A PUBLICATION OF CISLAC @cislacnigeria www.facebook.com/cislacnigeria website: www.cislacnigeria.net VOL. 16 No. 5, MAY 2021

Participants in a group photo at a 'One-day CSO-Executive-Legislative Roundtable to appraise the Protection of Civilians and Civilian Harm mitigation in Armed Conflict' organised by CISLAC in collaboration with Centre for Civilians in Conflict with support from European Union. Twitter Ban And The Challenges Of Digital Democracy In Africa

By Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani) America (VOA) observes that in ParliamentWatch in Uganda; and Uganda, the website Yogera, or ShineYourEye in Nigeria. s the emergence of digital 'speak out', offers a platform for The 2020 virtual protest in media shapes Africans' way citizens to scrutinize government, Z a m b i a t o Aof life, worldview, civic complain about poor service or blow #ZimbabweanLivesMatter, exposed mobilisation, jobs and opportunities, the whistle on corruption; Kenya's the potential of social media to public perception and opinion of Mzalendo website styles itself as the empower dissenting voices. The governance, the digital democracy 'Eye on the Kenyan Parliament', impact of WhatsApp and Facebook in also evolves in gathering pace for profiling politicians, scrutinizing Gambia's elections has indicated average citizens to take an active role expenses and highlighting citizens' that even in rural areas with limited in public discourse. rights; People's Assembly and its connectivity, social media content In 2017 published report, Voice of sister site PMG in South Africa; Cont. on page 4

Senate Passes Nigeria Still Southwest Speakers Want Procurement of Experts Review Draft Policy on Civilians’ University Bill Dromes, Helicopters to tackle Insecurity Protection in Harmed Conflict - P. 14 - P. 17 - P. 20 About us

ivil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) is a non-governmental, non- Through such efforts, CISLAC has empowered communities mostly affected by the Cprofit, advocacy, information sharing, research, and capacity building organisation. extractive industry sector, improved the levels of information dissemination, and ensure Its mission is to strengthen the link between civil society and the legislature through due process and transparency in the payments made by extractive industry companies advocacy and capacity building for civil society groups and policy makers on legislative to the Federal Government and its agencies. It has also educated State and Federal processes and governance issues. legislators, their advisory staff, CSOs, the media, and key stakeholders on their oversight roles in legislation and has reviewed their commitment in implementation. CISLAC was integrated as a corporate body (CAC/IT/NO22738) with the Nigeria's PUBLICATION OF MONTHLY NEWSLETTERS Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) on the 28th December 2006. Prior to this incorporation, however, CISLAC had actively been engaged in legislative advocacy CISLAC has strengthened civil society intervention by the publication of a monthly work since 2005. The organisation is also compliant with the Anti-Money Laundering Act newsletter Legislative Digest and Tobacco Control Update which have been in circulation 2007. The Organisation reports to SCUML, any transaction that is above One thousand for both public and legislative consumption since October 2006 and June 2013 dollars, detailing the payee, purpose and the other KYC (Know Your Customer) respectively. It has been a central medium of accountability, as it monitors the requirements. This is done on a weekly or monthly basis depending on the volume of performance of Legislators, and a channel for advocacy on critical issues that need transactions and to ensure appropriate compliance with anti-money laundering laws. legislation. Also, CISLAC has a wide range of publications such as Textbooks and Policy Also, CISLAC is registered organisation under the National Planning Commission. Briefs.

As indicated above, the organisation emerged from the need to address the gaps in THE BOARD OF TRUSTEE legislative advocacy work of civil society and government access to civil society groups. This is the policy-making organ of the organisation. It approves the budget of the CISLAC's engagement with Federal Ministries, National and State Assemblies, Local organisation, provides contacts for operational funds and supports the operation of the Government Administrations, private sector interests, and non-government secretariat. organisations, has opened a window through which the public and policy officials can 1. Mr. Y.Z Y'au interact and collaborate. 2. Mr. Adesina Oke 3. Ms. Nkoyo Toyo CISLAC through its engagement of the governance processes in Nigeria has facilitated the enactment of several primary legislations such as the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 4. Ms. Hadiza Kangiwa Public Procurement Act, and Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative Act 5. Mr. Adagbo Onoja which promotes transparency and accountability in governance as well as the 6. Bukhari Bello domestication of international conventions at the Federal and state levels in Nigeria. 7. Hon. Uche Onyeaguocha CISLAC also supported the passage of the Freedom of Information Act. Other pieces of 8. Mr. Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani) legislations such the National Tobacco Control Bill, National Health Bill, Disability Bill, ADVISORY COUNCIL Gender and Equal Opportunity Bill, Violence and Persons Prohibition Bill, Whistleblower Protection Bill, Prison Reform Bill, etc. are also supported by CISLAC. The Advisory Council is an advisory organ consisting of people with vast experience and knowledge of socio-economic and political dynamics in the country and across the world. As a renowned CSO in Legislative advocacy in the region, CISLAC has on several 1. Prof. Okey Ibeanu occasions shared its experience on best practises for legislative advocacy on invitation 2. Prof. Sam Egwu from its international partners such as the World Bank Parliamentary Forum and the 3. Chom Bagu United Nations Millennium Campaign in African countries such as Kenya and 4. Gen. Ishola Williams (rtd) Zimbabwe. Similarly, Ghana, Kenya, and Democratic Republic of Congo have also 5. Prof. Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan requested support from CISLAC for replication of their work in Legislative advocacy. In 6. Halima Ben Umar (Ms.) 7. Dr. Afia Zakiya (Ms) (CISLAC Global) many West African countries such as Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Cameroon, Niger, Togo and Benin Republic, CISLAC has carried out experience sharing and advocacy THE SECRETARIAT exercises on the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative processes through The Secretariat is vested with the day-to-day running of the organization. It implements the decisions supporting the passage of extractive industry initiative laws in these countries. CISLAC of the Board of Trustees. It is headed by an Executive Director who oversees the day-to-day running has also undertaken capacity building for legislators, CSOs and Media on policy of the organisation while a Senior Program Officer oversees programmes implementation along with engagements in the above countries. other programme staff. Head Office, Abuja: CISLAC's sub-granting experience includes grants to national organisations. With skilled, committed, experienced and proactive leadership and employees, particularly in Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani) – Executive Director the areas of coalition building, tenacious advocacy, community mobilization and the Okeke Anya – Program Manager (Democratic Governance) clout needed to engage lawmakers at all levels, the organization proven capacity to attract international solidarity, engage policy makers and mobilize local civil society Vaclav Prusa – Program Manager (Anti-Corruption) groups and communities into action. Salaudeen Hashimu Nurani – Snr. Program Officer (Peace, Security, Migration and IDPs) GOAL Abimbola S. Okoilu- Miró – Office Manager

To make government accessible, responsive and accountable to citizens. Chinedu Bassey – Program Officer (Tax Justice Campaign, Environment and Conversation of Nature) VISION Lovelyn Agbor – Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Muhammed Murtala Muhammed – Asst. Program Officer (Health, Human A Nigeria where legislators and policy makers are safeguarding citizens' rights and Development and Social Inclusion) welfare while citizens effectively demand accountability. Bertha Ogbimi – Program Officer MISSION Nura Iro Ma’aji – Program Officer Bathsheba Tagwai – Legal Officer To engage state and non-state actors for improved policy and legislative frameworks, transparency and accountability in governance for people oriented development. Asimi Samuel Oyimafu – Assistant Program Officer (Anti-Corruption) Solomon Adoga – Asst. Program Officer (Democratic Governance) ADVOCACY VISITS Abdulazeez Shehu Doma – Head of Finance CISLAC has successfully engaged key members of the National Assembly in order to Ibrahim Idris – Asst. Finance Officer wield their influence in ensuring that civil society positions are accommodated. In 2006, Abiodun Oladipupo – Office Assistant I for instance, CISLAC targeted key players and created public awareness on draft legislation and questionable provisions incorporated by the National Assembly. Such efforts improved the levels of discipline, transparency, and accountability in the management and openness of fiscal responsibility, public procurement, and the nation's extractive Industry sector in Nigeria.

