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The session will focus on Buhari’s national contributions, his dual role as both a former military head of state and two-term civilian president, and the legacy he left behind in governance and national development.

According to journalists, the special tribute follows a similar honour held by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) last week in Abuja.

During the FEC session, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu paid glowing tribute to his predecessor, describing Buhari as a leader who “governed with dignity, led with restraint, and bore the burdens of leadership without complaint.”

Buhari, who died in London on July 13, had been battling a prolonged and undisclosed illness. He was laid to rest in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, in a funeral ceremony attended by dignitaries from across Nigeria and abroad.

Widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most influential figures, Buhari served as military head of state from 1983 to 1985, and later returned as a democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023, making him the country’s second-longest-serving leader.

The Senate’s tribute is expected to feature remarks from key lawmakers and reflections on Buhari’s decades-long influence on Nigerian politics, public service, and military leadership.

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Speaking to journalists outside the National Assembly complex on Tuesday, Akpoti, who was blocked from resuming plenary, claimed the 10th Senate is being run like a “third-term governorship” in reference to Akpabio’s tenure as former Governor of Akwa Ibom State.

“The way the Senate is being managed today is unprecedented,” Akpoti said. “This is the worst Assembly Nigeria has ever had, and it’s a reflection of one man’s desire to control everything.”

Akpoti, who remains under suspension, said her past outburst on the Senate floor stemmed from cumulative grievances against the Senate President. She alleged that senators who attempt to express independent views are often silenced if their opinions conflict with Akpabio’s preferences.

“This is not how a democratic chamber should operate,” she added, citing past Senate Presidents like Chuba Okadigbo, David Mark, Bukola Saraki, and Ahmad Lawan as examples of more inclusive leadership.

According to her, the current Senate stifles debate and fosters fear among lawmakers. “Many governors are afraid. You’ve all seen what’s happening. It’s no longer a place for representation, but for submission,” she remarked.

Akpoti was visibly frustrated after being denied entry into the complex, describing the move as part of a broader effort to sideline her voice in the national legislature.

At the time of reporting, there had been no official response from the Office of the Senate President regarding her allegations.

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This marks the second time the budget has been extended. Originally scheduled to lapse in December 2024, the implementation deadline was first moved to June 2025 before the latest adjustment.

The 2024 budget, signed into law in January, has a total outlay of ₦28.7 trillion, with ₦9.9 trillion allocated for capital projects. A supplementary budget worth ₦2.17 trillion, passed later in the year, brought total projected federal spending to nearly ₦30.87 trillion—targeting critical areas such as security, infrastructure, and social welfare.

The extension bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend the 2024 Appropriation Act to further extend the Capital Components of the Act,” was fast-tracked on Tuesday in the Red Chamber. It passed all legislative stages in a single sitting after Senate Rule 78(1) was suspended twice to allow accelerated readings and debate.

Rationale for the Extension
Presenting the bill, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Olamilekan Adeola said the decision was necessary to prevent the abandonment of key infrastructure projects.

“The extension is to give Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) time to complete ongoing procurement and capital projects,” he explained. “Without this window, many critical interventions may be left incomplete.”

The motion received support from Senate Chief Whip Tahir Mungonu, who emphasized that the aim was to preserve the original intent of capital allocations approved by the National Assembly.

Lawmakers Raise Red Flags
Despite its passage, the extension attracted strong criticism from lawmakers across party lines. Many expressed unease over the repeated delays, warning of long-term consequences for governance and public trust.

Senator Yahaya Abdullahi described the trend as “dangerous,” cautioning that it could erode fiscal discipline.

“We’re setting a troubling precedent,” he said. “Never in the history of the National Assembly have we extended the life of an appropriation bill twice in a single fiscal year.”

Senator Abdul Ningi suggested deeper issues beyond procurement. He alleged selective project implementation by the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant General.

“Almost 80% of constituency projects were completed six months ago. This isn’t about delays; it’s about selective disbursement,” he argued.

Minority Leader Abba Moro also warned that the integrity of the legislature could be at risk if the release of budgeted funds continues to face obstacles.

“Parliament must rise to the occasion. If we don’t confront the bottlenecks in the release process, the credibility of this institution will be undermined,” he stated.

