On Thursday, heavy security presence prevented protesters from gaining access to the National Assembly (NASS) Complex in Abuja.

Military men, police operatives, Department of State Services (DSS) operatives and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officials barricaded major roads leading to the Three Arms Zone.

Routes around the Supreme Court and Presidential Villa were also affected by the security lockdown, it was reported.

Access roads to the NEXIM Bank through Federal Secretariat axis, Bullet House and routes leading from Police Headquarters were restricted.

The operation began as early as 7am, leading to heavy traffic congestion.

Many workers who proceeded to the Federal Secretariat and National Assembly had to walk long distances to their offices.

Security operatives maintained a tight control at the entry points allowing only limited vehicular movement into the National Assembly Complex.

The deployment came after planned protests by Take-It-Back Movement, a civil society organisation led by activist and 2027 African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.

The group was to demonstrate against worsening insecurity in the country. It also asked for the rescue of abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

The Three Arms Zone was cordoned off by security operatives to prevent the protesters from gaining access to the National Assembly Complex.

At the time of filing this report they could not get near the area because of a heavy security cordon.

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The House of Representatives was thrown into a rowdy session on Thursday, June 4, as the Deputy Spokesperson of the House, Philip Agbese, accused the signatures on a circulated list of opposition lawmakers purportedly endorsing Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere for the position of Minority Leader, were forged.

It was gathered that the controversy followed reports that 61 members of the Minority Caucus allegedly appended their signatures to a document nominating Ugochinyere, a member of the Action People’s Party, for the principal office.

Agbese’s name and signature were said to be on the list, a development he denied on the floor of the House.

The issue was compounded by a report from an online newspaper, Aljazirah, which alleged that each of the 61 lawmakers received $50,000 before signing the document.

Agbese Wants Motion of Privilege
Agbese, who rose on a motion of personal privilege, said the publication and the use of his name on the endorsement list had violated his privilege as a member of the House and that of the Minority Caucus.

He said his signature was forged and he did not sign any document nominating Ugochinyere as the Minority Leader.

“I saw yesterday on the internet a document with my name on it, allegedly nominating a member of this House for the position of minority leader,” he said.

Agbese said he had spoken with several lawmakers including Ugochinyere, but said the talks were not about endorsing anyone for the position of Minority Leader.

He said his dealings with Ugochinyere was in respect of the welfare of minority lawmakers and issues of constituency projects.

I had spoken and argued and visited many members of this house. One of the people I had such discussions with was my colleague, Honourable Ikenga Ugochinyere. Our discussion was basically around the welfare of members of the minority.

“Number two was on the issue of the executive not adhering to issues to do with our constituency projects,” he said.

‘My Signature Was Faked’
Agbese said he did not give anyone the permission to put his name and signature on the list of nominations.

He said he hadn’t seen the individual who allegedly signed the document on his behalf in months.

“The person who signed this document, Honourable Seyi, I have not seen him since December 2025, so I am at a loss and I feel that my legislative privilege has been breached because this amounts to forgery for my signature to be used for purposes which were not intended,” he said.

The legislator also denied receiving any money from anyone related to the alleged endorsement.

“I read on a social media blog that members were given so much money. “I did not get any amount of money from anybody,” he said.

Agbese said the allegation had raised concerns among his constituents who have been calling him for clarification.

“My constituents have been phoning me up. This isn’t the first time I’ve been named in an issue like this. “I don’t want to be involved, and I don’t want my name to be further besmirched as far as this is concerned because I have a right as a member of this House to have my privileges fully protected,” he added.

He said further that the matter had to do with his personal integrity and should be properly investigated by the House.

“This is me being honest. I mean, I never signed any document and I never received any amount of money and I will never do.

“I will bring the list to the House plus the link to the online report for this House to look into the matter,” he said.

House will act, speaker says
Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, ruled that Agbese’s motion had been noted and assured that the House would take appropriate action when the time comes.

However, shortly after the ruling, Ugochinyere stood on a motion of personal explanation, arguing that he needed to respond to the allegations made against him on live broadcast.

He told the House that Agbese was not present at the meeting where he was elected by what he called an overwhelming majority of the Minority Caucus.

“But he said Agbese later came to his office to affix his signature on the document already signed by other members who supported his emergence.

“I shall produce evidence and witnesses to support my position. “I insist that there was no forgery.

Naija News learnt that the chamber became rowdy after Agbese interrupted Ugochinyere by saying that he never signed any document.

Several lawmakers jumped from their seats and got into a shouting match, and the Speaker repeatedly called for calm.

After a few minutes of disorder, Abbas reminded members that a meeting of the Minority Caucus had already been scheduled for 2pm, where the issue would be discussed at length.

