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ANYTHING GOES: WHY WE MUST DEMAND QUALITY REPRESENTATION IN NIGERIA’S LEGISLATURE

Nigeria’s legislature has increasingly become a stage where anything goes. From senators engaging in ego battles to representatives who appear to have no grasp of governance, the quality of leadership in the country is declining rapidly. The House of Representatives, in particular, is now filled with individuals who neither inspire confidence nor display the intelligence required for the job. Take, for example, Hon. Abass Adigun, representing Ibadan South-East/North-East. His recent public appearances have not only embarrassed his constituents but also made a mockery of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the platform that brought him to power. The man is clearly unprepared for legislative duties, yet he occupies a seat meant for a serious-minded representative. Instead of pushing for policies that will improve the lives of his people, he has become a viral sensation for all the wrong reasons, a recurring subject of ridicule on social media. But let’s ask ourselves; who is to blame? Is it just the lawmaker, or is it the people who voted him in? The truth is, many Nigerians continue to make poor electoral choices, prioritizing monetary handouts and personal favors over competence and integrity. The result? We end up with individuals who have no business making laws, let alone debating national issues on behalf of millions. The Assembly has its own problems, and at this point, we’re not even sure what the outcome will be, an unending roforofo over leadership. The Speakership is now looking like autocratic. Though due process was followed in his impeachment, the Speaker who seems favoured by powers higher than the power of the majority who impeached him, is bent on returning through any means. Will Lagos self combust? That’s the question on everyone’s lip as it seems, ‘the more you look, the less you see. Coming back to the Ibadan South-East/North-East Constituency, they can and must do better. That incident last month? It was a clear reminder that we need to stop electing people based on stomach infrastructure and start choosing leaders who can actually lead. Nigeria deserves better. And it starts with us. Enough of the jokes, let’s take governance seriously. – By Isiaka Akigbade Watch video pls:

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PROPOSES CREATION OF 31 NEW STATES

The House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review has proposed the creation of 31 new states in Nigeria, which would bring the total number of states to 67. The proposal was contained in a letter read during Thursday’s plenary session by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session in the absence of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. Kalu According to the proposal, six new states would be created in the North Central, four in the North East, five in the North West, five in the South East, four in the South-South, and seven in the South West. Some of the proposed states include Okun, Okura, and Confluence states from Kogi; Benue Ala and Apa states from Benue; FCT state; Amana state from Adamawa; and Katagum from Bauchi. The committee outlined specific requirements that must be fulfilled to initiate the process of state creation, including a request supported by at least two-thirds majority of members representing the area demanding the new state. The proposal must also be approved by the House of Representatives, the House of Assembly in respect of the area, and the Local Government Council in respect of the area. Deputy Speaker Kalu directed that proposals shall be resubmitted in strict adherence to the stipulations. “Submit three hard copies of the full proposal of the memoranda to the Secretariat of the Committee at Room H331, House of Representatives, White House, National Assembly Complex, and Abuja,” he said. The committee remains committed to supporting the implementing efforts that align with the Constitutional provisions and would only consider proposals that comply with the stipulated guidelines. As Kalu noted, “The committee proposes the creation of 31 new states. As amended, this section outlines specific requirements that must be fulfilled to initiate the process of state creation”.