the office of the National Secretary to the 100th NEC meeting.
“The pronouncements by the acting National Chairman have no foundation as no organ of the party (including the NWC), individual or group has the power to cancel, overrule, veto or vary the resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) under the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).
“For the avoidance of doubt, the NEC is the highest decision-making organ of the party, second only to the National Convention. By virtue of Section 31 (3) of the PDP Constitution, the resolution of the NEC to hold its 100th meeting on Monday June 30, is binding on all organs, officers, chapters and members of the party and no organ, group or individual can vary or veto this resolution of NEC.
“Furthermore, the claim by Damagum that Sen Anyanwu has been asked to resume office as the National Secretary of the party is, therefore, misleading being contrary to the resolution of NEC.
“In the light of the foregoing, the 100th NEC meeting as scheduled for Monday, June 30, has not been canceled or postponed.”
Politics
Presidency Slams El-Rufai Over Tinubu Criticism …Says He Suffers From Small Man Syndrome
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has fired back at former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, following the latter’s scathing criticism of President Tinubu’s administration and his 2027 re-election prospects.
In an interview on live television, Mallam El-Rufai said it would take a “miracle” for President Tinubu to be re-elected in 2027, citing an internal poll that purportedly shows a 91 percent disapproval rating for the president across key regions in the country, including the South-East and the North. He also claimed that President Tinubu’s disapproval rating in Lagos stood at 78 percent.
Reacting on Wednesday via a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Onanuga took a swipe at the ex-governor, quoting a harsh assessment of Mallam El-Rufai’s character from former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s memoir, My Watch.
“Nasir’s penchant for reputation savaging is almost pathological,” Mr Onanuga wrote, citing Chief Obasanjo’s words. “Why does he do it? Very early in my interaction with him, I appreciated his talent. At the same time, I recognised his weaknesses; the worst being his inability to be loyal to anybody or any issue consistently for long, but only to Nasir El-Rufai.”
The presidential adviser emphasised Chief Obasanjo’s remarks that Mallam El-Rufai often tries to elevate himself by diminishing others. “He lied brazenly, which he did to me, against his colleagues and so-called friends,” Mr Onanuga continued, quoting the former President. “I have heard of how he ruthlessly savaged the reputation of his uncle, a man who, in an African setting, was like a foster father to him.”
Chief Obasanjo, who appointed Mallam El-Rufai as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory between 2003 and 2007, did not mince words in the memoir, describing Mallam El-Rufai as suffering from “small man syndrome.”
Mr Onanuga’s post is seen as a direct rebuttal to Mallam El-Rufai’s recent criticism and growing opposition role. The former governor is reportedly playing a central role in forming a new coalition to challenge President Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
In March 2025, El-Rufai officially dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), intensifying speculations about his 2027 political ambitions.
As the political rift deepens, Mallam El-Rufai remains one of the most vocal critics of the Tinubu administration, while Mr Onanuga and other presidential allies continue to push back against what they describe as “reckless” opposition rhetoric.
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