2 Legislative Digest Vol. 16 No. 5, May 2021 EDITORIAL Nigeria: Democracy, Shrinking Civic Space And Social Injustice

he Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre We on this note express total disappointment at unlawful (CISLAC) felicitates with all Nigerian and actions of some individuals or groups to undermine Tgovernment at all levels on Democracy Day 2021, Democratic values, inflame mayhems and public marking 22years since return of Democracy in Nigeria. disorder as recently demonstrated in unconstitutional restriction of fellow citizens' rights and freedom, targeted In the spirit of celebrations, we are seriously perturbed destructions to lives and public property, and unguarded by recent unwary development threatening citizens' divisive utterances, primarily to aggravate ethnic fundamental rights and freedom as well as civic space at tensions and communal instabilities. all levels. We are more concerned that the democratic values We, without hesitation, state that true Democracy in which were meant to enhance socio-economic Nigeria is threatened by recurring political efforts to opportunities for betterment of the marginalised, shrink civic space, growing ethnic intolerance, promote peaceful co-existence, secure citizens' rights disobedience to citizens' human rights, lingering socio- and freedom, and protect the vulnerable groups are economic injustice, poor policy response to diverse mistook by some individuals or groups to exacerbate agitations, and mismatched political ideology by insecurity, inflict tensions, killings, destructions and successive administrations. instabilities; as recently observed in some parts of the While Nigerians were hopeful for renewed dynamism in country. addressing the myriad problems bedevilling the country We reiterate concerns over shaky credibility and integrity following the return of Democracy in 1999, we are that dominates Nigeria's electoral system and process. concerned that they are today compelled to endure This accompanied by electoral irregularities including growing socio-economic and political challenges fraud, vote buying and igging as well as massive presented by successive administrations. These include deployment of hoodlums in elections, continues to impair endless insecurity, pervasive corruption and reform, justice, transparency and accountability in mismanagement, rising poverty and unemployment, electoral process, while breathing public distrust in non-observance of citizens' human rights, and total political institutions. disobedience to the rule of law. We therefore call for thorough review of party politics and We observed that effort at citizenry levels to protest and political ideology to pilot a people-oriented blueprint for express dissatisfaction with governance is hampered by desired good governance and true democracy in threats that currently manifest in media harassment and Nigeria. intimidation, unlawful ban of a social media App, constant harassment of Human Rights and Anti- We demand unconditional respect for citizens' human corruption Civil Society Organisations, illegal ban on rights irrespective of their socio-economic and political protest, and arbitrary arrests. These without doubt, are status at all levels including recognition of their freedom basic symptoms of the lack of necessary democratic of expression as a Constitutional right and not privilege. values in Nigeria. Continued on page 9

A Publication of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)

Auwal Ibrahim Musa Website: www.cislacnigeria.net (Rafsanjani) Editor-in-Chief CONTACT ADDRESS: Email: [email protected] Abubakar Jimoh Flat 3, No. 16 P.O.W. Mafemi Crescent Editor Off Solomon Lar Way Chioma Kanu Behind Chida Hotel Abimbola S. Okoilu-Miró Near Daily Trust Newspapers Office Utako District, Abuja - Nigeria REGIONAL OFFICE: KANO REGIONAL OFFICE: ADAMAWA REGIONAL OFFICE: YOBE Tel: 234-08033844646, 07034118266 3rd Floor, NISTF Building Government Lodge Area Suite 5, Bugon Plaza No. 1A, Social Insurance Road Off Main Drive Opposite Eco Bank INTERNATIONAL OFFICE Behind Trade Fair Complex Dougerei Layout Along Maiduguri Road Helmsley 10 Floor 230 Park Avenue Zaria Road, Kano Jimeta, Yola Damaturu 45 street between Lexington and P.O. Box 10210 Adamawa State Yobe State Vanderbit, New York Kano State

Legislative Digest Vol. 16 No. 5, May 2021 3 COVER STORY Twitter Ban and the Challenges of Digital Democracy in Africa Continued from page 1 contributes to offline political mobilisation, as reported by Democracy in Africa in 2020. Though from the mid-2000s onwards, the digital revolution r a i s e d h o p e s o f d e m o c r a t i c transformation and strengthening in Africa, however, according to The Conversation, following the Arab Spring, the techno-optimism has given way to techno-pessimism as African leaders deploy both lawful and unlawful mechanisms to restrict the transformative potential through censorship, bans and internet shutdowns. While every well-meaning African Source: Premium Time would not conceal the fact that published fake stories or threats of suspension on the account “due to the Assembly but met heated public various forms via social media risk of further incitement of violence. debates and protests. platforms when play into widely held Similar measure that deleted a Tweet In 2019, President Muhammadu fears, prejudices and assumptions from President Muhammadu Buhari declined assent into the can exacerbate distrust and Buhari's account was retaliated with Digital Rights Bill on grounds that it encourage a cycle of violence, the a ban on Twitter use in Nigeria. “covers too many technical subjects significant of content regulation and In Nigeria's situation, social and fails to address any of them moderation – irrespective of a user's media until recent times, had extensively”. The Bill was supposed political status or socio-economic provided veritable platforms for to protect the fundamental rights of background, by handles providers constructive dialogues among Nigerians on the Internet and like Facebook, Twitters cannot be citizens on critical developmental ensured their safety and well-being. underestimated. issues and democratic governance. The current version of the Social African political elites hold a However, the digital democracy in Media Bill titled “Protection from disproportionate perception of digital the country has been shaped by a I n t e r n e t F a l s e h o o d a n d democracy unlike in advanced series of legislative and policy attacks Manipulation Bill 2019” was democracies. While in January 2021, targeted at shrinking civic space. introduced to the Senate on after close review of Tweets from the This includes a “Frivolous Petitions November 5. President Donald Trump's account (Prohibition) Bill 2015” aka Social In 2019, the Senate announced and the context around them, Media Bill, which was introduced in that they'll be suspending further Twitter's official issued a permanent 2016 during the 8th National legislative action on the Social Media Bill until 2020. While legislative debate on the Bill was delayed by COVID-19 legislative work, the In Nigeria's situation, social media until recent #EndSARS protests that rocked the country motivated reconsideration times, had provided veritable platforms for for passage of the Bill. The constructive dialogues among citizens on critical emergence of #EndSARS protests which stemmed from social media, developmental issues and democratic governance. triggered the clamour by state However, the digital democracy in the country has leaders to put a restraint on the use been shaped by a series of legislative and policy of social media in Nigeria. In a meeting held by Northern Governors attacks targeted at shrinking civic space. to address the issue of insecurity, they called for social media regulation. They criticized “the

4 Legislative Digest Vol. 16 No. 5, May 2021 COVER STORY

Source: The Atlantic devastating effect of the social media rising poverty level, dilapidated outright content blocking. in spreading fake news,” calling for h e a l t h c a r e s y s t e m , e n d e m i c Since May 2017, the Egyptian “control mechanism and censorship childhood malnutrition, youth government has authorised the of the social media practice in unemployment, that backpedal the blocking of about 496 websites of Nigeria.” region's socio-economic progress. It news outlets, blogs, human rights A c c o r d i n g t o A m n e s t y also observed from the clamour, pre- organisations, and tools such as International, the Social Media Bill determined undemocratic strategy to VPNs used to bypass the blocks. In contains overbroad provisions that suppress and intimidate Nigerians 2017, Cameroon recorded a 93-day unduly restrict access to and use of from demanding transparency and Internet shutdown in the North- social media and seems designed to accountability in governance. West and South-West, which gag freedom of expression. These Not surprisingly, Nigeria would attracted a significant loss of about include: section 3, which relates to not be the first African country to $38.8 million, according to TechPoint the transmission of false statements impose a ban on social media. Similar Africa. of facts, contains provisions against trends have been recorded in other In order to obstruct the activities sharing statements “likely to be countries like Chad in mid-July 2019 of protesters, in 2018, the Democratic prejudicial to the security of Nigeria, lifted its 16-month social media ban. Republic of Congo government public safety, tranquility, public The government argued that the caused several network disruptions finances and friendly relations of lengthy ban was necessary for and an eventual Internet shutdown, Nigeria with other countries”, which security reasons. Zimbabwe issued while access to online media and by implication could be abused to the Postal and Telecommunications social networks such as WhatsApp, punish critics of government policies Act of 2000 that allows the Facebook, YouTube, Skype, and SMS and actions, and anyone who asks government to monitor email usage were interrupted several times. In difficult questions could find and requires ISPs to supply response to a number of protests in themselves liable for 'diminishing information to government officials 2018, the Moroccan government public confidence in the government. upon request. In Ethiopia, through deployed an Internet disruption with Reacting to the development, Freedom of the Mass Media and attempts to discourage media Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Access to Information Proclamation coverage of protests. Centre (CISLAC) described push for of 2008 and the Anti-Terrorism W h i l e t h e C h a d i a n c a s e r e g u l a t i n g s o c i a l m e d i a a s P r o c l a m a t i o n o f 2 0 0 9 , t h e highlights the way social media has “worrisome and surprising”, despite government maintains absolute increasingly been framed as a threat, significant governance issues control over the internet with the use especially by authoritarian leaders, awaiting attention like insecurity, of internet filtering, surveillance and since the beginning of 2019 at least

