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Nigerian Senate moves to mandate use of locally-made automobiles by govt agencies

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The Senate on Thursday extended the legislative process aimed at mandating the ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) of government to prioritise locally manufactured automobiles in their procurement processes.

Specifically, the piece of legislation, titled: Local Automotive Industry Patronage Bill, 2025, sponsored by Senator Patrick Ndubueze (APC Imo North), passed second reading during the plenary.

Leading debate on the bill, Ndubueze decried Nigeria’s longstanding overdependence on imported goods, especially automobiles, saying the practice has negatively impacted the naira and undermined local industries.

“Any country that aims to achieve steady economic growth and development must have a policy that encourages and provides a framework for local production. It is also important that goods and services are produced locally as its ripple effect is a reduction in imports and a rise in exports (balance of trade),” he said.

Ndubueze lamented that the country had failed to institutionalize the use of indigenous products, brands, and services and had instead glorified foreign goods of no particular superior quality, saying “today we see the see-sawing of the naira and with every plunge, inflation bites harder.”

He added that despite the issuance of 54 automobile manufacturing licences, only six companies remain operational due to forex constraints and inadequate infrastructure, while several automakers moved to nearby Ghana and are setting up assembly plants there with plans to export the vehicles to Nigeria.

The lawmaker stressed the urgent need for a sustainable automobile policy that would institutionalise the use of Nigerian-made vehicles, especially in government.

He said: “How do we stem the free fall of the naira if we cannot address our appetite for foreign goods? How do we support the development of indigenous brands if the biggest spender, year on year — government — refuses to buy made-in-Nigeria goods?”

Ndubueze, therefore, proposed that at least 75% of official vehicles used by public officers and civil servants should be locally manufactured, not merely assembled, saying “this is the first step to saving our economy, protecting our currency, and creating jobs for our people.”

According to him, companies that qualify as local manufacturers must meet conditions such as having at least 70% Nigerian workforce, investing 75% of their R&D budget locally, and possessing full-scale technology like robotic painting machines and electrophoresis systems.

“Government support for local industry should be seen as both strategically important, a long-term investment, and a national security imperative,” he maintained.

Ndubueze cited examples of countries like China, India, and Malaysia, which initially banned imported cars to grow their local automotive sectors, noting that “today, these countries have perfected their local processes, and we are now importing their products, some of which cannot compete with our locally manufactured vehicles.”

In his contribution, the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Mongunu (APC Borno North), said the proposal would give legislative teeth to the Federal Executive Council (FEC)’s earlier directive on prioritising local products, stressing that “this law will insulate the directive from the whims and caprices of subsequent administrations who may want to reverse it.”

Also supporting the bill, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau, said its passage would “provide jobs for automobile engineers in the country and encourage more investors to move into the sector.”

The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Public Procurement for further legislative input and is expected to report back in four weeks.

Politics

Kebbi ADC suspends state chairman, two others

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kebbi State has suspended its chairman, Engineer Sufiyanu Bala, along with his deputy, Junaidu Muhammed Mudi, and the state secretary, Hauwa Muhammed.

Speaking to journalists in Birnin Kebbi, the party’s publicity secretary, Jamilu Muhammed, accused the Sufiyanu-led leadership of making decisions without consulting other executives.

“We address you today to announce the immediate suspension of Sufiyanu Bala, his deputy, and secretary Hauwa from the party with immediate effect,” he said.

Muhammed alleged that the suspended leaders allowed Abuja nomadic politicians to dominate the party, a move strongly opposed by the founding members.

“We will not, after tailoring the party to its present status, allow Abuja politicians to dominate it,” he added.

According to him, the decision came after an extraordinary meeting of loyal ADC members and stakeholders who have been with the party long before the coming of Abuja impostors.

The party has appointed Abdulrazaq Abubakar Isah Iko as interim chairman and Adamu Aliyu as acting secretary until a new congress is held.

The Kebbi ADC warned the suspended members to stop identifying themselves as party officials or carrying out activities in the party’s name.

It also condemned political gatherings organised by the suspended officials, saying such actions violate the Electoral Act.

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Ekwunife blasts Soludo, says government House not his birthright

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Deputy Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the November 8 governorship election in Anambra State, Senator Uche Ekwunife has warned Governor Soludo to get ready to hand over power, insisting that the government house is not his birthright.

Senator Ekwunife stated this while addressing party faithful in her country home in Nri, Anaocha Council area of the state where she described the administration of the governor as an abysmal failure in all round development and security of lives and property.

“Soludo and I are not at war, what is happening is that what he is currently holding is what we want. The constitution of Nigeria made it four year term for every elected governor. And if you do well, you will be re-elected but in the case of Soludo, it is obvious he has lost touch with governance and that is why APC has presented veritable platform for the people of the state to reclaim their state from APGA misrule.

“The governor, rather than concentrate on positive governance, has been going about crying like a baby, calling my name up and down and we are not losing sleep over his rantings. He has not done well to deserve a second term and that is why the state seems to be on autopilot for four years.

“I make bold to say that Soludo was smart to have hurriedly parked into the uncompleted Anambra State government House, which goes to tell his state of panicky mood of losing this election which is going to happen. But he has forgotten that government is a continuum and when one stops, another person takes over and that is why we presented a veritable alternative to Ndi Anambra.”

Also speaking during the programme, the former Minister of State, Science and Technology, Henry Ikoh described the governorship election in the state as very vital in order to connect the state to the mainstream politics of Nigeria and called for total and massive votes for the party and her candidates, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu and Senator Uche Ekwunife.

Ikoh said the time for the party to clinch Anambra State has come with the massive mobilization of stakeholders across the state and county in general to support the party and ensure smooth victory in the November 8 governorship election.

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I consulted for 6 months before dumping PDP for APC – Gov Eno

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In an interview with Channels Television, the governor said his state can’t be in the opposition after producing the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

He said: “I consulted for six months before moving, I didn’t just wake up and decided to move. We have stayed in the opposition for so many years.

“There are enormous benefits to align with the centre. First of all, we have a Senate President in this country who is from here and we have to give him the support to be able to help.

“We can’t have the Senate President in another party and we are here in the opposition, you know how politics plays out here, it will keep weeping up sentiments.”

The new APC member said he believes in the policies of President Bola Tinubu.

He said Tinubu is making much efforts towards repositioning the economy, which was in a bad shape when he assumed office.

“Two, I believe in the programme of Tinubu – this economy was battered and we were really low by the time he took over power.

“We have seen the efforts he is making, the reforms he is making and he should have our support.

 

“States governments, I speak for Akwa Ibom have benefitted from those reforms and is why we are able to have the funds to do what we are doing.

“If somebody is doing well, you say he is doing well and if he is not doing well we say he is not doing well.

“If I can see him and discuss our issues and he listens to our issues and helps us where he can, why should I work against the President?”

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