The Senate has made a U-turn on its Tuesday’s decision as it has rescinded a controversial amendment that barred first-time senators from contesting presiding offices, reopening the 2027 race for Senate President and Deputy Senate President.

On Tuesday, the Senate amended its Standing Orders after a marathon executive session with the introduction of stricter eligibility criteria for the emergence of presiding officers in the 11th Senate, effectively limiting the contest for Senate President and other top leadership offices to returning ranking lawmakers of the current Assembly.

With the amendment on Tuesday, Senate leadership positions will follow a hierarchy beginning with former Senate Presidents, former Deputy Senate Presidents, former Principal Officers, senators who have completed at least one full term, lawmakers transitioning from the House of Representatives, and finally, first-time senators where no higher-ranking candidates emerge...TAP TO CONTINUE FULL READING.

The amendment also stipulates that only Senators returning from the current 10th Assembly after re-election can contest for Senate President and other key leadership offices.
The reversal was adopted on Thursday through a motion sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central and presided over by Deputy Senate President Jubril Barau.

On why the reversal matters, Bamidele said that with the rule gone, the leadership contest for the 11th National Assembly is now open to all elected senators regardless of tenure.

The backtrack also signals a shift within the ruling party towards a more competitive and inclusive process for selecting the next Senate leadership, rather than pre-determining it through tenure restrictions.

The motion is titled, Recession and Re-Committal of Order 2 (2) and Order 3(1) of the Senate Standing Orders, 2023, as amended.

Presenting the motion, Bamidele said, “the Senate recalls that the Senate Standing Orders were considered and amended on Tuesday, 5th May, 2026;

“Observes that upon further legislative and constitutional review, certain provisions introduced under Order 2(2) and Order 3(1) may give rise to constitutional inconsistencies and unintended tensions with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), particularly Section 52 thereof;

“Notes that it is necessary to ensure that the Standing Orders of the Senate remain fully consistent with constitutional provisions, established parliamentary conventions, and legislative practice;

“Further notes that the Senate possesses the inherent parliamentary authority to revisit, rescind, and recommit any matter previously decided upon in order to preserve the integrity of its proceedings and legislative framework;

“Accordingly resolves to: rescind its earlier decisions relating to the amendments made to Order 2(2) and Order 3(1) of the Senate Standing Orders, 2026.

” Rescission and Re-Committal of the National Identity Management Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2026 to the Committee of the Whole.

Suspected gunmen have abducted no fewer than eight students during a midnight attack on off-campus hostels near the Engineering Campus of Nasarawa State University in Gudi.

The incident occurred around 1:00 a.m. on Thursday, with armed attackers storming several student lodges and whisking victims away to an unknown location.

A source said students hid in fear throughout the operation, complaining about the absence of immediate security intervention. The attack has heightened tension as students are currently writing examinations. Calls have been made for security agencies to intensify rescue efforts...TAP TO CONTINUE FULL READING.

Key Points:

Eight students were abducted from off-campus hostels near the university.
The attack happened around 1:00 a.m. on Thursday while students were writing exams.
No visible security response was present during the operation.
Students and residents are calling for urgent rescue and improved security.
Fear has spread across the university community.

Sources: PM News

Former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Usman Yusuf, has revived allegations against Peter Obi over his tenure as governor of Anambra State. Speaking on Trust TV, Yusuf said the North will scrutinise Obi’s record, including claims that he deported northerners and forced them to carry identification cards. “The evil that men do lives after them.

We are going to interrogate and question Peter Obi’s tenure,” he said. He also dismissed Obi’s references to Asian economic models, saying, “We don’t care. We want solutions to our problems.”

Key Points:..TAP TO CONTINUE FULL READING.

Yusuf alleges Obi deported northerners and made them carry ID cards during his tenure.
He says the North will not forget Obi’s past actions despite any alliance with Kwankwaso.
He dismisses Obi’s knowledge of northern insecurity and Asian economic models.
Kwankwaso is described as “the vehicle to sell Obi to the North.”
The comments come as Obi and Kwankwaso are linked to a possible joint ticket.

Watch whether Obi responds to the allegations and how this affects his 2027 political calculations.

Sources: Daily Trust