36 STATE ASSEMBLIES ADOPT, RATIFY HARMONIZED STANDING ORDERS
36 STATE ASSEMBLIES ADOPT, RATIFY HARMONIZED STANDING ORDERS To tackle discrepancies in suspension, impeachment of members and other legislative procedures, the 36 states’ Houses of Assembly have adopted and ratified the use of harmonised standing orders. The rules to be adopted at each of the 36 Houses of Assembly aim to ensure unity across the states in implementing disciplinary issues of suspension and impeachment, removal of presiding officers and other members, the conduct of budgetary processes, and confirmation of appointments forwarded by the executive arm of government. The harmonised orders also deal with the conduct of the election of presiding officers, adoption of legislative reports, statutory reports, and resolutions, ratifying constitutional alterations and treaties, the establishment of special, ad hoc committees, and the conduct of executive sessions. The harmonised standing orders were adopted and ratified when the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria converged on Lagos, on Thursday, for a workshop organised by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung in collaboration with the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies. In his remarks, the Chairman of the Conference of Speakers, Adebo Ogundoyin, noted that by adopting the harmonised standing orders, Nigeria was joining other countries like the United States of America, South Africa and Rwanda which had harmonised legislative frameworks. Ogundoyin, who is the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, noted that the harmonised standing orders for states would ensure that state legislatures have standardised rules, which would give their actions and ensure accountable governance. Ogundoyin expressed optimism that the various Houses of Assembly would adopt the uniform rules for use in their states, within the next three months. “This monumental step forward, which began in 2021 is not just a procedural reform; it is a strategic step towards strengthening the efficiency, transparency, and uniformity of legislative operations across all states Houses of Assembly. By standardising our legislative rules, we are enhancing collaboration, improving legislative oversight, and ultimately ensuring a more responsive and accountable governance framework at the sub-national level. “We are happy to draw inspiration from our partners, the German Government and the United States of America, whose 50 states operate a centralised standing order. “On the African continent, South Africa and Rwanda stand tall in this regard, and Nigeria is set to join the list of countries with harmonised legislative frameworks, further solidifying our commitment to democratic governance and institutional strengthening,” Ogundoyin said. Setting the tone for the event, Resident Representative, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Nigeria, Marija Peran, said harmonising the assemblies’ rules aimed to create a standardised approach that fosters collaboration, reduces procedural discrepancies and enhances the overall effectiveness of the legislative bodies. Pointing to the imbroglio in the Lagos and Rivers states Houses of Assembly, Peran noted that the harmonisation of standing orders would ensure consistency, transparency and efficiency in the legislative processes. With the harmonised standing orders, she said state Houses of Assembly were on the path of a more cohesive legislative environment. “We are only two and a half months into 2025 and some states’ Houses of Assembly have already been shaken up massively. This shows us that we cannot take either stability or democratic processes for granted. “As we further embark on this journey, it is essential to reflect on the significance of uniform standing orders within the states’ Houses of Assembly. These orders serve as the backbone of legislative procedures, ensuring consistency, transparency and efficiency in the legislative processes. “The objectives of harmonising these orders are clear: to create a standardised approach that fosters collaboration, reduces procedural discrepancies and enhances the overall effectiveness of the legislative bodies,” she said. The Director-General, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, Prof Abubakar Sulaiman, noted the vulnerability of legislatures as a result of executive interference. He stressed that the…
36 STATE ASSEMBLIES ADOPT, RATIFY HARMONIZED STANDING ORDERS
36 STATE ASSEMBLIES ADOPT, RATIFY HARMONIZED STANDING ORDERS To tackle discrepancies in suspension, impeachment of members and other legislative procedures, the 36 states’ Houses of Assembly have adopted and ratified the use of harmonised standing orders. The rules to be adopted at each of the 36 Houses of Assembly aim to ensure unity across the states in implementing disciplinary issues of suspension and impeachment, removal of presiding officers and other members, the conduct of budgetary processes, and confirmation of appointments forwarded by the executive arm of government. The harmonised orders also deal with the conduct of the election of presiding officers, adoption of legislative reports, statutory reports, and resolutions, ratifying constitutional alterations and treaties, the establishment of special, ad hoc committees, and the conduct of executive sessions. The harmonised standing orders were adopted