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Tag: Senate

  • Senate: Attempt to declare Saraki, Abe’s seats vacant fails

    Senate: Attempt to declare Saraki, Abe’s seats vacant fails

    Attempts to declare the seats of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senators who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) vacant failed on Wednesday in the Senate.

    Senator Ita Enang (Akwa Ibom North East) through a Point of Order, asked the Senate President to declare the seats of 11 PDP Senators who wrote the Senate to announce their defection to the APC vacant.

    Enang, Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, laboured to convince the Senate President, David Mark, about the need to declare the seats of the affected Senators vacant.

    Senators Enang wanted to vacate their seats in the upper chamber included Abubakar Bukola Saraki, (Kwara Central), Magnus Abe, (Rivers South East), Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa West), Wilson Ake (Rivers West), and Aisha Jumai Al-Hassan.

    The five Senators openly declared for the APC on the floor of the upper chamber on Tuesday.

    Like a rehearsed motion, Enang urged Mark to invoke the powers conferred on him as the Senate President to declare the seats of the defectors vacant.

    A competent source told our correspondent that the resolution to ask Mark to declare the seats of the defectors vacant was taken at the PDP Senators caucus meeting on Tuesday.

    The caucus meeting was summoned after five Senators of the ruling party openly announced their defection to the APC on Tuesday.

    The source who pleaded not to be named said that the threat to declare the seat of the affected Senators vacant was a ploy to intimidate them into dropping their defection bid.

    Enang said, “Yesterday (Tuesday) Senators Abubakar Saraki, Abdullahi Adamu, Aisha Alhassan, Magnus Abe and Wilson Ake declared on the floor of the Senate that they are no more in the PDP.

    “This is the party that sponsored them to the Senate. This is the party that owns the seats that they are sitting on.

    Mr. President I have two judgments of the court to present before this distinguished Senate to show that the seats of Senators Saraki, Aisha Alhassan, Abdullahi Adamu, Magnus Abe and Wilson Ake are vacant on the floor of the Senate and they are strangers on the floor of the Senate.”

    Before Enang could conclude his argument there was uproar in the chamber.

    When the uproar subsided, Mark gave Enang the floor once again.

    Enang continued, “I have the judgment of Justice E.S. Chukwu delivered on the 18th of October, 2013 between the PDP versus INEC, Abubakar Baraje, Olagunsoye Oyinlola and others which had declared that there is no division in the Peoples Democratic Party.”

    Another session of uproar by Senators ensued but Enang was unperturbed.

     

     

  • Saraki, Abe, Adamu, two others openly declare for APC in Senate

    Saraki, Abe, Adamu, two others openly declare for APC in Senate

    Five Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senators on Tuesday took the bull by the horns on the floor of the Senate.

    The PDP Senators – Abubakar Bukola Saraki, (Kwara Central), Magnus Abe, (Rivers South East), Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa West), Wilson Ake (Rivers West),and Aisha Jumai Al-Hassan openly declared for the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the floor of the upper chamber.

    The open declaration for APC may have been informed by the refusal of the Senate President, David Mark, to read a letter signed by 11 PDP Senators informing the Senate of their defection to the APC.

    It was apparent that the open declaration of the PDP lawmakers for the APC rattled Mark.

    Each of defectors raised Point of Order to announce their defection to the opposition party.

    Proceedings on the floor of the Senate were held up for over one hour as the defectors rose to insist on the enforcement of their privilege to associate freely.

    Mark, however, relied on Senate Order 53(3) to rule the defectors out of Order.

    For Mark, the matter of defection of the Senators is in court and no reference shall be made to it according to Senate rule.

    Senator Saraki who led the group of defectors raised Order 14(a) which deals with privileges.

    Order 14 (a) says: “Privileges are the rights enjoyed by the Senate collectively and the members of the Senate individually conferred by the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act Cap 208 Laws of the Federation 1990 and other statutes, or by practice, precedent usage and custom.

    (b) “Whenever a matter of privilege arises, it shall be taken up immediately.”

    Saraki listed the names of PDP Senators who wrote the Senate to announce their defection to the APC.

    Mark told Saraki that the matter he raised is currently pending in court and the Senate shall not make reference to it.

    Mark noted that “privilege does not apply here because you were the person who went to court.”

    Saraki responded that “Presently, under Privilege I have informed the Senate that I have defected from the PDP to the APC and the matter in court is not about defection but the declaration of my seat vacant.”

    Mark said that his interpretation of the issue in court is not that of declaration of seat vacant.

