The Senate on Thursday passed for second reading a bill seeking to establish the National Council for Traditional Rulers, a move aimed at formally assigning monarchs and community leaders defined roles in governance.

Sponsored by Senator Simon Lalong (Plateau South), the bill reignited debate among lawmakers, with some expressing concerns over potential conflicts between traditional rulers and elected local government officials.

Defending the bill, Lalong, a former Plateau State governor, argued that traditional rulers, many of whom are well-educated, could play crucial advisory roles on security and national development.

He emphasized their deep-rooted presence in communities, stating that they are often the first point of contact during crises.

“When crises and killings occur, people immediately hold traditional rulers responsible because they know everyone in their communities, including criminals. However, we expect them to act without any formal responsibility,” Lalong stated.

He added, “During the Tinubu-Shettima campaign, we engaged with traditional rulers across the country, and they consistently requested official roles in governance. It was part of our campaign promises, and it aligns with ongoing constitutional amendments, particularly concerning security. Without security, everything else we do is meaningless.”

Despite Lalong’s assurances, some senators voiced concerns over potential overlapping responsibilities, stressing the need for clear role definitions to prevent conflicts between traditional rulers and government officials.

Senate Presiden, Godswill Akpabio, emphasized the importance of clarity in the bill, suggesting that a public hearing be held to gather wider input before proceeding to the third reading.

Acknowledging the contributions of traditional rulers, Akpabio noted that they could provide valuable insights on governance and national development.

The bill was subsequently referred to the Senate Committee on Establishment, which is expected to report back within four weeks.

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has reinstated the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Samson Osagie, months after his suspension.

Osagie was suspended in February alongside the Chairman of the Edo State Local Government Commission, Damian Lawani, over alleged financial misconduct.

However, following an investigation, he has been cleared of any wrongdoing.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Umar Ikhilor, conveyed the decision in a letter dated March 12, which was made public on Wednesday night.

“Having considered the report of the investigative panel set up by the government to examine financial infractions against you, which has completely exonerated you, I write to convey the directive of the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, that you resume duties as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice immediately,” the letter stated.

In response, Osagie expressed gratitude to the governor, acknowledging his leadership and commitment to the state’s progress.

“This decision underscores the sincerity and vision of His Excellency, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, for Edo State,” Osagie said.

“I remain loyal to his administration and will continue working towards the development and repositioning of the state.”

The Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Umar Damagum, has dismissed the South-South zonal congress organized by members loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, insisting it holds no legitimacy.

The congress, conducted in Cross River State under the leadership of Chief Dan Orbih, was endorsed by Wike, who declared it as the only valid congress for the zone.

However, speaking at the inauguration of the South-South Zonal Caretaker Committee at the PDP headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, Damagum maintained that the tenure of the previous committee had expired, making it necessary to set up a caretaker committee before a proper congress could be held.

“This is a very important occasion, and I want to make it clear that there was no valid election in the South-South as far as the PDP is concerned,” Damagum stated.

“The tenure of the outgoing zonal committee has expired, and we still have some time before conducting zonal congresses. That is why we have constituted this caretaker committee.”

He urged members of the newly inaugurated committee to remain neutral and work towards forming an inclusive executive for the zone.

“I believe you will be diligent in your responsibilities and ensure a smooth transition to a newly elected zonal executive,” he added.

Damagum also took a swipe at the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), asserting that the PDP remains the dominant political force in the country.

“The PDP has been tested for 27 years, making it one of Nigeria’s oldest political parties. The APC and other parties are not even 10 years old. If we have stood firm for nearly three decades, then Nigerians know where the real political strength lies,” he said.

He further cautioned PDP leaders against aligning with the APC-led administration out of fear, urging them to stay resolute in their commitment to the party’s principles.

“Nobody can determine your destiny except you. I find it troubling that some of our leaders are supporting this administration at the center. Let’s be honest with ourselves, there’s no reason for fear. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and no one is more entitled to this country than another.”