and ratified when the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria converged on Lagos, on Thursday, for a workshop organised by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung in collaboration with the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies. In his remarks, the Chairman of the Conference of Speakers, Adebo Ogundoyin, noted that by adopting the harmonised standing orders, Nigeria was joining other countries like the United States of America, South Africa and Rwanda which had harmonised legislative frameworks. Ogundoyin, who is the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, noted that the harmonised standing orders for states would ensure that state legislatures have standardised rules, which would give their actions and ensure accountable governance. Ogundoyin expressed optimism that the various Houses of Assembly would adopt the uniform rules for use in their states, within the next three months. “This monumental step forward, which began in 2021 is not just a procedural reform; it is a strategic step towards strengthening the efficiency, transparency, and uniformity of legislative operations across all states Houses of Assembly. By standardising our legislative rules, we are enhancing collaboration, improving legislative oversight, and ultimately ensuring a more responsive and accountable governance framework at the sub-national level. “We are happy to draw inspiration from our partners, the German Government and the United States of America, whose 50 states operate a centralised standing order. “On the African continent, South Africa and Rwanda stand tall in this regard, and Nigeria is set to join the list of countries with harmonised legislative frameworks, further solidifying our commitment to democratic governance and institutional strengthening,” Ogundoyin said. Setting the tone for the event, Resident Representative, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Nigeria, Marija Peran, said harmonising the assemblies’ rules aimed to create a standardised approach that fosters collaboration, reduces procedural discrepancies and enhances the overall effectiveness of the legislative bodies. Pointing to the imbroglio in the Lagos and Rivers states Houses of Assembly, Peran noted that the harmonisation of standing orders would ensure consistency, transparency and efficiency in the legislative processes. With the harmonised standing orders, she said state Houses of Assembly were on the path of a more cohesive legislative environment. “We are only two and a half months into 2025 and some states’ Houses of Assembly have already been shaken up massively. This shows us that we cannot take either stability or democratic processes for granted. “As we further embark on this journey, it is essential to reflect on the significance of uniform standing orders within the states’ Houses of Assembly. These orders serve as the backbone of legislative procedures, ensuring consistency, transparency and efficiency in the legislative processes. “The objectives of harmonising these orders are clear: to create a standardised approach that fosters collaboration, reduces procedural discrepancies and enhances the overall effectiveness of the legislative bodies,” she said. The Director-General, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, Prof Abubakar Sulaiman, noted the vulnerability of legislatures as a result of executive interference. He stressed that the…
COURT RESTRAINS INEC FROM RECEIVING PETITION FOR RECALL OF NATASHA
COURT RESTRAINS INEC FROM RECEIVING PETITION FOR RECALL OF NATASHA The Federal High Court, Lokoja, has granted an interim injunction restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from receiving petitions for the purpose of initiating a recall process against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The push to recall the suspended senator intensified on Thursday, with more groups in Kogi Central throwing their weight behind the process. However, a group of Ebira indigenes refuted the claim that the recall process was being sponsored and influenced with money by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s political opponents. Nevertheless, the court, which gave the order on Thursday, also restricted INEC staff, agents, privies, or assigns from accepting or acting on any petition containing fictitious signatures of purported members of the Kogi Central Senatorial District and from conducting any referendum pending the determination of the motion on notice to the same effect. The court, according to the order paper made available to newsmen on Friday morning, granted the application following an ex-parte application for an interim injunction supported by an affidavit of extreme urgency. The court processes were sworn to by Anebe Jacob Ogirima for himself and four others who are registered voters and constituents of the Kogi Central Senatorial District of Kogi State. However, the application was moved by Smart Nwachimere, Esq., of West-Idahosa, SAN & Co., but the case has been adjourned to May 6, 2025, for a report of service and further mention. Reacting to the development, a pressure group, Action Collective, commended the judiciary for granting the order. The group’s coordinator, Dr. Onimisi Ibrahim, said in his reaction that the order would further expose the impunity of some sponsored individuals behind the failed plot to recall Senator Natasha.
