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National Assembly extends holiday amid rising security concerns

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6 months ago

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Senate

Focus on insecurity instead of 2027 politics, NPSA tells political class
The Senate and House of Representatives have postponed the resumption of plenary to May 6.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA) has tasked the Nigerian political class to concentrate on tackling the insecurity in the country rather than focusing on the 2027 election.

The two chambers embarked on Easter and Eid-el-Fitr holidays on March 27 and were expected to resume plenary on Tuesday, April 29.

But a statement issued by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, yesterday, said the resumption had been extended by one week.

“I am directed to inform distinguished senators, honourable members and the general public that the two Houses of the National Assembly have extended the date for the resumption of plenary sessions from Tuesday, April 29, 2025, to Tuesday, May 6, 2025,” he said.

Ogunlana said the extension was to allow senators and House of Representatives members to participate in the forthcoming Workers’ Day celebrations in their constituencies.

The extension comes at a time the country is experiencing multiple challenges, including worsening security conditions and socio-political unrest across several states.

ACCORDING to the eminent group of scholars, the practice of exclusive politics, which has continued to alienate most of the population, is fuelling insecurity in the country.

NPSA President, Prof Hassan Saliu, in a statement on behalf of the association entitled: ‘The Alarming State of Insecurity in Nigeria’, noted that Nigerians living in Benue, Borno, Plateau and other states in recent weeks were living in fear.

Saliu, who pointed out that before now, the general feeling, especially among government officials, was that the country was on the path to subduing insecurity, expressed disappointment that things were getting worse.

While admitting that factors such as ungoverned spaces to religious fundamentalism, poverty, external conspiracy, unhealthy politicking and problems arising from inter-group relations heightened insecurity in the country, he declared that the main cause of insecurity was the exclusionary politics that ignored the masses.

According to him, rather than concentrate energy and attention on tackling the increasing wave of insecurity, the political class is fixated on the politics of 2027.

Saliu added that if the Federal Government had been serious about combating insecurity, its efforts in the last two decades would have yielded positive results.

Reeling out the implications of the continued state of insecurity, Saliu stressed that no foreign investor would put their money where insecurity is becoming a way of life.

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Politics

BREAKING: Professor Mahmood Yakubu Hands Over to May Agbamuche-Mbu as INEC Acting Chairman’s

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10 hours ago

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October 7, 2025

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In a significant leadership transition, Professor Mahmood Yakubu has formally handed over the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, who will serve as the Acting National Chairman. The handover ceremony took place at the INEC headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.

Professor Yakubu, who has been at the helm of INEC since 2015, expressed gratitude to Nigerians, INEC staff, and development partners for their support during his tenure.

He noted that the Commission had recorded significant progress in electoral transparency, technology adoption, and institutional reforms. Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu, in her acceptance speech, pledged to continue building on the foundation laid by Professor Yakubu, ensuring transparency, impartiality, and commitment to credible elections.

The transition comes as INEC prepares for several off-cycle governorship elections and the 2027 general elections. Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu’s experience and institutional knowledge are expected to ensure a seamless process. President Bola Tinubu is expected to nominate a substantive INEC Chairman in the coming weeks, subject to confirmation by the Senate.

Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s tenure as INEC Chairman has been marked by significant electoral reforms, including the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal. He has overseen two general elections in 2019 and 2023, introducing innovations amid criticisms of technical glitches and electoral integrity issues.

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Kenneth Okonkwo Elected to ADC National Working Committee

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10 hours ago

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October 7, 2025

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Veteran Nollywood actor and politician Kenneth Okonkwo has been elected into the National Working Committee of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as National Ex-Officio by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC). This appointment is seen as a testament to his dedication and leadership skills.

Date: October 7, 2025
Position: National Ex-Officio, National Working Committee of ADC
Electing Body: National Executive Committee (NEC) of ADC

Kenneth Okonkwo is a renowned Nollywood actor, lawyer, and public affairs analyst.

