By EricJames Ochigbo

A bill for an Act to provide legal framework for free internet access programme in selected public places in Nigeria and for related matters has scaled second reading in the House of Representatives.

The bill, which seeks to ensure free access to internet services for the underserved and disadvantage citizens especially in rural areas, was sponsored by Rep. Abubakar Kusada at plenary on Thursday.

Moving the motion earlier, Kusada recalled that the bill passed first reading on October 3, 2024.

He said that the bill seeks to establish a clear and sustainable legal foundation for the provision of free internet services in selected public locations across the country.

He said that as the digital connectivity becomes increasingly vital to national development, the bill seeks to institutionalise and regulate free internet access programmes that will enhance access to internet.

“This bill provides a structure that enables collaboration between government, institutions and private sector partners while ensuring the security, accessibility and responsible use of public internet infrastructure.

“The need for this legislation cannot be overstated, in today’s global landscape, internet access is not just a communication tool. It is an essential resource for education, employment, innovation and civic participation.

“Unfortunately, millions of Nigerians, especially in rural and low-income communities, remain digitally excluded due to high data costs, limited infrastructure and lack of public access points.

“This digital divide not only perpetuates inequality but also undermines national productivity and social mobility.

“Providing internet services in public places offers a powerful way to bridge this gap, students will be able to access educational resources, conduct research and participate in online learning.

“Job seekers could apply for opportunities, take online courses and connect with professional networks. 

“Small businesses owners and entrepreneurs will have a platform to promote their goods and services, engage in digital marketing and expand their customer base,” he said.

Speaking against the bill, Rep. Kingsley Chinda (PDP-Rivers), said that he does not feel very comfortable with the provisions of the bill.

He said that internet provision has been privatised which implies that governments will need to pay for the services.

Chinda argued that provision of free internet should not have a legal framework to make it compulsory but should be more of a policy.

“Once we have a law such as this, what it means is that if government fails to provide it, government is going against the law that we have made.

“If this has come as a way of motion to ask that free internet should be provided in certain public places, it would have been better.

“So, I will pray that the sponsor looks at it again, to bring this by way of motion, rather than passing a bill into law, making it compulsory for free internet provision,” he said.

Also speaking, Rep. Wole Oke (APC-Osun), said that Internet provision had been concessioned to service providers and it came with a cost.

He said that public places such as airport, parks, gardens among others in many countries and in some parts of Nigeria, enjoy free access to internet, but someone bears the cost on behalf of users.

Similarly, if you go to some high institutions, both within Nigeria and outside this country, people also enjoy free internet services. But it comes at a cost.

“So, it is a good, noble idea but the issue is this: Who bears this cost? Who is going to pay? Yes, public places, parks, where you enjoy free internet services.

“But I can tell you that the costs of such are already built into certain bills. When you enter a park, you pay and when you pay, you enjoy free internet.

“You might think it is free, but actually somebody is bearing the cost to promote their businesses,” he said.

On his part, Rep. Dennis Agbo (LP-Enugu), suggested that the cost should be shared among the internet providers and with the government.

He said that it could be subsidised to ensure access to internet becomes available to people even at such rural places.

In his ruling, the Speaker of the house, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, referred the bill to the relevant committees for further legislative consideration. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Francis Onyeukwu 

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, says the party remains united and intact despite its challenges.

Damagum said this after the meeting of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) on Wednesday in Abuja.

The PDP chairman, who noted that the party could not be conquered, said that it had mastered the art of conflict resolution.

“We know our problems, and we solve them within ourselves. As you can see, we are all here as the NWC of this party.

“We remain united despite all the challenges. We have sat down to discuss all thorny issues and thrashed them out today.

“The National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled from July 23 to 25 will still hold, so PDP members contemplating leaving the party should reconsider their plan.

“There is no place that will be as accommodating as the PDP. But if they feel otherwise, I will wish them good luck. But I know they will run back to us.

“To our members, I want to bring good tidings that your party is intact,” he said.

Damagum also warned members to stop demarketing the party.

“We will watch them and take appropriate actions at the right time.

“If you believe in this party, you should be an ambassador that protects the fortunes that this party has given to the citizens of this country when in power,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Victor Adeoti/Ayodeji Alabi

By Naomi Sharang

The Senate on Wednesday passed a bill seeking to establish the Bitumen Development Commission, marking a significant legislative step towards harnessing the country’s vast bitumen resources.

Its passage followed the presentation and adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, which conducted a review of the bill.

The report was presented by Sen. Diket Plang (APC-Plateau) on behalf of the chairman of the committee.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bill was sponsored by Sen. Jimoh Ibrahim (APC-Ondo).

