Plateau killings call for reflection, decisive action—Speaker Abbas
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., GCON, has expressed his sympathy to the people of Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, describing the attack on them by suspected terrorists as gruesome and heinous.
Scores of people were reported killed and many injured, with property destroyed during the attack.
Speaker Abbas called for decisive action by the Federal Government and its forces, stating that Nigeria cannot leave its citizens at the mercy of criminals and non-state actors.
The Speaker, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, said the attack and mass killings at Angwan Rukuba call for sober reflection by all stakeholders and a collective response to crimes and criminality.
While emphasising that protection of life and property is the primary responsibility of the government, Speaker Abbas called for better collaborations, especially between the federal and sub-national governments, the government, and the people, as well as inter-agency cooperation.
The Speaker condoled families of those killed in the attack, while commiserating with the Angwan Rukuba community, the people, and the government of Plateau State.
Speaker Abbas prayed for the repose of the souls of the victims.
Speaker Abbas pays tribute to President Tinubu at 74
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., GCON, has eulogised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, who celebrates his 74th birthday on Sunday.
Speaker Abbas, in his congratulatory message, paid glowing tributes to President Tinubu, describing him as a pro-democracy hero, freedom fighter, philanthropist, public administrator, political strategist, and “builder of people across divides.”
While noting that President Tinubu paid his dues on his political journey, the Speaker said the President has continued to build a great network of progressive Nigerians whose mission and vision is to create a country that the citizens are proud of.
A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, said the Speaker noted that the experiences President Tinubu garnered across the private and public sectors reflect in his stewardship of the country, leading to his sterling performance in office.
Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration, Speaker Abbas said Nigeria is recording far-reaching reforms and realignment of its resources for the betterment of the people and for generations to come.
The Speaker added that when President Tinubu assumed office, he confronted the challenges facing the country head-on with unprecedented courage, taking tough decisions, which have since started yielding fruitful results and taken Nigeria to the path of growth and development.
Speaker Abbas had acknowledged the Tinubu administration’s transformation of the country in his remark at the APC National Convention on Friday night when he said, “Today, the foundations are being reset. Revenues to states have improved. Transparency has increased. Infrastructure is advancing. Security coordination is strengthening. These are not isolated steps. They are part of a clear direction.”
The Speaker also noted how President Tinubu’s leadership has made the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) the most popular political party in the nation’s history.
He urged Nigerians to pray for President Tinubu, saying citizens across political, religious, and ethnic divides stand to benefit from the current administration.
Speaker Abbas wished President Tinubu longevity and vitality, with the courage to carry on with the repositioning of Nigeria beyond 2027.
He prayed to Allah (SWT) to grant the President the wisdom, grace, and grit to steer the wheel of Nigeria towards propriety, peace, and unity.
2027: Speaker Abbas seeks continuity for President Tinubu, National Assembly members
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., GCON, has urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to check the high turnover of lawmakers in the National Assembly, listing the consequences for the federal parliament and democracy as a whole.
Addressing delegates and other stakeholders of the APC at the party’s National Convention in Abuja on Friday night, the Speaker stated that the legislature should be part of the journey of the current administration, stressing that the National Assembly oversights the programmes and policies of the government.
The Speaker noted that the reforms by the APC administration, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, are “not a sprint” but a journey, a commitment that “requires continuity.”
He said, “This is why I say that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must continue this work beyond 2027. Not for sentiment. Not for convenience. But because the work has begun, it must be completed. Because the foundation has been laid, and it must be built upon. Because the path has been chosen, and it must be sustained.”
Speaker Abbas, however, stated that if the APC was to sustain that path, “continuity must not be limited to the executive alone. It must extend to the legislature.”
He said, “Mr. President, Your Excellencies, our Governors, I make this appeal with urgency. As we commit to continuity at the executive level, we must also secure stability within the legislature. The high turnover of Senators and Members over the years has come at a cost to governance, to lawmaking, and to public resources spent on constant training and retraining. Experience is lost. Institutional memory is weakened. Momentum is broken.
“We cannot continue to start every cycle afresh and expect consistent progress. The legislature is not separate from this journey. It is a partner in it. We legislate for the same reforms. We oversee the same programmes. We defend the same national interest.
“I, therefore, urge deliberate efforts to support the return of committed and performing legislators, so that together, the executive and the legislature can sustain this path and complete the work we have begun.”
The Speaker pointed out that the push for continuity is “the discipline of progress,” saying, “This is how nations move forward without losing ground. We cannot change direction in the middle of the journey. We cannot abandon progress halfway. We cannot trade certainty for uncertainty.”
He added, “Our task as a party is clear. We must translate strength into results. We must translate policy into impact. We must translate leadership into trust. Where we govern, we must deliver. Where we lead, we must show results. Where we stand, we must stand together.”
