The Senate on Wednesday convened plenary, advancing key legislative matters.
Motions of Urgent Public Importance
The Senate considered and adopted two motions on the recent Boko Haram attacks on some military formations in Borno State and the recurring attacks in communities in Apa LGA of Benue State. The motions were sponsored by Senator Tahir Monguno and Senator Abba Moro, respectively.
Legislators were unanimous in their condemnation of these attacks which are intended to undermine the fight against insurgency in the country. In his remarks, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin bemoaned the unfortunate loss of Nigeria’s soldiers who have been very committed to the fight to end insurgency in the country.
The military is doing its best. They are fighting, laying down their lives for our safety, to defend the territorial integrity of this nation.
-Sen. Barau Jibrin
The Senate confirmed that the President has called on the armed forces to double up and directed that everything needed in terms of military hardware and all equipment and funds be released to make sure that the gaps that the insurgents took advantage of should be covered. Read more here.
The Senate also issued a high-priority call for federal intervention to address a worsening ecological crisis in Edo Central Senatorial District, warning that massive gully erosion and deforestation are threatening to wipe out entire communities across Esan Land.
The motion, sponsored by Senator Joseph Ikpea (Edo Central), paints a grim picture of a region on the brink of environmental collapse. Read more here.
Confirmation of Ministerial Nominees
Also at Wednesday’s plenary, the Senate received President Tinubu’s requests for the confirmation of a ministerial nominee, Muttaqa Rabe Darma, as Minister of Housing and Urban Development as well as the confirmation of Lamido Abubakar Yuguda as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). This is in addition to several other requests for confirmation of executive nominees for appointments. Read more here.
Presentation of Bills
Earlier, five bills passed the introductory or first reading stage at the plenary.
- Federal Medical Centres Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026 (HB. 55) and CCTV (Compulsory installation) Bill, 2026 (HB. 177) sponsored by Sen. Bamidele, Michael Opeyemi (Ekiti Central-Senate Leader)
- Utilities Charges Commission Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026 (SB. 1029) sponsored by Sen. Barau, Jibrin (Kano North)
- Border Communities Development Agency Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026 (SB. 1025) sponsored by Sen. Agadaga, Benson Sunday (Bayelsa East)
- Mining Sites Remediation and Reclamation Bill, 2026 (SB. 1028) sponsored by Sen. Ekong, Sampson (Akwa-Ibom South)
Nwoye Emerges As Senate Minority Whip Amid Wave Of Defections To APC
Senator Tony Nwoye has been appointed as the new minority whip of the Senate following a series of defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Nwoye, who represents Anambra North Senatorial District, was unanimously chosen by the Senate minority caucus to assume the position. His emergence comes after his predecessor, Senator Osita Ngwu, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC on Wednesday.
In a letter read on the floor of the Senate by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Ngwu said his decision was informed by his desire to align with Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah and President Bola Tinubu. Read more here.
Notice of Defections
Sen. Ngwu Osita and Sen. Anthony Yaro defected from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressives Congress (APC) and Sen. Ahmed Aliyu Wadada defected from Social Democratic Party(SDP) to All Progressive Congress (APC).
