Politics
What ERGAF -Africa’s Report Reveals About Nigeria’s Lawmakers
The report discloses that four senators and 48 members of the House of Representatives did not make any contributions to debates, sponsor any bills, petitions or even raise a single Point of Order.
A parliamentary survey index aimed at measuring the performance and contributions of Nigeria’s federal lawmakers over one year has revealed a steady decline in the quality of debates in both chambers of the National Assembly.
The report titled National Assembly Deliberative Barometer and Policy Focus Report, by ERUDITE GROWTH & ADVANCEMENT FOUNDATION, ERGAF-AFRICA, was unveiled today in Abuja.
The report discloses that four senators and 48 members of the House of Representatives did not make any contributions to debates, sponsor any bills, petitions or even raise a single Point of Order.
It said that Lagos lawmaker, Senator Idiat Oluranti tops the list of female productivity index with 22 legislative actions, followed by FCT senator, Ireti Kingibe and then Senator Ipalibo Banigo.
The report emphasised however that the issues of economy and Nigeria’s security challenges dominated discussions at plenary in both chambers in the period under review.ERGAF -Africa has spent the last two years compiling the report.
It calls it “The National Assembly Deliberative Barometer and Policy Focus Productivity Report”
It’s the first attempt to put in digital data form and infographic format the contributions of lawmakers in Africa.
The maiden edition covers the first session of the 10th National Assembly of Nigeria between June 14 2013, a day after it was inaugurated and 13th June 2024, revealing what the promoters describe as “a steady decline in legislative debates.
The report also reveals that while a total of 2275 legislative actions were carried out at plenary in the Senate; 4174 were conducted in the House of Representatives.
Out of these the report by ERGAF-AFRICA shows that 4 senators recorded zero contributions, during the period they served before some of them were sacked by the courts.
In the House of Representatives, 48 members did not make any contributions.
The report also highlights the top 10 performers in the Senate and 20 in the House of Representatives except for both presiding officers.
Issues of national interest dominated deliberations in both chambers especially, Nigeria’s wobbling economy and protracted security challenges.
The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies welcomes the survey but not without a few reservations that it must be situated within the context of plenary sessions.
The report also reveals that while a total of 2275 legislative actions were carried out at plenary in the Senate; 4174 were conducted in the House of Representatives.
A member of the House of Representatives, Hart Cyril who represented the Speaker identifies similar limitations in the report even when he agrees it offers a potent platform to track legislative performances.
Politics
Jonathan challenges suit seeking his disqualification from 2027 race
The senior lawyer said that it was unfortunate that such a suit is filed by a lawyer who should know more that this same matter had been decided by the Federal High Court up to Court of Appeal.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday challenged a suit filed by a lawyer, Johnmary Jideobi, seeking to restrain him from contesting 2027 presidential election.
Jonathan, through his lawyer, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, told Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja shortly after the matter was called for hearing.
Uche informed the court that a letter of conditional appearance, a notice of preliminary objection, a counter affidavit and a written address had been filed on May 5 ,praying the court to dismiss the case.
He said that they got information about the case through the media and hence, the need to file their processes urgently going by the importance of the matter which boiled down on the eligibility of the forner president to contest in the next election.
The senior lawyer said that it was unfortunate that such a suit is filed by a lawyer who should know more that this same matter had been decided by the Federal High Court up to Court of Appeal.
Earlier, counsel to the plaintiff, Ndubuisi Ukpai, informed the court that the matter was for mention but he was just being served with Jonathan’s processes.
He said that he would need more time to respond
Politics
JUST IN: Federal High Court adjourns ADC leadership suit indefinitely
Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the matter sine die after the plaintiff informed the court that he had applied to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for the transfer of the case to another judge.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday adjourned indefinitely a suit filed by an African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Nafiu Bala Gombe, challenging the party’s leadership under former Senate President David Mark.
Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the matter sine die after the plaintiff informed the court that he had applied to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for the transfer of the case to another judge.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, has triggered fresh leadership tensions within the ADC following the emergence of Mark and former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, in the party’s leadership structure.
At the resumed hearing, counsel to the plaintiff, Luka Musa Haruna, told the court that the Supreme Court had on April 30 dismissed an interlocutory appeal earlier filed by Mark against the proceedings.
He added that the apex court also set aside the Court of Appeal’s order staying proceedings in the substantive suit.
“The interlocutory appeal of the second defendant has travelled to the Supreme Court. My Lord, we are glad to inform this honourable court that on the 30th day of April 2026, the Supreme Court delivered its judgment on the interlocutory appeal dismissing the said appeal for lacking in merit,” he said.
Haruna, however, disclosed that the plaintiff had written a letter dated May 4, 2026, to the Chief Judge seeking reassignment of the case to another judge, urging the court to await an administrative decision on the request.
“At this juncture, we must humbly pray to your Lordship, to wait for the administrative decision of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court,” he said.
The request was opposed by defence lawyers, who accused the plaintiff of attempting to frustrate the accelerated hearing earlier ordered by the Court of Appeal and upheld by the Supreme Court
In a dramatic political shake-up, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has been removed as Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF).
The decision was taken at an extraordinary meeting of approximately 20 Progressive Governors held in Abuja on Thursday. The governors, who include those of Ogun, Bayelsa, Enugu States and 17 others, convened shortly after the submission of President Bola Tinubu’s presidential nomination form.
Sources at the meeting described the move as a strategic realignment within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) structure. Governor Uzodinma’s removal marks the end of his tenure as PGF Chairman, a position he had held for several years.
A new chairman is expected to be announced soon as the forum seeks to consolidate its position and strengthen coordination among progressive governors ahead of key national political developments.
This development comes at a critical time for the APC, with intra-party dynamics and preparations for future elections taking center stage.
More details are awaited as the Progressive Governors Forum is yet to issue an official statement on the outcome of the extraordinary meeting.
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