COVER
Senate: Dino, Tinubu’s Men, Others Grab Juicy Committees
By Jude Opara, Abuja
Some notable members of the Senate were yesterday named as chairmen of some notable standing committees of the upper legislative arm of government.
Senate President Ahmad Lawan who announced the reconstitution of the standing committees named his rival to the position of the senate presidency, Ali Ndume as the chairman of the committee on the Army, while Abba Moro will serve as his vice.
Dino Melaye was announced as the chairman of the committee on Aviation while his deputy is Bala Na’ Allah.
Also, wife of the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Oluremi Tinubu is to head the committee on Communications with Ibrahim Bomai as her deputy.The immediate governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha heads the committee on Culture and Tourism with Ignatius Longjohn as the vice.
Lawan made the announcement on Tuesday before the senate adjourned for its annual recess.
While naming chairpersons and deputy chairpersons of the various committees, the president of the senate said they were now ready to engage the executive on various issues bordering on governance.
The immediate past deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu was named chairman of environment committee, while Ibrahim Hadejia will serve as the deputy.
Bala Na’Allah, a former deputy senate leader in the eight senate, was named chairman of air force committee with Michael Nnachi as his deputy,
The full list:
Here is the full list of chairpersons and deputy chairpersons of the 69 committees;
Full list of chairmen of Senate standing committees and their deputies
1. Agriculture – Abdullahi Adamu, Bima Enagi.
2. Airforce – Bala Ibn Na’Allah, Michael Nnachi.
3. Anti-corruption and Financial Crimes – Suleiman Kwari, Aliyu Wamakko.
4. Appropriation – Barau Jibrin, Stella Oduah.
5. Army – Ali Ndume, Abba Moro.
6. Aviation – Dino Melaye, Bala Na’Allah.
7. Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions – Uba Sani, Orji Uzor Kalu.
8. Capital Market – Ibikunle Amosun, Binos Yero
9. Communications – Oluremi Tinubu, Ibrahim Bomai.
10. Corporation and Integration in Africa and NEPAD – Chimaroke Nnamani, Yusuf Yusuf.
11. Culture and Tourism – Rochas Okorocha, Ignatius Longjohn.
12. Customs, Excise and Tarrifs – Francis Alimekhena, Francis Fardausi.
13. Defence – Aliyu Wamakko, Istifanus Gyang.
14. Diaspora and NGOs – Bashiru Ajibola, Ibrahim Oloriegbe.
15. Downstream Petroleum Sector – Sabo Mohammed, Philip Aduda.
16.Drugs and Narcotics – Hezekaiah Dimka, Chimaroke Nnamani.
17. Ecology Climate Change – Mohammad Gusau, Olubunmi Adetunmbi.
18. Education (Basic and Secondary) – Ibrahim Geidam, Akon Eyakenyi
19. Employment, Labour and Productivity – Ben Umajumogwu, Kabiru Barkiya.
20. Environment – Ike Ekweremadu, Ibrahim Hadejia.
21. Establishment and Public Service – Ibrahim Shekarau, Barinadas Mpigi.
22. Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions – Patrick Akinyelure, Ahmed Babba-Kaita.
23. FCT – Abubakar Kyari, Tolu Odebiyi.
24.Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affairs – Danjuma Laah, Yahaya Gumau.
25. FERMA – Gershom Bassey, Kabir Barkiya.
26. Finance – Adeola Olamilekan, Isa Jibrin.
27. Foreign Affairs – Mohammed Bulkachuwa, Ignatius Longjohn.
28. Gas Resources – James Manager, Biobaraku Wangagra.
29. Health (Secondary and Tertiary) – Ibrahim Oloriegbe, Betty Apiafi.
30. Housing – Sam Egwu, Lola Ashiru.
31. ICT and Cybercrime – Yakubu Useni, Abdulfatai Buhari.
32. INEC – Kabiru Gaya, Sahabi Ya’u.
33. Industries – Adebayo Osinowo.
34. Information and National Communication – Danladi Sankara, Aishatu Ahmed.
35. Interior -Kashim Shettima, Diri Douye.
36. Interparliamentary Affairs – Godiya Akwashiki, Abba Moro.
37. Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters – Michael Bamidele, Emmanuel Oker-Jev.
