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NASS Resumes Today, Reps Suspend Sitting to Mourn late Adedoyin

Published

8 years ago

October 9, 2018

Eric

Members of the House of Representatives will suspend legislative activities for one day on Tuesday (today) to mourn their late colleague, Ms Funke Adedoyin, reports The Punch.

The members had gone on annual recess since July 24 and were to resume fully today after the primaries of their political parties ahead of the 2019 poll.

However, while they were on recess, Adedoyin from Kwara State died of a cancer-related ailment on September 28.

A former Minister of State for Health, the late Adedoyin, who was 54, also served as the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Army till she died.

Findings showed that members would merely resume, register and adjourn sitting immediately after holding a prayer session in honour of their departed colleague.

One source explained that “It is the tradition of the House to mourn a departed colleague by suspending legislative activities. She died while we were still on recess and Tuesday (today) will be the first plenary after her demise.

“In line with our tradition, the plenary and other activities will be suspended till Wednesday as soon as resumption formalities are taken.”

The Chief Whip of the House, Mr Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, confirmed to The PUNCH that proceedings would be suspended to honour the late member.

“Obviously, yes,” Ado-Doguwa stated in a response to inquiries by The PUNCH.

Meanwhile, members of the Parliamentary Democrats Group have called on their colleagues in the All Progressives Congress to forget any plan to seek the removal of the Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara, on account of the latter’s defection to the Peoples Democratic Party.

The PDG advised members to focus attention on pressing national issues such as the pending N143bn budget for the 2019 polls than bother themselves about Dogara’s seat.

The spokesperson for the PDG, Mr Timothy Golu, who spoke on behalf of the group ahead of today’s resumption of members, noted that the seat of the Speaker belonged to the entire House and not reserved for a particular political party.

He stated, “Our attention has been drawn to statements credited to the All Progressives Congress, that the Speaker should vacate his seat as he is occupying a usurped position.

“We want to again state categorically that any attempt to instigate crisis or undermine the authority, right or position of the Speaker will hit a brick wall.

“The position of the Speaker does not belong to any political party as he was elected by members from all the political parties as provided for in the 1999 Constitution.”

Speaking with one of our correspondents on the telephone on Sunday, Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, said there would not be a crisis in the chambers until the APC lawmakers create one.

He said, “We have no knowledge about that (renewed leadership tussle). We are very happy with our leadership. If the APC wants to introduce drama into our normal proceeding, there is nothing we can do until they introduce the drama. They have not told us that they would create a drama, so you are the one speculating.”

Murray-Bruce also said the lawmakers would give some pending legislation a special attention after resumption.

Before the holiday began, the lawmakers were working on the Electoral Act 2010 Amendment Bill, the budget of the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies for the conduct of the forthcoming elections, among others.

These Murray-Bruce said were topping the priority list of the National Assembly.

“I have not seen the Order Paper (for Tuesday) but all these issues you have raised are Number One on our priority list of what needs to be done. Yes, these are the issues we want to focus on as soon as we get back (to work). I don’t know what we can accomplish on Tuesday but definitely, the INEC budget, the Electoral Act, and works like that are what we can’t to focus on,” he said.

The Punch

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Certificate Forgery: Group Seeks Tinubu’s Disqualification from 2027 Election

Published

1 day ago

June 29, 2026

Eric

The Centre for Reform and Public Advocacy (CFRPA) has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Kano seeking the disqualification of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the 2027 presidential election over allegations of certificate forgery.

‎According to court documents seen by Daily Trust, the plaintiff alleged that Tinubu presented forged academic certificates from Chicago State University and a fake National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the 2023 elections.

‎‎The suit, marked FHC/K/CS/312/2026, lists Tinubu, INEC, and Chicago State University as defendants.

‎The plaintiff contended that Tinubu never attended Government College Lagos as claimed, noting that the school was established in 1974, four years after Tinubu allegedly graduated.

The CSO further argued that Tinubu does not possess a valid secondary school certificate, which is the minimum constitutional requirement to contest for the presidency.

‎It claimed that INEC had failed to act on its petition dated June 19, 2026, demanding clarification on Tinubu’s eligibility.

