Top 7 Key Issues As National Assembly Resumes

Members of the National Assembly will on Tuesday resume work after the long recess that lasted over eight weeks.

While the lawmakers were on holiday, Nigerians across the country are experiencing a cost of living crisis as prices of goods and services continue to spike due to policies of the government.

Here’s highlight of some of the issues that the National Assembly will have to confront upon their resumption after the holiday.

Confirmation of CBN Governor

Last week, President Bola Tinubu nominated Yemi Cardoso as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the nominee has resumed work in acting capacity.

The nomination has been generating controversy on social media as Nigerians are unclear as to the status of Godwin Emefiele. Many had expressed reservations on the appointment of Mr Cardoso when Mr Emefiele was still in suspension.

However, the CBN in a statement on Friday by its Director of Corporate Communications, Isa AbdulMumin said Mr Emefiele had already resigned.

On Tuesday, the Senate is expected to commence the confirmation process. Mr Cardoso may face stiff opposition from some Senators who are concerned about what has been described as “Yorubanization of the economic sector”.

The President’s decision to appoint Cardoso as Emefiele’s replacement and Zacch Adedeji as Acting FIRS boss is not pleasing to many Northern Senators.

Confirmation of new ministers

One other confirmation is the new ministers nominated by President Tinubu. It would be recalled that President Tinubu nominated Jamaila Ibrahim and Ayodele Olawande as ministers of youth.

The Senate is expected to commence their confirmation when they resume on Tuesday.

Also, there is a decision on Nasir el-Rufai and the other nominees not cleared by the Senate. The Senate did not clear the former governor of Kaduna State over security reports. However, President Tinubu is yet to nominate a replacement, instead indicating that the Ministry of Environment is reserved for Kaduna.

While several media outlets have reported that Mr el-Rufai has opted out, however, with the President not nominating a replacement, all eyes will still be on the Senate regarding the status of Mr El-Rufai.

New Minimum Wage

Last week, the President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo announced that the organized Labour is expecting the President to announce a new minimum wage to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal.

The minimum wage is in the exclusive legislative list in the constitution. As such, the National Assembly has the power to legislate on minimum wage. It is expected to receive the bill on minimum wage from the executive.

Budget

As the National Assembly resumes on Tuesday, Nigerians will get the opportunity to see the fiscal direction of President Tinubu when he presents his annual budget to the two chambers of the National Assembly.

It would be recalled that the President had promised to review the fiscal policy of the country if elected; the budget may give the first prism into his plan.

Normally, the National Assembly ought to have gotten the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and the Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act; however, the two documents have yet to arrive at the parliament.

Also, the National Assembly may be targeting to keep the January to December budget cycle by ensuring the passage of the 2024 budget before adjourning in December.

Insecurity

Days ago, dozens of female students at the Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State were kidnapped by bandits with only eight reportedly rescued by the Army, hence, the fate of the others remains unknown.

Apart from Zamfara, Nigerians across the country are battling with general insecurity ranging from bandits in the North to separatists agitations in the South-east.
When the lawmakers resume on Tuesday, Nigerians will be expecting reactions from their lawmakers.

Mohbad— mandatory autopsy

Last week, Ned Nwoko, a senator from Delta State announced that he would introduce a bill to make it mandatory for an autopsy to be conducted on every dead person.

Sen Nwoko made the announcement on the heels of the controversy that is trailing the death of Afrobeat singer, Mohbad.

The introduction of such a bill may lead to debates by lawmakers on the death of the Afrobeat singer. Also, it would be recalled that Sen Elisha Abbo also visited the mother of the late superstar.

When the lawmakers reconvene on Tuesday, there is a possibility that the death of the singer will be discussed.

Akpabio’s rumoured impeachment plot

During the recess, there were speculations that some Senators may move against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, particularly the Northern lawmakers.

It was gathered that the move is still among a few lawmakers, with Southern lawmakers rallying around the former Akwa-Ibom governor.

When the lawmakers resume, it will become clearer if the impeachment scare is real or a fluke.

Credit: Daily Post

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