38. Land Transport – Abdulfatai Buhari, Nicholas Tofowomo.
39. Legislative Compliance – Oriolowo Adeyemi, Sabi Abdullahi.
40. Local Content – Teslim Folarin, Sabi Abdullahi.
41. Local and Foreign Debts – Clifford Ordia, Bima Enagi.
42. Marine Transport – Danjuma Goje, Adebayo Osinowo.
43. Media and Public Affairs – Adedayo Adeyeye, Akwashiki Godiya.
44. National Identity and National Population – Sa’idu Alkali, Suleiman Kwari.
45. National Planning – Olubunmi Adetunmbi, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
46. National Security and Intelligence – Abdullahi Gobir, Chukwuka Utazi.
47. Navy – George Sekibo, Elisha Abbo.
48. Niger Delta – Peter Nwabaoshi, Bulus Amos.
49. Petroleum Upstream – Albert Akpan, Ifeanyi Ubah.
50. Police affairs – Dauda Jika, Abubakar Tambuwal.
51. Poverty Alleviation and Social Investment Program – Lawal Gumau, Michael Nnachi.
52. Power -Gabriel Suswam, Enyinnaya Abaribe.
53. Primary Health Care and Communicable Diseases – Chuwkuka Utazi, Sadiq Umar.
54. Privatisation – Theodore Orji, Oriolowo Adeyemi.
55. Public Accounts – Mathew Urghohide, Ibrahim Hassan.
56. Public Procurement – Shuaibu Lau, Lola Ashiru.
57. Rules and business – Sadiq Umar, Yahaya Abdullahi.
58. Science and Technology – Uche Ekwunife, Robert Boroffice.
59. Senate Services – Sani Musa, Lawal Hassan.
60. Solid Minerals, Mine, Steel Development and Metallurgy – Tanko Almakura, Oriolowo Adeyeye.
61. Sports and Social Development – Joseph Garba
62. State and Local Government – Lekan Mustapha, Francis Onyewuchi.
63. Special duties – Yusuf Yusuf, Biobaraku Wangagra.
64. SDGs – Aisha Dahiru, Lekan Mustapha
65. Tertiary Institution and TETFUND – Ahmed Baba Kaita, Sandy Onor.
66. Trade and Investment – Rose Oko, Francis Fadahunsi.
67. Water Resources – Bello Mandiya, Christopher Ekpeyong.
68. Women Affairs and Youth Development – Betty Apiafi, Aishatu Dahiru.
69. Works – Adamu Aliero, Emmanuel Bwacha.
| ReplyForward |
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced that the Nigerian capital market will officially transition to a T+2 settlement cycle for equities transactions from Friday, November 28, 2025, in a move designed to align with global best practices and enhance market efficiency.
The Commission disclosed this in a statement on Thursday by Efe Ebelo, head of External Relations. The statement noted that the transition from the current T+3 (trade date plus three days) settlement cycle is now at the implementation stage following months of preparation and stakeholder testing. According to the SEC, the “migration is expected to significantly enhance the Nigerian Capital Market by allowing investors quicker access to funds, thereby enhancing overall market liquidity and reducing counterparty risk exposure, thereby fostering a more stable and resilient market environment”.The Commission added that “As the central counterparty, CSCS Plc has dedicated considerable effort and resources to ensure seamless operational and technical readiness throughout the transition”.“Extensive testing with market participants has been successfully conducted without any reported issues, reflecting high confidence in the market’s preparedness for this landmark change”, it disclosed.Under the new system, all trades executed on Friday, November 28, 2025, will settle on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, while transactions carried out before that date will continue to follow the existing T+3 schedule. This means that trades executed on Thursday, November 27, will also settle on December 2, coinciding with the first batch of T+2 settlements.The SEC reaffirmed its commitment to building a modern, efficient, and transparent capital market, adding that it will continue to engage stakeholders to drive further improvements and strengthen Nigeria’s position as an attractive investment destination.
