…as Akpabio assures budget passage before February ends

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially notified the Senate of an increase in the proposed 2025 Appropriation Bill from N49.7 trillion to N54.2 trillion, following the discovery of an additional N4.53 trillion in revenue.

The President communicated this adjustment in separate letters to both chambers of the National Assembly. It was read during plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday.

The increase, he explained, was due to additional revenues generated by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) (N1.4 trillion), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) (N1.2 trillion), and other Government-Owned Enterprises (GOEs) (N1.8 trillion).

Ruling on the matter, Akpabio referred the letter to the Senate Committee on Appropriations and directed them to expedite the necessary adjustments to the budget, which is currently under review. He assured that the budget would be passed before the end of February to ensure smooth government operations.

A breakdown of the proposal shows N4.53 trillion to key sectors to drive economic diversification, infrastructure development, and national security. Solid Minerals sector was allocated N1 trillion “to unlock Nigeria’s vast mineral resources, reduce reliance on oil, and create alternative revenue streams.”

Bank of Agriculture Recapitalisation got N1.5 trillion to enhance food security, empower smallholder farmers, and promote agro-industrial value chains while Bank of Industry Recapitalisation got N500 billion to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs), boost local manufacturing, and reduce import dependence.

Infrastructure Development got N1.5 trillion while Irrigation Development (N380 billion) to support year-round farming and ensure water security.

For transportation Infrastructure, N700 billion was allocated, including N300 billion for roads and N400 billion for urban rail networks. Border Communities Infrastructure got N50 Billion) to enhance security and foster economic development.

On security, Military Barracks Accommodation was allocated N250 billion) to improve housing for security personnel, while Military Aviation was proposed N120 Billion) to modernise Nigeria’s military air capabilities.

President Tinubu justified the allocations to the military, stating that no.progress can be made without security. He emphasised that investing in the armed forces was a moral and economic necessity as national security remains the foundation of economic stability and development.

He urged the National Assembly to.adopt and integrate the revised budget proposal, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to inclusive growth, economic diversification and national security.

Daily Sun

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Board of Trustees, BoT, is currently holding an emergency meeting.

The meeting was called to find lasting solutions to the current leadership crisis bedeviling the party.

Those who have arrived include the BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara; Secretary of the BoT, Senator Ahmed Makarfi; and former Governors Achike Udenwa, Sam Egwu, Babangida Aliyu, Senator Ben Obi, and Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola, among others.

The meeting is holding amid the crisis surrounding the struggle for who occupies the position of the PDP National Secretary.

Last week, at the PDP national secretariat, a fight broke out between Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye during its BoT meeting.

The crisis between the duo started when Anyanwu left to contest for Imo State governorship election and Ude-Okoye was was selected by the Southeast arm of the party to replace him.

This led to a lawsuit, after which the Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu declared Ude-Okoye as the substantive National Secretary.

But Anyanwu said Ude-Okoye has no authority to assume the position, despite the ruling.

Anyanwu cited his appeal of the ruling at the Supreme Court as grounds for maintaining the status quo

The Nigerian Senate has approved the termination of three Resident Electoral Commissioners who have been suspended since 2023 for flouting the provisions of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Act

The approval followed the request from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging the Senate to terminate the appointments of the embattled State Resident Electoral Commissioner for Adamawa, Sokoto and Abia.

Sponsor of the motion and Leader of the Senate, Michael Bamidele Opeyemi sought the invocation of Section 157 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, saying that the law empowers the Chamber to approve the request.

Those whose appointments will be terminated include, Dr Nura Ali, Sokoto State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari, Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner and Professor Ikemefuna Chijioke Uzochukwu, Abia State Resident Electoral Commissioner respectively.

He said, “Aware that the aforementioned Resident Commissioners were earlier suspended in 2023, bordering on allegations of infractions of the Electoral Act; compromise of elections and abandonment of duty without cogent reasons.”

A copy of the motion sighted by Newsmen on Wednesday revealed that the Office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, and the Department of State Services, DSS, indicted Dr. Nura Ali in their reports, having confessed to corruption, incompetence and receiving bribe to the tune of $150,000 from politicians.

According, the plenary which was presided by the Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio activated the relevant provisions of the Constitution and approve the termination of appointment of the affected Commissioners.