After a lengthy break that lasted more than eight weeks, members of the National Assembly will return to work on Tuesday.
The expense of living is becoming increasingly difficult for Nigerians nationwide as a result of the government’s actions, which have caused prices for products and services to continue rising while the lawmakers were on vacation.
ProbitasNews outlines some of the challenges that the National Assembly will need to address when it reconvenes following the holiday in this report.
Governor of CBN Verification
Yemi Cardoso was selected by President Bola Tinubu last week to lead the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and he has since returned to work in an acting capacity.
Since Godwin Emefiele’s status is unknown to Nigerians, the nomination has caused uproar on social media. Many had voiced concerns about Mr. Cardoso’s appointment while Mr. Emefiele was still under suspension.
But according to a statement released by the CBN on Friday and signed by Isa AbdulMumin, Director of Corporate Communications, Mr. Emefiele had already resigned.
The Senate is anticipated to start the confirmation process on Tuesday. However, ProbitasNews has learned that several senators may fiercely oppose Mr. Cardoso because they are worried about what has been referred to as the “Yorubanization of the economic sector.”
Many senators from the North are unhappy with the President’s choice to name Cardoso as Emefiele’s replacement and Zacch Adedeji as Acting FIRS chief.
Approving newly appointed ministers
The new ministries that President Tinubu has named are another confirmation. Recall that Jamaila Ibrahim and Ayodele Olawande were proposed by President Tinubu to be ministers of youth.
When the Senate convenes again on Tuesday, they are anticipated to start the confirmation process.
A decision has also been made about Nasir el-Rufai and the other nominees who the Senate has not yet approved. The former Kaduna State governor was not cleared by the Senate due to security concerns. President Tinubu has not yet announced the appointment of a replacement, stating that Kaduna State will retain the Ministry of Environment.
Despite the fact that a number of media sites have claimed that Mr. El-Rufai has opted out, all eyes will remain on the Senate over Mr. El-Rufai’s status because the President has not nominated a replacement.
Fresh Minimum Salary
Festus Osifo, the president of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), declared last week that organized labor anticipates the president to declare a new minimum wage to mitigate the impact of the loss of gasoline subsidies.
The constitution’s exclusive legislative list includes the minimum wage. Therefore, the National Assembly is able to pass laws pertaining to minimum wages. The executive is anticipated to present the minimum wage measure.
Spending Plan
Nigerians will get the chance to observe President Tinubu’s economic strategy when he submits his yearly budget to the National Assembly’s two chambers on Tuesday, when the assembly reconvenes.
Recall that, should he be elected, the President would examine the nation’s fiscal policy; the budget might provide the first window into his strategy.
In accordance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act, the National Assembly should have received the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and the Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP); nevertheless, the two documents have not yet reached the legislature.
It’s also possible that the National Assembly wants to maintain the January-to-December budget cycle by making sure the 2024 budget is approved prior to its December adjournment.
Uncertainty
Only eight of the many female students at the Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State, were reportedly saved by the Army after they were abducted by bandits a few days ago; the whereabouts of the remaining students are still unknown.
Nigerians face widespread insecurity throughout the nation, from bandits in the north to separatist agitations in the southeast, aside from Zamfara.
On Tuesday, when the legislature reconvenes, Nigerians will be anticipating responses from their representatives.
Mohbad—must do an autopsy
The Delta State lawmaker Ned Nwoko declared last week that he would introduce a measure requiring an autopsy to be performed on every deceased individual.
Sen. Nwoko made the declaration in response to the uproar surrounding Afrobeat musician Mohbad’s passing.
The bill’s presentation might prompt legislative discussions regarding the Afrobeat singer’s passing. Recall that Sen. Elisha Abbo also paid a visit to the late superstar’s mother.
That might mean a discussion about the singer’s passing when the lawmakers get back together on Tuesday.
Rumored impeachment scheme for Akpabio
There were rumors during the break that several senators, especially those from the North, may turn against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
According to ProbitasNews, a small number of MPs are still supporting the former governor of Akwa-Ibom, with lawmakers from the South joining forces.
It will be more evident when the legislature reconvenes if the impeachment scare is genuine or an anomaly.
