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Constitution Review: Senate passes bill to empower NASS,  State Assemblies to summon President, Govs over security concerns 

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Senate in Session
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***turns down proposal for special seats for women in legislature  
 
***rejects VAT inclusion in Exclusive list

***okays possible conviction as penalty for  failure to honour summons

 
The Senate, on Tuesday, passed a bill to empower the National Assembly and State Assemblies to summon the President and State Governors to answer questions bothering on security or any other issues on which the National and State Houses of Assembly have powers to make laws.

The bill seeks alteration to Section 67 of the Principal Act by inserting after subsection (3), a new subsection (4).

The new subsection (4) provides: “Nothing in this section shall preclude the National Assembly from summoning the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to attend a joint session of the National Assembly to answer questions on national security or any issue whatsoever, over which the National Assembly has powers to make laws”.

The bill further seeks to alter Section 108 of the Principal Act to insert a new subsection (4) to provide: “Nothing in this section shall preclude the House of Assembly of the State from summoning the Governor of the State to attend a sitting of the House of Assembly to answer questions on securoty or on any issue whatsoever, over which the House of Assembly has powers to male laws.”

Out of a total of 93 registered Senators, 77 voted in favour of the bill to summon the President and Governors, 13 against and 1 lawmaker abstaining, bringing total votes to 91.

The chamber also approved a bill to include Presiding Officers on the membership of the National Security Council.

It also passed a bill to make it an offence, and to provide for the possible conviction of any person who refuses to honour the summons of the National Assembly or any of its committee.

The bill seeks to alter Section 129 of the Principal Act to insert after subsection (2), a new subsection (3).

The new section provides: “Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Constitution, any person who after having been summoned to attend, fails, refuses or neglects to do so and does not excuse such failure, refusal or neglect to the satisfaction of the House or the Committee in question, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to such punishment as shall be prescribed by a Act of the National Assembly.

The chamber, however, turned down a bill to provide for more seats for women in the National and State Houses of Assembly.

Also rejected were bills to alter Part I of the Second Schedule to the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to include Value Added Tax on the Exclusive Legislative List; Removal of Transitional Law-making Powers of the Executive; to provide for Diaspora voting; to grant Mayoralty Status for the FCT; and appointment of Minister from the FCT.

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EKSWAMA BOARD MEMBERS APPRECIATE OYEBANJI, THANK GOVERNOR FOR OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE

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Members of the Board of the Ekiti State Waste Management Authority (EKSWAMA), led by its Chairman, Prince Oladele Adeniyi, have expressed appreciation to Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, for the opportunity and privilege to serve the people of the state.

The Board members, in a statement following the dissolution of boards and termination of appointments of political appointees by the Governor, described their tenure as a great honour and an opportunity to contribute to the development of Ekiti State.

They thanked Governor Oyebanji for the confidence reposed in them and for the support provided to the Authority throughout their tenure.

The members said they were particularly proud of their contributions towards promoting effective waste management, environmental cleanliness and a healthier environment for residents of the state.

They also commended the Governor for his commitment to good governance and the administration’s efforts to improve the welfare of the people and accelerate development across the state.

While accepting the Governor’s decision to dissolve the Board, the members said they remained grateful for the opportunity to serve and contribute their quota to the progress of Ekiti State.

They wished Governor Oyebanji continued wisdom, strength and God’s guidance in the administration of the state, assuring him of their loyalty and continued support for initiatives aimed at advancing the development of Ekiti.

The EKSWAMA Board comprises the Chairman, Prince Oladele Adeniyi; Hon. Ayodeji Ajayi; Otunba Olorunfemi Ayodeji; Bayode Obasonyin; Mustapha Adeniran; Mr. Omoniyi Joseph; Mrs. Mojisola Adewumi; and Mr. Bosunde Olufemi.

The Board members also expressed appreciation to the former Director-General of EKSWAMA, Hon. Olasunkanmi Onipede, for his leadership, cooperation and commitment to the success of the Authority during their tenure.

They acknowledged the valuable contributions of Hon. Onipede and the entire management team, describing their collaboration as instrumental to the implementation of various initiatives and programmes of the Authority.

The Board members said their collective efforts with the management team contributed to advancing the mandate of EKSWAMA and promoting a cleaner and healthier environment across the state.

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GOVERNOR OYEBANJI DISSOLVES BOARDS, TERMINATES APPOINTMENTS OF POLITICAL APPOINTEES

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Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has approved the immediate dissolution of boards, commissions and parastatals in the state, as well as the termination of the appointments of political appointees.

 

 

The affected political appointees include Special Assistants, Senior Special Assistants and Technical Assistants.

 

 

A statement issued on Sunday by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, said the decision was necessitated by the gradual winding down of the Governor’s first term ahead of the inauguration of his second term on October 16, 2026.

 

 

The statement, however, clarified that chairmen and members of statutory commissions are not affected by the dissolution.

 

 

Those exempted include the State Independent Electoral Commission, Civil Service Commission, House of Assembly Service Commission and Judicial Service Commission.

 

 

The governing councils of all state-owned tertiary institutions are also to remain in place, in line with the Governor’s earlier directives.

 

 

Similarly, the chairmen of the State Universal Basic Education Board, Local Government Service Commission and Teaching Service Commission will remain in office, although the respective boards have been dissolved.

 

 

Also exempted from the termination of appointments are Directors-General and Technical Advisers to the Governor.

 

 

Governor Oyebanji expressed appreciation to the affected appointees for their contributions to the success of his administration and their service to the people of Ekiti State.

 

 

He wished them continued success in their future endeavours.

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Benin-Asaba Road to Be Redesigned on Concrete Pavement

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Section of Benin-Asaba Road
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The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has said the 136-kilometre Benin-Asaba Road will be redesigned with reinforced concrete pavement following a directive from President Bola Tinubu.

Umahi made this known on Thursday in Benin City during the ‘Operation Rescue Benin-Asaba Road’ event.

He also clarified that the Federal Government had not awarded any company a contract for the emergency rehabilitation of the road.

According to the minister, the government is currently carrying out temporary intervention works to improve the condition of the road while arrangements for its long-term reconstruction are being developed.

Umahi said the Federal Government had presented three options to the concessionaire for the continuation of the agreement, but none was accepted.

He said the development had led to a new approach, with President Tinubu directing the redesign of the entire 136-kilometre dual carriageway with reinforced concrete pavement.

The minister said the project had been defined and that immediate intervention would begin on the Benin Bypass.

Umahi further explained that the emergency rehabilitation was not awarded to Hitech or any other contractor.

He said the Ministry of Works had instead hired equipment from contractors operating along the road corridor, including Hitech, CECC and CBC, to carry out the temporary repairs.

According to him, the ministry is still sourcing additional equipment and plans to undertake intensive intervention works to improve the road within the next four weeks.

The minister said the temporary intervention is intended to make the road safer and more accessible while the Federal Government works on the permanent reconstruction of the route.l

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