Dons Eze
- Biafra News
- March 21, 2025
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I APOLOGIZE FOR MY MISCONDUCT IN COURT – NNAMDI KANU
I APOLOGIZE FOR MY MISCONDUCT IN COURT – NNAMDI KANU The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has formally apologised to the Federal High Court, Justice Binta Nyako, and Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, over his misconduct at the last proceedings of his trial on terrorism charges. He pleaded passionately for forgiveness and promised to be of good conduct throughout the duration of his trial. Kanu’s apology was contained in a lengthy prepared speech delivered by his lead counsel and former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Kanu Agabi. In the emotion-laden speech, Kanu specifically begged Justice Nyako and Awomolo to forgive and forget his outburst and attacks against them in open court. Agabi said that Kanu had cause to be angry but ought not to have spoken when anger overwhelmed him. “In expressing his anger, he attacked the Federal High Court, he attacked Justice Binta Nyako, he attacked the prosecutor, and he attacked his own lawyers. “I hereby apologise to Justice Binta Nyako. She did not deserve the unjust attack. I apologise to Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN. He deserves the highest respect. He was castigated without reservations. “I appeal for forgiveness. Kanu is a good man, but all of us cannot be of one mind. He is not perfect but is defending the cause of the Igbo people, who are resilient, fearless, and use their God-given talents to give a good account of themselves. “We may have misgivings, but we must seek forgiveness. In resolving our differences, let us employ peace and not violence,” he pleaded. In a brief remark, Awomolo, SAN, said he was moved by the plea and has forgiven Kanu for all he said against him. The senior lawyer said he was not a persecutor but a prosecutor and that they work to ensure the quick resolution of the charges.
WIKE WINS AGAIN AT SUPREME COURT AS ALLY, SAMUEL ANYANWU, RECLAIM PDP NATIONAL SECRETARY SEAT
WIKE WINS AGAIN AT SUPREME COURT AS ALLY, SAMUEL ANYANWU, RECLAIMS PDP NATIONAL SECRETARY SEAT The Supreme Court has declared Samuel Anyanwu, a strong ally of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, as the National Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye have been locked in a fierce battle for the position, causing division among the party stakeholders. However, Ude-Okoye gathered support from different blocs of the party who based their action on the ruling of an Appeal Court sitting in Enugu. The appellate court had affirmed the removal of Anyanwu by a Federal High Court in Enugu. However, in a unanimous judgment on Friday, a five-member panel of the Apex Court said matters bordering on the leadership or membership of a political party is its internal affair and should not be the business of a court. In the lead judgment read by Justice Jamilu Tukur, the Supreme Court said the exceptional circumstances that would have given jurisdiction for the Court to decide on the internal affairs of a political party were missing. These exceptional circumstances as stated by the Court are: if the Nigerian Constitution gives the Court such jurisdiction, when there is the commission of a crime or violation of contractual rights. The National Secretary position became a contentious issue after Anyanwu left to contest the Imo governorship eelction which he lost. After losing the election, efforts to reclaim his seat as the secretary threw the party into crisis. An Appeal Court sitting in Enugu had on December 20, 2024, upheld an earlier decision of a High Court removing Senator Anyanwu as the PDP National Secretary and affirming Ude-Okoye as the authentic secretary. Anyanwu, however, filed for a Stay of Execution and Appeal.
BREAKING: PDP NATIONAL SECRETARY: ANYANWU WINS AT SUPREME COURT
PDP NATIONAL SECRETARY: SAMUEL ANYANWU WINS AT SUPREME COURT The Supreme Court has returned a former Senator of Imo East Senatorial District, Nnaemeka Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The Apex Court held that the plaintiff (now 1st Defendant) had no jurisdiction to file the suit as the suit was within the internal affairs of a Political Party. “Jurisdiction is very important, hence the trial Court and the Court below were wrong to rule on the merits of a matter, they had no jurisdiction in the first place.” The PDP has been embroiled in a fierce battle on the National Secretary position between Anyanwu and a former National Youth leader, SKE Ude-Okoye.
