Senate Confirms Jamila Abubakar-Sadiq, As INEC Commissioner

Senate confirms Jamila Abubakar-Sadiq, as INEC commissioner. Senate President Godswill Akpabio congratulated Ms Abubakar-Sadiq and expressed confidence in her ability to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system.

The Nigerian Senate on Thursday confirmed Jamila Abubakar-Sadiq, a retired rear admiral, as national electoral commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, representing the North-East.

President Bola Tinubu had, on February 17, written to the Senate to confirm Ms Abubakar-Sadiq’s nomination.

During plenary on Thursday, Bako Lalong, the senator representing Plateau South and chairman of the Senate committee on electoral matters, presented the committee’s report recommending Ms Abubakar-Sadiq’s confirmation.

He noted that the committee’s recommendation follows a thorough review of her credentials.

“We adopted the methodology of asking for her curriculum vitae. We did the screening of the nominee,” Mr Lalong said.

“She presented her papers, after carefully scrutinising all the relevant documents of the nominee and due consideration of her level of exposure, experiences, performances, qualifications, and integrity,” he added.

Members of the Senate accepted the committee’s recommendation.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio congratulated Ms Abubakar-Sadiq and expressed confidence in her ability to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system.

“I congratulate the confirmed nominee for her elevation, and pray that she will add value of our electoral system, at a time Nigerians are in dire need of credible elections and at a time when the national assembly has made the necessary laws to ensure transparency in elections and that every vote in Nigeria counts.

Jamila Abubakar-Sadiq

“I wish you a very peaceful and productive stay in INEC as a national commissioner. I do know that she will bring her wealth of experience to bear in the discharge of her services to our nation,” Mr Akpabio said.

He also commended Mr Tinubu’s appointments and nominations of women to serve in various parastatals.

“Whilst at the same time, congratulating the president for continuing to point out women and bring them on board to serve the nation in various capacities,” Mr Akpabio said.

Obi: Lack Of Planning Behind Nigeria’s Fuel Price Hikes

Obi: Lack of planning behind Nigeria’s fuel price hikes. Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has blamed the recent sharp increase in petrol and diesel prices in Nigeria on the country’s lack of strategic planning, warning that external shocks to the global economy quickly affect local prices.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Obi highlighted the impact of the ongoing US-Iran conflict on global oil markets, saying, “A few weeks ago, petrol was selling for less than ₦1,000 per litre, but today it costs over ₦1,200 per litre.

“Diesel, which was also priced below ₦1,000 per litre, is now over ₦1,500 per litre. These rapid increases illustrate how quickly external shocks can affect the Nigerian economy.”

Obi explained that most countries maintain strategic petroleum reserves to cushion their economies against supply or price shocks, but Nigeria lacks such a buffer.

“The underlying issue is a lack of planning. Countries that engage in planning create buffers against shocks, while those that do not remain vulnerable to them,” he said.

The former presidential candidate’s warning comes as petrol prices hit about ₦1,300 per litre in various parts of the country on Monday following a hike in gantry prices at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery from ₦995 to ₦1,175 per litre. Some stations were reported selling petrol for as high as ₦1,350 to ₦1,400 per litre.

Economists and members of the Organised Private Sector have warned that the price surge could trigger inflationary pressures on goods and services, forcing businesses to adjust budgets and pricing strategies to cushion the impact on consumers.

Peter Obi

The OPS urged the Federal Government to strengthen efforts to boost local refining capacity and find innovative ways to tackle recurring fuel price spikes.

The Nigeria Labour Congress also criticised repeated petrol price hikes, while international developments, including potential emergency oil reserve releases by G7 nations, were cited as attempts to stabilise global oil supply.

Obi concluded his statement with a call for structural reforms, saying, “The old maxim remains true: when a country fails to plan, it has already planned to fail,” emphasising the need for long-term planning to insulate the country from global shocks and protect the economy from sudden price hikes.

Senators Fault Abaribe’s Move To Dump APGA For ADC, Says “He Risks Losing Seat”

Senators fault Abaribe’s move to dump APGA for ADC, says “he risks losing seat”. The Senators noted that Mr Abaribe could lose his seat if he does not reconsider his resignation from APGA.

Senators on Thursday faulted a move by Enyinnaya Abaribe, the lawmaker representing Abia South Senatorial district, to defect to the Action Democratic Congress (ADC).

During plenary, Senate President Godswill Akpabio read a letter from Mr Abaribe announcing his resignation from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to join the ADC.

In the letter, Mr Abaribe cited “irreconcilable leadership crisis within the party” as his basis for resigning from APGA.

However, some senators, including Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and the Senate leader Opeyemi Bamidele, raised objections to Mr Abaribe’s planned defection, particularly the reason given by the senator.

Mr Jibrin argued that there was no division within APGA’s leadership structure. He noted that Section 68(1)(g) of the Nigerian Constitution provides that a member of the National Assembly who defects from the political party that sponsored his election must vacate his seat unless there is a division within the party.

He also referenced Order 20(j) of the Senate Standing Orders, which gives the Senate president the authority to interpret the rules and take a final decision on issues in the chamber.

The deputy Senate president further urged Mr Akpabio to rule on the matter in line with the constitutional provisions.

Mr Bamidele also argued that Mr Abaribe may have violated Section 65 of the Constitution, which requires a member of the National Assembly to belong to a political party as a condition for holding office.

Mr Bamidele urged the Senate president to allow Mr Abaribe to withdraw his resignation letter so that the upper chamber’s leadership could deliberate on the matter. Otherwise, he said, the chamber should act on the letter in accordance with the constitution.

The Senators noted that Mr Abaribe could lose his seat if he does not reconsider his resignation from APGA.

Meanwhile, Adams Oshiomole, the senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, said party leaders should resolve internal disputes rather than abandon the party during crises.

Reacting to the objections, Mr Abaribe said he had already been expelled from APGA in September 2025. He urged the Senate leadership to accept his resignation, insisting that he was no longer a member of APGA.

Abaribe

However, Mr Akpabio directed Mr Abaribe to submit a copy of the expulsion letter from APGA within a week, for consideration.

Messrs Jibrin and Bamidele urged the Senate president to rule in line with the constitutional provisions by declaring Mr Abaribe’s seat vacant.

Mr Akpabio, however, noted that the Senate would give Mr Abaribe time to reconsider withdrawing his letter before taking a constitutional position.

“We’ll give you until our next sitting to reconsider, or the chamber will take a position,” Mr Akpabio said.