- Despite strong opposition, members of the House of Representatives went on strike in protest after the Speaker ruled to overturn the Electoral Law Amendment Bill.
- The legislators mainly objected to the provisions of Article 60(3) regarding the electronic transmission of results.
Some members of the House of Representatives went on strike in protest after a motion was tabled to repeal the passage of the Electoral Law Amendment Bill.
A heated argument broke out when the chairman of the House Rules and Commerce Committee proposed overturning the bill, which originally passed on Dec. 23, 2025.
Speaker Tajuddin Abbas gave the motion a voice vote. Although the “nay” voice was louder than the “yes” voice, the speaker ruled in favor, triggering protests from several lawmakers.
Attempts to resolve the issue through executive session have failed and lawmakers continue to oppose it, particularly section 60(3), which makes the electronic transmission of results mandatory.
The aggrieved members stopped Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu from continuing the proceedings and eventually left the plenary session, shouting “APC Ole” (“APC thief”) as they left.
In other news… Raheem Okoya, son of billionaire industrialist Rasaq Okoya, has stressed that he is financially self-sufficient, earning his own income and wooing investors to support his music career.
Raheem, who is both an aspiring musician and a business executive, spoke about the misconceptions people have about his wealth in an interview with BBC Yoruba News. He clarified that his lifestyle and creative projects are funded through his own efforts and not solely through his father’s wealth.
“I make my own money. I have a salary. People invest in my music because they believe in what I do,” he said, noting that he has found independent supporters for his musical pursuits.
Raheem attributes his sense of independence to the values instilled by his father. “My dad was not born rich. He worked hard for everything he achieved and wanted us to understand the importance of carving our own path and not just spending money,” he explained.
He added that his decade-long preparation for his current corporate role was driven by mentorship rather than immediate perks. “I have been studying and preparing for this position for about 10 years. I have been studying the business closely with my father,” Rahim said.
Despite his achievements, reaching senior positions at a young age comes with scrutiny and pressure. “It’s definitely challenging. It’s a heavy responsibility. People are already paying attention to you. You’re still young. They already want to doubt you. You always have to prove that you know what you’re talking about,” He admits.
Raheem’s passion for music was fostered in a household frequently visited by Fuji’s legendary king, Marshal Wasiu Ainde, but even this pursuit attracted misleading media narratives. He expressed dismay at the distorted media coverage.
“I don’t like fake news. I hate fake news. It hurts my head. The media likes to paint me as a villain. They know what makes people angry and moving. That’s not always the truth,” he said. “They would take small steps or completely change the narrative and perception of me. That’s not okay. It’s painful.”
Despite these challenges, Raheem remains focused on honoring his father’s legacy through his own achievements. “I love my dad very much. He was my first hero, my mentor. I just hope that one day I can actually make him proud,” he concluded.