Speaker Abbas also noted that the North-West stands today as “a clear example of our strength,” while the geopolitical zone remains united under the APC. “It reflects confidence, structure, and direction,” he said.
The Speaker, however, noted, “But strength brings responsibility. What we have gained must be sustained. What we have built must be strengthened. What we have achieved must be expanded.”
Speaker Abbas said that the North-West would “not falter,” as the zone understands the weight of the moment. He said, “We will organise. We will mobilise. We will deliver the block votes. The same applies across every zone where our party holds ground. This is not the time for division. This is the time for unity. This is the time for action.”
To the new National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC, the Speaker said the members’ emergence will reflect the party’s confidence in their competence and capacity to lead at this moment.
“Our great party is large and still growing, with depth, diversity, and rising expectations. With that strength comes scrutiny. There are those who expect us to fracture. There are those who hope we will implode under the weight of our own size. That must not happen.
“It must be prevented through careful management, disciplined coordination, and constant engagement. Integrating both long-standing and new members, maintaining unity, and managing competing interests will require steady leadership. You must organise with clarity. You must engage with purpose. You must mobilise with consistency,” he advised.
While Speaker Abbas stated that “the road ahead will demand discipline and sacrifice,” he noted that “it will reward consistency, courage, and commitment.” He stressed, “History remembers those who stood firm and built for the future. Let us be remembered as that generation.”
Eid-el-Fitr: Nigeria entering a new dawn, Speaker Abbas greets Muslims
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., GCON, has congratulated Nigerian Muslims for the successful completion of Ramadan, saying their prayers and supplication are about to bring the country to a new dawn.
Speaker Abbas, in his Sallah message as the Holy Month of Ramadan ends on Thursday, said Allah (SWT) has been merciful and gracious to Nigeria, especially in the wake of the country’s socio-economic, security, and political challenges.
He noted that divine intervention, through prayers, remains a major reason for the country’s unity, peace, and stability.
The Speaker urged Islamic adherents to continue to imbibe piety, selflessness, charity, and other virtues of Ramadan, stressing that Nigerians cannot afford to reduce their prayers for a better society and nation.
“Alhamdulillah, we have witnessed the Holy Month of Ramadan peacefully, and today, we are bidding a farewell to one of the most critical aspects of the life of every Muslim.
“As always, the month of Ramadan comes with numerous lessons. In the past 30 days, Muslims all over the country, and indeed across the globe, embarked on this spiritual journey through devotion. May Allah (SWT) accept all our acts of ibadah and reward us abundantly.
“Incidentally, our Christian brothers and sisters are also observing the Lent period concurrently with their Muslim counterparts. This is a divine arrangement for us to redouble our efforts in prayers and dedication to our Creator. It is also a reminder that we are one people united by a common good,” the Speaker said.
While wishing Muslims happy celebrations, Speaker Abbas prayed to Allah (Allah) to accept their prayers and worship in the Holy Month.
Maiduguri bombing unfortunate, condemnable—Speaker Abbas
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., has commiserated with victims of the latest bomb blasts in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, describing the attacks as heinous, condemnable, and unfortunate.
Suspected terrorists on Monday night bombed locations around Monday Market and a security post at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, in Maiduguri, Borno State. The bombs, which detonated simultaneously around 7.02 pm, killed and wounded an unspecified number of people.
The Speaker said it was unfortunate that the suspected terrorists continued with their destructive activities, especially during the Holy Month of Ramadan. He stated that it has further confirmed that the terrorists are not only against Islam but also humanity.
While calling for collective efforts towards ending terrorism, banditry, and other crimes in Nigeria, the Speaker urged the security forces to step up action against crimes and criminality.
Speaker Abbas condoled the families of those who died while consoling those injured by the blasts.
Speaker Abbas mourns ex-Super Eagles coach, Onigbinde
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., GCON, has mourned a former head coach of the Super Eagles, Chief Festus Adegboye Onigbinde.
Speaker Abbas, in a condolence message issued through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, described Chief Onigbinde as a renowned football administrator and elder statesman.
Speaker Abbas noted Chief Onigbinde’s immense contributions to football development, which he described as national service inspired by patriotism.
The Speaker commiserated with the Onigbinde family and extended his condolences to Osun State, National Sports Commission (NSC), Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), entire sports community, and football fans.
Speaker Abbas prayed for the repose of Chief Onigbinde’s soul and the fortitude for his family to bear the loss.
Chief Onigbinde, from Modaleke in Osun State, passed on at the age of 88 on Monday. He became the first indigenous coach of Nigeria’s male national football team and served as technical director of the NFF and technical adviser of the youth teams of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation. He was also a technical director at FIFA, world’s football governing body.
