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Coronavirus: Address Nigerians, Senate Tells Buhari
The Senate has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to address Nigerians on the coronavirus in the country.
It also urged the federal government to shut down all international airports except Lagos and Abuja airports for easier monitoring of the disease.
The lawmakers asked the president to suspend the issuance of visa on arrival at the borders so as to check the spread of the pandemic.
This calls followed a point of order raised by Danjuma Goje (APC, Gombe) during plenary on Wednesday.
It comes amidst backlash on the president for failing to address the nation like some presidents of other countries have done.
Countries like Ghana, South Africa and Zimbabwe have had their presidents address them since the coronavirus outbreak in those countries.
Senators like Oluremi Tinubu, George Sekibo, Sam Egwu and Emmanuel Bwacha took turns to support the call.
While some lawmakers said members of the National Assembly should not travel out to countries with high cases of the virus, many others said whoever travels out of the country, should self-quarantine for two weeks before coming to the chamber.
The lawmakers expressed fears that Nigeria does not have the necessary facilities to contain the virus. This is even as they kicked against the belief that coronavirus cannot survive in Africa.
The lawmakers made their demand minutes after the federal government placed a travel ban on 13 countries with over 1000 cases of coronavirus. The government also confirmed five new cases of the virus in Nigeria, bringing to eight the total number of confirmed cases.
The Senate also asked the federal government to take other measures not limited to travel ban such as an outright ban of some countries, tighter border controls, restricted gathering, stringent checking of coming into the country, and compulsory quarantine for two weeks for persons suspected of having the virus.
They also urged the “federal government and Nigerians to keep abreast of all the measures and development taking place worldwide.”
Other resolutions include:
“Urge the Senate to give full support in fighting the spread of Coronavirus and;
“Ensure that a testing centre is opened in each of the states of the federation.”
The lawmakers, however, rejected a resolution to urge the ministry of agriculture to restock silos.
Premium Times
Headlines
US Lawmaker Seeks More Airstrikes in Nigeria, Insists Christian Lives Matter
United States Representative Riley Moors has said further military strikes against Islamic State-linked militants in Nigeria could follow recent operations ordered by President Donald Trump, describing the actions as aimed at improving security and protecting Christian communities facing violence.
Moore made the remarks during a televised interview in which he addressed U.S. military strikes carried out on Christmas Day against militant targets in North-west Nigeria.
The strikes were conducted in coordination with the Nigerian government, according to U.S. and Nigerian officials.
“President Trump is not trying to bring war to Nigeria, he’s bringing peace and security to Nigeria and to the thousands of Christians who face horrific violence and death,” Moore said.
He said the Christmas Day strikes against Islamic State affiliates had provided hope to Christians in Nigeria, particularly in areas affected by repeated attacks during past festive periods.
According to U.S. authorities, the strikes targeted camps used by Islamic State-linked groups operating in parts of north-west Nigeria.
Nigerian officials confirmed that the operation was carried out with intelligence support from Nigerian security agencies as part of ongoing counter-terrorism cooperation between both countries.
The United States Africa Command said the operation was intended to degrade the operational capacity of extremist groups responsible for attacks on civilians and security forces.
Nigerian authorities have described the targeted groups as a threat to national security, noting their involvement in killings, kidnappings and raids on rural communities.
Moore said the strikes marked a shift from previous years in which attacks were carried out against civilians during the Christmas period. He said the U.S. administration was focused on preventing further violence by targeting militant groups before they could launch attacks.
U.S. officials have said the military action was carried out with the consent of the Nigerian government and formed part of broader security cooperation between the two countries. Nigeria has received intelligence, training and logistical support from international partners as it seeks to contain militant activity.
Moore had previously called for stronger international attention to attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria and has urged continued U.S. engagement in addressing extremist violence. He said further action would depend on developments on the ground and continued coordination with Nigerian authorities.
Nigerian officials have maintained that counter-terrorism operations are directed at armed groups threatening civilians, regardless of religion, and have reiterated their commitment to restoring security across affected regions.
Headlines
Renowned Boxer Anthony Joshua Survives Ghastly Road Accident
World-renowned boxer Anthony Joshua on Monday survived a ghastly road accident in Makun, Ogun State.
Eyewitnesses report that the incident occurred along a busy highway of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
The vehicle carrying Joshua, a Lexus Jeep with the number plate, KRD 850 HN, reportedly collided with a stationary truck under circumstances that are still being investigated.
Joshua reportedly sustained minor injuries, while two persons were said to have died on the spot.
Headlines
Atiku Warns Against Hasty Re‑gazetting of New Tax Laws
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has cautioned that any attempt to hurriedly re‑gazette Nigeria’s new tax laws could undermine parliamentary oversight and set a dangerous constitutional precedent.
Atiku’s warning follows public scrutiny over reports that the Tax Reform Acts signed by President Bola Tinubu differ from the versions passed by the National Assembly. Lawmakers, including Abdussamad Dasuki, raised concerns that the alterations could pose serious legal and constitutional risks, noting that they were not backed by any constitutional framework.
In a statement on X, Atiku said the directive to re-gazette the Acts effectively confirms “that the gazetted version of the Tinubu Tax Act does not reflect what was duly passed by the National Assembly,” calling it “a grave constitutional issue.”
He emphasized that under Section 58 of the 1999 Constitution, a bill only becomes law after passage by both chambers, presidential assent, and gazetting.
“Gazetting is merely an administrative act of publication. It does not create, amend, or validate a law,” Atiku said, adding that any post-passage insertion, deletion, or modification without legislative approval constitutes forgery rather than a clerical error.
Atiku further warned that rushing a re-gazetting while legislative investigations are ongoing “undermines parliamentary oversight and sets a dangerous precedent,” stressing that the only lawful approach is “fresh legislative consideration, re-passage by both chambers, fresh presidential assent, and proper gazetting.”
The former vice president clarified that his position is not opposition to tax reform but a defence of constitutional order.
“This is a defence of the integrity of the legislative process and a rejection of any attempt to normalise constitutional breaches through procedural shortcuts,” he said.
The Federal government has denied wrongdoing, insisting the laws will take effect as scheduled on January 1, 2026, while the National Assembly has directed the issuance of Certified True Copies of the Acts to ensure clarity and accuracy.