     

  • Senate to seek legal advice

    Senate to seek legal advice

    THE Senate continued to dilly-dally yesterday on the letter of the 11 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senators who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Rising from a closed door meeting, it said it had resolved to seek legal advice on whether the letter should be read on the floor of the Senate.

    The Bukola Saraki-led Senators on January 29 tendered a letter of defection to Senate President David Mark.

    Rather than read the letter, in line with the Senate’s tradition, Mark opted to meet with the senators on how to handle the matter.

    Briefing reporters on the meeting’s outcome, Chairman, Senate Committee on Information, Media and Publicity, Senator Enyinaya Abaribe said Mark was mandated to seek legal advice on the letter.

    In what appeared to be a hurried suspension of plenary, the Senate suspended sitting for two days to allow its committees to begin work on the 2014 Appropriation Bill, which scaled second reading on Tuesday.

    Abaribe said the need to allow APC Senators go for their party’s registration also informed the suspension of plenary.

    The Senate, he said, mandated Mark to seek further legal advice because of the serious issues that came up at the closed door session.

    The legal issues, it was learnt, related to the interpretation of the Constitution and the Senate Rules.

    Findings showed that APC Senators, who appeared dissatisfied with the meeting’s outcome, have returned to the drawing board to devise means of handling the scenario.

    They met in the office of the Minority Leader, Senator George Akume.

    Abaribe said: “The Senate had a closed door session this morning on matters that affect the well-being of this country. I can affirm to you that the interest of the country was put first in the discussions and the discussions were fruitful.

    “I can confirm to you that on the matter of those who want to defect that the issue was also discussed during the closed door session and it was resolved that the Senate, the Senate President in particular, would have to seek further legal advice because of the serious legal issues that came up during the discussion.

    “The legal issues relate to both the interpretation of the Constitution and the interpretation of our rules within the Senate.

    “More time was given for further consultation. It was also resolved that when the Senate resumes plenary on Tuesday that Senate will look into the issue.”

    He said the Constitution and Senate Rules were subject to interpretation by whoever is interpreting them.

    Abaribe said: “One thing is clear under Rule 25 of the Senate, only the Senate President has the power and the authority to interpret anything.

    “Therefore, what we did in the discussion is for the Senate President to obtain views from various Senators and he decided that it would be necessary for him to also seek further legal advice.

    “I think it is in the best interest of the country for decisions that are going to be taken to be taken with due cognisance of the law. We are law makers, we are not law breakers.”

    Asked what informed the rigorous steps being taken on the Senators’ defection, Abaribe said: “In the past, Senators defected but did not go to court against the presiding officer.”

    He said it was on record that the defecting Senators first went to court against the presiding officer.

  • Why reading of defecting senators’ letter is delayed – Senate

    Why reading of defecting senators’ letter is delayed – Senate

    The Senate on Wednesday mandated its presiding officer, David Mark, to seek legal advice on the letter of defection to All Progressives Congress (APC) submitted to him by 11 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senators.

    This is part of the resolution of the upper chamber after a lengthy closed door session on the controversial issue.

    The Senate also suspended plenary for two days to allow its committees to commence work on the 2014 Appropriation Bill which scaled second reading on Tuesday.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Information, Media and Public Affairs, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who briefed reporters after what appeared to be a hurried suspension of plenary added that the need to allow APC Senators to go for their registration also informed the suspension of plenary for two days.

    Abaribe said the Senate resolved to mandate Mark to seek further legal advice because of the serious legal issues that was thrown up during discussion at the closed door session.

    The legal issues which Mark was asked to unknot, it was learnt, related to the interpretation of the Constitution and the interpretation of Senate rules within the Senate.

    Findings, however, showed that APC Senators who appeared to be dissatisfied by the outcome of the closed door session had gone back to the drawing board to articulate ways and means to handle the unfolding scenario.

    The opposition lawmakers quickly held a closed door meeting after the plenary in the office of the Minority Leader, Senator George Akume.

    Sources, however, said the APC Senators were not happy at the way the leadership of the Senate is handling the issue of the defecting PDP Senators.

    Abaribe said, “The Senate had a closed door session this morning on matters that affect the well being of this country. I can affirm to you that the interest of the country was put first in the discussion and the discussions were fruitful.

    “I can confirm to you that on the matter of those who want to defect that the issue was also discussed during the closed door session and it was resolved that the Senate, the Senate President in particular, would have to seek further legal advice because of the serious legal issues that was thrown up during the discussion.

