On the 4th of February, the Senate convened at 12:18 AM, commencing with the recitation of the National Anthem. Prayers were led by the President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, CCON. The Votes and Proceedings of the previous plenary session, held on Tuesday, 14th January 2025, were reviewed and duly approved. Following this, oaths were administered, announcements were made, and official letters were read.
The President of the Senate commended Distinguished Senators for their dedication during the rigorous 2025 budget defense sessions conducted by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON, announced the appointment of Chairmen and Vice Chairmen for the newly constituted Senate Committees, following President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s approval of Bills establishing regional development commissions. In light of these developments, minor adjustments were made to committee leadership:
• North West Development Commission: Senator Babangida Hussaini (Chairman) and Senator Muntari Dandutse (Deputy Chairman).
• South East Development Commission: Senator Ori Uzor Kalu (Chairman) and Senator Kenneth Eze (Deputy Chairman).
• North Central Development Commission: Senator Titus Zam (Chairman) and Senator Isa Jubril (Deputy Chairman).
Additionally, several standing committees were reshuffled:
• Senator Abdul Ningi, previously Chair of the Population Committee, now heads the Senate Committee on FERMA.
• Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan, formerly leading the Local Content Committee, now chairs the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organizations.
• Senator Garba Maidoki was appointed Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports Development.
• Senator Joel Thomas now serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content.
• Senator Victor Umeh, formerly overseeing the Diaspora Committee, was reassigned to the Senate Committee on National Population and NIMC.
The Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, moved a motion for the Senate to honour the late Hon. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga, who passed away in January 2025 at the age of 59.
In a solemn tribute, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, allowed Senators to pay their respects, emphasising that her passing is a profound loss not just to the National Assembly, her family, or Ogun State, but to the entire nation. A minute of silence was observed in her honor, and prayers were offered for the repose of her soul.
The Senate expressed its condolences to the leadership and members of the House of Representatives and prayed for Almighty God to grant her eternal rest. A delegation of the Senate leadership was assigned to visit the Speaker of the House of Representatives to formally convey their condolences.
Adjournment:
The session adjourned at 1:45 PM and is scheduled to reconvene on Wednesday, 5th February 2025, for further legislative proceedings.
On the 5th of February 2025, the Senate convened at 12:22 PM, commencing with the recitation of the National Anthem. The President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON, led the opening prayers. The Votes and Proceedings of the session held on Tuesday, 4th February 2025, were reviewed and duly approved. Following this, oaths were administered, petitions were presented, announcements were made, and official correspondences were read.
Presentation of Bills for First Reading
1. Federal Polytechnic Act (Amendment) Bill 2025 (SB 683)
2. Federal University of Technology, Kabo (Establishment) Bill 2025 (SB 691)
3. Police Act (Amendment) Bill 2025 (SB 688)
4. Federal Medical Centre, Udi, Enugu State (Establishment) Bill 2025 (SB
689)tor Orii Uzor Kalu (Chairman) and Senator Kenneth Eze (Deputy Chairman).
Motion
• The Senate considered a motion to honour the late General Jeremiah Oseni, which was unanimously adopted. Senators took turns paying tribute to the late General, who was a former lawmaker and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). In light of this, the President of the Senate constituted a delegation, led by Senator Abba Moro, to represent the Senate at the burial ceremony.
Letter from Senator Ned Nwoko
• The President of the Senate read a letter from Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North), formally notifying the Upper Chamber of his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). He cited persistent and unresolved internal crises that have weakened the PDP’s position as Nigeria’s main opposition party.
Security Reports & Electoral Matters
• The Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, presented security reports and invoked Section 157 of the Constitution following a letter from President Bola Ahmed Tinuu, requesting the National Assembly’s approval to remove three Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for gross misconduct.
Key allegations and findings:
• The Suspended REC for Sokoto State, Nura Ali, was found to have received a $150,000 bribe from politicians to manipulate the 2023 general elections in the state.