BREAKING: PDP NATIONAL SECRETARY: SAMUEL ANYANWU WINS AT SUPREME COURT
PDP NATIONAL SECRETARY: SAMUEL ANYANWU WINS AT SUPREME COURT The Supreme Court has returned a former Senator of Imo East Senatorial District, Nnaemeka Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The Apex Court held that the plaintiff (now 1st Defendant) had no jurisdiction to file the suit as the suit was within the internal affairs of a Political Party. “Jurisdiction is very important, hence the trial Court and the Court below were wrong to rule on the merits of a matter, they had no jurisdiction in the first place.” The PDP has been embroiled in a fierce battle on the National Secretary position between Anyanwu and a former National Youth leader, SKE Ude-Okoye.
BREAKING: PDP NATIONAL SECRETARY: SAMUEL ANYANWU WINS AT SUPREME COURT
BREAKING: PDP NATIONAL SECRETARY: SAMUEL ANYANWU WINS AT SUPREME COURT The Supreme Court has returned a former Senator of Imo East Senatorial District, Nnaemeka Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The Apex Court held that the plaintiff (now 1st Defendant) had no jurisdiction to file the suit as the suit was within the internal affairs of a Political Party. “Jurisdiction is very important, hence the trial Court and the Court below were wrong to rule on the merits of a matter, they had no jurisdiction in the first place.” The PDP has been embroiled in a fierce battle on the National Secretary position between Anyanwu and a former National Youth leader, SKE Ude-Okoye.
FUBARA SAYS WIKE TRIGGERED ATTACK ON PIPELINE
FUBARA SAYS WIKE TRIGGERED ATTACK ON PIPELINE The suspended Governor of Rivers State, Sim Fubara, has dismissed some allegations levelled against him by President Bola Tinubu during the nationwide broadcast declaring a state of emergency.Tinubu suspended Fubara, his deputy, and the Rivers House of Assembly members for six months.The president listed Fubara’s shortcomings in the ongoing crisis and appointed a sole administrator to take charge of the state.He said, “It is public knowledge that the Governor of Rivers State for unjustifiable reasons, demolished the House of Assembly of the state as far back as 13th December 2023 and has, up until now, fourteen (14) months after, not rebuilt same. I have made personal interventions between the contending parties for a peaceful resolution of the crisis, but my efforts have been largely ignored by the parties to the crisis.”However, in a statement on Thursday through his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, Fubara said the statement of abandoning the Rivers State House of Assembly complex after it was demolished was false, noting that the new complex was 80% completed.Fubara also refuted claims of doing nothing to dissuade criminal groups and militants from making good their threats to attack oil installations.He attributed the attack on the pipeline to a controversial comment about the Ijaws by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and his refusal to tender an apology.Fubara also listed other instances when Wike’s supporters allegedly stoked tension, adding that his loyalists maintained calm.The statement reads, “There was also another claim that after demolishing the Hallowed Chambers of the State House of Assembly on Moscow Road in Port Harcourt, the Governor did nothing to rebuild the facility.“Ordinarily, we would have ignored the statements as mere results of lack of adequate information to the Presidency by those tasked with the responsibility of providing same to guide decision-making, but it has become imperative to set the records straight and correct the erroneous impression such narratives are creating in the minds of the Nigerian people.“First, it is important to clarify that Governor Fubara has nothing to do with the threats by militants and also did not in any way “telegraph” the reported attacks on any oil facility in the State.“It is on record that the reaction of stakeholders in the Niger Delta, especially elders, chiefs, women, Ijaw National Congress, its youth wing, IYC, as well as militants, among others, was triggered by remarks by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, in a live media chat, during which he dismissed Ijaws as a minority of the minorities and powerless in the Nigerian polity, saying that Ijaws are not the only ones that are militants and can blow up pipelines; that Ogonis, Ikwerres, and others are also militants and can as well blow up pipelines.“Most of the Ijaw groups and leaders even demanded an apology from the FCT Minister, which he rebuffed.