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Motion to immortalize ex-INEC boss, Humphrey Nwosu shut down amid fireworks in Senate

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The Nigerian Senate Wednesday shut down a motion to immortalize the late Prof. Humphrey Nwosu.

Nwosu, as Chairman of the National Electoral Commission, presided over the June 12 1993 election that was annulled by former military dictator, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.

The motion which was raised by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe representing Abia South, was declined during a plenary presided by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau.

Abaribe rose under Order 41 and 51 which border on personal explanation to draw the attention of the chamber to the need to immortalize the late INEC boss.

The development was contrary to the provision in the Senate Standing Order as the Senate leader, Michael Bamidele Opeyemi contended that the order raised by Abaribe was inappropriate and the plenary had gone beyond the privilege Abaribe would have enjoyed to make senators consider it.

Earlier, the Deputy Senate President declared the point of order as controversial and expressed skepticism of its approval before allowing Abaribe to speak to the order.

Reacting to the Senate Leader’s submission, Senator representing Kebbi North, Yahaya Abubakar Abdullahi insisted that Abaribe should be allowed to speak on the matter despite not getting the order correct.

Abaribe at this point insisted on consideration of his order, while he read a relevant provision of the Standing Order, saying: “In all cases not provided for in the standing order or by the sectional or other orders of practice of the Senate, the Senate shall by resolution, regulate its procedure so even if the Senate leader says that it doesn’t follow by the fact that a Senator wants to make a personal explanation you must give that Senator a chance to make that personal explanation.

“We are not under a dictatorship, Mr President. That is why I’m using Order 1(b) though this is at your discretion.”

Reacting, Barau said: “We are all experienced legislators here. Those who are grounded in our rules and I refer you to Order 42 once again. Order 42, by the indulgence of the Senate and the leave of the President of the Senate, the senator will make a personal explanation as though there is no question before the Senate, but no controversial matter may be brought forward nor may debate arise from the explanation.

“When we came this morning let me be frank, I’m a frank person. When we came this morning you approached me in respect of your desire to bring forward this motion under Order 41 and 51.

You never told me you were bringing it under Order 42 and when it came under Order 41 and 51, it was defeated.

“Now you change your mind to bring it under Order 42. We know we respect you very well. That wasn’t discussed. When the Senate Leader came in, I called him and I said Senator Abaribe is bringing a motion under Order 41 and 51.

And we agreed, normally I have to consult with the leadership, and we agreed that it was going to go forward.

“But, leader, did I tell you that he’s going to bring a motion under Order 42? So you didn’t approach me, you didn’t tell me, and I just want to be transparent and plain.

You didn’t tell me. If you had told me, there’s no way I would have stopped you. If you have told us that you are going to bring this motion under Order 42, we will”

Abaribe insisted that the motion to immortalize late Nwosu wasn’t a controversial one as posited by the Deputy Senate President.

He said: “Mr President, I don’t know what is controversial in immortalizing Humphrey Nwosu on June 12th. What is controversial there? What is our problem? What is controversial? It’s not controversial. Mr. President, just one more time, I will refer to our rules.

”Abaribe’s motion was overruled and he was told to bring it up through a motion on another legislative day.

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Lagos Shuts Oshodi Market Over Attack on Sanitation Officers

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The Lagos State Government has indefinitely shut down the Oshodi Resettlement Market following a violent confrontation in which traders allegedly attacked officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC/KAI) during an enforcement operation.

Environment and Water Resources Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab announced the closure on Tuesday via X (formerly Twitter), stating that traders obstructed the operation, assaulted personnel, and prevented the arrest of hoodlums and beggars who vandalised the agency’s operational vehicles.

“Oshodi Resettlement Market, Oshodi has been shut down,” Wahab wrote. “Traders at the market attacked officers and personnel of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, prevented them from arresting hoodlums and beggars who vandalised the agency’s operational vehicles during an enforcement operation earlier today.”

A video shared by the commissioner showed LAGESC operatives patrolling the now-locked market premises. The incident occurred on Monday during a routine exercise aimed at clearing hoodlums and beggars from the area.

No reopening date has been announced as investigations continue. The closure affects traders in one of Lagos’ major commercial hubs dealing in fabrics, foodstuffs, and other goods, highlighting the state government’s zero-tolerance stance on indiscipline and attacks on public officials.

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Tinubu flags off major Abuja road projects

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to infrastructure-led development with the flag-off of two major road projects in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Represented by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, the President performed the ceremonies for the Southern Parkway Service Carriageways in Gaduwa District and Collector Road CO1 in the Institution and Research District of Abuja.

Speaking at the Southern Parkway event, President Tinubu described the project as a key component of the Renewed Hope Agenda and an important step toward improving transportation within Abuja’s southern corridor.

He noted that the service carriageways would complement the already completed Bola Ahmed Tinubu Way, helping to reduce traffic congestion, shorten travel times and lower transportation costs for residents and businesses.

The President stated that the project forms part of a broader infrastructure renewal programme that has delivered several strategic road networks across the FCT, including the N20 Corridor, N16 Interchange, and roads in Kuje, Gwagwalada and Mabushi.

He stressed that these investments are aimed at enhancing mobility and improving the quality of life for residents.

At the second ceremony, Tinubu described the construction of Collector Road CO1 as a strategic investment that will strengthen access to universities, research institutions, legal establishments and innovation hubs within the Institution and Research District.

He said the road would boost connectivity, support economic growth and advance Abuja’s vision as a centre for knowledge and innovation.

The President also commended the Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, for his leadership and delivery of infrastructure projects, noting that Abuja has become a major construction hub under his stewardship.

Tinubu urged residents to cooperate with contractors and traffic officials during construction, assuring them that temporary inconveniences would yield lasting benefits.

He further charged contractors to maintain quality standards, meet project timelines and create employment opportunities, while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to building a stronger, more prosperous and globally competitive Nigeria.

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I’d Ban All Tinted Vehicles If I Had My Way – IGP Olatunji Disu

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The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Ridwan Disu, has expressed strong support for a complete nationwide ban on tinted vehicles, stating he would implement one immediately if the decision rested solely with him.

Speaking in Abuja while responding to concerns raised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), the IGP highlighted the serious security risks posed by heavily tinted vehicles. He noted that such vehicles are frequently used by criminals, including kidnappers, armed robbers, and operators of the notorious “one-chance” scams.

“I have a different view about it entirely. We have a security situation in the country now. If I have my way, there would be no vehicle that would be tinted in the country. And we are moving towards it,” Disu said.

The IGP drew from his experience as Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where investigations into “one-chance” syndicates showed that most vehicles used in these crimes had fully tinted windows. Out of 27 vehicles recovered from such operations, a large proportion featured darkened windows, making it difficult for security operatives to identify occupants during stop-and-search exercises.

Disu criticised the trend of extremely dark tints on windscreens and rear windows, describing it as unacceptable and dangerous. He stressed that only individuals with genuine security or medical reasons should be allowed tinted glass — and even then, not to a level that completely obscures visibility.

The remarks come amid ongoing debates over the administration of tinted glass permits, which the NBA has opposed on grounds of commercialisation and repeated renewals. While the association supports police regulation of tinted vehicles for security reasons, it objects to turning the permit process into a revenue-generating venture outsourced to private firms.

The IGP assured that enforcement against illegally tinted vehicles would be intensified nationwide soon, adding, “We are not going to accept fully tinted vehicles in this country, and we are going to come out at a particular time to start enforcement of it.”

This development aligns with recent police actions in various commands, including the FCT, where enforcement against tinted vehicles — regardless of permits — has already begun in a bid to curb crime.

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