Damagum expressed confidence that with unity and determination, the PDP would reclaim its rightful position and lead Nigeria towards a better future.

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasiru El-Rufai, has confirmed his departure from the All Progressives Congress (APC), stating that he did so with the approval of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

In a statement posted on his verified Facebook page on Monday, El-Rufai announced his move to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), citing concerns over the state of affairs within the APC.

Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, he revealed that he personally informed Buhari of his decision before leaving the party.

“I left the APC with his full knowledge. I visited him on a Friday and informed him of my decision to leave because I always consult him on important matters,” El-Rufai said.

Recalling his close ties with Buhari, he mentioned that during his tenure as governor, he even sought the former president’s input on his list of commissioner-nominees.

“He reviewed the list, gave his approval, and prayed for us. I always consult him in everything I do,” he added.

When asked about political mentorship, El-Rufai acknowledged having key advisers but refrained from naming them, except for Buhari, whom he described as his primary political godfather.

On whether he regretted supporting President Bola Tinubu, El-Rufai responded, “I don’t regret it, though I have been taken by surprise. My support for Tinubu was based on two reasons. First, Yoruba Muslim leaders from the Southwest visited me in Kaduna and expressed concerns about political marginalization. Second, we had agreed that the 2023 presidency should be zoned to the South for fairness and balance.”

Former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, is currently in a private meeting with Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, at the Ramat House in Bauchi.

The details of their discussion remain undisclosed, but both leaders are expected to address journalists afterward.

Obi arrived in Bauchi earlier in the day and was welcomed at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport by the state’s Deputy Governor, Auwal Mohammed Jatau, around 10am.

The meeting comes at a time when political alignments and strategies are taking shape ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Obi, who finished third in the 2023 presidential race, continues to engage with political figures across the country.

President Bola Tinubu has stepped in to resolve the leadership crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly, following a crucial meeting with the 40 legislators at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, and his deputy, Mojisola Meranda, were present at the meeting, which sources described as productive.

According to insiders, Tinubu, concerned about the potential impact of the crisis on his second-term ambitions and the growing division in Lagos politics, decided to mediate personally.

He reportedly assured all parties that their interests would be protected and urged the lawmakers to work together while avoiding external interference in their affairs.

Obasa, who arrived separately at about 2:50 pm, was led into the President’s office, while the rest of the lawmakers came in two coaster buses.

After the closed-door meeting, the legislators emerged singing Tinubu’s popular political slogan, “On your mandate, we shall stand,” signaling their renewed loyalty to him.

The crisis in the Lagos Assembly began on January 13 when some lawmakers impeached Obasa.

However, he was reinstated on March 3 after intervention by key figures in the state’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the powerful Governing Advisory Council (GAC).

His return was part of an agreement that required Meranda, who had replaced him, to step down. Obasa, in turn, was expected to resign afterward.

However, tensions resurfaced when Obasa accused Meranda of misappropriating over N5 billion to procure SUVs for lawmakers.

Shortly after resuming office, he adjourned plenary indefinitely—a move some observers believe had backing from influential political figures.

A lawmaker who attended the Villa meeting confirmed that Tinubu had successfully brokered peace and that the Assembly would now focus on its legislative duties in the interest of Lagos.

Asked about the role of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the GAC in the dispute, he simply responded, “You can see we all came out smiling. No matter what happened, the final decision rests with Mr. President.”

Lagos APC spokesperson Seye Oladejo stated that while he did not have full details of the meeting’s outcome, indications suggested that Tinubu had effectively settled the dispute.

He also criticized attempts by some individuals to frame the crisis as a conflict between indigenes and non-indigenes, warning that such divisions could destabilize the state.

Bashorun Olorunfumi, a senior GAC member from Ikorodu, expressed disappointment over Obasa’s actions, particularly his move to embarrass Meranda after being reinstated.

He dismissed claims that the GAC was manipulating the situation along ethnic lines, emphasizing that their primary concern was ensuring stability in the Assembly.