Legislative Digest Vol. 16 No. 5, May 2021 5 COVER STORY nine other African countries have also experienced government ordered internet shutdowns, as reported by The Conversation. Several intellectual opinions and public dialogues have stressed the importance of digital democracy to policy making, participatory governance, job creations, business activities, public orientation in Africa with Brookings Institute observing significant improvement in African governance system in 2021, as COVID-19 has forced many policymakers and civil society leaders to recognize the importance of technology to political and economic participation through various virtual platforms like video conferencing, Tweeting Conference Source: Progressive Post and Dialogue. This, according to Brookings Institute, augurs very well debate among state and non-state aggressive policy manoeuvre to f o r i n c l u s i v e n e s s a n d t h e actors on who should be held preserve political power and interest, entrenchment of democracy, while accountable, for what to be held while suppressing counter-opinions. encouraging African governments to accountable and how to be held A p u b l i s h e d s t u d y b y “ i n v e s t i n t h e n e c e s s a r y accountable, within the existing Afrobarometer in 2014, observes that infrastructure to significantly legislative or policy provisions. while democratization is driven from i m p r o v e a c c e s s t o t h e s e It promotes agenda setting for below in some countries, it is resisted p a r t i c i p a t i o n - e n h a n c i n g both policy and legislative realms to from above in others. In effect, the technologies.” mitigate policy mismatch, conflict of perceived level of democracy is low However, despite the promising interest and deviation from core among citizens in North Africa, potential of social media to uphold electoral mandates. In African where a surplus of authority democratic culture and values in nations, the mismatch between prevails. But in other countries A f r i c a , t h e r e a r e r e c u r r i n g popular aspirations and elite across the sub-Saharan sub- backlashes mirrored from legislative retrenchment has revealed a continent – like Ghana in West actions or policy decisions to control, diversity of political regimes and Africa, Mauritius in East Africa, and regulate or ban the social media. political courses in Africa. Political Zambia in Southern Africa – an Social media constitutes a policies in most instances are institutionalized form of electoral mechanism for social accountability, promulgated not in favour of public democracy is gradually taking root. advocating for policy change and interest but selfish interest and Social media encourages citizens' communicating change in policy. It expectations of political elites. This participation in governance and provides a forum for constructive manifests in deliberate and reporting on issues. As credible and sustainable governance depends largely on effective citizens' participation and on what it delivers, Social media constitutes a mechanism for social the quality of governance diminishes accountability, advocating for policy change and if citizens are ignorant about plans, communicating change in policy. It provides a forum programmes and policies of the governments. The Civil Society for constructive debate among state and non-state Legislative Advocacy Centre actors on who should be held accountable, for what to (CISLAC) has been at the forefront be held accountable and how to be held accountable, advocating citizens' participation in within the existing legislative or policy provisions. governance to help common citizens to assess their own needs, participate in and monitor governments' plans and programmes.

6 Legislative Digest Vol. 16 No. 5, May 2021 COVER STORY

It is evident across the globe that citizens' participation can help governments to be more accountable Social media provides formal online channels for and responsive, improve the people's p e r c e p t i o n o f g o v e r n m e n t a l citizens to report crime, comment on policy, and performance and democratic receive real-time updates on policy issues and dividends the citizens receive from petition for change. Through media handles, the governments. For instance, with the emergence of its Advocacy and citizens connect and interact directly with security Legal Advice Centre (ALAC) across agencies and institutions while exercising their the six geo-political zones, CISLAC democratic rights through reports and complaints. has developed an online anti- c o r r u p t i o n p l a t f o r m — Tracknigeria.ng, where citizens confidentially report corruption related issues as witnessed and the Unit (PCRRU) of the Nigeria Police Others include #SexForGrades, centres demand accountability from F o r c e , @ P o l i c e N G _ P C R R U ; started on October 7, 2019, when relevant institutions. The Centre Economic and Financial Crime BBC's investigative arm in Africa, provides a free and confidential Commission (EFCC), @officialEFCC; BBC Africa Eye, released an hour- platform to victims and witnesses of Independent Corrupt Practices long documentary highlighting cases corruption of any form to report with Commission (ICPC), @ICPC_PE. of sexual harassment by lecturers of facts and evidence of proof, also free Regular updates and preventive two West African universities — legal advice or counsel to citizens is measures of COVID-19 pandemic University of Lagos and University of provided. published via @NCDCgov had saved Ghana; and young people who in Complaints and reports are thousands of Nigerians from Senegal drawn global attention to collated with petitions drafted where contacting the pandemic and the country's high unemployment necessary and forwarded to the mitigated the spread. These similar rate over social media, and their appropriate government institutions measures have been instituted by protests galvanised the population to that have the legal authority to C O V I D - 1 9 A f r i c a W a t c h , vote out President Abdoulaye Wade investigate and take actions. Follow @Covid_Africa; World Health in the 2012 election. ups are carried out and to ensure that Organisation (WHO) African Region Having recognised the strengthen victims receive redress. update, @WHOAFRO. of digital media in the stability of Through the social media, ALAC Through social media, civil society democracy and governance, e- encourages citizen to speak out groups are enabled to mobilise the governance has been adopted by against corruption whether as a critical mass in demanding governments in most parts of the victim or witness, sensitizations a c c o u n t a b i l i t y o n t h e world to transform citizen service, across the six (6) geo- political zones, i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f e x i s t i n g provide access to information to in communities and in tertiary legislation for impactful delivery of empower citizens, enable their institutions are also carried out to political promises. This includes the participation in government and educate and enlighten citizens on National Health Act, National enhance citizen's economic and social their rights, responsibilities and Tobacco Control Act, Freedom of opportunities. This in effects, roles in the fight against corruption. I n f o r m a t i o n A c t , F i s c a l according to Center for Public Policy Social media provides formal Responsibility Act, Violence against & Administration University of online channels for citizens to report Persons Prohibition Act, etc. Several Utah, promotes ability of citizens to crime, comment on policy, and social movements that emerged l e a v e f e e d b a c k t o v a r i o u s receive real-time updates on policy online have spread to the physical government offices; a subscription issues and petition for change. space in Africa with appreciable based list serve or e-Newsletter that Through media handles, citizens global response and support as in the keeps citizens and other agencies connect and interact directly with c a s e o f t h e f a m o u s informed; online discussion forums security agencies and institutions #BringBackOurGirls campaign in or chat rooms to discuss policy issues; while exercising their democratic Nigeria; #GambiaHasDecided e-Meetings for cross agency/cross r i g h t s t h r o u g h r e p o r t s a n d initiated by youth groups in Gambian governmental participation; online complaints. Several civil and when former president Yahya citizen surveys or polls for specific criminal cases have reported and Jammeh refused to vacate his office issues with published results; online addressed through Twitter handles and hand over power after suffering citizen satisfaction surveys with of Public Complaint Rapid Response electoral defeat. published results; online decision-

Legislative Digest Vol. 16 No. 5, May 2021 7 COVER STORY

making - e-petitions, e-referenda; online performance measures with published results. Through social media, wider interest groups are Consequently, digital media has mobilised for active participation in programmes become an enabler involving the use of Information Technology in and activities in pursuit of common but lawful improving transparency, providing demands from policy and legislative realms. information speedily to all citizens, Social media is used in information dissemination improving administration efficiency and improving public services such as on upcoming events or programmes to secure transportation, power, health, water, quality participation. security and municipal services. Local governments in this case, can take responsibility in developing i n t e g r a t e d r u r a l - b a s e d , citizencentric, information-driven, analysis—pie chart, bar chart etc., It promotes vigilance of the rule user-friendly, easily-accessible, and while advocating for issues like of law through public campaigns for dynamic e-governance systems. health, education, agriculture as well openness of court, independent Social media handles host as budgetary allocation, release and judicial system, transparent credible platforms for extensive utilisation. legislative and administrative reporting and denouncing cases of Networking for common support proceedings, access to public officials human rights violations. They as well in demanding accountability for and to public documents. increase awareness among citizens global, continental and regional D i g i t a l m e d i a h e l p s i n about their rights and act as a commitments has been supported c o m m u n i c a t i n g e m e r g i n g reliable source of information. and sustained through social media development in governance, while Through this process, civil society activities. Social media remains a raising citizens' consciousness for and public institutions work to bring veritable tool linking local civil e f f i c i e n t p a r t i c i p a t i o n a n d down the incidences of arbitrary society groups with globally related involvement in electoral activities. abuse. networks in experience sharing and This is achieved through existing It helps in presenting technical galvanising advocacy for desired social media handles of various civil developmental information in policy change. Through social media, society organisations, where citizens accessible, simple, understandable wider interest groups are mobilised receive updates on issues affecting and human-angle forms to the policy f o r a c t i v e p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n governance and as well encourage and legislative realms towards programmes and activities in pursuit their active participation at every influencing legislative process and of common but lawful demands from stage of the electoral process policy decision. The civil society policy and legislative realms. Social through voters' education and deploys social media in presenting media is used in information awareness. Electoral activities are simplified information at glance dissemination on upcoming events or monitored to secure voters' through various tools like info-graph, programmes to secure quality participation, transparency, pictograph, basic statistical participation. accountability and integrity in the process. Harmonising citizens' preference or area of priority in policy or Social media handles host credible platforms for legislation to ensure inclusive and participatory process at all levels; extensive reporting and denouncing cases of human and galvanising citizens' evidence- rights violations. They as well increase awareness based observations on development, among citizens about their rights and act as a as they are reported to the civil society through various platforms. reliable source of information. Through this process, Bridging the gap between the civil society and public institutions work to bring legislators and their constituents down the incidences of arbitrary abuse. and fostering legislative constituent relations. Citizens are often encouraged by civil society groups to leverage the social media handles of

