馃嚦馃嚞NigeriaWest Africa
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele addresses claims on lawmakers' allowances and vehicle spending
via Punch Nigeria1 min read
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has refuted claims that federal lawmakers determine their own allowances, stating that the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission RMAFC sets salaries and official vehicle entitlements for members of the National Assembly. Bamidele's comments follow a court ruling that declared the National Assembly's N110 billion spending on SUVs and allowances unlawful. The Federal High Court in Lagos ruled that N40 billion for 465 vehicles and N70 billion in support allowances for new members violated procurement laws, constitutional obligations, and public trust. The court also mandated the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to ensure future procurements comply with due process. Bamidele defended the allowances, explaining that lawmakers do not set their own remuneration and that public misconceptions arise from a lack of understanding of how these are structured. He added that resources for vehicles and other allowances are primarily for constituency and legislative duties, not personal benefits, and called for greater transparency in public office holders' remunerations to improve public understanding.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Opposition parties in Nigeria have criticized the Presidency's celebration of a reported commendation letter from United States President Donald Trump to President Bola Tinubu regarding efforts against insecurity. Some parties questioned the letter's authenticity, while others argued its relevance to Nigeria's broader security challenges. The Presidency announced Trump's letter praised Tinubu's "decisive leadership" and mentioned the deployment of US Special Operations Forces to train the Nigerian military. However, Osa Director, National Publicity Secretary of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, dismissed the celebration, stating that Nigerians would judge the government based on actual conditions, not diplomatic letters. Dr. Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, expressed doubts about the letter's authenticity. Major Agbo, National Chairman of the New Nigeria People's Party, noted conflicting reports about the letter's existence and content. Ken Asogwa, National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, suggested Trump's comments, if authentic, should be interpreted narrowly, focusing on terrorism and attacks on Christian communities, rather than the multifaceted nature of Nigeria's insecurity. The African Democratic Congress and the Allied People's Movement also viewed the letter as mere diplomatic communication, not an endorsement of the Tinubu administration's overall performance. Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progress
Must ReadEsther Nworgu secured Team Nigeria's inaugural gold medal at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games in the women's para powerlifting lightweight category. The 24-year-old athlete twice broke the Games record, first with a lift of 118kg for 114.1 points, and then improved her own record to 123kg, scoring 119 points to clinch the gold. Following her victory, Nworgu received a total cash reward of $10,000, comprising an immediate $5,000 at the venue and an additional $5,000 deposited into her account, in line with the National Sports Commission's athlete welfare policy. Her achievement marked a strong beginning for Team Nigeria's para powerlifting campaign.
Esther Oyema and Roland Ezuruike each won silver medals in para powerlifting on the opening day of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. Oyema, 44, finished second in the women鈥檚 lightweight category, behind fellow Nigerian Esther Nworgu, with a successful lift of 125kg and 115.5 points. Ezuruike secured Nigeria鈥檚 first medal of the Games, claiming silver in the Men鈥檚 Lightweight Group A category with 153.9 points. Both athletes benefited from the National Sports Commission鈥檚 enhanced performance-based reward policy, with Oyema receiving $5,000 and Ezuruike $4,000 in cash rewards and bonuses.