While Olorunfumi was unaware of the lawmakers’ meeting with Tinubu until it was reported in the media, he welcomed the President’s intervention, saying, “If this move restores peace in the Assembly, then it is a positive development.”

A group of protesters supporting former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai stormed the national headquarters of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Abuja on Wednesday, demanding the resignation of the party’s National Secretary, Olu Agunloye.

The demonstrators, carrying placards, accused Agunloye of mismanaging the party and insisted that he either clear his name in the ongoing fraud case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or step down.

Agunloye, a former Minister of Power and Steel under President Olusegun Obasanjo, is currently on trial for alleged fraudulent contract awards.

One of the EFCC’s charges accuses him and businessman Leno Adesanya—who is reportedly on the run—of forging a document dated May 22, 2003, which led to the controversial contract between the Nigerian government and Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited (SPTCL) for the construction of the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station.

The EFCC argues that the contract, issued without proper approvals or financial backing, violated sections of the Penal Code and resulted in Nigeria facing a $2.3 billion arbitration claim from Sunrise Power at the ICC International Court of Arbitration in Paris.

Sources suggest that the protesters are aligned with El-Rufai, who recently defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the SDP.

El-Rufai formally resigned from the APC on Monday, citing a disconnect between his values and the party’s leadership.

He criticized the APC for abandoning its founding principles and accused its leaders of disregarding internal democracy.

“I have raised concerns both privately and publicly regarding the capricious trajectory of the party,” El-Rufai said.

“At this point in my political journey, I must seek another platform for the pursuit of progressive values.”

He called on his supporters to join the SDP, expressing hope that it would provide a better platform for good governance, democracy, and national development.

Amid mounting pressure, Agunloye has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, alleging threats and an orchestrated campaign to force his resignation.

“I petitioned the IG about a person who forged letterhead paper and is threatening me to resign,” Agunloye told reporters.

Reports indicate that SDP members loyal to El-Rufai are actively working to remove Agunloye from office.

However, some party figures, including 2023 SDP presidential candidate Adewole Adebayo, have welcomed El-Rufai’s defection but acknowledged concerns about his political approach.

“I see him as an asset, a hardworking person with a measurable track record of public performance,” Adebayo said in a television interview.

“But he has weaknesses that he needs to work on.”

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has stated that it will consider both sides of the case involving suspended Nigerian Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio before taking any action.

The IPU President, Dr. Tulia Ackson, made this known in New York on Tuesday after Senator Natasha raised her suspension issue during the Women in Parliament session.

Natasha had called for justice and the intervention of global democratic institutions, insisting that her suspension from the Senate was unlawful.

She further claimed that her outspokenness in New York could put her at risk upon returning to Nigeria, alleging that “the powers that be” might attempt to detain her.

Natasha’s suspension followed a heated exchange with Senate President Akpabio over a new seating arrangement in the Senate chamber.

The disagreement escalated when Akpabio refused to recognize her contribution at plenary for not speaking from her reassigned seat.

The matter took a more serious turn when Natasha went on national television to accuse Akpabio of sexual harassment, stating that he was punishing her for rejecting his alleged advances.

She also submitted a formal petition detailing her allegations against the Senate President.

Following this, the Senate suspended her, citing a violation of its seating arrangement rules.

However, Natasha maintains that her suspension was a direct response to her sexual harassment complaint.

Responding to Natasha’s appeal at the IPU session, President Tulia Ackson assured that the matter would be examined carefully, emphasizing the need for fairness by hearing from both sides.

“We have heard her concerns, and it would be appropriate for us to gain a broader understanding of the issue because so far, we have only listened to her side,” Ackson said.

“As an institution, the IPU will not only take her concerns into account but will also ensure that the other side is given an opportunity to present their perspective, as is our custom. Once we have gathered all necessary information, we will take the appropriate steps.”

Ackson noted that she chose to address Natasha’s case at the conclusion of the session to prevent a one-sided narrative from shaping public perception.