8 Legislative Digest Vol. 16 No. 5, May 2021 COVER STORY their respective representatives in in developmental programmes and privacy of the citizens; address articulating their expectation and activities. Various social media d i g i t a l m i s i n f o r m a t i o n a n d priority or demanding accountability platforms are used in giving public disinformation; demonstrate trust from their representatives. Civil visibility to programmes and building between government and society in most occasions harmonises activities of the civil society groups, citizens. To uphold the principle of public feedback and leverages the development partners, donors, while good governance, governments must social media handles in demanding complementing existing government be aware of what the citizens want accountability on such. efforts. This includes real-time and citizens must as well be aware of Tracking and monitoring policy coverage of activities of both public what governments are going to do. commitments to critical sectors of the and private sectors that enables a More importantly, having a economic. Through this process variety of audience participation transparent and accountable system political manifesto, agenda and despite their geographical locations. helps the governments in adapting to policy are scrutinised, accessed and In order to effectively deploy and social and technological changes, compared with performance or benefit largely from digital stay close and respond to citizens' l e v e r a g e d i n d e m a n d i n g democracy, government at all levels demands. Through a transparent accountability from policy and must encourage and support citizens' system, a legislature provides more legislative realms. Documenting participation in governance through information and expands citizen policy commitments and holding transparency of forecasting models participation in a deliberate and policy makers accountable to their and data that influence government's meaningful way that makes it more political mandates and campaign strategies; well-informed citizens effective in delivering democratic promises require evidence-based through holistic implementation of dividends to the electorate. Every messaging development. Through digital platforms to promote public citizen regardless of his or her social, digital democracy, credible materials participation; public availability of political, economic, education and are accessed for advocacy notes, and proactive information on economic ethno-religion background should win-win strategic messaging are and social support; devise digital have access to public information, developed and documented for use. provision of public and government which should be made available by Social media enhances visibility services; protecting data rights and the concerned public institution.

EDITORIAL

Continued from page 3 We demand an independent and strengthened electoral As efficient delivery of democratic dividend to the citizens institution to actualise and maintain secret balloting rests largely on enabling legal environment through strict system and electoral voting in the entire process adherence to the rule of law by relevant institutions, we including registration, accreditation, vote counting, call for total respect for the sanity and sanctity of the rule of collation and announcement chain to discourage vote law to enhance democratic values such as accountability, buying and rigging, and enhance electoral integrity and transparency, and human rights promotion and accountability. protection. We further demand immediate investigation and We call on the government at all levels to uphold and allow prosecution of the recent killings of innocent citizens and civic space for meaningful contribution to democratic security personnel in various parts of the country to governance in Nigeria, with demonstrated commitment to demonstrate social justice, reinforce peaceful co- the principles of responsibility and responsiveness for existence and responsive governance. good governance. We also call for the development of a new policy We demand sincere effort by relevant authorities to framework with comprehensive mutual benefit to address pervasive insecurity, unemployment and poverty address existing communal challenges and compensate with strong emphasis on true federalism and Local victims of social injustice and marginalisation to foster Government Autonomy to enable impactful democratic national integrity. dividend and sustainable development in the grassroots. We encourage the media at all levels on appropriate We call for the creation of an independent and functional public enlightenment and citizens' re-orientation to Electoral Offences Commission to investigate and mitigate impact of reported cases of divisive utterances, prosecute breaches of relevant electoral provisions hate speeches and provocation, to complement policy including vote buying and rigging. effort towards sustainable peaceful co-existence.

Legislative Digest Vol. 16 No. 5, May 2021 9 NATIONAL ASSEMBLY NEWS House Probes N2bn Safe School Initiative he House of Representatives has roofs of most classrooms are completely 2018, a total of $1,720,246 or N41bn Tresolved to investigate the alleged blown off, hostels in pitiable states and had been realised as donations from abandonment of the Safe School most schools are without perimeter countries and donor agencies, yet not Initiative of the Federal Government fences, etc. much is on the ground to indicate initiated by the administration of “The House is also disturbed that seriousness to fully implement the former President Goodluck Jonathan although an initial $20m was donated laudable objectives of the initiative as in 2014. for the take-off of the Safe School it relates to the safety of schools, The probe is coming in the wake of Initiative project in 2014 and as of students, teachers and facilities.” attacks on schools and mass abduction of students and workers across Nigeria. At a plenary, the House resolved to Institute Drums Support For Forensics Bill urge the Federal Government to collaborate with state governments to he President and Chairman of examiners to provide water tight “restore, revive and revalidate the Safe TCouncil of the Chartered evidence to secure convictions in School Initiative and deploy special Institute of Forensics and Fraud courts.” security personnel to schools in Examiners of Nigeria, Dr. Iliyasu He urged President Muhammadu Nigeria.” Gashinbaki, has said the fight Buhari to give quick assent to the bill The House also mandated its against corruption was waning due to once the National Assembly presents Committee on Basic Education and the dismal number of convictions it to him, saying it will be one of his Services to “carry out an investigation secured by prosecution agencies such major legacies in curbing corruption of the use of over N2bn released for the as the Economic and Financial in Nigeria. “President Olusegun Safe School Initiative alongside other Crimes Commission (EFCC), Obasanjo gave Nigerians EFCC and donations from other countries and Independent Corrupt Practices and ICPC. President Buhari should give organisations, and report back within Related Offences Commission (ICPC) this to Nigerians,” he added. six weeks for further legislative action.” and the Police. Gashinbaki said the institute will The Jonathan administration had Gashinbaki, assured that the be responsible for institutional launched the Safe School Initiative situation will be reversed once the bill strengthening of law enforcement after insurgents attacked the for the establishment of the agencies like the police, ICPC, EFCC Government Girls Secondary School in Chartered Institute of Forensics and and others to carry out diligent Chibok. Certified Fraud Examiners is passed prosecutions. The House unanimously adopted into Law. “Criminals are always ahead of the motion moved by Mr Aniekan The bill supported by the regulators or any system put in place. Umanah, titled 'Need to Investigate the Association of National Accountants That is why you need the special skill Failure of N2bn Safe School Initiative of Nigeria (ANAN), scaled second of a forensic expert and fraud Intervention Programme'. reading at the House of Represen- examiner to unravel the fraud. What Umanah recalled that the SSI was tatives, on Thursday, April 29, 2021. I can guarantee is that this body will launched in 2014 to promote security, Speaking at ANAN House, Abuja, significantly reduce the quantum of the safety of schools, pupils, students Gashinbaki said the passage of the fraud, both in the public and private and teachers, as well as facilities. bill into law would be the best gift the sectors. So ultimately, this bill when He said the programme was to ninth National Assembly will give to passed into law, will complement our design and implement the best global Nigerians as a way of rooting out law enforcement agencies so that standards through the employment of fraud and corruption in Nigeria. what they are doing can be done qualified teachers, provision of library “We don't have a chartered better.” and laboratory equipment, conducive professional body in Nigeria While explaining how the teaching and learning environment, as responsible for fraud examination institute intends to cage corruption well as provision of habitable and forensics, and that is why this and fraud in Nigeria, he said: “Our classrooms and hostels in Nigeria's Institute is not just coming at the plan is to create the Nigerian education sector. right time, but it is the right thing for Forensic Academy and once the bill He said, “The House is disturbed the Nigerian people who have an becomes law, we will have the that the unfortunate increase in Institute of this nature that will train academy affiliated to the ANAN security crisis in the country, with independent professionals, not University to build capacity of the schools as targets, as witnessed g o v e r n m e n t f u n d e d , b u t a n tertiary institutions. The idea is to recently, has exposed the unimaginable independent professional body that upgrade it to a regional university in decadence and dilapidation of schools will be focused on capacity building of Africa because what we are doing has in Nigeria where some students learn forensic professionals and fraud never been done in Africa.” under trees, use blocks as desks, the 10 Legislative Digest Vol. 16 No. 5, May 2021 NATIONAL ASSEMBLY NEWS Health Ministry Rejects Bill That Duplicates NCDC's Mandates he Minister of Health, Dr Osage Nigeria's response system to diseases “Disclosure of user information by TEhanire has rejected a provision outbreaks, however, said the Director-General to prevent spread or made in the Bill co-sponsored by the l e g i s l a t i v e i n s t r u m e n t , w i l l possible outbreak of declared Senate and House of Representatives strengthen efforts of already existing infectious diseases, etc, disclosure of Committees on Primary Healthcare structures on communicable diseases. user information by Centre to and Communicable Diseases and Entitled, “A Bill for an Act to specified recipient and Security Health Institutions, in Abuja. Provide for an effective National assistance”. According to the minister and Framework for the control of Chairmen of the committees, others, the piece of legislation outbreaks of Infectious Diseases Senator Chukwuka Utazi and Hon. duplicates key functions of the endangering Public Health during Tanko Sununu, who anchored the National Centre for Diseases Control, periods of Public Health emergencies hearing of the Bill, said they NCDC, and this to them, is a waste of and for related matters”, the piece of organized the occasion, to enrich the efforts. legislation, is contentious in a number Bill, and come out with a stronger The Minister in his submission at a of sections. framework for better response to public hearing on the Bill, picked Part of the Bill, invests in a new Diseases outbreaks in the country. holes in part 6 and other sections of agency, in part 6, ”powers of the Utazi in his speech said the Bill the Bill. Centre or authorized officer in dealing came about, from both chambers, He also raised concerns over with outbreaks and suspected because of the “challenges that loopholes in several other sections outbreaks of infectious diseases, confronted the nation, regarding the duplicating the already statutory powers of investigation, disposal of coordination of national response functions of the NCDC. document, substance of matter, Power measures to combat the dreaded While reacting on the Bill, of Arrest, Law Enforcement or coronavirus crisis, as a result of stakeholders partnering with the authorizes Officer May Demand e x t a n t a r c h a i c q u a r a n t i n e National Assembly, to strengthen names and addresses in certain cases. legislation”. Reps Committee Summons NNPC Over Alleged Irregularities