The bill aims to create a dedicated regulatory body that will oversee the exploration, exploitation and management of Nigeria’s estimated 42 billion tonnes of bitumen reserves.

Nigeria has the second largest deposit of bitumen in the world, after Canada.

Presenting the report, Plang said the committee held a well-attended public hearing where stakeholders from across the mining and energy sectors unanimously supported the passage of the bill.

He said the establishment of the Bitumen Development Commission was widely endorsed as a critical step towards diversifying the economy, reducing dependency on crude oil.

“And enhancing infrastructure development through the domestic production of bitumen for road construction.

“The bill among others seeks to make Nigeria’s exportable raw materials attractive in international markets through value addition,” he said.

He added that it would strengthen local manufacturing sector, reduce dependency on import and ensure sustainable economic development through the promotion of local processing of raw materials.

“Stakeholders agreed that the commission is long overdue considering the strategic importance of bitumen in national development.

“And the fact that Nigeria continues to import bitumen in spite of having one of the largest reserves globally”.

He further noted that the commission, once established, would help coordinate investment in bitumen development, standardise production processes, ensure environmental safety, and attract foreign and local investors to the sector.

In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, commended Sen. Jimoh Ibrahim for sponsoring the bill and lauded the Committee on Solid Minerals Development for its diligence.

Akpabio described the bill as a “development-driven initiative” that aligns with the Federal Government’s efforts to unlock the potentials of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.

“This is a landmark development. We must begin to look beyond oil and this commission will create the framework for Nigeria to finally tap into its bitumen wealth and grow our economy in a sustainable way,” Akpabio said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Editted by Abdulfatai Beki and Benson Iziama

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The interim National Chairman of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Sen. David Mark, on Wednesday officially unveiled the party as the political platform for National Coalition of Political Opposition Movement.

Mark, while speaking at the occasion in Abuja, said that the coalition goes beyond gaining political power in 2027.

According to him, the party is determined to offer Nigerians a path to security, prosperity, peace and progress.

The former senate president also said that the coalition was for all Nigerians, irrespective of their age, social and economic status.

He described the coalition as a concerted effort to rebuild the pillars of Nigeria’s democracy and prevent Nigeria’s descent into one-party state.

Mark stated that the coalition, after extensive deliberations and discussions over several months, decided to adopt ADC as the vehicle for what he described as a historic journey.

“Having adopted ADC, we commit ourselves to building and transforming it into a strong political party, not merely as another electoral vehicle but as a fortress and platform of our revived democracy.

“It will be the harbinger of democracy where members of the party will reign supreme; a party that obeys its rules and constitution in the best democratic traditions.

“It will be a party of equal stakeholders, equal joiners and equal owners. It is the great house into which all patriots are invited.

“It will be a party that recognises the experience of the old and the energy of the youth. To all Nigerians, we say here is the new big tent into which all patriots are invited,” he said.

Mark described the coalition arrangement as a bold and new path of unity over division, service over slogans, action over excuses, compassion over inhumanity, transparency over opacity, inclusion over nepotism, performance over empty promises, rule of law over impunity and justice over inequity.

“Our mission transcends any electoral calendar.

“It is a commitment to rebuild the guardrails of our democracy, to anchor power once again in the will of the people and to hand to our children a nation worthy of their talents and their dreams,” he added.

The former senate president said that the adoption of ADC marked the beginning of what they believed would be a long, difficult and tedious journey.

“However, it is a journey that we are prepared to undertake, united in our collective belief that no price or sacrifice is too high in the service of our fatherland,” he said.

He said that all of them remained firmly united under the ADC banner for the 2027 general elections and beyond.

Earlier in his remarks, the party’s immediate past National Chairman, Raph Nwosu, said that the event was not seeking power, but moving Nigeria to global reckoning.

“ADC has always been about building Nigeria and African continent,” he said.

Nwosu, who recalled that the journey had started about 18 months ago, said that the party’s NWC members decided to step down for Mark as the interim national chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as the protem National Secretary.

“With Mark, we all decided to resign so that he can take us to the villa. We also approved Aregbesola as the national secretary of the party.

“Look at the two of them; when you see their commitments to this country, you will see that it is a new beginning,” he said.

Nwosu assured Mark and the coalition leaders of his team’s support, maintaining that anyone speaking against the coalition arrangement was not part of ADC.

NAN reports that highlight of the event was the presentation of ADC membership cards to Mark and Aregbesola.

Some of the opposition figures at the occasion included: former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed and a former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

Others were former Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, former Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, former Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, Sen. Ireti Kingibe, former Gov. Liyel Imoke of Cross River and former Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi.

Former APC National Chairman, John Oyegun, former Gov. Gabriel Suswam of Benue, Sen. Tunde Ogbeha, former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, former Gov. Emeka Ihedeoha (Imo) and former Gov. Oserheimen Osunbor (Edo) were also in attendance.

