The Senate has justified the purchase of 360 Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) for its members. The upper legislative chamber was, however, silent on the cost of each vehicle but explained that members preferred the imported SUVs to locally manufactured ones. The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) had asked a Federal High Court in Lagos to stop the lawmakers from …

The 10th session of the Senate said it is considering the consolidation of revenue collection into a single agency through a legislative action to curb duplication, tackle corruption and ensure seamless transactions by taxpayers. This was contained in a communiqué on Sunday at the end of the three-day retreat organised by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) …

Ahead of the 2027 elections, the Senate is set to amend the Electoral Act to allow for diaspora voting, at least for presidential elections, to enable citizens, especially those on essential service abroad, to vote. The Senate in a communiqué issued at the end of its retreat in Ikot Ikpene, Akwa-Ibom State, also resolved to make electronic transmission of results mandatory …

Senator Lola Ashiru, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) representing Kwara South senatorial district, on Wednesday replaced the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi as Deputy Leader of the Senate. Until his appointment as minister, former Ebonyi State Governor, Umahi represented Ebonyi South in the red chamber from June to August, this year. Ashiru was the Deputy Whip …

The Senate has called on the executive arm of government to declare a state of emergency on drug abuse. The Red Chamber said drug abuse has become worrisome and urged the President Ahmed Bola Tinubu-led government to declare a state of emergency on narcotics. This followed a motion on the urgent need to address the menace of drug abuse sponsored …

The Senate has ordered a comprehensive probe into the activities of security forces and organised groups employing sophisticated techniques to steal crude oil in the country. This decision was prompted by a motion put forth during Tuesday’s plenary session by Senator Ned Nwoko (PDP, Delta North), who reeled out data on what Nigeria loses to pipeline vandalism and oil bunkering. …

The Senate, on Tuesday, embarked on amendment of National Social Investment Programme Agency Act (NSIPA), 2023 aimed at moving the agency from Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to the Presidency. Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele initiated the bill at the plenary on Tuesday, seeking to amend the National Social Investment Programme Agency Act, 2023. Specifically, according to Bamidele, …

The Senate said that it would give the proposed new minimum wage bill from the Executive arm of government expeditious consideration towards ensuring improved welfare for Nigerian workers and industrial harmony in the country. In a statement in Abuja on Friday, the Chairman Senate Committee on Employment, Labour, and Productivity, Senator Diket Plang (APC – Plateau Central) assured Nigerians that …

The Senate has summoned the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike; the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and the Minister of Health, Prof. Ali Pate compelling their appearance before the committees on Health and Police Affairs. The summons pertains to the tragic passing of Greatness Olorunfemi, a victim of the notorious ‘one-chance’ operators in Abuja. Furthermore, Wike, …

The Senate on Thursday summoned Service Chiefs to brief it in a closed door on steps being taken to mitigate rising insecurity in the country. The Service Chiefs are: Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar; and Chief of Naval Staff; Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla. …