he House of Representatives come and appear before us,”he said. TCommittees on Petroleum Ada said that the committee had Upstream, has given the Nigerian asked for relevant documents to National Petroleum Corporation, investigate the activities of the (NNPC) two weeks ultimatum to NNPC, and the corporation had a p p e a r a n d e x p l a i n a l l e g e d refused to oblige the committee. irregularities in the corporation. According to him, we have written The Chairman of the Committee, three letters to them at an interval of Hon. Sarki Ada issued the ultimatum three months each requesting for at a public hearing, following the their budget, budget performance and refusal of NNPC to honour invitations list of assets they are holding and or reply letters. managing on behalf of Nigerians. “We have invited some oil “We asked for a list of their companies; namely the NNPC, Addax liabilities, what are the contracts they Petroleum Company Ltd and Santex a r e e x e c u t i n g , w h o a r e t h e Nig Ltd, to appear before us and they contractors, who are the companies have failed to do that. and what is the progress made. “We are giving them two weeks “We have asked for details of how from today. We will reschedule this Mele Kyari, GMD, NNPC. much they generate from the sales of meeting for two weeks calendar days, crude oil produce, how much do they to appear before this committee and himself and approved by the manage on behalf of Nigeria through we continue our business. parliament and he is doing his job; we other joint ventures, until today, “Unless if they want us to invite will invite him, and I know as the law- there is no response. President Buhari to appear before us abiding president, he will come. “Time has come that we must as the Minister of Petroleum, if they “When he comes, Nigeria should speak, this country belongs to all of us, do not come, we will not hesitate. know that it is because of the failure of we are here as statutory Nigerians,” “Buhari is a minister, he appointed the NNPC to appear that made him to he said.

Legislative Digest Vol. 16 No. 5, May 2021 11 PHOTO NEWS

Participants in a group photo at a 'One-day policy Dialogue on Protection of Civilian Policy and Civilian Harm Mitigation in armed conflict organised by the CISLAC in collaboration with OSIWA in Port Harcourt, Rivers state.

Participants in a group photo at a One-day Brainstorming Session organised by CISLAC to review the policy on Protection of Civilians and Civilian Harm mitigation in Armed Conflict in Abuja.

Cross-section of participants at a 'One-day CSO-Executive-Legislative Roundtable to appraise the Protection of Civilians and Civilian Harm mitigation in Armed Conflict' organised by CISLAC in collaboration with Centre for Civilians in Conflict with support from European Union.

12 Legislative Digest Vol. 16 No. 5, May 2021 PHOTO NEWS

Participants at a One-day Policy Dialogue on Protection of Civilian Policy and Civilian Harm Mitigation in Armed Conflict organised by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) in collaboration with Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) with support from the European Union in Port Harcourt, Rivers state recently.

Hon. Namdas flanked by staff of CISLAC and CIVIC at a 'One-day CSO- Executive-Legislative Roundtable to appraise the Protection of Civilians and Civilian Harm mitigation in Armed Conflict' in Abuja.

Cross-section of participants at a CSOs Technical Review Session of the National Policy on Protection of Civilians and Civilian Harm Mitigation in harmed conflict organised by CISLAC in collaboration with CIVIC in Abuja.

Legislative Digest Vol. 16 No. 5, May 2021 13 NATIONAL ASSEMBLY NEWS Senate Passes Nigeria Steel University Bill

he Nigerian Senate has passed the According to him, the institution Tbill for establishment of Nigeria will provide specialised services in Steel University, Ajaokuta, Kogi. engineering and training in every This followed the adoption of the aspect of education and fields of report of the Senate Committee on applied learning. Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND President of the Senate, Ahmad at a plenary. Lawan, in his remarks, said the The Senate also passed the future growth of the Nigerian Agricultural Research Council Act economy would be based on the (Amendment) Bill, 2021; and the revival of the steel industry. Federal Medical Centre Mubi, Lawan said that the University Adamawa State (Establishment) Bill, would provide the required manpower 2021. for the industry to thrive successfully. Sen. Sam Egwu presented the “Our way to growth, development report of the Committee on behalf of and stability is to have our steel the Chairman, Sen. Ahmed Kaita. industries functioning and this He said that the Nigeria Steel Lawan, Senate President university, if and when established, University, when established, would will definitely provide the necessary provide the required manpower needs metallurgical and technological and needed manpower for the steel of the country in the areas of advancement. industry in our country,” he said. Reps Move To Halt Capital Flight In Nigeria he House of Representatives has amounts to more than 6.5 billion Turged the Federal Government to dollars based on the statistics develop effective mechanism towards released by the Ministry of Foreign halting massive capital flight in Affairs in 2015, while expenses on Nigeria. foreign education amount to more This followed the adoption of than 3billion dollars based on motion by Rep. Afolabi Olalekan at estimates released by the Tertiary plenary in Abuja. Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) in Moving the motion, Olalekan said its 2014 annual report,'' he said. that capital flight has been one of the Olalekan said that there have u n r e s o l v e d a n d p e r s i s t e n t been pleas by successive governments macroeconomic problems plaguing t o f o r e i g n b a n k s a n d o t h e r the nation for over four decades. international financial institutions to “Ironically, Nigeria is ranked release and repatriate stolen and among the highest producers of crude diverted funds stockpiled abroad by oil in the world and earns a huge corrupt leaders. Gbajabiamila, Speaker House of Reps. amount of foreign exchange from its “Capital flight exerts detrimental exports but still falls short of capital to Nigeria accounting for an estimated effects on both short and long term develop, maintain and upgrade its 46 per cent of the total capital flight or growth of the economy by reducing infrastructure,” he said. 40.7billion dollars per year. domestically available investible He said that the country's “Aware of the Central Bank of capital as it represents a foregone underdevelopment was due to high Nigeria (CBN) Bulletin in 2015 which investment in manufacturing plants, c a p i t a l f l i g h t c o m p a r e d t o shows that the net flow of capital infrastructure, social welfare, accumulated domestic investments. flight from Nigeria from 1986 to 2015 reduction of a country's tax base and a “The United Nations Conference was quite worrisome, with Nigeria contribution to the high debt profile, on Trade and Development estimated losing a colossal sum of over 8.8 among others,'' he said. that about 88.6billion dollars per year trillion dollars. In his ruling, the Speaker of the leaves the continent through money “The alarming rate of foreign house, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila laundry, tax evasion, diverted medical services being sought by mandated the Committee on revenues, offshore investments and Nigerians, both private individuals Legislative Compliance to ensure other forms of capital flights, with and government officials, which implementation.

