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Tag: House of Representatives

  • Reps Clash Over Motion to Summon Tinubu on Insecurity, Coastal Highway Spending

    A heated debate broke out in the House of Representatives on Tuesday as lawmakers clashed over a motion seeking to invite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address the chamber on the country’s worsening insecurity and the Federal Government’s spending on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.

    The motion triggered sharp exchanges during plenary, with members expressing opposing views on whether the President should personally explain the administration’s priorities amid growing security concerns across the country.

    Lawmakers raise security concerns

    While presenting the motion, one lawmaker argued that insecurity had reached an alarming level, with kidnappings and violent attacks continuing across several parts of the country.

    “Our people are being kidnapped every day, heads are being chopped off on national television, Nigerians are suffering,” the lawmaker said, questioning the government’s decision to commit trillions of naira to the coastal highway project while many communities remain under threat.

    The debate quickly became rowdy as some members backed the motion, insisting the National Assembly had a constitutional responsibility to demand accountability from the executive.

    Others, however, defended the government’s infrastructure drive, arguing that projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway are critical to Nigeria’s long-term economic growth and should not be politicised.

    Sharp divisions during plenary

    The exchanges forced repeated interventions from the presiding officer as lawmakers shouted across the chamber while attempting to make their positions known.

    The motion highlighted growing concerns within the House over the balance between addressing immediate security challenges and funding major infrastructure projects.

    Awaiting House decision

    As of the time of filing this report, the House had not announced a final resolution on whether President Tinubu would be invited to appear before lawmakers.

    The Presidency has also not issued any official response to the debate.

  • Cubana Chief Priest Declares House of Reps Bid, Targets Imo Seat Ahead of 2027

    Popular socialite and nightlife entrepreneur, Pascal Okechukwu, widely known as Cubana Chief Priest, has announced plans to contest for a seat in the House of Representatives in the 2027 general elections. He said he intends to represent the Orsu, Orlu and Oru East Federal Constituency in Imo State under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The declaration was made in a video shared online, where he outlined his motivation for entering politics.

    Chief Priest Declares Interest, Frames Ambition Around Service

    In the video, the celebrity barman said his decision to run is driven by a desire to contribute to the development of his constituency. He insisted that his ambition is not financially motivated but focused on adding value.

    “I am not coming to steal money, I want to add mine to the constituency,” he said.

    Move Follows Alignment With Tinubu Support Structure

    His political ambition comes weeks after he formally aligned with the City Boy Movement, a support group backing President Bola Tinubu. The development has intensified conversations about his growing involvement in political activities.

    Earlier in February, he was appointed Imo State Director of the movement, a role that positions him within the structure mobilising support for the president’s re-election bid.

    City Boy Movement Highlights Role in Tinubu Agenda

    The group, in a statement announcing his appointment, described Cubana Chief Priest as a figure capable of strengthening grassroots mobilisation. It said his influence and reach would help advance the Renewed Hope agenda.

    According to the statement, his role includes supporting party structures and driving engagement across the state.

    Early Signals as 2027 Political Activity Builds

    His declaration adds to the growing list of early political moves ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly among public figures expanding into politics. Observers note that such announcements reflect increasing activity within party structures as alignments begin to form.

    With his entry into the race, attention is expected to shift to how established political actors in the constituency respond in the coming months.

  • Reps Approve $516m Deutsche Bank Loan for Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway Amid Oversight Conditions

     

    The House of Representatives has approved a $516.3 million syndicated loan from Deutsche Bank AG to finance Section 1 (Phase 1A and 1B) of the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway project. The approval was reached on Tuesday after lawmakers adopted the report of the House Committee on Aids, Loans and Debt Management during plenary in Abuja. The decision moves forward one of Nigeria’s most ambitious road infrastructure plans linking the northern and southern regions.

    Committee Pushes Strategic Economic Justification

    Presenting the report, Committee Chairman Abubakar Hassan Nalaraba urged lawmakers to support the financing request for the 120-kilometre segment of the project. He stressed that the highway remains central to improving national connectivity and boosting economic integration across regions.

    The motion for consideration was moved by Abdullahi El-Rashid of Dukku/Nafada Federal Constituency in Gombe State and seconded by Bello Isah Ambarura of Illela/Gwadabawa Federal Constituency in Sokoto State. Lawmakers described the project as critical to long-term infrastructure development and trade expansion.

    Clause-by-Clause Approval in Committee of Supply

    The House later dissolved into the Committee of Supply, where the loan proposal was reviewed clause-by-clause before final adoption. Lawmakers approved all five recommendations attached to the request, including its inclusion in the Federal Government’s rolling borrowing plan.

    They also endorsed the financing structure, which includes a partial guarantee by the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit. The facility carries a nine-year repayment tenor with a moratorium of up to three years and an interest rate benchmarked at CME SOFR plus 5.35 per cent annually.

    Strict Oversight Measures Attached to Approval

    As part of accountability safeguards, the House mandated quarterly reporting from the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Debt Management Office, and the Federal Ministry of Works on project execution and fund utilisation. Lawmakers also insisted that all financing agreements must be submitted to the National Assembly within 30 days of financial close.

    The approval further included provisions for competitive procurement processes, independent technical and financial audits, and periodic assessment of project milestones to ensure transparency and value for money in implementation.

    Tinubu’s Request and National Corridor Vision

    The approval follows an earlier request by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in April 2026, seeking legislative backing for the external loan facility. In his letter to the National Assembly, the President said the funds would support Sections 1, Phase 1A and 1B of the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway.

    The project forms part of a broader 1,000-kilometre transport corridor designed to link Nigeria’s North-West to the South-West, passing through Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, and terminating in Badagry, Lagos State. The Federal Government says the corridor is expected to strengthen trade routes and improve regional connectivity.

    Oversight Pressure as Borrowing Plan Advances

    While the approval marks progress for the flagship infrastructure project, lawmakers have stressed strict monitoring to prevent misuse of funds and ensure timely delivery. Attention now shifts to implementation agencies and financial institutions as Nigeria deepens its external borrowing strategy for major capital projects.

    The outcome is expected to intensify public scrutiny over debt sustainability, infrastructure delivery, and transparency in the execution of large-scale federal projects.