A number of members, however, held up their hands to speak on the issue despite the Speaker’s intervention.

Rivers Lawmakers protest over Ugochinyere’s attempt
Solomon Bob, a member of the APC from Rivers State, cited House Rule 7(15) that only experienced members should hold principal offices.

Bob said Ugochinyere had spent less than three years in the House while opposition lawmakers had more than 10 years of legislative experience.

He stressed that Ugochinyere must not be allowed to emerge as the Minority Leader.

Another APC lawmaker from Rivers State, Dagomie Abiante, also spoke, saying that Ugochinyere’s explanation should not be allowed to enter the records of the House.

Abiante argued that the position canvassed by Ugochinyere should be ignored and expunged from the records.

But speaker Abbas said all inputs and grievances on the issue should be taken to the Minority Caucus meeting.

He then moved the House to the order of the day, bringing the heated exchange on the floor to an end.

The post Reps Plenary Erupts as Ugochinyere’s Minority Leader Bid Sparks Tension appeared first on TheNigerian.

The Senate rescinded its amendment barring first-timers from contesting presiding offices, reopening the 2027 race for Senate President and Deputy Senate President on Thursday as controversy rages on the amendment of Senate Standing Rules.
The reversal was adopted following a motion sponsored by Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, and presided over by the Deputy President of the Senate, Jubrin Barau.
The motion he brought before the Chamber for consideration and approval is titled: “Recession and Re-Committal of Order 2 (2) and Order 3(1) of the Senate Standing Orders, 2023, as amended”.

Presenting the motion, the Leader said: “The Senate recalls that the Senate Standing Orders were considered and amended on Tuesday, 5th May, 2026; “The Senate observes that upon further legislative and constitutional review, certain provisions introduced under Order 2(2) and Order 3(1) may give rise to constitutional inconsistencies and unintended tensions with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), particularly Section 52 thereof; “The Senate notes that it is necessary to ensure that the Standing Orders of the Senate remain fully consistent with constitutional provisions, established parliamentary conventions, and legislative practice; “Further notes that the Senate possesses the inherent parliamentary authority to revisit, rescind, and recommit any matter previously decided upon in order to preserve the integrity of its proceedings and legislative framework; “The Senate accordingly resolves to rescind its earlier decisions relating to the amendments made to Order 2(2) and Order 3(1) of the Senate Standing Orders, 2026.”
The earlier amendment on Tuesday required any Senator seeking to contest for presiding or principal offices to have served in the Senate for two consecutive terms adding up to eight years.
The clause excluded newly elected Senators and those who were returning after a period away, leaving eligibility to only a few ranking lawmakers, a development that stirred agitation in the Chamber.
The rule had drawn criticism from the public, with potential victims describing it as an attempt to exclude influential political figures expected to enter the Senate in 2027, such as outgoing governors and former ministers.
The amendment was criticized as reducing democratic choice and entrenching a closed caucus, but supporters said it would guarantee experienced leadership in the Senate.
The scrapping of the rule has thrown the leadership contest for the 11th National Assembly open to all elected Senators irrespective of tenure.
The decision is especially important for people like Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, who is expected to run for Senate in 2027, despite not serving a second term as governor.
The about-face also underscores a change in the governing party toward a more competitive and inclusive process to select the next Senate leadership, instead of one that hinges on tenure restrictions to determine who qualifies.
The amendment was said to have been done following the rumour in the media space that former Senators Hope Uzodimma, Ifeanyi Okowa and Ovie Omo-Agege were contemplating return to the Red Chamber and would likely vie for the Senate presidency in 2027.

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Some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the National Assembly have threatened to defect to opposition parties if denied tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The lawmakers who spoke to The Leadership on condition of anonymity expressed frustration over indications that President Bola Tinubu had allegedly empowered governors of the party to decide who gets nominated in their states.

They said the development had left many federal lawmakers at the mercy of governors, some of whom they said were intoxicated by power.

One of the lawmakers, who confided in Leadership, said it was disappointing that the President had not taken steps to protect members of the APC-controlled National Assembly despite their support for his administration.

“Despite the support we have given the President, and Nigerians tagged us as rubber stamp, he could not protect us and reward us, leaving us at the mercy of the governors,” the lawmaker said.

Other APC lawmakers said they may join opposition parties if they are denied the party’s tickets, insisting that their constituents will still vote for them.

Some called on Tinubu to re-evaluate his stance, noting that lawmakers remained crucial to governance and his re-election campaign.

“As devastating and disappointing as this is, it is not too late for the President to change course. Another lawmaker, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “He has pending requests before us and a full budget to present.