“Available public records show that Governor Fubara, on several occasions and at every forum, including all the project commissioning events as well as the handover of the AW139 Helicopter to the Nigerian Air Force, between March 3 and 13, 2025, made it clear that his administration was committed to the peace, security, and safety of oil facilities in the State.“He often recalled his pivotal role as a member of the Presidential Committee on the Protection of Oil Installations in the Region, and repeatedly emphasized the need to protect oil pipelines and other facilities in the State, urging his supporters and the people of the State to avoid acts capable of destabilizing the State or sabotaging the nation’s economy.“Since inception as the Chief Executive of Rivers State, Governor Fubara has prioritized investment in upscaling the welfare and operational equipment of all personnel…
FUBARA SAYS WIKE TRIGGERED ATTACK ON PIPELINE
FUBARA SAYS WIKE TRIGGERED ATTACK ON PIPELINE The suspended Governor of Rivers State, Sim Fubara, has dismissed some allegations levelled against him by President Bola Tinubu during the nationwide broadcast declaring a state of emergency.Tinubu suspended Fubara, his deputy, and the Rivers House of Assembly members for six months.The president listed Fubara’s shortcomings in the ongoing crisis and appointed a sole administrator to take charge of the state.He said, “It is public knowledge that the Governor of Rivers State for unjustifiable reasons, demolished the House of Assembly of the state as far back as 13th December 2023 and has, up until now, fourteen (14) months after, not rebuilt same. I have made personal interventions between the contending parties for a peaceful resolution of the crisis, but my efforts have been largely ignored by the parties to the crisis.”However, in a statement on Thursday through his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, Fubara said the statement of abandoning the Rivers State House of Assembly complex after it was demolished was false, noting that the new complex was 80% completed.Fubara also refuted claims of doing nothing to dissuade criminal groups and militants from making good their threats to attack oil installations.He attributed the attack on the pipeline to a controversial comment about the Ijaws by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and his refusal to tender an apology.Fubara also listed other instances when Wike’s supporters allegedly stoked tension, adding that his loyalists maintained calm.The statement reads, “There was also another claim that after demolishing the Hallowed Chambers of the State House of Assembly on Moscow Road in Port Harcourt, the Governor did nothing to rebuild the facility.“Ordinarily, we would have ignored the statements as mere results of lack of adequate information to the Presidency by those tasked with the responsibility of providing same to guide decision-making, but it has become imperative to set the records straight and correct the erroneous impression such narratives are creating in the minds of the Nigerian people.“First, it is important to clarify that Governor Fubara has nothing to do with the threats by militants and also did not in any way “telegraph” the reported attacks on any oil facility in the State.“It is on record that the reaction of stakeholders in the Niger Delta, especially elders, chiefs, women, Ijaw National Congress, its youth wing, IYC, as well as militants, among others, was triggered by remarks by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, in a live media chat, during which he dismissed Ijaws as a minority of the minorities and powerless in the Nigerian polity, saying that Ijaws are not the only ones that are militants and can blow up pipelines; that Ogonis, Ikwerres, and others are also militants and can as well blow up pipelines.“Most of the Ijaw groups and leaders even demanded an apology from the FCT Minister, which he rebuffed.“Available public records show that Governor Fubara, on several occasions and at every forum, including all the project commissioning events as well as the handover of the AW139 Helicopter to the Nigerian Air Force, between March 3 and 13, 2025, made it clear that his administration was committed to the peace, security, and safety of oil facilities in the State.“He often recalled his pivotal role as a member of the Presidential Committee on the Protection of Oil Installations in the Region, and repeatedly emphasized the need to protect oil pipelines and other facilities in the State, urging his supporters and the people of the State to avoid acts capable of destabilizing the State or sabotaging the nation’s economy.“Since inception as the Chief Executive of Rivers State, Governor Fubara has prioritized investment in upscaling the welfare and operational equipment of all personnel…