    “The legal issues relate to both the interpretation of the Constitution and the interpretation of our rules within the Senate.

    “More time was given for further consultation. It was also resolved that when the Senate resumes plenary on Tuesday that Senate will look into the issue.”

    The Senate spokesman explained that what happens about the question of the Constitution and Senate Rules is that they are subject to the interpretation by whoever is interpreting it.

     

  • Senate to commence ministerial screening Wednesday

    The Senate will on Wednesday begin the screening of ministerial nominees.

    This is contained in the Senate Order Paper circulated on Tuesday by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Ita Enang.

    The confirmation listed against the name of the Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, said, “That the Senate do consider the request of Mr. President, Commander-In-Chief, on the confirmation of nominees for appointment as ministers of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

    It said the confirmation is in accordance with Section 147(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    President Goodluck Jonathan had last month forwarded the names of 12 ministerial nominees to the Senate for confirmation.

    Some Senators are said to be gearing up to block the exercise.

     

  • 2014 budget scales second reading in Senate

    2014 budget scales second reading in Senate

    The N4.64 trillion 2014 Appropriation Bill presented by President Goodluck Jonathan scaled second reading in the Senate on Tuesday.

    The Bill has generated several controversies since the Senate commenced its debate on January 28.

    The budget with a recurrent expenditure of 74 per cent and capital expenditure of 24 per cent has continued to generate controversies.

    Lawmakers who made contributions during the final debate included Senators Gbenga Kaka, Helen Esuene, Matthew Nwagu, Christopher Nwankwo, Joshua Lidani, Emmanuel Bwacha and Emmanuel Paulker.

    Others are – Senators Zainab Kure, Nkechi Nwogu, Olubunmi Adetumbi, Andy Uba, Aloysius Etok, Babafemi Ojudu and Ehigie Uzamere, among others.

    A total of 61 Senators have so far contributed to the debate on the budget.

    Senator Adetunmbi stated that the greatest risk with the budget is not on the expenditure but the borrowing to finance it on the revenue side.

    He lamented that it has become a recurring decimal for the Federal Government to borrow to finance annual budgets.

    He blamed oil theft and pipeline vandalism for the shortfall of revenue being experienced by the Federal Government.

    He also condemned a situation where about N3.7 billion is appropriated for the Presidential Fleet which he said was more that what is budgeted for the Nigerian Air Force.

    “The Senate will have itself to blame and nobody else, if we fail to look at areas of wastage in the budget and reallocate the money to areas where they will be useful,” Adetunmbi stated.

    He lamented that the 2014 budget was at variance with Section 18 (2) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act which stipulates that the annual budget must be in tandem with the approved Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).

    Senator Paulker said the Federal Government should be commended for targeting five million farmers in the budget.

     

  • Senate confirms new Service Chiefs

    The Senate on Thursday confirmed four Service Chiefs nominated by President Goodluck Jonathan.
    This followed the consideration of the report of the Senate Joint Committee on Defence/Army, Navy and Air Force that screened the nominees.
    The committee gave the nominees clean bill of health, prompting smooth confirmation by the upper chamber.
    The Chairman of the Committee, Senator George Sekibo, while presenting the report said, “Having assessed the four nominees thoroughly and found them fit for the leadership of their respective services, the Joint Committee wishes to recommend that the Senate do confirm and approve their appointment and decoration by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as Service Chiefs.”
    Those confirmed are – the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshall Alex Badeh; Chief of Army Staff, Major General Kenneth Minimah; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Usman Jibrin and Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Adesola Amosu.
    Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, urged the service chiefs to bring their wealth of experience to bear in the discharge of their functions.
    He urged them to live up to the expectation of Nigerians.

  • Senate to Service Chiefs: Stop insurgency, kidnapping, oil theft

    The Senate on Monday urged the newly appointed Service Chiefs to stop the escalating insurgency, kidnapping, oil theft and pipelines vandalization in the country.
    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence and Army, Senator George Sekibo, spoke shortly before the Senate Joint Committee on Defence and Army, Navy and Air Force went into a closed-door session for the screening of the newly appointed Service Chiefs in Abuja.
    Sekibo representing Rivers East Senatorial District warned that the menace of lawlessness and impunity across the country could lead to the disintegration of the country if not nipped in the bud.
    He noted that the screening of the nominees was not about their academic qualification but their “competence in strategic military operations.”
    Sekibo said, “It is pertinent to mention that our country is going through some major security challenges, including among others the North east insurgency, the oil theft and pipeline vandalization in the South- South and kidnapping in the South East and other parts of our country.
    “If the required attention is not given to these challenges, they are capable of disintegrating our country or putting our nation’s unity in question.
    “It is the wish of the Senate and indeed the entire nation that no part of this country would be allowed to exist in lawlessness and every part of the country must be fully protected, as that is one of the primary objectives of a good government.
    “The oil theft and vandalization of pipelines in the South-South region is a major economic breach with resultant reductions in national earnings from the oil and gas sector and this must be stopped.”