But the controversy over automatic tickets has taken a new twist in the Senate. Governor of Kebbi State, Nasir Idris, hinted at such arrangement during a stakeholders’ engagement, naming some senators who might benefit.

They are Adamu Aliero, Abdulaziz Yari, Orji Uzor Kalu and Opeyemi Bamidele.

Others are Yahaya Abdullahi, Abdullahi Yahaya Abubakar, Idiat Oluranti Adebule, Danjuma Goje and Adetokunbo Abiru

Idris said that the lawmakers had played important roles in the stabilization of the National Assembly and in the strengthening of the relations between the executive and the legislative.

Despite no confirmation from the Presidency or the APC leadership on the automatic ticket arrangement, the development has continued to generate debate within the ruling party.

The post “Tinubu Could Not Protect Us After We Supported Him” – APC Lawmakers Threaten Defection appeared first on TheNigerian.

On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu met with the leaders of the Nigerian Senate at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.

Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, confirmed this in a statement on Thursday.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio led the group of lawmakers to the meeting, according to reports.

Onanuga’s statement confirmed that the meeting talked about things that were very important to the country and made decisions that would have a big impact.

“President Tinubu met with the Senate’s extended leadership on Wednesday at the Villa. The presidential spokesperson wrote on 𝕏 that Senate leader Opeyemi Bamidele said that “far-reaching decisions were made” at this important meeting, which talked about issues of national importance that needed to be dealt with right away.

Tonye Cole, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for governor of Rivers State in 2023, says that Nigerians may have to wait two to three more years before they really feel the effects of the economic reforms that President Bola Tinubu has put in place.

Cole said this on Tuesday while on Channels Television’s Political Paradigm. He talked about how people are worried about how long it is taking for macroeconomic gains to turn into real benefits for people.

When asked when regular Nigerians would start to feel better, Cole said that if the process is allowed to happen naturally, it may take longer than expected.

The APC leader stressed that even if macroeconomic indicators get better, the real test of government policies is how they affect people’s daily lives.

The post Bola Ahmed Tinubu Holds Meeting with Senate Leadership appeared first on TheNigerian.

Four members of the House of Representatives from Kano State have switched from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

It was said that the lawmakers involved are Abdulhakeem Ado from Wudil/Garko federal constituency, Umar Datti from Kura/Madobi/Garun Mallam federal constituency, Muktar Zakari from Tarauni federal constituency, and Sani Wakili from Minjibir/Ungogo federal constituency.

The Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, read their letters announcing their defection during plenary on Wednesday.

Two other lawmakers also switched parties during the same meeting. Kabiru Amadu, who represents the Gusau/Tsafe federal constituency in Zamfara State, and Emeka Chinedu, who represents the Ahiazu Mbaise/Ezinihitte federal constituency in Imo State, both switched from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The lawmakers who switched parties said they did so because of problems within their old parties.

In the past few weeks, the ADC has been getting more and more lawmakers as political alliances start to change in the run-up to the 2027 general elections.

Thaddeus Attah from the Eti-Osa federal constituency in Lagos State, Usman Zubairu from the Birnin Gwari/Giwa federal constituency in Kaduna State, and Sani Noma from the Argungu/Augie federal constituency in Kebbi State all joined the ADC after leaving the Labour Party and the APC just a day before.

The post Four Kano Lawmakers Defect from NNPP to ADC appeared first on TheNigerian.

On Tuesday, eight members of the House of Representatives officially switched political parties.

Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker, read separate letters of defection on the floor of the House during plenary to announce the defections.

This comes after the plenary session started again after the Easter break.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost five members, the Labour Party lost one member who went to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and the All Progressives Congress (APC) lost two members.

Kalu said that the defections across party lines show that Nigeria is not becoming a one-party state.

“This is to let the country know that no party is being held back. People are switching from the minority party to the majority party and then back again. He said, “This is the beauty of democracy.”

Thaddeus Attah, who represents the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency in Lagos State, left the Labour Party for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

He said he made the choice because of the long-standing leadership crisis in the LP.

Abubakar Abdul from Niger State switched from the PDP to the APC, Yakubu Noma from Kebbi State switched from the PDP to the ADC, and Ibrahim Mohammed from Kebbi State switched from the PDP to the APC.

Mudashiru Alani (Ayedire/Iwo/Ola-Oluwa) and Adetunji Olusoji (Odo-Otin/Ifelodun/Boripe) left the PDP in Osun State to join the Accord Party.

According to Naija News, David Fuoh (Taraba) left the APC for the PDP, and Bashir Zubair (Kaduna) joined the ADC from the APC.