Women’s Day: Speaker Abbas reiterates commitment to gender equality, inclusion
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., GCON, has reiterated his commitment to women’s empowerment and inclusion in politics and governance of Nigeria, noting that they are critical and indispensable stakeholders in the society.
Speaker Abbas, in his congratulatory message on the occasion of International Women’s Day on Sunday, stressed the need to prioritise women counterparts in home and nation-building. He noted that women have broken academic, political, economic, and professional records, achieving great feats in all human endeavours.
While calling for unanimous support for the Reserved Seats Bill currently under consideration by the National Assembly in the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution, the Speaker stressed the importance of gender balance, equality, and inclusion in the management of the country’s affairs.
Speaker Abbas wishes Nigerian women happy celebrations.
Speaker Abbas loses Deputy Chief of Staff Chamberlain
…describes demise as shocking, devastating
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., GCON, has expressed profound shock over the passing of his Deputy Chief of Staff (Legislative), Dr. Dunkwu Chamberlain Nnamdi.
Dr. Chamberlain, who hailed from the Uteh Okpu community in the Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State, was also the President of the Nigerian Aquatics Federation (NAqF). He would have been 55 years old on March 21.
Speaker Abbas, who was visibly shocked, described Dr. Chamberlain’s passing as devastating, noting that it is “one death too many.”
In a press statement issued through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, the Speaker said he was “deeply saddened that Dr. Chamberlain died while actively serving his fatherland.”
“It is with a heavy heart that I mourn the passing of my Deputy Chief of Staff (Legislative), Dr. Dunkwu Chamberlain Nnamdi, who passed in the early hours of Saturday, March 7, 2026.
“Dr. Chamberlain was not just my Deputy Chief of Staff; he was a dependable and committed ally who served diligently until his last breath. Chamberlain was full of life just a few hours before his passing when he joined me and my colleagues at the breaking of fast on Friday evening.
“This is indeed a moment of grief for me, my colleagues, his family, and the staff in my office as we mourn the death of this wonderful human being. This is one death too many! But we find solace in the fact that Dr. Chamberlain lived a life of service to humanity and his country.
“He leaves behind a legacy of selflessness, dedication, sacrifice, and a sense of responsibility. We will miss him dearly. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this trying moment. I pray to the Almighty God to accept his soul,” the Speaker said.
Speaker Abbas, who visited the family of the late Deputy Chief of Staff to commiserate with the widow and children, said, “Whatever has a beginning must have an end. Please, take heart. It is really shocking, but we can’t question God. He lived a life full of service to humanity.”
The Speaker prayed to God to give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Dr. Chamberlain was appointed as the Deputy Chief of Staff (Legislative) to the Speaker on June 26, 2023, after he had served as the Special Adviser on Members’ Affairs to the Speaker of the 9th Assembly and Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.
He was a loyal and committed member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He was also an astute sports administrator in Nigeria. Dr. Chamberlain was a Knight of Anglican Communion, Nigeria, Asaba Diocese.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., GCON, has felicitated former President Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo as he clocks 89, describing him as an elder statesman with a global influence.
In his congratulatory message, the Speaker said Obasanjo remains one of the leaders Nigerians consult on national issues due to his wealth of experience drawn from decades of military and political experience.
He noted that Obasanjo is the first of only two Nigerians—before the late former President Muhammadu Buhari—to have led the country as military Head of State and democratically elected president, making him one of the most privileged Nigerians.
Speaker Abbas thanked Obasanjo for his services to the country and continued guidance to the current political class. He also appreciated the ex-president for being Nigeria’s global ambassador, especially on peacekeeping and democratic interventions in Africa and beyond.
The Speaker prayed to God to grant former President Obasanjo more years on earth to continue to play his fatherly roles in Nigeria and the African continent.
Speaker Abbas hails Alhaja Lateefat Gbajabiamila at 96
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., GCON, has congratulated Alhaja Lateefat Olufunke Gbajabiamila on her 96th birthday, saying her life has been impactful and her legacies are enduring.
He especially hailed the nonagenarian and matriarch of the Lateef Gbajabiamila family of Lagos for her contributions to healthcare, Islam, women and children, as well as philanthropic gestures to the society at large.
Speaker Abbas, in his congratulatory message to Alhaja Lateefat, who is the mother of his predecessor and current Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, eulogised her for her professional excellence, leadership qualities, and peace building initiatives in her immediate community and beyond.
The Speaker noted that the life of Alhaja Lateefat, a United Kingdom–trained nurse who was recently conferred with the Doctor of Science (D.Sc. Honoris Causa) in Business Administration by the Summit University, Offa, Kwara State, is fulfilling and inspiring.
Speaker Abbas prayed to Allah (SWT) to grant Alhaja Lateefat Gbajabiamila more years on earth in service to humanity. He wished her sound health and acceptance of her prayers in this holy month of Ramadan.
