GOVERNMENT PLAN TO INCREASE PUBLIC OFFICIALS’ PAY STOKES ANGER
The recent announcement by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) that it will review and possibly increase the salaries and allowances of President Bola Tinubu, his ministers, and other public officials has sparked outrage among Nigerians, many of whom see it as further evidence that public office holders prioritize their own welfare while […]
BENUE, ANAMBRA JOIN NASS IN SUSPENDING LEGISLATORS
Nigeria’s legislative houses appear to be turning more frequently to suspension as a “disciplinary” tool against their members, raising an important question: what effect does this have on citizens’ representation? From the National Assembly, where Senator Abdul Ningi was suspended in 2024 but has since returned, and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan remains suspended in 2025, to […]
RIVERS STATE LG ELECTIONS COMPLICATE UNDEMOCRATIC EMERGENCY
The questionable state of emergency imposed on Rivers State has been further complicated by the conduct of local government elections, which observers and stakeholders have widely criticized. The focal point of the criticisms has been the question of why local government elections were conducted in a state that is supposedly so pervaded by insecurity as […]
PLAC Condemns Reported Assault and Detention of Omoyele Sowore, Demands Immediate Release and Accountability
Abuja, 7 August 2025 Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), strongly condemns the reported assault and continued detention of human rights activist and journalist, Omoyele Sowore, by the Nigeria Police Force. Sowore was detained on Tuesday, 6 August 2025, after honouring a police invitation in Abuja. The invitation, issued in July, indicated that he was […]
PLAC 2025 Legislative Internship Opportunity
Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) is implementing a 10-week full-time internship program with support from the European Union (EU) for young Nigerians who wish to gain knowledge of legislative practice and process at the National Assembly. INTERNSHIP REQUIREMENTS (i) Nigerian citizen between 21 and 35 years of age (ii) At least a first degree […]
Engagement on Women’s Political Representation Underscores Need for Reform
On Thursday, 10th July 2025, the House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, in collaboration with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) and with support from the European Union in Nigeria, hosted a Legislative Dinner on advancing women’s political representation in Nigeria with women legislators from the State Houses of […]
Open NASS Week 2025: Lawmakers and Stakeholders Discuss Path to Women’s Political Representation
On 8 July 2025, the second day of Open NASS Week 2025, the House of Representatives hosted a focused dialogue on the Special Seats Bill, a legislative proposal aimed at increasing women’s representation in Nigeria’s federal and state legislatures. The event, organised in partnership with PLAC, UNDP, and NALTF, brought together lawmakers, civil society leaders, […]
Open NASS Week 2025 Commences with Strong Emphasis on Transparency and Democratic Participation
The 2025 edition of Open NASS Week officially commenced on 7 July 2025 at the House of Representatives in Abuja. Organised by the House of Representatives in collaboration with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the National Assembly Library Trust Fund Transparency Forum (NALTF), the event marked […]
PLAC Commences Legislative Internship Programme Alumni Support Initiative
PLAC is pleased to announce the inaugural edition of its Legislative Internship Alumni Support Initiative. Supported by the European Union (EU), this initiative is designed to sustain engagement, encourage leadership, and foster innovation among former interns. It will facilitate the design and implementation of alumni-led projects advancing civic education, democratic participation, and legislative engagement—particularly among […]
PLAC Supports Study Tour of Select Members of the House Committee on Constitution Review to the Parliament of Kenya
Monday, 23rd – Thursday, 26th June 2025 The Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), with support from the European Union (EU), facilitated a study tour for select members of the House Committee on Constitution Review of the Nigerian National Assembly to the Parliament of Kenya. The primary objectives of the study tour were to:Increase awareness […]
Senate Approves N1.485 Trillion As 2025 Budget of The Rivers State Government
At its plenary session held on Wednesday, 25th June 2025, the Senate received and considered the report of its Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State Emergency Rule on the 2025 Rivers State Appropriation Bill, and thereafter approved the sum of ₦1,485,662,592,442 as the official 2025 Budget of the Rivers State Government. Presenting the report, the Leader […]
2025 Democracy Day: President Tinubu Addresses National Assembly in a Joint Sitting
The President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday, 12 June 2025, addressed a Joint sitting of the Senate and the House of Representatives, convened by the National Assembly, in celebration of Nigeria’s 26th Democracy Day with the theme “ 26 years of Uninterrupted Democratic Governance and Appreciation of the National Assembly’s Central Role in Nigeria’s Democratic […]
Press Brief on PLAC’s Report: “From Ballot to the Courts: Analysis of Election Petition Litigation from Nigeria’s 2023 General Elections”
On Wednesday, 9 April 2025, Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) launched a report titled, “From Ballot to the Courts: Analysis of Election Petition Litigation from Nigeria’s 2023 General Elections.” The report offers a comprehensive analysis of the judgments delivered by the Election Petition Tribunals, the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court over petitions […]
National Assembly Approves Proclamation of a State of Emergency in Rivers State
The Senate and House of Representatives at its plenary session of Thursday, 20th March 2025 approved the request of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to proclaim a state of emergency in Rivers State. At the commencement of the House of Representatives plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abass Tajudeen (APC: Kaduna) read a letter […]
PLAC Condemns National Assembly’s Use of Voice Votes to Approve Proclamation of State of Emergency in Rivers State
Issued: 20 March 2025 Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) is deeply troubled and disheartened by the action of the National Assembly in approving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s proclamation of a State of Emergency in Rivers State and doing so via voice vote. This decision marks a grave failure on the part of the legislature. […]
PLAC Condemns Arrest, Detention, and Charges against Omoyele Sowore
Issued: 29 January 2025 The Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) unequivocally condemns the arrest and detention of Omoyele Sowore, a prominent human rights and democracy activist, by the Nigeria Police. We are deeply concerned about his charge to court on allegations of cybercrime—a clear misuse of legal provisions intended to combat genuine cyber threats. […]
National Assembly Resumes Plenary, Kicks Off 2025 Legislative Session
The Senate and House of Representatives on Tuesday, 14 January 2025 reconvened for its plenary session, marking the official commencement of the 2025 legislative session. Both chambers resumed plenary after the end-of-year recess for the Christmas and New Year holidays. At the resumption of plenary in the Senate, the President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill […]
Proliferation and Duplication of Government Agencies in Nigeria
President Tinubu Presents N47.90 Trillion as the Proposed 2025 Budget to the National Assembly in a Joint Sitting
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a Joint Sitting of the Senate and House of Representatives on Wednesday, 18 December 2024, presented the sum of N47.90 trillion as the proposed 2025 Budget. This is an increase from the 2024 budget of N27.5 trillion presented in 2023. Delivering his address, the President emphasized that the 2025 budget […]