Even after the most recent changes, the APC still has more members in the House.

In the meantime, the House put off its plenary session until Wednesday in memory of Hassan Danjuma, a Kano lawmaker who died on April 10, 2026, at the age of 66.

The post Eight Reps Defect to Other Parties Amid Political Realignment appeared first on TheNigerian.

The race for the Southern Borno senatorial seat ahead of the 2027 general elections has gotten more intense, with political groups and stakeholders disagreeing over plans to replace current lawmaker Ali Ndume.

On Wednesday, tensions rose because people in the district had different ideas about how to handle succession plans.

The Voice of Savannah Community Association, which is led by Comrade Ibrahim Ezekiel Mamza, said that what it called attempts to impose leadership on Southern Borno were not acceptable.

The group said in a statement from Maiduguri that some members of the All Progressives Congress had given a “laughable endorsement” to Abdullahi Askira, the Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly.

The group told people, including Sule Gambo, Dr. Hauwa Mai Musa, and Tafu Malla, not to support the lawmaker in the 2027 senatorial race.

The group was worried that Askira, who they said was against the creation of Savannah State, was now trying to represent the zone in the Senate.

It said that the goal was unacceptable and that the fight for Savannah State is still a big issue for the people.

Mamza told Askira and his supporters to apologize in public for what they said about the issue.

People with a stake in the matter are split on succession

Even though the group is against it, there are signs that some stakeholders are telling Askira to run against Ndume in the next election.

But Mamza said that people in all nine of the district’s local government areas, 101 wards, and more than 1,700 polling places are still unhappy with the endorsement.

The group also questioned Askira’s time in office, saying that there were no visible projects that were connected to his time in the State Assembly.

It also made people more worried about safety in the area, saying that the government wasn’t doing enough to deal with the problems caused by insurgents.

The group said that no one locality, including Gwoza, has a right to the senatorial seat. They said that representation has always been decided through open contests.

It pointed to past candidates like Satumari Haske, Mala Gadzama, and Ishaku Shara as proof that elections in the district are competitive.

The group supports Ndume’s re-election.
The group said that Ndume was a brave representative who was dedicated to protecting the interests of Southern Borno and that they still supported the current senator.

It said that his firing as Chief Whip of the 10th Senate showed that he was willing to tell the truth to those in power.

By 2027, it will be our job. The group said, “We vote for Ndume to keep speaking and representing Southern Borno in the National Assembly.”

The post Moves to Replace Ndume in Senate Gather Momentum appeared first on TheNigerian.

The All Progressives Congress, or APC, members of the state’s House of Representatives met with Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed on Thursday.

The governor is reportedly completing plans to switch from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling party, which is why the meeting is taking place.

“We are here today as members of the National Assembly to meet with our governor and leader, we are here today on a special invitation to discuss the ongoing realignment that is going on in Nigeria and most especially in our state,” a member of the Bauchi House of Representatives, whose identity was withheld, stated to the media following the meeting while Mohammed was present. to talk about how our state is developing politically.

“We have come to a certain positive conclusion, and in a short time we will come out again and make our position known so that the world knows what our discussions are about.”

Mohammed met with several African Democratic Congress (ADC) stakeholders earlier with a high-ranking PDP member as he weighs his options in advance of the upcoming elections.

The post BREAKING: Bala Mohammed Meets Bauchi APC Lawmakers Amid Defection Speculation appeared first on TheNigerian.

The Senate threatened Thursday to cut the projected 2026 budget of N58.472 trillion. Appropriation Bill due to what it called impractical income forecasts, subpar oil performance standards, and ongoing capital budget implementation issues.

During a heated exchange between the Senate Committee on Appropriations and the federal government’s economic team, senators publicly questioned the veracity of several crucial underlying assumptions in the record budget request.

To lessen Nigeria’s reliance on oil revenue and reposition the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy (FMACTCE) as a major force behind economic diversification, the National Assembly previously proposed a N1.5 trillion take-off grant for the sector in a related budget defense development.

When the ministry presented its 2025 budget defense to the Joint Committee on Culture, Art, and Creative Economy, the plan was made public. Throughout the meeting, MPs voiced their strong belief that, with the right structure and investments, the industry can produce enormous amounts of income, jobs, and foreign cash.

According to Hannatu Musa Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, the industry could provide over 2.5 million employment by 2030 and add $100 billion to Nigeria’s GDP.

Senator Solomon Adeola (Ogun West), the chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, questioned the validity of several fundamental tenets of the federal government’s 2026 budget proposal, stating that the budget paper required credible and implementable forecasts and came from the executive branch.

