Parliament Reports

We provide legislative intelligence, policy analysis, data analytics, and dedicated reportage of Nigeria's national and state Assemblies. @OrderPaper

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In just two years, Hon. (Dr). Abdulmalik Zubairu Zannah, representing Bungudu/Maru Federal Constituency in Zamfara State, has sponsored 27 bills covering education, healthcare, security, agriculture, and economic development.

A thread 🧵

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Digital spaces should not feel like a battlefield, yet for many women and girls in Nigeria, they still do.

A thread 🧵

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(The FLEX Phenomenon Explained) 💡 THE FLEX PHENOMENON
FLEX = Facility for Legislative Executive Exchange

Nigeria's unique democratic feature: Leaders transitioning between legislature and executive, bringing:
✅ Institutional knowledge
✅ Legislative experience
✅ Governance expertise
✅ Cross-sectoral understanding

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(CONTROVERSIAL MOMENT - National Anthem Change)

MAY 2024: Nigeria's National Anthem Changed Back!

In a swift move, the 10th Assembly passed a bill reverting to the old anthem "Nigeria We Hail Thee" from "Arise O Compatriots."
President Tinubu signed it May 29, 2024 - Democracy Day.

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(CONTROVERSIAL MOMENT - New Cars for Lawmakers Saga)

2023-2024: ₦160 Million SUVs for Lawmakers?

Reports that each lawmaker would receive ₦160 million SUVs sparked outrage:
- "Insensitive!"
- "Hardship everywhere!"
- "What about constituents?"

NASS defended: "Official vehicles, not gifts"

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(CONTROVERSIAL MOMENT - NASS Chambers Renovation)

2022-2023: Both Chambers Renovated

After years of complaints about dilapidated facilities, both Senate and House chambers were renovated:
New seats, technology, acoustics improved
Cost? Controversy! But infrastructure matters for productivity. The balance between necessity and optics!

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(CONTROVERSIAL MOMENT - Electoral Act Drama)

DECEMBER 2021 - FEBRUARY 2022: Electoral Act Saga
President Buhari rejected Electoral Act bill more than THREE TIMES over:
- Direct primaries clause
- Electronic transmission concerns

After heated debates, amendments, and public pressure, signed February 25, 2022.
Legislative persistence vs executive concerns!

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(Key Legislative Achievement - Petroleum Industry Act)

2021: Petroleum Industry Act (PIA)

After 20 YEARS of attempts, the 9th National Assembly passed comprehensive oil and gas sector reform. The PIA restructured NNPC and transformed Nigeria's petroleum governance.

Persistence in legislation pays off!

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(CONTROVERSIAL MOMENT - Constant Defections)

2014-2023: The Era of Mass Defections
Lawmakers constantly switching parties:
- 2014: 37 PDP Reps → APC
- 2018: Multiple senators APC → PDP
- 2021-2022: Pre-election defections
Constitutional questions: Should they lose seats? Courts and legislature are still wrestling with this!

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(CONTROVERSIAL MOMENT - ₦37 Billion NASS Renovation)

2020: The ₦37 Billion Renovation Controversy

A provision of ₦37 billion was made in the 2020 Federal Budget for the renovation of the National Assembly Complex.
The amount sparked massive public outrage - nearly three times the original construction cost (≈₦7 billion in 1999).

Following COVID-19 and public outcry, it was reportedly slashed to ₦9.25 billion.

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(CONTROVERSIAL MOMENT - COVID-19 Plenary)

MARCH-JUNE 2020: Legislature During Pandemic

NASS held reduced sittings during COVID-19:
- Social distancing in chambers
- Reduced quorum
- Virtual committee meetings
- Emergency pandemic legislation

Democracy continued even in crisis. Adaptation in real-time!

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(CONTROVERSIAL MOMENT - Hate Speech Bill)

2019: The Hate Speech Bill Controversy

Sen. Sabi Abdullahi's bill proposed the death penalty for hate speech.
PUBLIC OUTRAGE was massive:
- "Attack on free speech!"
- "Draconian!"
- Civil society mobilized

The bill stalled. Democracy's checks and balances worked!

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(Key Legislative Achievement - Not Too Young To Run)

2018: Not Too Young To Run Act
Constitutional amendment on minimum age requirements:
- President: Reduced from 40 to 35 years
- House of Representatives: Reduced from 30 to 25 years
- State House of Assembly: Reduced from 30 to 25 years
- Governor: Remained at 35 years
- Senate: Remained at 35 years

A win for youth inclusion! 🗳️

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(CONTROVERSIAL MOMENT - DSS Siege on NASS)

AUGUST 7, 2018: DSS Siege on National Assembly

DSS operatives blocked lawmakers from entering the precinct of the NASS in the morning.
Senate President Saraki and lawmakers were locked out. By afternoon, VP Osinbajo (Acting President) ordered immediate withdrawal.

A test of executive-legislative boundaries!

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(Senate Mace Theft)

APRIL 2018: The Senate Mace Snatching Incident

This was the most dramatic event of the period. Thugs, allegedly recruited by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege invaded the Senate chamber and made away with the mace (the symbol of authority).
The mace was later recovered by the police at Abuja city gate. Democracy's symbols matter!

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(CONTROVERSIAL MOMENT - House of Reps Fight)

2017-2018: Physical Fights in the House!

Multiple incidents of lawmakers exchanging blows during heated sessions:
- Over leadership positions
- Impeachment debates
- Parliamentary procedure disputes

Proof that passionate democracy sometimes gets... physical. Not our finest moments!

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(CONTROVERSIAL MOMENT - Budget Padding Scandal)

JULY 2016: Nigeria's First "Budget Padding" Allegation!

Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin accused House leadership (Speaker Dogara, others) of inflating the budget by ₦40 billion.
The scandal exposed:
- Budget process opacity and corruption in the NASS
- Significant power imbalance between Presiding Officers, Principal Officers and floor members of the parliament
- Need for reforms that have refused to happen

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(CONTROVERSIAL MOMENT - 2015 Senate Leadership)

JUNE 9, 2015: The "Ambush" Senate Presidency Election

While APC senators met at ICC, Bukola Saraki was elected Senate President with opposition support - defying party preference.
Immediately after, a PDP senator, Ike Ekweremadu, was elected Deputy Senate President.

It sparked years of executive-legislative tension but demonstrated the legislature's independence.

Democracy isn't always tidy!

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(Scaling Gates Context - Continued)

The Day's Events: Police and State Security Service (SSS) operatives, acting on controversial orders, barricaded the National Assembly complex, effectively locking out many lawmakers, including Speaker Tambuwal.

The Protest: In defiant protest, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and his colleagues scaled the gates and fences to gain entry.

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(Scaling Gates Context) The Cause

(Leadership Crisis): The crisis centered around the then Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal.
Tambuwal had defected from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

The PDP-led Federal Government and its security apparatus viewed Tambuwal as having lost his seat and sought to prevent him from presiding over the House.