Others included former Chairman of APGA, Victor Umeh, Former Gov. Celestine Omehia (Rivers), former Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), former Gov. Bindow Jibrilla (Adamawa), former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, Sen. Aishatu Binani and Chief Dele Momodu.

Sen. Dino Melaiye, former Deputy Governor of Ekiti, Prof. Olushola Eleka and Sen. Ishaku Abbo also graced the occasion. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

By Justina Auta

Mr Kingsley Chinda, Minority Leader, House of Representatives, says the expensive nature of Nigerian politics is restricting inclusive political participation.

Chinda said this at a public presentation and stakeholder engagement on the “Cost of Politics and Political Inclusion Report” organised by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) in Abuja.

The study was commissioned by WFD through its Nigeria Open Political Parties (NOPP) Project, with support from the European Union and Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO).

The study aimed to investigate the financial requirements of seeking and holding political office in Nigeria and its implications for democratic governance, political inclusion, and accountability.

Chinda said that access to vast financial resources, either through personal wealth or fundraising networks, had become the near precondition for political viability.

According to him, recent rising financial demands of political participation have turned what should be a civic right into an expensive commercial venture.

“The cost of securing a party ticket, funding campaigns, mobilising votes, defending electoral victories and sustaining political office has turned Nigerian politics into an elite preserve.

“It is now a gated community into which only the wealthy and the well-connected can enter,” he said.

Chinda cited the 2023 general elections, with only 8.4 per cent women candidates, minimal youth and Persons with Disabilities representation, despite the energy and demographic weight they carry.

“Politics in Nigeria has been thoroughly monetised. This cost, borne out of both formal party structures and deeply informal political networks, is disproportionately exclusionary.

“Women, youth, and Physically Challenged Persons (PCPs) are systematically priced out of politics.

“The same groups whose voices we claim to uplift through constitutional and policy frameworks are the very ones we have excluded through the sheer weight of money politics,” he said.

He said that the WFD report highlighted the cost of politics from party nomination forms to the informal but obligatory expenditures on delegates, traditional rulers, community influencers, media operators, security officials and judiciary.

“One of the more disturbing implications of the report is the correlation between high political costs and endemic corruption.

“In a context where elections are viewed as investments, public office becomes a site of capital recovery. Contracts are inflated, public appointments are monetised, and governance becomes transactional.

“What emerges is a vicious cycle. Only the wealthy can afford to contest elections. Once in office, they must recoup their investment.

“In doing so, they deepen public cynicism, which further devalues democratic participation. The moral basis of governance is thus eroded,” Chinda said.

He stressed the need for urgent reform, with recommendations for the executive, legislature, political parties, electoral management body and the civil societies.

He also recommended that political parties should conduct primary elections to substitute candidates rather than go through general elections during supplementary elections.

The lawmaker also said that strong punitive measures should be meted on INEC staff caught in electoral malpractice.

“And anyone who exceeds spending limit should be barred from elective office for certain number of years,” he said.

Mr Adebowale Olorummola, Country Director, WFD, stressed the need to create a more inclusive political environment for all, and strategies on addressing cost of politics.

“The insights from this study offer a detailed look at how financial barriers to political participation silence many voices, particularly those from underrepresented groups.

“While democracy flourishes through the contributions of diverse voices, the steep costs associated with political engagement often restrict access and representation,” he said.

Dr Yusuf Dantalle, National Chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), said that people should seek political office for the betterment of the entire Nigerian populace.

Dantalle said that politics should be done in a way that will be reflective of the needs of the people.

He said that IPAC established the directorates of Women Affairs, people with disability and the youth, which are being championed by various political parties to drive the inclusion agenda.

Mrs Amina Byrhm, President, National Women Leaders Forum of Political Parties in Nigeria, said that the cost of politics had hindered women’s participation.

Byrhm urged stakeholders to remove the barriers and advance a more inclusive and equitable political space.

Dr Ayibakuro Mattew, Governance Advisor, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), emphasised the need for incentives that would align with the voters and politicians to promote inclusion and address cost of politics.

Henry Nwawuba, Executive Secretary, National Assembly Library and Resource Centre, said that the cost of participating in politics had become a major barrier to entry, and had not brought out the best players in the game.

Meanwhile, other participants unanimously agreed that the increasing cost of politics in Nigeria, unchecked, is a threat to democratic norms and sustainability.

They said that urgent action was required through a concerted multi-stakeholder approach to address the systemic and structural factors affecting the monetisation of the political process.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the “Cost of Politics and Political Inclusion” was unveiled and the findings was presented by Dr Hakeem Onapajo, the Team Lead. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman