News

Reps Shoot Down Bill Seeking Rotational Presidency

Published

5 months ago

May 14, 2025

Editor

The House of Representatives on Tuesday rejected a constitutional amendment bill seeking to mandate the rotation of the offices of the President and Vice President among the six geopolitical zones.

The bill was one of seven proposed constitutional amendments listed for consideration during the plenary session presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu. All seven bills were ultimately rejected.

However, the House resolved to reconsider the bills individually on their merits during Wednesday’s sitting.

To facilitate a more efficient debate, the House had earlier suspended its rules to allow simultaneous discussion of the constitutional amendment bills, permitting members to focus on any of the seven proposals.

The rotational presidency bill attracted the most attention, sparking a contentious debate.

Leading the opposition to the proposal was Deputy Minority Leader, Aliyu Madaki, who argued that the principle of equitable representation was already covered by the Federal Character Commission.

“Rotation of the presidency should not be a constitutional matter,” Madaki said.

“Existing political parties already have internal mechanisms to ensure fair and equitable representation in the distribution of offices during elections.”

Sada Soli (APC, Katsina) criticised the bill as “disingenuous,” warning that it could compromise the quality of leadership.

“Adopting a rotational principle for the presidency will not serve the country’s best interests,” he said. “It will fuel regional and ethnic rivalry.”

In contrast, Shina Oyedeji (PDP, Oyo) supported the principle, arguing that it would address the longstanding agitation for fairness among Nigeria’s ethnic nationalities.

However, he cautioned that zoning could also create new challenges.

“If you adopt zoning and it comes to the South-West, for instance, which state will take the slot—Ogun or Oyo?” he asked.

Bello El-Rufai (APC, Kaduna) raised a constitutional concern about unforeseen circumstances, such as the death of a sitting president.

“What happens if the President dies in office, as happened in 2010 with President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua? Will the Vice President be forced to vacate office to maintain the zoning arrangement?” he asked.

El-Rufai further argued that a constitutional rotation clause would infringe on Nigerians’ rights to freely contest for any office, and that mistrust would persist regardless of legal provisions.

“No matter what you do in Nigeria, there will always be cries of marginalisation,” he said. “We should not set a dangerous precedent by entrenching this in the Constitution.”

The rotational presidency bill attracted the most attention, sparking a contentious debate.

Leading the opposition to the proposal was Deputy Minority Leader, Aliyu Madaki, who argued that the principle of equitable representation was already covered by the Federal Character Commission.

“Rotation of the presidency should not be a constitutional matter,” Madaki said. “Existing political parties already have internal mechanisms to ensure fair and equitable representation in the distribution of offices during elections.”

Olumide Osoba (APC, Ogun) also expressed concerns about the potential infringement on political party autonomy.

“While the amendment is unique, it would be out of place to constitutionally dictate to political parties how to select their candidates,” he said.

However, Minority Whip, Ali Isa, supported the proposal, stating that all six geopolitical zones deserve a fair chance to occupy the presidency.

He also advocated the principle to be extended to the state level, with governorship positions rotating among senatorial districts.

“There are competent individuals in all regions who can govern not just Nigeria, but the West African subregion,” he said. “Even the Federal Character principle supports fairness across all states.”

He praised the Deputy Speaker’s openness to the issue and added, “In 2027, we should allow the Presidency to go to the North-East, for the sake of fairness.”

Clement Jimbo (APC, Akwa Ibom) echoed this sentiment, stating that the bill aimed to address historical injustices against minority groups.

He proposed including a sunset clause to end the rotation principle once all zones have had their turn.

The House also rejected a bill seeking to remove the power to register and regulate political parties from the Independent National Electoral Commission and transfer it to the Office of the Registrar-General of Political Parties.

Another rejected proposal sought to increase the minimum number of Federal High Court judges to 100, or such number as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly.

Also turned down was a bill to expand the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to include admiralty matters such as shipping and navigation on the River Niger, River Benue, and other designated inland waterways, federal ports, and sea carriage.

A proposed amendment seeking to establish and grant independence to the Offices of State Auditors-General for Local Governments and the Federal Capital Territory Area Councils was similarly rejected.

It was aimed at improving fiscal oversight and promoting good governance at the grassroots level.

Another bill sought to create Ughelli East Local Government Area in Delta State.

Finally, the House rejected a bill to empower the National Judicial Council, in collaboration with the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, to determine and review the salaries and allowances of judicial officers and judiciary staff.

News

Lagos Unveils Artisan Certification To Curb Building Collapse

Published

5 hours ago

October 2, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory has launched a new certification and training programme for artisans in the construction industry as part of efforts to stem the spate of building collapses in the state.

The initiative, known as the Certified Structural Integrated Programme, was unveiled at a stakeholders’ forum held in Ese-Offin and Badagry, where block moulders, bricklayers, concrete mixers, steel fabricators and welders converged to pledge support for safer construction practices.

In a statement on Thursday by the Lagos Government, General Manager of LSMTL, Olayinka Abdul, said the programme marked a decisive step in tackling recurring tragedies linked to substandard construction materials.

“Without artisans, there is no construction. But with you, we have the power to ensure every construction is safe, sound, and secure. We need to earnestly curb episodes of collapse in high-water-prone communities, and we do not want such in your community. It ends today,” he said.

According to the statement, the CSIP is a five-year assessment programme aimed at certifying construction materials as fit-for-purpose.

It will also produce an official directory of approved block moulders, concrete mixers and steel fabricators, to whom developers will be directed for supplies.

“This is not just about enforcement; it is about partnership and empowerment. Together, we can forge an unbreakable alliance that makes Lagos a model for building safety and integrity,” Abdul added.

Technical experts at the forum highlighted the scientific backing for the initiative. Director of the Soil and Geotechnics Unit, Engr. Abimbola Adebayo, stressed the need for mandatory soil tests before construction.

Similarly, Kayode Akinfeleye of the Technical Services Department advised builders to ensure architectural drawings are obtained and preserved, describing them as “a core requirement in the Lagos building process.”

Artisan guild leaders welcomed the initiative. Chairman of the National Association of Block Moulders of Nigeria, Alhaji Fabiyi Oyeleke, described frequent collapses as “disheartening” and commended the forum as a step in the right direction.

On his part, Chairman of the Lagos State Bricklayers Association, Mr. Fashina Aro, noted the peculiarities of Lagos’s swampy terrain and urged all stakeholders to ensure materials and soil tests are completed before bricklayers commence work on any site.

Building collapse has been a persistent challenge in Lagos, with many lives lost and substantial property damage over the years.

In recent incidents, emergency responders have had to rescue workers from collapsed structures.

PUNCH Online reports that rescue teams pulled eight workers from the debris of a collapsed building in September.

Reports by the Building Collapse Prevention Guild show Lagos accounts for about 55% of recorded building collapse incidents in Nigeria over the past several decades.

In response, Lagos has taken steps to strengthen bodies like the Lagos State Building Control Agency, enhancing enforcement, monitoring, and regulation of building standards.

News

Edo deputy gov warns MOWAA Against encroachment

Published

6 hours ago

October 2, 2025

Editor

Edo State deputy governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, has warned management of Museum of West African Arts (MOWAA) to adhere strictly to laid-down demarcation between the museum and the Edo Specialist Hospital (ESH).

Idahosa, who gave the warning when he visited the site on Thursday, expressed displeasure over MOWAA’s alleged encroachment on ESH land despite earlier directives.

The deputy governor stressed that governor Monday Okpebholo had mandated him to ensure compliance with the demarcation lines.

“Governor Okpebholo asked me to advise and also warn the MOWAA management to stick to the demarcation lines between the ESH and the MOWAA institution,” the deputy governor said.

During the visit, Idahosa supervised the demolition of parts of the obsolete tuberculosis building at the hospital and monitored debris clearance to facilitate the hospital’s expansion project.

Recounting earlier efforts, he said: “Few weeks ago, we were here to give demarcation on the boundary between MOWAA and the ESH.Apparently, the MOWAA management decided to encroach on the land given to ESH.

“We came to let them know that the Edo State Government is firm on it, and we have given them the right coordinates. We have also sealed the part that belongs to the ESH, so MOWAA, at this point, can no longer encroach.”

Idahosa emphasized that the government’s priority remains the security and health of Edo people, noting that compliance with lawful boundaries is in the interest of both institutions.

“This is not a witch hunt. The governor is fair enough to allow MOWAA to continue with whatever we met on ground. He has not encroached or done anything contrary to the law. Hence, they should also stick and abide by the law,” he said.

The Chief Medical Director of ESH, Dr. Anthonia Njoku commended Okpebholo for protecting the hospital’s expansion interest.

Similarly, the Managing Director of the Edo State Development and Building Control Agency, Mr. Imoisili Igabali noted that negotiations had been ongoing with MOWAA over the demarcation and that a temporary perimeter wall had been set up in the meantime.

“As an agency, our responsibility in the state is to ensure that development in the state is done according to laid down rules and regulations,” Igabali stated.

News

Police Begin Enforcement Of Tinted Glass, Siren Regulations In Edo, Delta

Published

6 hours ago

October 2, 2025

Editor

The Zone Five Police Command have begun enforcing the ban on the unauthorised use of sirens and tinted glass permit regulations.

NAN reports that the zone five command located in the South-south Geo-political Zone comprises Edo and Delta.

This is contained in a statement by the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tijani Momoh, in Abuja.

The exercise, the command said, is in line with the existing laws and directives of IGP Kayode Egbetokun, which apply to all vehicles with tinted glasses, whether factory or non-factory fitted.

Momoh quoted the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the zone, Salma-Dogo Garba, as saying that the enforcement would also affect the subsisting ban on the unauthorised use of sirens.

According to Garba, there will also be strict enforcement on the use of revolving lights, Police SPY and unallocated official number plates, as well as the use of unregistered vehicles.

“In view of the above, motorists yet to register their vehicles with tinted glasses are strongly advised to do so at www.possap.gov.ng.

“Thereafter, they should proceed to their state command headquarters for physical verification.

“Those who are not desirous of obtaining the tinted glass permit are advised to remove such tints or replace the factory-fitted glasses with transparent ones, as legally provided by the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act 2004.”

The AIG warned field operatives and their supervisory officers to ensure that the exercise was carried out with utmost professionalism, devoid of any form of harassment or extortion of motorists.

He stressed that any officer found wanting would be duly sanctioned, while the concerned supervisory officer would be held liable.

Garba further urged motorists to cooperate with the Police during the exercise in order to ensure public safety and national security.

He also charged residents to promptly report any form of harassment, extortion, or other unprofessional conduct to the nearest police station, the commands CRUs, or the ZPPRO.

NAN reports that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, announced that strict enforcement of the Tinted Glass Permit requirement will begin across Nigeria on Thursday.

The directive comes under the authority of the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act, 2004, a law intended to bolster security and curb criminal behaviour.

Under the new mandate, all vehicles with tinted windows are expected to carry valid and verifiable permit documents, which must be presented whenever requested by law enforcement.

NAN