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‘We Fund Constituents’ Naming Ceremonies’, Senate Spokesman Opposes Part-Time Legislature

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Senate Spokesman Yemi Adaramodu on Friday said Nigeria’s democracy would be jeopardised if lawmakers in the two legislative arms transit from full-time to part-time.

“If the parliament is on part-time, then it means democracy is on part-time,” he said on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme. “There is no democracy that derides its parliament and thrives.”

He argued that the parliament is the bastion and fulcrum of democracy and no level of cost-cutting should affect the allocations that go to lawmakers.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker representing Ekiti South Senatorial District said beyond law-making and oversight functions on the executive, the 109 Senators in the Senate and the 360 members of the House of Representatives shoulder the responsibilities of their constituents.

He said, “The Nigerian parliament is not only for lawmaking; we do oversight function. We advocate for our constituents.

“It will just be bewildering that even out of the three arms of government that we have in Nigeria, it is only the parliament and parliamentarians that our people have access to. Like me and others.

“We go home almost every time and we are the ones when they give birth to a new baby, they ask for naming ceremony funds. When they are building a new house, it is from us they ask for assistance.

“So, if the parliament was not there, who do you expect that our constituents would run to? The parliament is not just to sit down at the plenary and make laws alone. And when we make laws, we follow it up.”

The Senate spokesman said the National Assembly is the soft target of every critic but vehemently opposed the reduction of the money paid to lawmakers.

“If we are on part-time, can’t the same amount of money be paid to part-time legislators?” he asked.

“We are in Abuja, is it the National Assembly that is giving us housing? Is it the National Assembly that is employing domestic staff for us? We are here on our own.

“We don’t get allowances for drivers. The allowances we get from housing are always deducted from our salaries. They give it once in four years and they deduct it every month.”

He also said the official vehicles lawmakers get weren’t registered in their names and weren’t for them. He, however, did not clarify whether lawmakers inherit the vehicles after their tenure.

In the past, controversy has enveloped the monthly earnings of federal lawmakers. In August 2024, Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th Senate, said he got ₦13 million as Senator while current members of the 10th Senate receive ₦21 million monthly. The upper chamber of the National Assembly immediately disproved the claim.

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Gov Yusuf lauds Shekarau’s return to APC

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Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has welcomed former governor and senator, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, into the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing his return as a major development for the party in the state.


The governor made this known in a press statement issued on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mustapha Muhammad.
According to the statement, Governor Yusuf said Shekarau’s return would further strengthen the APC’s position in Kano ahead of future elections.

“A date will soon be fixed, in consultation with the national secretariat of the party, for the formal reception of the former Governor into the APC fold,” the governor said.


He added that the party continues to gain momentum in the state, noting that “the party in Kano continues to witness growing support and consolidation, positioning itself as the most dominant political force in the state.”

Governor Yusuf also expressed confidence in the APC’s readiness for the next round of elections, saying the party is fully prepared to contest and win all available positions.

He attributed the party’s optimism to what he described as growing unity and strategic political alignments within its ranks.

The governor further assured members and supporters that the party leadership remains focused on strengthening internal cohesion and expanding its grassroots support base across Kano State.

He urged party loyalists to remain committed and continue mobilising support as the APC prepares for future political contests.

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I Will Defeat Tinubu In Credible Free, Fair Election –Melaye

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Former Kogi lawmaker, Senator Dino Melaye, has declared that he would defeat President Bola Tinubu in a credible election, while stressing that his main focus is backing a united opposition candidate.

Melaye made the remarks during an interview on Mic On Podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, where he criticised the current administration and expressed confidence in alternative candidates.

“My brother, anybody among those interested in presidency in ADC would do one million times better than Tinubu. They can never be a worse president than Tinubu,” he said.


Speaking on his own chances, the former senator insisted he could unseat the President under a transparent process.
“Me, Dino Melaye. Let’s go on a free and fair election,” he stated.
“I will beat him flat in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Despite his confidence, Melaye said his immediate priority is not necessarily personal ambition but ensuring a united front against the current government.

“My own for now is that we must send Tinubu away. Whoever emerges from consensus or from a primary, I will support,” he said.

He also alleged that the President may not be willing to allow a credible electoral process.

“Let him allow a free and fair contest. And if he doesn’t allow it, we will make him conduct our election. Because he doesn’t want election. He wants to be Kabiyesi. He wants to be Igwe,” he added.

On coalition talks, Melaye dismissed speculation about joint tickets, saying the priority is national interest.

“I am not interested in any joint ticket or non-joint ticket, we are only interested in rescuing this country,” he said.

The former lawmaker also raised concerns about governance, alleging undue influence by non-elected individuals, particularly the President’s son, Seyi Tinubu.

“My son will not interfere with governance. My son will not summon DGs of parastatals and agencies of government and ministers,” he said.

He further criticised what he described as the growing visibility of Seyi Tinubu in public affairs, referencing comments by Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka.

“Even our respected Wole Soyinka complained about him. You have seen the City Boy Movement and what they are doing,” he said.

Melaye maintained that opposition figures are already strategising ahead of future elections, stressing that unity will be key to achieving their goal

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Shekarau Dumps PDP, Gives Reasons

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Former Kano State Governor and Senator, Ibrahim Shekarau, has formally resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing a strategic political realignment.

In a resignation letter dated April 19, 2026, and addressed to the PDP Chairman of Giginyu Ward in Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State, Shekarau announced that his exit takes immediate effect.

“Accept this letter please as notice of my resignation from my position as member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with effect from today,” he wrote.

The former minister said the decision followed extensive consultations within his political camp, pointing to an imminent shift to another party.

“This decision follows wide and extensive deliberations within my political group, to pursue our political career in a different political party,” Shekarau stated.

While expressing appreciation to party leadership at the ward level, he added: “I thank you for being a good leader, and pray that Allah will continue to guide you in your stewardship.”

The letter was also copied to the Kano State PDP Chairman and the PDP Chairman of Nassarawa Local Government Area, indicating formal notification across party structures.

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