Withdrawal of Police from VIP; Akpabio begs President Tinubu says Senators can’t go home for Xmas

Published

December 20, 2025

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to review the recent order mandating the removal of police personnel assigned to members of the National Assembly.

The directive, issued on November 23, called for the immediate withdrawal of police officers attached to very important persons (VIPs) nationwide. Three days later, on November 26, several federal lawmakers raised alarm, warning that the decision had heightened their exposure to security threats.

Speaking at a joint session of the National Assembly on Friday during the presentation of the 2026 Appropriation Bill, Akpabio conveyed the concerns of legislators, noting that the withdrawal of security details could endanger some members and hinder their ability to return safely to their constituencies.
“As we direct the security agencies to withdraw policemen from critical areas, some members have asked me to inform you that they may not be able to go home today because of this change,” Akpabio said.

“We plead with you, Mr President, for a review of the decision.”

In his earlier remarks, Akpabio formally received President Tinubu at the joint session, characterising the National Assembly as the foundation of the president’s career in public service.

He also extended a warm welcome to Vice President Kashim Shettima and members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in attendance.

The Senate President stressed that meaningful national development depends on a strong working relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government, rejecting suggestions that such cooperation undermines legislative independence. According to him, the budgeting process gains purpose and effectiveness when it is built on constitutionally grounded collaboration rather than institutional rivalry.

Akpabio further described the 2026 Appropriation Bill as both a declaration of intent and a strategic blueprint guiding Nigeria into its next chapter of national renewal.
“Over the past year, our country has navigated a period of significant transition in the midst of challenges,” Akpabio said.

“Families have felt the strain of rising costs. Businesses have adjusted to a changing economic environment.

“Young Nigerians have asked hard and legitimate questions about opportunity, fairness, and their place in the nation’s future. Insecurity has tested our collective resolve and reminded us that peace is not a gift we inherit but a responsibility we must constantly defend.

“Yet history teaches us something enduring: Nigeria does not retreat in the face of difficulty—we confront it.

“We confront it with resilience forged in adversity, with faith in our shared destiny, and with an unyielding belief that tomorrow can be better than today.

“From one generation to the next, this nation has survived storms not by surrendering to despair, but by standing together, reforming what must be reformed, and renewing our commitment to justice, inclusivity, and progress.”

He said the 2025 budget required difficult but necessary reforms that prioritised long-term national interest over short-term comfort.

The senate president said the 10th senate had recorded one of the highest legislative outputs in Nigeria’s history.

He said the senate passed landmark bills on security, economic reform, governance, judicial administration, electoral integrity, infrastructure and social protection.

Akpabio said the laws strengthened the legal framework for combating insecurity, improved public finance management and enhanced access to justice.

He said the national assembly remained committed to strengthening legal and budgetary support for security agencies.

News

BREAKING: Guber candidate picks Kwankwaso’s son as Deputy guber candidate

Published

2 minutes ago

June 15, 2026

olalekan

The Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) has named Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso as its deputy governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Kano State.

Mustapha, who is the first son of the party’s vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, will run alongside the NDC governorship candidate, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo.

The announcement was confirmed on Monday by the spokesperson of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Habibu Saleh Mohammed.

In a statement, Mohammed disclosed that Gwarzo formally unveiled Mustapha Kwankwaso as his running mate ahead of the 2027 governorship election in the state.

“HE Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo unveiled Hon Mustapha Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as running mate for the 2027 Governorship Election,” the statement said.

News

Court sentences 6 persons to 25 years imprisonment each for terrorism offences

Published

1 hour ago

June 15, 2026

olalekan

Court sentences 6 persons to 25 years imprisonment each for terrorism offences

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday convicted and sentenced each of the six suspects to 25 years imprisonment each for belonging to the Boko Haram terrorist group, a proscribed organisation in the country.

Justice James Omotosho handed down the separate judgment after the six convicts pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against them by the Federal Government.

The six defendants who were separately charged by the Federal Government are Ali Maigana, Adamu Ahmadu, Mohammed Ali, Umar Abubakar, Ali Mohammed and Guja Ali.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) is prosecuting no fewer than 600 suspected terrorists in the current phase.

The AGF, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, led the team of the government’s lawyers in the trials which would last till Thursday.

In the two-count charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/998/2026 filed against Guja Ali, the convict with Chest Number; 1320, from Borsori village, Marte Local Government Area of Borno, sometime in 2014, was said to have belonged to the Boko Haram terrorist group.

The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 16 of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.

In count two, he was charged for failure to disclose information about the group which would have been of material assistance in securing the apprehension, prosecution and conviction of the group members in his village.

The offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 8(1)(b) of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.

He was sentenced to 25 years in count one and 15 years in count two.

Justice Omotosho also convicted and jailed Isah Liman for 20 years for failure to disclose information regarding the terror group.(NAN)

News

BREAKING: Federal Govt, States, others share N2.257trn April 2026 revenue

Published

6 hours ago

June 15, 2026

olalekan

BREAKING: Federal Govt, States, others share N2.257trn April 2026 revenue

The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has shared a total sum of N2.257 trillion to the Federal, States and the Local Government Councils for the month of April 2026.

Mr Bawa Mokwa, Director Press and Public Relations in the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation (OAGF), revealed this in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.

In the statement, Mokwa said the revenue was shared at the May 2026 FAAC meeting held in Abuja recently.

He revealed that, the N2.257 trillion total distributable revenue comprised distributable statutory revenue of N1.260 trillion, distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N747.088 billion and Augmentation N250 billion.

Mokwa said a communiqué issued by the FAAC indicated that total gross revenue of N3.184 trillion was available in the month of April 2026.

“A total deduction for cost of collection was N113.756 billion while total transfers, refunds and savings was N813.839 billion.

“Gross statutory revenue of N2.378 trillion was received for the month of April 2026. This was higher than the sum of N1.699 trillion received in the preceeding month by N678.224 billion.

“Gross revenue of N806.617 billion was available from the Value Added Tax (VAT) in April 2026. This was higher than the N664.425 billion available in the month of March 2026 by N142.192 billion,’’ Mokwa quoted the communiqué.

He quoted the communique further: “From the N2.257 trillion total distributable revenue, the Federal Government received total sum of N787.351 billion and the State Governments received total sum of N772.360 billion.

“The Local government Council received N540.152 billion, while the sum of N157.254 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting State as derivation revenue.

“On the N1.260 trillion distributable statutory revenue, the Federal Government received N580.942 billion and the State Governments received N294.661 billion.

“The Local Government Councils received N227.172 billion and the sum of N157.254 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue.

“From the N747.088 billion distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue, the Federal Government received N74.709 billion, the State Governments received N410.898 billion and the Local Government Councils received N261.481 billion.

“The Federal Government received N131.700 billion from the N250.000 billion, the States received N66.800 billion and the Local Government received N51.500 billion.

He further disclosed that, in April 2026, Companies income Tax (CIT), CGT, SDT, Import Duty, Oil and Gas Royalty and Value Added Tax (VTA) increased significantly, while Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Hydrocarbon Tax (HT), decreased considerably.

Mokwa added that Excise Duty and CET Levies decreased marginally.(NAN)