14 Legislative Digest Vol. 16 No. 5, May 2021 STATES ASSEMBLY NEWS Reps To Probe e-Ticketing of Abuja-Kaduna Train Service

he House of Representatives is to the details of the agreement by PREMIUM ministry and NRC offices in Abuja and Tinvestigate the efficiency of the Abuja- TIMES, after Nigerians raised concerns Lagos, telephone calls, messages, and Kaduna rail line e-ticketing, less than four over the deal. The N900 million paid by the several reminders, were ignored by the months after the launch of the platform. concessionaire to run the system for a transport ministry and the railway The lower chamber reached the decade raised concerns as the NRC had corporation. resolution on Tuesday, following a motion earlier admitted the Kaduna-Abuja line E-Ticketing has failed to address moved by Zayyad Ibrahim (APC, Kaduna) generated as much as N1.5 billion in 2019 racketeering Mr Ibrahim, in his motion, The Nigerian Railway Corporation alone. said the platform has failed to address the launched the N900 million Public-Private The track is estimated to generate over problem of ticket racketeering. Partnership (PPP) platform in January, in N15 billion during the period of its being He said touts were still purchasing a bid to end the ticket racketeering on that administered by the private firm, tickets online and reselling to genuine route. considering that revenue is likely to grow passengers at exorbitant prices. The automated system is operated by with the new platform blocking leakages. “Ticket racketeering, which the e- Secured ID Solution Limited, an Critics have raised questions about ticketing system sought to eradicate, is indigenous company that won the how the proceeds will be shared with the still going on unabated as tickets can no concession after it paid N900 million. government, and the costs and margin of longer be adequately accessed online due According to the government, the return to the company given the amount it to the mischievous activities of some company will operate and return the paid. people who racketeer the tickets and resell platform to the NRC after 10 years. For months, PREMIUM TIMES tried to passengers at exorbitant prices,” he However, the details of the PPP to obtain clarification and details of the said. arrangement between the Ministry of project from the government without The House mandated its Committee on Transportation and concessionaire has success. Land Transport to investigate the matter, been treated as a matter of secrecy. Those attempts, including a Freedom while tasking Secure ID solution and the The ministry turned down a request for of Information request, visits to the NRC to review their system. Reps Probe Alleged Abuse Of Expatriate Quota In Telecoms

he House has ordered immediate appalling level of youth unemployment in authorities to partner with private Tprobe of alleged abuse of expatriate the country. He wondered why the abuse institutions to build world-class medical quota by telecommunications equipment was prevalent in the telecommunications facilities in major cities in Nigeria or vendors and service providers in the sector where there is sufficient local upgrade and equip the existing ones with country. manpower. adequate facilities based on Build, Adopting a motion sponsored by Mr. T h e l a w m a k e r s a i d i t w a s O p e r a t e a n d T r a n s f e r ( B O T ) Bello Shinkafi at a plenary presided over unfortunate that expatriates enjoy arrangement that will allow the by Gbajabiamila, the House mandated its unimaginable pay and privileges while investors to manage the hospitals for an Committees on Telecommunications and their Nigerian counterparts are paid less agreed period. Interior to conduct the probe and report and treated with disdain in the country. The House thereby mandated its back within six weeks for further The House also urged the authorities Committee on Legislative Compliance to legislative action. to develop effective mechanisms and ensure implementation. Olalekan, while Shinkafi, while moving the motion, strategies to curb capital flight in moving the motion, noted that capital argued that the abuse of expatriate quota Nigeria. flight remains one of the unresolved and by foreign companies constituted a threat Adopting a motion sponsored by Mr. persistent macroeconomic problems to national security in view of the Afolabi Olalekan, the House called on the plaguing the nation for over four decades. Reps Seek Review Of Modular Refinery Licenses Granted Local Firms

ouse of Representatives has called started construction work to enable them The lawmaker recalled that the Hfor review of modular refinery commence operation to meet the demand approval for setting up of modular licenses issued to indigenous firms in the of Nigerians. refineries was to prepare grounds for full country. The Lower Chamber thereby deregulation of the downstream sector and Adopting a motion sponsored by Mr. mandated its Committee on Petroleum to checkmate incessant cases of crude oil Alex Egbona at the plenary presided over Resources (Upstream and Downstream) to theft and piracy in the oil-producing by Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, the House ensure implementation of the directives. communities and the high seas. urged Nigeria National Petroleum Egbona, while justifying the call for To him, the essence of issuing the Corporation (NNPC) to review the status review of the licenses, claimed that of the licenses have been defeated as the of each of the licences, revoke and re-issue 38 issued, only two have been reported to beneficiaries have not been able to put them to competent and reliable operators. be active in terms of building modular them to proper use, by refining petroleum The lawmakers also urged NNPC to refineries that are now at advanced stages products for local consumption and give technical assistance to those who have of completion. export.

Legislative Digest Vol. 16 No. 5, May 2021 15 STATES ASSEMBLY NEWS Lagos Assembly Suspends Three Council Chairmen

he Lagos State House of Assembly Mudashiru Obasa, while speaking on The Speaker added ”it would not be Thas suspended three Local the issue, noted that the House had ideal to gloss over the issue as it would Government Council Chairmen over received petitions from many b e c r e a t i n g a p r e c e d e n c e o f alleged disregard for the guidelines councillors in the state against the disobedience to the law by council governing their activities. chairmen. chairmen especially at a time the state The lawmakers took the action, Mr Obasa said: “the House cannot is planning elections for new council saying the House can no longer continue to watch while council chairmen”. continue to watch while the council chairmen flout the laws they were “This will also serve as a deterrent. chairmen continue to flout the state's supposed to uphold”. We have received many petitions from local government guidelines. “Total disregard for the local councillors,” Mr Obasa added. The suspended Chairmen include government guideline is something The Speaker directed the Clerk of Ogidan Mukandasi Olaitan of Lekki that should not be tolerated. the House, Olalekan Onafeko, to write LCDA, Suleiman Jelili of Alimosho “We cannot continue like this. We to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and local government area, and Tajudeen can't be breeding monsters in our local others concerned about the decision of Ajide of Surulere local government government councils,” Mr Obasa said. the House. area. Their suspension was unanimously IGR: Ogun Targets Over N100b in 2021 approved by members of the House in a he Ogun State Governor, Prince coming from the tertiary institutions voice vote with no opposition shortly TDapo Abiodun said the state has and because there were no students in after Bisi Yusuff (Alimosho 1) raised a perfected plans to generate over a schools, the revenue did not come in”. complaint against Mr Olaitan. hundred billion naira as Internally- “Let me tell you what the good Mr Yusuff, who is the Chairman of Generated Revenue (IGR) in 2021. news is. The good news is that first the House Committee on Commerce He made this known at a special quarter of 2021, we already got N21b. and Industry, narrated to his Iftar with members of the House of Last year, we did N58b, so we've colleagues how allegedly “rude Mr Representatives, the State House of already got almost half of what we got Olaitan had been”. Assembly, the State Executive last year in one quarter. This present He complained that Mr Olaitan Council and the Body of Permanent quarter, we will do at least N30b and even accused the lawmakers carrying Secretaries. by the end of this year, by the grace of out an oversight function on a H e s t r e s s e d t h a t h i s God, we will do over a N100b in Ogun memorandum of understanding in administration was fully committed State”, the governor stated. relation to the issue that arose from a towards putting the state on strong A b i o d u n a d d e d t h a t h i s resettlement programme in Lekki of financial and economic footing administration discovered that Land being ignorant of their jobs. through its creative approach. Use Charge was not being paid in the He further said the Council Abiodun, while pointing out that state and inherited a database of Chairman had total disregard for those the dip in the IGR of the state in 2020 14,000 people from the previous in his domain whom he was elected to was as a result of the inability of the administration. govern. state to earn from the Pay As You He disclosed further that the According to him, his action, “even Earn (PAYE), the tax incentives given discovery led his administration to as a lawyer, was an insult to true to industries in the state and the lack put in place different mechanisms, governance and respect for the of revenue from the education sector, which according to him, has helped authority”. disclosed that his administration had the state to realise a database of Land Supporting Mr Yusuff, another raked in N21b in the first quarter of Use Charge for over 1.5million lawmaker, Fatai Mojeed (Ibeju-Lekki the year. people, noting “this will translate into 1), said Messrs Jelili and Ajide have He hinted that the state planned a lot for our administration”. been under investigation for graft. to rake in over a N30b in the second “We are being creative; our Land Mr Ajide had earlier been quarter. Use Charge, nobody is paying. When I suspended by the legislative arm of “Our Internally Generated resumed office, we inherited a Surulere local government over Revenue dipped in 2020 and there are database of land use charge of 14,000 allegations of abuse of office. As council some reasons for that. There was no people in the database. We've put boss in 2014, the councillors in the LGA Pay As You Earn (PAYE) for us different things in place and today, had also accused him of financial during the COVID-19 period. We gave we have a database of land use charge impropriety. incentives to industries because they of over 1.5million people. 1.5million He urged his colleagues to suspend couldn't work during that period and from 14,000 in two years, you can the Chairmen pending the outcome of because we are the education capital imagine what that will translate the investigations. of the country, a lot of our IGR was into,” he said. The Speaker of the House,