• RECs Hudu Yunusa-Ari (Adamawa) and Ike Uzochukwu (Abia) were also implicated in multiple bribery scandals.
Following deliberations, the Senate, with a two-thirds majority, approved the removal of the affected electoral officials.
Presentation & Consideration of Reports
1. Report on Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) Nominees
•Senator Imasuen Neda Bernards (Edo South) presented the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions’ report on the confirmation of three nominees for appointment as Members of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
The nominees confirmed by the Senate are:
• Ibikunle Bayonle Fatai (Oyo State)
• Ikpeme Kenneth Ndem (Cross River State)
• Hon. Justice Buba Ibrahim Nyaure (Rtd) (Taraba State)
• The President of the Senate commended the Committee for its swift and thorough screening process
2. Report on RMAFC Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill 2025
• Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, Chairman of the Conference Committee, presented the report on the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill 2025
The Senate deferred deliberations on the report to Thursday, 6th February 2025
Adjournment
After an exhaustive session, the Senate adjourned at exactly 3:33 PM and will reconvene on Thursday, 6th February 2025, for further legislative
On the 6th of February, the Senate convened at 12:23 PM, beginning with the recitation of the National Anthem, followed by prayers led by the President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON. The Senate then reviewed and adopted the Votes and Proceedings of the previous session held on Wednesday, 5th February 2025.
Presentation of Bills for First Reading
Five bills were presented and read for the first time:
1. Federal College of Education, Dengi-Kanam (Establishment) Bill, 2025 (HB 35)
2. National Abandoned Projects Management Commission Bill, 2025 (SB 684)
3. Federal University of Health Sciences, Funtua, Katsina State (Establishment)
Bill, 2025 (SB 690)
4. Federal College of Nursing, Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State (Establishment) Bill, 2025 (SB 692)
5. Federal College of Vocational and Technical Studies, Idanre, Ondo State (Establishment) Bill, 2025 (SB 693)
Presentation and Consideration of Reports
• Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) Bill, 2025
• Senator Abdullahi Yahaya Abubakar (Kebbi North), Chairman of the Conference Committee, presented the report on the RMAFC Bill, 2025
• The Senate adopted the report as recommended by the Conference Committee.
• Confirmation of the Chairman of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)
• Senate Committee on Aviation, chaired by Senator Buhari Abdulfatai (Oyo North), presented its report on the confirmation of Captain Ons Najomo as the substantive Chairman of the NCAA.
• The nomination was considered and confirmed via a voice vote.
• Confirmation of National and Resident Electoral Commissioners
• Sharafadeen Abiodun (Oyo South), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, submitted the report on the confirmation of the following nominees for appointment as National and Resident Electoral Commissioners:
• Tukur Abdulrazaq Yusuf (North West)
• Prof. Sunday Nwambam Aja (South East)
• Sunday Feyijimi Ibiyemi (Ondo State)
Motion
• Following the presentation, the Senate confirmed all three nominees accordingly.
• Urgent Investigation into Allegations Against Nigeria’s Sovereignty. Senator Shehu Buba Umar (Bauchi South) moved a motion addressing allegations made by the Head of State of Niger Republic, Brig. Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, regarding a purported collusion between Nigeria and France to destabilise Niger.
• Senator Umar expressed concern that, despite the existence of diplomatic channels for resolving grievances, Brig. Gen. Tchiani chose to make unverified public accusations. He emphasized that such remarks tarnish Nigeria’s international image and undermine its sovereignty without credible evidence.
• Following an intensive debate, the Senate resolved to:
• Constitute an Ad-hoc Committee to investigate the allegations and provide recommendations.
• the Ambassador of Niger Republic to Nigeria for a formal inquiry into the source and credibility of the claims.
• Implement measures to prevent further baseless allegations that could jeopardise diplomatic relations between both countries.
Adjournment
The Senate suspended other legislative activities and adjourned at 3:12 PM.
The next plenary session is scheduled for Tuesday, 11th February 2025