He recently resigned from the Labour Party, citing internal crises and lack of effective leadership. Okonkwo was a key figure in the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential campaign and has been an outspoken advocate for good governance and transparency in Nigeria.

Okonkwo’s appointment to the ADC National Working Committee is expected to strengthen the party’s national appeal and contribute to its mission of promoting good governance and people-oriented leadership.

The ADC has been positioning itself as a viable alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and Okonkwo’s is seen as a significant boost to the party’s leadership.

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BREAKING: Tinubu Set To Announce Prof Amupitan, Dino Melaye’s Kinsman And Lawyer For 10 Years, As Next INEC Chairman

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10 hours ago

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October 7, 2025

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Ekwutosblog learned that to formalise the appointment, the President has scheduled a meeting of the Council of State for this Thursday.

Barring any last-minute changes, President Bola Tinubu is expected to nominate Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) to succeed Prof. Mahmood Yakubu as the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following his 10-year tenure across two terms.

Ekwutosblog learned that to formalize the appointment, the President has scheduled a meeting of the Council of State for this Thursday. Amupitan is both a kinsman and longtime legal counsel for Senator Dino Melaye.

On September 26, 2025, Ekwutosblog exclusively reported that Amupitan had emerged as the likely candidate to succeed Yakubu as the INEC National Chairman.

Previously, Ekwutosblog exclusively reported that President Tinubu had directed Yakubu to proceed on leave ahead of the expiration of his tenure.

Sources described the move as a response to what they termed Yakubu’s “last-minute betrayal” of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government that appointed him.

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma reportedly met with President Tinubu shortly after the president returned from a 12-day working vacation, alleging that Yakubu’s efforts to register new political parties toward the end of his tenure had disrupted Tinubu’s preparations for a second term.

Sources told SaharaReporters that the governor also claimed that Yakubu was covertly supporting a candidate in the Imo State governorship election.

Following this briefing, Tinubu reportedly requested that Yakubu suspend all official duties and proceed on terminal leave.

Yakubu was first appointed INEC Chairman on October 21, 2015, by then-President Muhammadu Buhari, succeeding acting chairperson Amina Zakari. Following Senate confirmation on October 29, 2015, he was sworn in on November 9, 2015.

After completing his first term in November 2020, Yakubu was nominated for a second and final term by President Buhari, confirmed by the Senate, and sworn in on December 1, 2020.

“Tinubu is shopping for Prof. Yakubu’s replacement, and Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan is likely to be the next INEC Chairman,” a top government source told SaharaReporters in September.

 

Amupitan’s Profile

Amupitan is a legal scholar and administrator with over 34 years of academic and professional experience. A native of Ijumu Local Government Area in Kogi State, he is married to Dr. (Mrs.) Yemisi Amupitan, and together they are blessed with four children.

Amupitan began his academic journey at the University of Jos in 1989 as an Assistant Lecturer. He steadily rose through the academic ranks, becoming a Reader in 2003 and a Professor of Law in 2008.

Over the years, he has held several key administrative positions, including Head of Department of Public Law, Dean of the Faculty of Law, Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors, and a member of the University’s Governing Council.

He has also served on the Governing Councils of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies and the Council of Legal Education. Today, he serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos.

In December 2023, Professor Amupitan was inaugurated as the second Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), thereby affording him affiliation with the school.

According to records online, he obtained his Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Jos in 1987 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988 after completing the Barrister at Law program at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos.

He went on to earn a Master of Law degree in 1993 and a Ph.D. in Law in 2007, both from the University of Jos. In recognition of his achievements in the legal profession, he was conferred with the prestigious title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2014.

His areas of specialisation include the Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, Corporate Law, and Privatisation Law.

Amupitan has contributed to research, focusing on the legal frameworks for privatisation, reform of electoral laws, and reforms in petroleum and corporate governance laws.

He is an active member of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigerian Institute of Management, and the National Association of Law Teachers.

 

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