‎‎In its statement of claims, the group referenced a 2023 U.S. court ruling in In Re: Application of Atiku Abubakar (No. 23 CV 05099), which compelled Chicago State University to release Tinubu’s academic records.

‎The plaintiff insisted those records revealed false entries and inconsistencies, including a forged University of Cambridge General Certificate of Education.

‎The prayers asked by the plaintiff included declaration of forgery against Tinubu’s Chicago State University certificate, issuance of an order directing INEC to disqualify him from the 2027 presidential election, directing CSU to strike Tinubu’s name from its records and perpetual injunction restraining INEC from uploading Tinubu’s name as a candidate.

‎The plaintiff also submitted affidavits of non-multiplicity of action, witness statements, and letters to the NYSC and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, demanding disclaimers on the alleged fake NYSC certificate.

Featured

Lagos Island Red Cross Holds Annual Thanksgiving Service

Published

2 days ago

June 28, 2026

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The Lagos Island Division of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, has held its 2026 Annual Thanksgiving, to express gratitude for another year of provision of succor and comfort to as many that are in need.

The thanksgiving service, which was held at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos, on the last Sunday of June, was led by the Division Coordinator, Chief (Olori) Aderonke Elegushi.

Speaking to The Boss on the activities of the Island Division of the Red Cross over the years, Olori Elegushi noted that it has been a thing of joy to be at the forefront of releasing the milk of human kindness to as many that needs it, and when they need it.

Coordinator, Lagos Island Division Nigerian Red Cross Society, Chief (Olori) Aderonke Elegushi (m), Vice Coordinator Abimbola Adeshile (2nd left), Secretary Ajibola Adu (2md right) and Saheed Ayinde Yusuf (1st right)

“This is what I love to do, and this is what the Red Cross is all about; lending helping hand and spreading love across borders, especially here in Lagos Island.

“In everything, we won’t forget our Maker, the Almighty God, through whose power we are able to do the little and much we can do. That explains why we here today to give thanks as it’s a tradition every year,” Olori Elegushi said.

Olori Elegushi also noted that as an not for profit organization, the Society seeks support well-meaning Nigerians and Lagosians to come to their aid so that the gospel of continuous lending of helping hand to the needy will continue unabated.

“We also seek the support of well-meaning individuals, organizations, and the Church in our efforts to expand our humanitarian activities. With adequate funding and partnerships, we can organize first aid and health awareness programmes for public school students, train more volunteers, equip communities with emergency preparedness skills, and carry out outreach programmes that will positively impact lives across our society,” she concluded.

Olori Elegushi, who will soon join the octogenarian club, was accompanied at the thanksgiving event, by Vice Coordinator Abimbola Adeshile, Secretary Ajibola Adu, Saheed Ayinde Yusuf, and a host of other members, dressed in their sparkling white uniform.

The Red Cross Society is an international organizational saddled with the responsibility of providing healthcare services among other humanitarian services to the people of the world. The Society is domiciled in every part of the world.

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Insecurity: Adeboye, Oyedepo Urge More US Military Action in Nigeria

Published

3 days ago

June 28, 2026

Eric

The General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, and Founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, have thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for recent military action against terrorism in Nigeria, urging Washington to do more to halt the unrelenting attacks.

Both clerics spoke at the “Faith Heroes Award Gala” in Washington D.C. on June 26, 2026, organised by Save Nigeria Group USA, SNGUSA, with the US-Nigeria Civil Society Coalition.

The event honoured Trump, Congressmen Chris Smith and Riley Moore, and other advocates of religious freedom in Nigeria.

Addressing a packed audience of activists, policymakers and faith leaders at the Hilton Garden Inn, Capitol Hill, Adeboye said the scale of violence has moved beyond what any religious leader can handle alone.

“Terrorism is now at my doorstep,” he said. “If you want to help us, help us more.”

The RCCG leader, who had faced criticism for not speaking out earlier, said he chose “spiritual warfare” instead of public escalation. He noted that Trump’s December strikes on terrorist camps did not surprise him because the U.S. President had warned of consequences.