16 Legislative Digest Vol. 16 No. 5, May 2021 STATES ASSEMBLY NEWS Southwest Speakers Want Procurement of Drones, Helicopters to Tackle Insecurity

o address challenges of incessant Though they posited that the complement the efforts of the security Tinsecurity, Speakers of Houses of efforts of the state governments in the agencies. Assembly in the Southwest states zone in addressing the security On security challenges across the have called on governors of the challenges were yielding positive nation, the conference called on the geopolitical zone to come together to results, they called for the federal government to take proactive procure drones and at least three strengthening of laws establishing steps to urgently restore peace to the helicopters for aerial surveillance of Amotekun corps to give room for the troubled spots in the country. the region. r e c r u i t m e n t o f a b l e - b o d i e d The conference also said it was This is as they also called on the unemployed youths. important for the government to mete governors to adequately empower the They held that such recruitment of out appropriate sanctions to persons forest rangers in each of the six states able-bodied unemployed youths will behind crimes and criminalities in of the region to embark on aggressive help in surveillance, information and the country to send a strong warning patrol of the forest areas. intelligence gathering. to people behind the various T h e s e c a l l s w e r e a m o n g Also, the speakers asked that both dastardly acts. resolutions at the end of a meeting of executive and legislature of the six Present at the conference included Conference of Speakers of Southwest states jointly organise a Southwest Speaker of Oyo State house of States' Legislatures held in Ibadan. security summit where requisite Assembly, Honourable Adebo Led by conference Chairman, Hon. resolutions will be passed. Ogundoyin; his Ogun counterpart, Oleyelogun Bamidele, the speakers Though the leaders of Southwest Honourable Taiwo Oluomo; his Ekiti held that such additional deployment legislatures held that the Nigeria counterpart, Honourable Funminiyi of technology, infrastructure and Police was doing their best in securing Afuye (Ekiti), while Honourable Sanai personnel will change the security the nation, they reiterated calls for Agunbiade spoke on behalf of the forum architecture of the Southwest states. the establishment of state police to of the majority leaders in the zone. Adamawa SSG Clarifies N100bn Bond Approval by Assembly

ollowing the public outcry over “Taking a look at the benefits of Fthe 100billion Naira bond this bond, in the face of dwindling approved by the Adamawa State economic resources in the country, House of Assembly, the Secretary to the Adamawa State Government has deemed it necessary to prioritize the State Government, Mr. Bashair Ahamed has cleared the air on the Agribusiness to boost its IGR through need for the bond. the services of a consultant, Arewa The SSG said the bond is part of Research and Development Project.” measures being put in place to T h e p r o g r a m m e t a g g e d , improve Internally Generated “Adamawa State Agribusiness Revenue (IGR). Support Programme” (ADAS) is He stated that the Bond will be designed to take full advantage of the utilized through Agribusiness. agricultural opportunities within the Stressing that “a bond is a fixed state and will focus on three areas of income instrument that provides Crop Value chain, Livestock and Rt. Hon. Aminu Iya-Abbas funds for projects.” Acquaculture,” the SSG said. Speaker Adamawa House of Assembly A bond could be thought of as an Noting that the state stands to I.O.U. between the lender and holders, or creditors, of the issuer. improve on its annual IGR from borrower that includes the details of Bond details include the end date N8.3billion at inception to N45billion payments. when the principal of the loan is due by the tenth year, with N5.15billion Bonds are used by companies, to be paid to the bond owner and it credit Guarantee fund and an municipalities, states, and sovereign usually includes the terms for increase in Gross Domestic Product governments to finance projects and variable or fixed interest payments GDP from N1.7 billion to N7.8 operations. Owners of bonds are debt made by the borrower. trillion.

Legislative Digest Vol. 15 No. 5, May 2021 17 DEFENCE AND SECURITY Group Drums Support For Security Agencies, Urges Collective Effort For Civilians' Protection By Ogbimi Bertha Eloho

group of state and non-state actors have identified capacity Agap among security personnel as a major challenge militating against success in various military operations, where unarmed civilians were caught between cross-fire with rebel groups. They made this known at a 'One- day policy Dialogue on Protection of Civilian Policy and Civilian Harm Mitigation in armed conflict organised by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) in collaboration with Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) Participants in a roundtable discussion during the meeting. with support from the European Union in Port Harcourt, Rivers state. The group said: “There has be a conscious effort by security agencies to improve their relationship with civilians by practicing responsible and professional policing. “ T h e w e l f a r e , i n s u r a n c e , healthcare of security agents as well as modern equipment and technology needs to be optimized. “The welfare of security personnel, particularly at the lower cadre, the bureaucracy around things like their uniforms, running cost for stations, stationary must be addressed. “The lack of modern technology in the fight against insecurity was also noted. Participants in a roundtable discussion during the meeting. “An evaluation must be conducted on the root cause of violence in the technology to effectively protect On a related development, the past, how it was contained or civilians. Program Manager, Defence and mitigated, compare and contrast with “Powers of security men ought Security, CISLAC, Salaudeen present security challenges, so that we always to be professionally utilised Hashim has urged state and non-state can deal with it holistically.” and managed particularly so when actors working in areas of defence and They expressed concerns over non- distinguishing between an unarmed security in Nigeria to utilise the domestication of international civilian and a rebel. opportunity provided by POC-CHM treaties and conventions on IHRL “Actions of security agents a lot document in giving technical review have been signed unto by African more times fuel conflict rather than and add value to the ongoing countries. “None of the African mitigate it, as such he noted the need legislative effort for sustainable countries has been able to effectively for a dedicated school of ethics that protection of unarmed civilians in domesticate it.” effectively guides the rules of military operations and in armed T h e g r o u p r e i t e r a t e d t h e engagement to minimize harm on conflict situation. importance of deploying modernised civilians,” the group explained. He made this call at One-day

18 Legislative Digest Vol. 16 No. 5, May 2021 DEFENCE AND SECURITY

2021, the number of people in need of urgent assistance in the region rose from 7.9 million at the beginning of 2021 to 10.9 million since the onset of COVID-19, including over 2 million displaced by the conflict, while stories of various forms of protection issues have been associated with this asymmetric warfare on all sides. “POC policy encompasses all efforts made to avoid, minimize and mitigate the negative effects on civilians arising from military operations on the civilian population and, when applicable, to protect civilians from conflict-related physical violence or threats of Hashim addressing actors during the meeting. violence by other actors, including through the establishment of a safe and secure environment. Gaiya continued: “The policy builds upon best practices already in place which includes approaches that fits well in addressing security challenges and improve the humanitarian situation. It is such as warehouses all the best practices already in use by security forces but contextualized into our local situation. “The journey of advocating for the adoption of the POC started in 2016 and has gone through several levels of engagements including engagements with the National Human Rights Commission, Attorney General of the Participants listening to an address during the meeting. F e d e r a t i o n , C i v i l S o c i e t y Organisations, Security Agencies, Brainstorming Session organised by c o u n t e r - t e r r o r i s m a n d Ministry of Justice, Inter-Ministerial CISLAC to review the policy on counterinsurgency operations.” Committee on the North East and the Protection of Civilians and Civilian D i s c u s s i n g t h e s u c c e s s , Federal Executive Council. Harm mitigation in Armed Conflict in methodology and gap of the draft “The adoption of this policy places Abuja. policy, Julius Gaiya, Program Officer, Nigeria as the first country in Africa He said: “This session aims at Communication and Advocacy at to be committed to a policy on bringing together state and non-state Centre for Civilians in Conflict protection of civilians.” actors to discuss the evolution of (CIVIC), explained that engaging Stakeholders at the end of the conflict in Nigeria and the ongoing directly with armed actors and session called for oversight agencies civilian protection challenges and offering them practical ways to better led by the National Human Rights provide additional technical review of protect civilians will ultimately Commission (NHRC) and Ministry of the draft policy. inform their mind-set on the D e f e n c e t o f o c u s m o r e o n “For the past two years, there had importance and feasibility of accountability, monitoring and been efforts to engage the Nigerian protecting civilians who are not evaluation, training and capacity government to develop this document merely victims of armed conflict but building; proper orientation, but recent feedback suggests the need also active participants in its continuous, sustainable training, for an immediate review to measure mitigation and resolution. capacity building in relevant field; standards in the protection policy that He added: “The conflict in the and sufficient rules of engagement would put civilians at the heart of North East is in its 13th year and as of focusing on state security actors.

