Politics
‘Nigeria Can’t Manage House Of Reps, Senate’ – Expert
A state coordinator of New Partnership for African’s Development (NEPAD) has advocated for the need for only one arm of the National Assembly effective democratic governance in the country.
The coordinator, Mr. Opuada Danagogo who gave this assertion during exclusive interview with The Tide On Sunday at the weekend in Port Harcourt, noted that apart from the harmonised version of the Electoral Bill 2010 in the National Assembly, after much twist, the two legislative bodies have never set the nation on a part of true democratic process for the benefit of the masses.
He suggested that the House of Representatives should be scrapped and few members collapsed into the Senate, adding that the existing ones presently constituted is a drain pipe on the resources of this country.
According to him, we embraced United States of America Presidential system of government, when in perspective, we have no ideological or National identity in place to effectively handle the octopus system.
Danagogo said anchoring Nigeria peculiar nature on the democratic governance of United States presidential system is unrealistic.
He explained that he considers throwing his weight behind Professor Chukwuma Soludo, former governor of Central Bank (CBN), that suggested that either the House of Representatives or the Senate should be scrapped for effective legislative process.
In his words: Many people especially politicians took a swipe at the suggestion, but today, it is dawn on the country that the two bodies hardly harmonise bills for the interest of the masses.
Danagogo further said, the principal conception of the legislative arm is for peace and good governance, but the predominantly impoverished people of this country are rather witnessing half baked lawmakers, who went to the National Assembly for their own selfish interest.
He noted that it is impossible to see the underlining logic of the argument of Professor Chukwuma Soludo with the political machines fuelled by godfatherism, financiers and politicians being elected into office, as if it is an end in itself.
He observed that the House of Representatives appears to be for the ‘middle class’ while the Senate for the ‘upper class’, in a country where elites have zero tolerance for the poor.
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.