  • Service Chiefs’ confirmation scale first hurdle amid protest

    The confirmation of four Service Chiefs nominated by President Goodluck Jonathan almost ran into a hitch on Thursday following observation of alleged procedural error in the nomination.

    Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, had prayed the Senate to consider the request of Mr. President for the confirmation of nominees for appointment as Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs for the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in accordance with Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act, cap. A.20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

    Ndoma-Egba ,who read from the Senate Order Paper listed Air Marshall Alex Badeh (Chief of Defence Staff), Major General Kenneth Minimah (Chief of Army Staff), Rear Admiral Usman Jibrin (Chief of Naval Staff) and Air Vice Marshall Adesola Amosu (Chief of Air Staff) as those Jonathan requested the Senate to confirm for their various positions.

    The Senate Leader had hardly sat down when Senator Kabiru Gaya (Kano South) raised a point of Order.

    Gaya said that President Jonathan did not follow due process in the nomination of the Service Chiefs.

    He noted that there was a subsisting judicial pronouncement which mandated Mr. President to consult the Senate before Service Chiefs could be nominated.

    He said that it was obvious that “Mr. President did not consult the Senate before the new crops of Service Chiefs were nominated.”

    The lawmaker added that he was aware that the new Service Chiefs have already assumed duty without any input by the Senate.

    Gaya wondered what would happen if any of the nominated Service Chiefs fail Senate screening.

    The Kano State lawmaker insisted that “this matter is in court and there is a judgment on this matter.”

    Before other Senators could contribute, Senate President, David Mark, said that President Jonathan had merely announced the names of nominated Service Chiefs.

    Mark said that the nominees have neither been inaugurated nor decorated by Mr. President.

    He added that the nominee Service Chiefs could only be decorated when they were screened and confirmed by the National Assembly.

     

  • Senate in rowdy session over Rivers crisis

    Senate in rowdy session over Rivers crisis

    … Summons IGP

    The Senate on Wednesday had its share of rowdy session as tempers rose over the continued crisis in Rivers State.

    The unhealthy incident occurred when the upper chamber was considering a motion entitled: “Recent Shooting and Disruption of Political Rally in Port Harcourt, Rivers State” sponsored by Senator Wilson Ake (Rivers West) and 47 others.

    However, the Senate resolved to invite the Inspector General of Police, Abubakar Mohammed, to brief it and give a situation report of the goings-on in River State.

    On Tuesday, the House of Representatives was embroiled in uproar as the All Progressives Congress (APC) members in the House claimed majority.

    The Senate’s version of disorder was however averted by the timely intervention of the Senate President, David Mark, but not before Senator Alkali Jajere (Yobe South) sprang from his seat to protest alleged abusive comment directed at Senator Ahmed Lawan by Senator James Manager (Delta South).

    Jajere was said to have been infuriated by alleged unprintable remarks Manager made against Lawan.

    He (Jajere) demanded apology from Manager and insisted that proceedings at the chamber could only resume when Manager apologised to Lawan.

    For more than 10 minutes, Senate plenary was disrupted as some Senators made efforts to calm Senator Jajere who charged furiously at Manager.

    Mark watched with disbelief as voices rose while some Senators promptly formed a ring around Manager apparently to ward off any possible attack on him.

    A group of Senators prevailed on Manager to apologise to Lawan and also reminded him (Manager) that the proceedings of the Senate were on live television.

    The Delta South lawmaker left his seat shook hand and embraced Lawan.

    Mark reminded his colleagues that “can I appeal that we cannot be telling people dialogue, dialogue and then we want to fight.”

    He added, “tempers rose just now, I hope it does not rise again. We have to be careful about the situation in Rivers State.”

    Before the consideration of the motion, Manager had, through a Point of Order, attempted to abort its consideration by informing his colleagues that the Rivers State House of Assembly was still under the retainership of the National Assembly.

    He noted that he was surprised to learn that late in 2013, the Rivers State House of Assembly sat and approved the budget of the state.