The year 2024 was eventful for Nigeria’s House of Representatives, filled with controversies, critical decisions, and political shifts. This blog highlights the most significant events that defined the legislative year.
In May, the House faced a major scandal involving the cryptocurrency exchange Binance. CEO Richard Teng claimed that after meeting with the House Committee on Financial Crimes, unidentified individuals approached his team, offering to “resolve issues” in exchange for money. This bribery allegation forced the committee, chaired by Ginger Onwusibe, to end its probe into Binance abruptly.
July brought heated discussions about the Samoa Agreement. Lawmakers called for the suspension of the agreement, alleging it included clauses related to LGBTQ+ rights. However, the media report that triggered the motion was later found to be inaccurate, leaving the matter unresolved.
The Downstream and Midstream Committee, tasked with investigating energy issues like fuel adulteration and refinery shortages, was dissolved due to internal conflicts and bribery accusations. This decision followed a public clash between committee members over personal interests.
One of the year’s standout moments was the return of Nigeria’s old National Anthem. Both chambers of the National Assembly passed a bill ahead of Democracy Day, reintroducing the anthem. The President approved this historic move during a joint session of the National Assembly.
The House saw growing tensions within its minority caucus due to a feud between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike. Ikenga Ugochinyere led a faction supporting Fubara, while Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda backed Wike. This divide led to intense political wrangling throughout the year.
As 2024 drew to a close, the Labour Party faced a wave of defections, with six members leaving for the All Progressives Congress (APC). This significantly weakened the Labour Party’s presence in the House, with lawmakers from Edo, Kaduna, and Plateau states among those who defected.
Tragedy struck the House with the loss of three lawmakers: Ekene Adams, Olajide Akinremi, and Isa Dangoyaro. Their deaths led to several moments of silence, reminding everyone of life’s fragility.