Legislative Digest Vol. 16 No. 5, May 2021 19 DEFENCE AND SECURITY Experts Review Draft Policy On Civilians' Protection In Harmed Conflict By Ogbimi Bertha Eloho

he Executive Director of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy TCentre (CISLAC), Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), has stressed the importance of security agencies to identify, analyse, and response to imminent and emerging protection threats to the nation's security. T h e E x e c u t i v e D i r e c t o r , represented by Program Manager (Democratic Governance), CISLAC, Okeke Anya, who indicated this at a One-day CSO-Executive-Legislative Roundtable to appraise the Protection of Civilians and Civilian Harm Anya speaking during the meeting mitigation in Armed Conflict organised by CISLAC in Abuja, said a process which we have started prevention and mitigation of civilians that though there have been notable already and hope to use this from explosive weapons in populated innovations over the past decade, roundtable to re-strategize on it,” areas; human costs of great power however, policy and guidance on Early CISLAC's boss highlighted. competition; and support for domestic Warning and Rapid Response in He added: “There is no better time a n d i n t e r n a t i o n a l c r i m i n a l Nigeria has remained adamant. to bring stakeholders together to accountability for atrocity crimes. “The absence of an institutional deliberate on the existential security In his keynote address, Hon. capacity resulting in government gaps currently pervading the region A b d u l r a z a k S a ' a d N a m d a s , failure to protect its citizens from and find immediate solution to them Chairman, House Committee on harm is staring us in the face. for the overall interest of ensuring Army emphasised the significance of “ C I S L A C r e m a i n s d e e p l y that civilian harm is mitigated. military-community partnership concerned by the high number of acts “We should thus take the towards civilian protection in harmed of violence against civilians in various opportunity of the situation at hand to conflict. theatres of operations across the represent the policy agenda aimed at “The first step is to realize the country. overcoming divisive rhetoric that roles of partnership with host “The Nigerian state has never threatens civilians in various communities and every actor directly enjoyed an appreciable period of theatres. or indirectly involved in the campaign stability that could guarantee The absence of an institutional for synergy in all theatres across the Protection of Civilian and Civilian capacity resulting in government country. Harm Mitigation in Armed Conflict. failure to protect its citizens from “Conflicts across the country are Civilians have remained the biggest harm is staring us in the face. likely to see a continued target on the casualty. Each phase of Nigeria's “ W h i l e d e l i b e r a t i n g o n civilian population in other to spread political history is punctuated by representing the draft policy, please fear and establish political-economic different security challenges. also emphasize on curtailing covert leverage as observed in North East “The nature of protection is lethal strikes and reining in and recently the South East. changing rapidly, arguably more clandestine activities that exacerbate “It is also targeted as a disregard rapidly than any other sector. challenges to protection and f o r p r o t e c t e d p e o p l e a n d “This shifting landscape has accountability; reforming the arms infrastructure in the means and implications for the role of transfers process to better protect methods of warfare, as seen in the stakeholders in Protection of Civilian civilians and human rights.” rising Banditry in the North West; and Civilian Harm Mitigation in Other areas of focus itemised by and an increasing “grey zone” conflict Armed Conflict. the Executive Director include designed to disrupt targets' economic “That is why we have continued to integrating civilian harm prevention, and political capabilities, across the advocate for a Protection of Civilian mitigation, and response in security country. and Civilian Harm Mitigation regime, a s s i s t a n c e a n d c o o p e r a t i o n ; “I am impressed at how internal

20 Legislative Digest Vol. 16 No. 5, May 2021 DEFENCE AND SECURITY

security agencies have quickly owned the process. “The question is how do we strengthen internal security to reduce the massive military operations to respond to social unrest and state- society relations, with potential implications for urban conflict?,” he enquired. Hon. Namdas observed that while there are significant concerns for Protection of Civilian in conflict, they however, seek to diminish the appearance of state control or c o m p e t e n c e , u n d e r m i n e t h e confidence of local populations in their Hon. Namdas making his speech at the meeting. government and disrupt civilian lives and livelihoods. “We should look at the proposed policy and see whether we should have a simultaneous intervention at both the level of the Executive and the Legislature. “For me, we have a draft bill on this subject matter ready and we are proposing a retreat very soon with the organisers in Lagos to finalize and I can jointly sponsor it with my colleagues on the floor of the parliament. “Since it is increasingly difficult distinguishing between civilian and m i l i t a r y t a r g e t s , c i v i l i a n infrastructure or targets are rarely Saratu, representing CIVIC, giving an opening remark during the meeting. off-limits, creating challenges of e n s u r i n g c o m p l i a n c e w i t h sabotage and propaganda will make it Participants at the end of the International Human Law (IHL). more difficult to deescalate tensions, Dialogue saw the urgent need for the “We have resolved to have a local adding to the PoC risks. police to resume their mandate on legislation to support this project. “We need to recognize this in the internal security as a necessary step. “Technology is the modern space proposed legislation. They recommended adequate for warfare. Just as we have recently “PoC will continue to represent a empowerment for the police such that seen in Yobe and Mainok in Borno useful umbrella concept to garner the confidence of the general public is where automated weapon systems support for Security committees in boosted towards being able to rely on went the wrong ways, these will give the National Assembly as well as them for internal protection which rise to new PoC challenges and oversight mandate with the relevant currently is not the case. threats. security institutions in years to come, The Dialogue was attended by “Technologies can empower and to maintain consensus around Chairman, House Committee on perpetrators, whether state or non-state sensitive issues related to the use of Army, Chairman, House Committee armed groups, by helping to identify and force, stability in operations, and host on Air Force, representatives from the geo-locate civilian targets quickly, state support. Nigeria Army, Navy and Air Force, disseminating calls for violence, “Distinguishing civilians from Police Force, Army Resource Centre disrupting civilian infrastructure, and combatants, perpetrators from (NARC), Immigration Service, facilitating the organization of attacks victims, and attackers from defenders Security and Civil Defence Corps, against civilians. will be more and more challenging as Federal Road Safety Corps, relevant “ T e c h n o l o g y s u p p o r t e d the identity and intents of all Government Ministries, Departments misinformation, disinformation stakeholders grow intentionally a n d A g e n c i e s , C i v i l S o c i e t y campaigns, media manipulation, vague,” he added. Organisations and the Media.

Legislative Digest Vol. 16 No. 5, May 2021 21 BILLS UPDATE

BILLS UPDATE (APRIL 2021) Compiled by CISLAC

S/N BILL NAME YEAR STAGE BILL NO. SPONSOR(S)

1. A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of Constitution 2021 First Reading HB. 740 Hon. Babajimi Benson of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 for the Conduct of National Population Census and for other related matters

2. Federal University of Health Science, Otukpo Benue 2021 Committee SB. 216 Sen. Yahaya I. Oloriegbe state (Establishment) Bill

3. National Security Trust Fund (Establishment, Etc. ) Bill 2021 First Reading HB . 1298 Hon. Rimamnde Shaw ulu Kwewum

4. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 2021 First Reading HB. 1300 Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha (Alteration) Bill

5. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 2021 First Reading HB. 1301 Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha (Alteration) Bill & 85 others 6. Bank Employees Etc. (Declaration of Assets) Act 2021 First Reading HB. 1303 Hon. Abiola Shina Pellar (Amendment) Bill

7. Patents and D esigns Act (Repeal and Amendment) 2021 First Reading HB. 1304 Hon. Taiwo Olukemi Oluga Bill, 2021

8. National Youth Service Corps (Amendment) Bill 2021 First Reading HB. 1305 Hon. Abbas A. Adigun 9. A Bill for an Act to amend the Nursing and Midwifery 2021 Second SB. 304 Se. Mohammed Hassan (Registration, Etc.) Act Cap N143 LFN, 2004 and Reading other matters connected thereto

10 A Bill for an Act to establish the Critical Infrastructural 2021 Second SB. 610 Sen. Musa Mohammed Protection task Force and other matters connected Reading Sani therewith

11. A Bill for Act to establish the Integrated Data 2021 Second SB. 102 Sen. Yusuf Abubakar Yusuf M anagement Commission as a body responsible for Reading comprehensive collation, harmonization of certificates issues by corporate statutory bodies, graduation based on compliance with enabling laws regulating corporate entities in Nigeria and other matters connected therewith.

12. A Bill for an Act to provide for the National Livestock 2021 Second SB. 471 Sen. Bima Muhammad (protection, control and management) Bureau for the Reading Enagi purpose of livestock identification, traceability registration and cattle rustling control and for other related purposes

13. A Bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of 2021 Second SB. 621 Sen. Odey Stephen Adi

Institute of Information and Communication Reading Technology Ogoja and for other matters connecte d therewith

14. A Bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of a 2021 Second SB. 620 Sen. Dahiru Aishat Ahmed Teaching Hospital for the Modibbo Adama University Reading Yola and for other matters connected therewith

15. Renewable Energy Bill 2021 First Reading SB . 27 Sen. Oduah Stella Adaeze 16. Compulsory Fre e Universal Basic Education Act Cap 2021 First Reading SB. 691 Sen. Deg i-Eremienyo W. C52 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill Biobarakuma

17. Public Compliant Commission Act Cap P37 LFN 2004 2021 First Reading SB. 692 Sen. Akpan Albert Bassey (Amendment) Bill

18. Federal University of Agriculture Mpu, Enugu state First Reading SB. 690 Sen. Ike Ekweremadu (E stablishment) Bill