By Johnson Eyiangho, Laide Akinboade and Mike Odiakose, Abuja
The Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) lingering leadership crisis deepened yesterday despite efforts by the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) to reconcile warring factions, as its High-Powered Reconciliation Committee formally submitted its report amid growing divisions over the planned November 15–16 national convention in Ibadan.
The six-member committee, inaugurated on November 5 and led by Amb. Hassan Adamu, submitted six copies of its report with annexures to BoT Chairman, Amb. Adolphus Wabara, in Abuja.Presenting the report, the committee’s Secretary, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, said they met with key stakeholders including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; PDP National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum; suspended National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; the PDP Governors’ Forum; and former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki.According to Oghiadomhe, “We deliberated on all the findings from our engagements and came up with observations and recommendations aimed at providing a road map for sustainable and progressive party administration.”Committee Chairman Adamu described the assignment as “difficult but necessary,” saying the report provides guidance to ensure a free and fair convention.However, despite the reconciliation effort, divisions persist over whether the convention should go ahead in light of conflicting court rulings. While the Federal High Court in Abuja restrained the PDP from proceeding, a High Court in Oyo State granted an order permitting the event.Reacting after receiving the report, BoT Chairman Wabara maintained that the convention would hold as planned, insisting that all organs of the party — including the Governors’ Forum, National Working Committee (NWC), and BoT — had agreed on the exercise.He said, “All the organs of the party had agreed to go to the convention. However, if the courts stop us, we are a law-abiding party and will obey the last order as the case may be.”Wabara blamed the crisis on “self-inflicted problems and selfish political interests,” saying some members want the party weakened now to control it ahead of 2031.In contrast, former Senate President Bukola Saraki urged the party to suspend the Ibadan convention to avoid worsening the crisis. Meeting with the BoT reconciliation team earlier in the week, Saraki advised the PDP to set up a caretaker committee within 48 hours to stabilize the party.He warned that proceeding with the convention “amid conflicting legal rulings” would undermine confidence and could render outcomes invalid. “Political matters are best resolved around the table, not in the courts,” Saraki said, describing the current approach as a “waste of effort.”Meanwhile, the faction of the party loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has called for a boycott of the convention. Addressing journalists in Abuja, its factional chairman, Mohammed Abdul-Rahman, said members should “stay away” from the Ibadan event in obedience to the Abuja court’s restraining order.He stated, “We are law-abiding citizens. We will not participate in an exercise stopped by a competent court. Our delegates across the federation have been instructed to stay away from the purported national convention.”With the party split between factions loyal to Damagum, Anyanwu, and Wike — and senior figures like Saraki calling for a pause — the PDP’s path toward unity remains uncertain, even as its BoT hopes the reconciliation report will provide a roadmap for peace.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has stated that the proposed implementation of the 15 per cent of valorem import duty on imported Premium Motor Spirit and Diesel is no longer in view.According to a statement posted on its X handle yesterday, the Director, Public Affairs Department, NMDPRA, George Ene-Ita, said, “It should also be noted that the implementation of the 15 per cent ad-valorem import duty on imported Premium Motor Spirit and Diesel is no longer in view.
”President Bola Tinubu has approved the introduction of a 15 per cent ad-valorem import duty on petrol and diesel imports into Nigeria.NMDPRA also assured all that there is an adequate supply of petroleum products in the country, within the acceptable national sufficiency threshold, during this peak demand period.“There is a robust domestic supply of petroleum products (AGO, PMS, LPG, etc) sourced from both local refineries and importation to ensure timely replenishment of stocks at storage depots and retail stations during this period.“The Authority wishes to use this opportunity to advice against any hoarding, panic buying or non-market reflective escalation of prices of petroleum products.“The Authority will continue to closely monitor the supply situation and take appropriate regulatory measures to prevent disruption of supply and distribution of petroleum products across the country, especially during this peak demand period.“While appreciating the continued efforts of all stakeholders in the midstream and downstream value chain in ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted supply and distribution, the public is hereby assured of NMDPRA’s commitment to guarantee energy security,” the statement read.
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