Senator Seriake Dickson added a political dimension to the conversation, accusing the government of prioritizing 2027 electoral interests over governance.

“The recurrent expenditure, which largely benefits the bureaucracy, has been fully executed, while capital spending—critical to ordinary Nigerians—lags behind,” he said.

Senate Passes Police Trust Fund Extension
In a separate development, the Senate also passed the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (Amendment) Bill 2025, extending the fund’s duration from six to twelve years. The bill aims to sustain investments in police training, equipment, and infrastructure.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who led the debate, said the extension would solidify the progress made in ongoing police reforms. Like the budget extension bill, it was passed after receiving all readings in a single session.

Nigeria Now Running Three Budgets Simultaneously
With this latest extension, Nigeria now finds itself executing three overlapping capital budgets simultaneously—raising serious concerns about accountability, project tracking, and overall fiscal coherence.

As public scrutiny mounts, stakeholders are calling for urgent reforms to the budgeting process to restore credibility, improve implementation rates, and ensure that capital allocations translate into visible development outcomes.

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The sponsor of the bill, Senator Osita Izunaso (Imo West), made the announcement during a press briefing on Friday in Abuja to mark his two years in the 10th National Assembly.

Izunaso noted that despite the historic appointment of 11 justices in 2023 — finally filling the constitutional quota of 21 for the first time — the court remains overstretched.

“The volume of cases reaching the court daily is alarming. Some litigants are being given hearing dates as far ahead as 2027 and 2028,” he said.

He argued that increasing the number of justices would allow the Supreme Court to form at least five panels simultaneously, thus enabling faster case resolution, especially for matters of national and constitutional significance.

Push for Judicial Reform
Beyond expanding the bench, Senator Izunaso is calling for a reform of the types of cases permitted to reach the Supreme Court, lamenting the overload caused by “trivial matters.”

“Why should a land matter in my village end up in the Supreme Court?” he asked.
“Many of these should start and end at the Customary or High Court. The apex court should focus on terrorism, grand corruption, and constitutional interpretation.”

Izunaso criticized the current system where tenancy disputes, divorces, and land disagreements often reach the final appellate court, thereby clogging the judicial pipeline and delaying justice for more pressing national issues.

He also recounted a personal case scheduled for 2026, despite the fact that the parties involved had long passed away and the matter had been resolved among their descendants — underscoring the need for systemic change.

Rejects Regional Supreme Courts
While some legal experts have proposed regional Supreme Courts to share the burden, Izunaso opposed the idea.

“A unitary Supreme Court preserves the sanctity and unity of our judicial system. What we need is better filtration at the lower level — not more apex courts,” he emphasized.

Commends Tinubu on Nwosu Honour
On another note, the senator praised President Bola Tinubu for posthumously honoring Professor Humphrey Nwosu, former chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission and organizer of the acclaimed June 12, 1993 presidential election.

Nwosu was awarded the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) during the 2025 Democracy Day celebrations.

Izunaso urged the president to take it a step further by naming INEC’s national headquarters after Professor Nwosu, noting that he had previously sponsored a Senate motion for such recognition.

“Even when that motion failed, we stood our ground. Today, we feel vindicated.”

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Speaking during a recent interview with journalist Adeola Fayehun, Akpoti-Uduaghan described the suspension as a “pre-written script,” alleging that Senate President Godswill Akpabio acted beyond his legal authority.

“The narrative out there is that I disrupted proceedings because of a seating dispute. That’s simply not true,” she clarified. “What I did was raise a matter of privilege under Chapter 4, Item 9b of the Senate Rules — a legitimate procedure that requires urgent attention.”

According to her, the events that followed were anything but procedural.

“Instead of addressing the matter, the Senate President ordered my removal, instructed the Clerk to draft a suspension letter, and effectively shut me down,” she said. “That was not a reaction to my conduct — it was a decision made ahead of time.”

Akpoti-Uduaghan criticized Akpabio’s handling of the situation, accusing him of treating the Senate chamber like his personal domain.

“The suspension was not only unlawful, it was demeaning,” she added. “No single senator, not even the President of the Senate, has the authority to suspend a colleague unilaterally.”

She further alleged that the cited ethics report used to justify her suspension was merely a cover for retaliation. According to her, she had submitted sensitive allegations that “shook the system,” and her suspension came almost immediately afterward.