Concerned about what he described as a “recurring gap between projected and realized oil revenues,” Adeola cited examples of performance that fell well short of expectations, such as 18% in one fiscal year and 36.5%.

“What are the reasons for this degree of poor performance?” “What?” Adeola inquired.

He said, “Should we go with making changes or cut this N58.472 trillion budget? If we don’t lower it, you’re assuring Nigerians that you’ll reach these goals.

The legislature would not approve estimates that could exacerbate fiscal constraints, he cautioned, given that Nigeria’s debt stock is over N152 trillion and that debt servicing expenses take up a sizeable amount of revenue.

Adeola proposed that the debt portfolio might be reduced and future borrowing rates may be decreased by strategically selling assets. The National Assembly needed clarification, he emphasized, on whether the revenue statistics were for the federal government alone or the federation as a whole.

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Mr. Wale Edun was the first to come under fire, arguing that the benchmark oil production of 1.84 million barrels per day was a “stretch target” intended to spur performance.

“It is a stretch goal so that authorities do not settle for lower output,” Edun stated.

However, he continued, “we are within safe limits as long as we do not spend what we do not have.”

The 2026 proposal, he insisted, had prioritized security spending, revealing that emergency funds had been made available for vital military acquisitions, including those abroad.

“We all agree that security is to be prioritized,” Edun said. Emergency funds have been provided. At least twice this year, including yesterday, significant international payments for security equipment have been made.

Additionally, Edun stated that the high cost of debt for developing nations on global markets was the main cause of Nigeria’s debt problem, rather than the debt-to-GDP ratio.

High interest rates and the sustainability of debt are still major worries at the G24 technical group conference that Nigeria is presently chairing, he said.

With growth of roughly 4%, stronger foreign reserves, improved exchange rate stability, and less inflationary pressures, he claimed the economy was beginning to recover.

The minister went on to say that fresh investor confidence, notably Shell’s reported $20 billion pledge, indicated encouraging momentum.

Dr. Zacch Adedeji, the chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), seemed to partially agree with lawmakers when he warned that erroneous revenue projections will eventually compromise budget performance.

“Budget efficiency is not about the size of the budget, but about what you can implement,” Adedeji stated. We will put ourselves in trouble if we plan with 100 naira when we thought we had 10 naira. Realistic assumptions are the first step.

High production costs have a major impact on net revenue to the federation, Adedeji explained, adding that under the Petroleum Industry Act framework, taxes and royalties rather than gross crude sales currently account for the majority of government revenue from oil.

He revealed estimates that, under the current arrangements, almost 47% of the overall output of oil companies was converted into government money. He urged lawmakers to examine cost structures and implement fiscal restraint.

Additionally, the Senate reexamined their concerns on inadequate capital releases in prior budgets, including the 2024 and 2025 appropriations, which legislators claimed showed little implementation.

In response, the committee received assurances from Dr. Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite, Minister of State for Finance, that the remaining capital portions of the 2024 and 2025 budgets will be completed by March 31, 2026.

Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) have been instructed to upload their cash plans in order to facilitate disbursement for 2025 projects, Uzoka-Anite revealed, adding that payments for 2024 capital projects were starting right away.

“The system for financial management is back up and running. However, MDAs need to finish their documentation needs before we can begin,” she stated.

The discussion then transitioned into a nearly two-hour closed-door meeting that was attended by Shamsedeen Babatunde Ogunjimi, the Federation’s accountant general, and Senator Atiku Bagudu, the minister of budget and economic planning.

In the spirit of fiscal realism and sustainable economic management, the Senate indicated at the end of the deliberations that the National Assembly would be forced to reduce the N58.472 trillion budget unless the executive gave stronger revenue guarantees and changed its assumptions.

In the meantime, Senator Mohammed Onawo, the chairman of the National Assembly Joint Committee on Culture, Art, and Creative Economy, stated that the legislature was ready to discuss with Tinubu, under the direction of the National Assembly, the necessity of providing a sizeable seed capital that would allow the ministry to function autonomously and become self-sustaining.

Onawo put the ministry under pressure to figure out how much money it needs to operate without constantly relying on federal grants.

He asked how much take-off grant he would need to become independent if the federal government decided to remove him from the national budget.

There is no way to begin with nothing. We will talk about anything we decide upon here with Mr. President and the Senate leadership.

The committee suggested a N1.5 trillion take-off funding package after discussions, claiming that the tourist and creative industries had vast unrealized potential that may revolutionize the nation’s economy.

Lawmakers argued that the ministry might become one of the government’s biggest revenue-generating organizations with significant institutional improvements, policy clarity, and capital infusion.

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