Nigerian Senate suspends recess for emergency session on national security
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
The Nigerian Senate has suspended its legislative recess and called an emergency plenary session for Tuesday, June 23, at 11:00 a.m. in Abuja. The session, directed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, will address urgent national issues, particularly the worsening security situation across the country. This decision alters the National Assembly's previous schedule, which had lawmakers resuming on July 7, 2026. The emergency recall comes amid increasing concerns over insecurity, including terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping. President Bola Tinubu recently stated that no mercy would be shown to terrorists and their sponsors, noting that over 13,000 terrorists had been neutralized in the past year and terror-related deaths had dropped by 81 percent since 2015. He acknowledged the continued captivity of schoolchildren abducted in Oyo and Borno states as a painful reminder of security challenges. The emergency sitting will also consider ongoing legislative efforts to reform Nigeria's security architecture, including proposals for state police. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives are working to amend the 1999 Constitution to allow for decentralized policing by transferring policing from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List. The Senate has passed this measure for a second reading, indicating a commitment to finding solutions to the country's persistent security crisis. The June 23 session is expected to provide an opportunity for senators
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Must ReadThe Nigerian Union South Africa NUSA has renewed its call for the Federal Government to expedite the repatriation of Nigerians from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks. This appeal comes after the cancellation of a planned evacuation flight for June 15, 2026. The first batch of 258 Nigerians was repatriated on June 11, but subsequent flights were halted. NUSA President-General Smart Nwobi expressed concern over the delay, stating that many vulnerable citizens are distressed and facing economic hardship. NUSA urged the Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa, Ambassador Temitope Ajayi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and other government agencies to clarify the reasons for the cancellation and ensure transparency. The union emphasized the government's constitutional and moral responsibility for the welfare of Nigerians abroad and called for a coordinated and compassionate response to facilitate their safe return.
Must ReadThe Court of Appeal in Abuja has issued a stay of execution on a judgment that mandated the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC to deregister the African Democratic Congress ADC and four other political parties. A three-member panel, led by Justice A. B. Mohammed, unanimously condemned Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja for proceeding with the judgment despite a May 22 order from the appellate court to suspend proceedings. The panel characterized Justice Lifu's actions as "the gravest form of judicial misconduct" and "the highest form of judicial impertinence," citing a Supreme Court precedent that such conduct renders a judge "unfit for the bench." INEC's lead counsel, Mr. Haliru Mohammed, stated that the commission learned of the ruling through media reports and was not officially notified, adding that INEC did not oppose the application for a stay of execution. Counsel for the ADC, Mr. Shuaibu Aruwa, SAN, revealed that Justice Lifu communicated the judgment's delivery via WhatsApp and urged the appellate court to take disciplinary action. The other affected parties highlighted upcoming June 20 by-elections, warning of potential electoral and constitutional crises if the deregistration judgment were to stand. The Federal High Court had previously ordered the deregistration of the ADC, Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, Accord Party, and Zenith Labour Party for failing to meet constitutional requirements. With the appellate court's order, th
Must ReadThe Nigeria Olympic Committee NOC has launched a national safeguarding policy for sports, instructing all national sports federations to adopt and implement the framework. This initiative aims to shield athletes from abuse, harassment, discrimination, and exploitation, ensuring a safe environment for their development and competition. NOC President, Habu Gumel, stated that the policy aligns Nigeria's sports sector with international best practices and the International Olympic Committee's consensus statement on harassment and abuse in sport. The policy follows the inauguration of the NOC Safeguarding Commission in February 2025 and extensive awareness campaigns. It establishes clear standards, reporting mechanisms, and accountability structures for all stakeholders, with a focus on vulnerable groups such as children, female athletes, and persons with disabilities. Gumel urged federations to appoint safeguarding officers and encouraged coaches, administrators, and technical officials to undergo safeguarding training, for which the IOC has allocated resources. Adebola Olajide, Chairman of the NOC Safeguarding Commission, highlighted that the policy protects the entire sports ecosystem by defining responsibilities and reporting channels, addressing issues like psychological abuse, sexual harassment, neglect, and bullying. Olajide emphasized that safeguarding enhances athlete performance by fostering an environment free from fear, allowing athletes to concentrate on their long-te