Politics
Assembly Bars Female Lawmaker Over Indecent Dressing
It was a mild drama at the Enugu State House of Assembly when its Speaker, Rt. Hon. Eugene Odo, disallowed a female legislator, Mrs. Chika Eneh, from deliberating in the Tuesday’s Assembly business due to indecent dressing to the hallowed chambers of the House.
Hon. Chika Eneh, representing Udi South Constituency in the Assembly, took her turn to make her input on the motion for resolution to congratulate the new PDP National Chairman, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo on his present appointment, but other legislators insisted she should not speak.
The agitating lawmakers had argued that Hon Eneh wore an indecent dress – a sleeveless gown popularly known as spaghetti to the hallowed chambers of the Enugu Assembly.
Though, the action almost led to a rowdy session, Speaker Odo was able to bring it under control. Mrs. Theresa Egbo, who was asked to ascertain the state of Eneh’s dressing, confirmed indecent dressing but pleaded that she be pardoned and allowed to speak.
The Speaker, however, down the appeal of Hon Egbo for her fellow female legislator; an action that apparently stalled a rowdy Assembly for the day.
Reacting to the development in an interview with newsmen in his office, the Speaker said the state legislature has a standing rule on dressing, adding that the female lawmaker flouted the rule hence she was disallowed to contribute during the day’s legislative business.
Earlier, Rt. Hon. Odo has urged Nigerians and especially the people of South-East to cooperate with the new PDP chairman in his plans to reposition the party.
The speaker also thanked members of the PDP National Working Committee and other major stakeholders in the ruling party for their various roles in ensuring the emergence of Nwodo.
“We want to say that the people of Enugu State, are grateful to the people of South-East geo-political zone and indeed Nigerians at large for supporting our son, Nwodo, for emerging as the national chairman of our great party, the PDP”, Odo said, assuring that the state Assembly is fully committed and ready to support the new PDP helmsman, who is from Enugu North senatorial zone of Enugu State.
The Speaker also disclosed that all is now set for the conduct of a public hearing on the proposed amendment of the 1999 constitution.
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has appointed Nigerian music legend, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as TuFace, as his Technical Adviser on Entertainment and Community Outreach.
In a viral video on Wednesday, Governor Alia praised TuFace for all the support towards his administration.
The Governor stated that TuFace can do more.
He stated, “On behalf of the Benue State Government and our very good people, we want to give you some more responsibility plus the ones you have been doing because you have the capacity to do some more and help us chart a way forward to improve other people’s lives and to gain more from your wisdom and advice as well.
“So, I’m pleased to announce that we will make you a Technical Adviser to the Governor on Entertainment and Community Outreach.”
Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made following a closed-door meeting at the Government House in Asaba on Wednesday.
The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, confirmed the development in a telephone conversation with The Tide’s source.
Similarly, the defection of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was announced on Wednesday in Asaba by Senator James Manager, following a meeting that lasted over six hours at the Government House.
Senator Manager said all PDP members in the State, including the Governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, and all local government chairmen, had agreed to join the APC.
“We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat,” he said.
The decision to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) followed extensive consultations with political stakeholders and was made in the interest of Delta State’s long-term development.
Governor Oborevwori, who won the 2023 gubernatorial election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was received by senior APC officials in what political analysts are already describing as a strategic realignment with far-reaching implications ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria has condemned the recent wave of killings in Plateau, Borno, Benue, Niger State and most recently, Kwara State, calling on the federal and state governments to take urgent steps to stem the tide.
Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Adebo Ogundoyin, stated this in a statement issued in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Rt Hon. Ogundoyin, who is the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, said the gruesome killings had led to tragic loss of lives, widespread displacement, and unimaginable trauma for thousands of Nigerians.
“We are alarmed by the escalating insecurity in the land and the seeming helplessness with which these attacks are met. The time for mere condemnation and rhetoric has passed; urgent and coordinated action is now required at all levels of government to end these bloodbaths and restore peace and order.
“While we acknowledge that defence and national security fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Government, we must stress that every level of government bears responsibility for the security and welfare of the people. State governors, in particular, must rise to the occasion and fully understand that governance is not limited to road construction and ceremonial functions. True governance is rooted in the protection of lives, the preservation of order, and the alleviation of suffering,” he said.
He called on state governments to complement the efforts of the Federal Government by making and enforcing enabling laws for community policing and other grassroots-driven security models.
According to him, States must develop proactive frameworks that integrate local intelligence, social support systems, and youth engagement in the fight against insecurity.
The conference also urged the Federal Government to meaningfully engage the citizenry and introduce bold, practical measures to cushion the hardship caused by its current economic policies.
“Millions of Nigerians are groaning under the weight of inflation, unemployment, and a cost-of-living crisis. It is imperative that relief initiatives—targeted, transparent, and impactful—are rolled out without delay. Dialogue, not distance, must define the relationship between the government and its people at this critical time.
“The Conference of Speakers affirms its commitment to supporting all legislative actions necessary to restore security, promote justice, and foster inclusive governance across the country. The killings in Benue, Niger, Plateau, Borno, Kwara, and any part of Nigeria must not be allowed to continue unchecked. Justice must prevail, and peace must be restored.
“Let it be known: the safety, dignity, and well-being of every Nigerian must remain the top priority of all arms and levels of government,” Rt Hon. Ogundoyin said.