“I was silenced because I spoke out,” she concluded.

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension has sparked debate within political circles, with questions now being raised about due process, legislative independence, and the balance of power within Nigeria’s upper chamber.

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Akpabio made the statement during the second phase of his constituency empowerment programme, held Friday in Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District, where over 3,000 beneficiaries received various forms of support.

Speaking to a large crowd, Akpabio praised Governor Umo Eno for fostering peace in the state, attributing Akwa Ibom’s political unity and development to the governor’s leadership and alignment with the Tinubu administration.

“President Tinubu is pleased with Akwa Ibom because of the peace and cooperation established by Governor Eno. This has directly contributed to the state’s growth,” Akpabio said.

During the event, Akpabio asked the crowd to voice their support for the trio’s candidacy, a call that was met with loud approval from attendees.

In addition to the political declaration, the Senate President distributed mini-buses, cars, motorcycles, sewing machines, refrigerators, cargo tricycles, cash grants totaling over N2 billion, and educational scholarships. Beneficiaries included residents from all three senatorial districts in the state.

The event was part of Akpabio’s ongoing efforts to bolster grassroots support and stimulate local economic activity in his senatorial district.

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The announcement was made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during the chamber’s plenary session on Tuesday, as part of efforts to bolster transparency and accountability in the state’s governance structure.

“This committee is crucial in upholding effective legislative oversight and ensuring democratic principles are maintained in Rivers State,” Akpabio said.

Leadership and Mandate
The committee will be chaired by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, with Akpabio noting that the composition of the group may be subject to review pending further consultations.

Akpabio urged the committee to immediately commence its oversight duties, emphasizing the urgency of their task and the Senate’s commitment to robust governance.

“The Senate remains committed to democratic values and proper checks and balances in every state of the federation,” he added.

Committee Members
The committee includes:

Senators Adamu Aliero, Osita Izunaso, Osita Ngwu,

Kaka Shehu, Aminu Abass, Tokunbo Abiru, Adeniyi Adebire (Ondo),

Sani Musa, Simon Lalong, Asuquo Ekpeyong, Adams Oshiomhole,

Ireti Kingibe (Labour Party), Onyekachi, Idiat Adebule,

Ide Dafinone, and Mohammed (APC, Jigawa),

Alongside the Clerk of the Senate.

The appointment of Vice Admiral Ibas as Sole Administrator in Rivers State has drawn attention amid the state’s ongoing political dynamics. The Senate’s move reflects growing concerns about governance and the importance of maintaining federal oversight in state-level administration.

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In a Facebook live session on Thursday, Duru claimed that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan offered her ₦200 million to falsely accuse Akpabio of organ harvesting. She further alleged that phone records and messages between them would substantiate her assertions.

According to Duru, the embattled senator admitted during a private exchange that the alleged sexual advances by Akpabio never occurred. “She told me, ‘I don’t have evidence,’” Duru stated. “I told her this was not only damaging but disgraceful.”

Duru accused Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan of manipulating public opinion for personal political gain. “Natasha is on a mission to destroy men,” she said. “She brands people as enemies the moment things don’t go her way. I had to speak up.”

This controversy adds another layer to an already complex situation involving the Kogi Central lawmaker, who in February 2025 publicly accused Senate President Akpabio of making sexually inappropriate remarks and tying legislative support to personal favors.

Akpabio has strongly denied all allegations, urging Nigerians to allow the judicial process to determine the truth.

In March, the Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months over what it described as “disruptive conduct.” The Senate also cited procedural errors in the way she submitted her complaint. The senator, however, claimed the suspension was retaliatory.

The incident sparked a wave of nationwide protests under the hashtag #WeAreAllNatasha, with activists calling for an end to political silencing of women.

Akpoti-Uduaghan has since taken her case to international platforms, including the United Nations, where she called the Senate’s decision illegal and requested global support for female lawmakers facing intimidation.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently dismissed a petition to recall the senator, citing a lack of constitutional merit.

This is not the first clash between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio. In July 2024, a public rebuke from Akpabio during a Senate session—“We are not in a nightclub”—sparked backlash for its perceived sexism, prompting a public apology from the Senate President.

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