1. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the N37 billion meant for the renovation of the National Assembly complex as an unpardonable rip-off plot and the last straw of the brazen corruption that pervades the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration. PDP said it was indefensible for the Buhari Presidency to propose a whopping N37 billion for renovation work in the National Assembly complex, which was built at the cost of N7 billion naira. The former ruling party stated this in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan, on Tuesday.
2. President Muhammadu Buhari has signed the N10.59 trillion 2020 Appropriation Bill into law. The Senate and the House of Representatives had both passed the 2020 budget with a significant increase. The President proposed N10.33billion while the Appropriations committees on both chambers recommended N10.59billion. The breakdown of the budget revealed that out of the N263 billion increment, the National Assembly increased its budget from N125 billion to N128billion.
3. The House of Representatives, Tuesday rejected a bill seeking to provide for a single tenure of six years for president and governors. The constitutional amendment bill also seeks to provide for an unlimited term of six years for members of the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly. The bill, sponsored by John Dyegh from Benue state, scaled second reading at Tuesday plenary session. However, during the debate on the floor of the house, many lawmakers kicked against the bill, arguing that there was nothing wrong with the system Nigeria currently operates.
4. Atiku Abubakar, former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, has rebuked President Muhammadu Buhari over the country’s rising debt profile. Atiku particularly questioned Buhari’s decision to borrow an additional $29.6 billion to finance infrastructure. The former Vice President insisted that it was irresponsible to borrow more money when the financial indicators are flashing warning signs. In an article he personally signed and issued on Tuesday, Atiku said Nigeria was spending more money on debt servicing than on capital projects.
5. Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari has told those interested in elective positions in 2023 to work hard as he will not play with the electoral act in favour of any candidate. Buhari assured that he will supervise free, fair and credible elections in 2023. The president gave the assurance on Tuesday when some of his aides, staff of the State House and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha delivered a birthday card to him in commemoration of his 77th birthday anniversary.
6. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Tuesday, explained why it opposed a post-conviction bail application filed by a convicted former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu. According to EFCC lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs, although bail is generally a right of an accused as guaranteed by the Constitution, it is not a right available to a convict because the presumption of innocence had crystallized into guilt and conviction. Jacobs further stated that such a bail could be granted in a situation, where the term of imprisonment would have elapsed before the determination of the appeal.
7. The Senate on Tuesday referred President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2016 – 2018 External Borrowing Plan request to its Committee on Local and Foreign Debts. Buhari’s request was forwarded to the Committee for further legislative work following its presentation by the Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi, during plenary. The Committee has Senator Clifford Ordia (PDP, Edo Central) as Chairman and Senator Bima Mohammed Enagi (APC, Niger South) as Vice Chairman.
8. The Senate on Tuesday tasked its Committees on Foreign Affairs and Trade and Investment to liaise with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs to investigate hostile policies against Nigerian businesses in Ghana. The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Ifeanyi Ubah representing Anambra South Senatorial district. Ubah expressed concern over hostile policies by Ghanaian President, Kuffour Addo that led to the closure of over 600 shops belonging to Nigerians. The lawmaker further maintained that Nigerians have over 60% foreign investments in Ghana, insisting that the development has affected the once harmonious relationship between Ghana and Nigeria.
9. President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Nigerians to be patient and patriotic as he works towards developing Nigeria. Buhari made the appeal while acknowledging the birthday messages he has received from Nigerians as he marked his 77th birthday on Tuesday. He promised to continue serving Nigeria with dedication and integrity. In a tweet on his verified Twitter handle, Buhari wrote: “I’m grateful to Almighty God for sparing my life to see today, my 77th birthday. I will continue to serve with dedication and integrity.
10. Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has presented a budget of N530b (five hundred and thirty point eight billion Naira) for the 2020 fiscal year to the State Assembly. This is a fifty per cent increase from the 2019 appropriation Law of N480b (four hundred and eighty billion Naira), which Governor Wike said performed well. He said the 2020 budget christened Budget of Re-assurance was meant to achieve economic growth, promoting sustainable human capital development, improve human capacity, security, job creation and others.
