Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has re-emphasised the need for Nigerians to demonstrate more patriotic spirit and oneness in their daily activities as the nation journeys through its sociopolitical trajectory towards the Promised Land.
Bamidele, representing Ekiti Central in the Senate, specifically pleaded with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to accept whatever the Federal Government offered them above N60,000 as the new minimum wage.
He made the call in an Eid-el-Kabir message released by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs in Abuja, highlighting some achievements of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
While identifying with all Muslims nationwide, Bamidele noted that Nigerians, regardless of religion and tribes, should team up with and rally support for the Tinubu administration to safely steer the ship of the nation into a successful end.
Bamidele further emphasised that no nation could travel the journey of national rebirth alone without the unwavering support of its citizens not minding their political, cultural and social backgrounds and orientations.
He assured that the current administration would leave no stone unturned in alleviating the economic hardship being faced by the majority of Nigerians and re-offer them a sense of pride in their home country.
In the spirit of the season, the Leader further urged all Muslims to emulate love and good neighbourliness exemplified by Prophet Mohammed (SWAT) during his time and how he related very well with people of other faiths and nationalities.
He appealed that the ongoing reengineering efforts of the Tinubu Administration could only yield democratic dividends in an atmosphere devoid of insecurity, but where lives and property are protected.
He said: “Just to mention a few among ongoing projects like the 700 kilometres Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the establishment of N50 Billion Pulako Initiative and annual recruitment of 30,000 new police personnel are Key Performance Indicators of this government.
“Only recently, this government declared a state of emergency in agriculture and launched the National Agricultural Development Fund with N100 billion, in addition to the Dry Season Farming Initiative and the Green Imperative Programme to ensure food security across the land.
“All these and other components of the 8-point Renewed Hope Agenda require the patriotic support and prayers for their deliverables to multiply at the doorsteps of Nogerians in the remaining three years of the first term of this government.”
Bamidele urged the NLC and TUC to toe the path of dialogue and peace in the negotiation of a new minimum wage, which the President had promised to send a bill to the National Assembly for this purpose.
Bamidele said the Federal Government “has conceded to N60,000, which translates to a 100 percent increase. But both NLC and TUC turned down this offer, leading to a two-day industrial action.
“The federal government has promised to make more concessions in this respect. As the federal government reveals its new offer, I plead with the organised labour to accept it in the national interest. The economy will remain in this condition. Collectively, we are taking multi-pronged measures to reverse disturbing economic indicators.”
He further urged the Muslim faithful to use the season of Eid el-Kabir to pray for the leaders of the country for divine wisdom and understanding that can match the enormous tasks of leading the country especially at a time when economic realities are not favourable around the world.
Chairman, the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu, on Saturday, denied a media report of an alleged plan by the Senate to include a clause for the seizure of States’ and local government councils’ funds in the New Minimum Wage Bill to be proposed by President Bola Tinubu.
A national daily had reported that the National Assembly include in the awaited bill a clause to sanction states or LGAs that may refuse to pay the new minimum wage that would propose the seizure of statutory monthly allocation accruable from the Federation Account after the new minimum wage Bill is signed into law by the President.
Adaramodu, who represents Ekiti South in a statement in Abuja, however dismissed the report as unfounded.
He said that it would be wrong to insinuate that the Senate or the National Assembly would take a position on a Bill that hasn’t been transmitted to it for consideration and passage.
He said: “Mr. President in his national broadcast on Democracy Day only informed Nigerians that he would soon send the New Minimum Wage Bill to us (National Assembly).
“No one among us, not even the Senate President knows the content of the Bill.
How can we take a position on a document that we haven’t even sighted?
“During my interface with some journalists, as part of activities to mark the one year anniversary of the 10th National Assembly, I did not at any point, state that the allocations belonging to States and Local Governments will be seized.
“Nigeria is a federation, with sub-national governments that are autonomous. The misleading headline by the Newspaper that allocations belonging to States and local councils will be seized is false and should be disregarded.
“We are still awaiting the Executive Bill and once we have it, it will go through all Legislative stages and once this is done and it receives Presidential assent, it would become law. And it is law that can specify sanction, not the National Assembly.”
The Senate spokesperson reiterated that the report attributed to him by one of the national dailies was a misrepresentation of his interactive session with the newsmen.
He added: “My interview was well reported today in the national dailies. It was not exclusive to this particular paper. Other newspapers reflected adequately what I said. Why did the newspaper choose to misrepresent me?”
In a statement yesterday in Abuja to mark the one-year anniversary of the 10th Senate, Bamidele said the Senate also screened and confirmed 215 nominees of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointment into different positions.
The statement reads: “The 10th National Assembly precisely turns one today (Thursday). Its first anniversary is almost coincident with the National Democracy Day, which Nigerians, regardless of our faith, ideology or nationality, celebrated on Wednesday, June 12, 2024.
“This, again, reminds us all of the significance of 25-year unbroken democratic rule, the supreme sacrifice we offered to secure it over three decades ago, our collective resolve to consciously nurture it and the centrality of the Parliament to the growth of representative democracy.
“In the last 366 days, the 10th Senate has been strategically collaborating with key public institutions, especially the Executive Arm, to defend our core interest as a federation; ensure macroeconomic stability; promote internal cohesion as well as foster unity among ethnic nationalities that constitute our dear nation.
“…As of June 11, 2024, our records revealed that at least 477 Bills were initiated since the 10th Senate kicked off its activities precisely on June 13, 2023.
“Of this figure, only 25 Bills were fully passed into law while others are currently at different stages before the Senate. Comparatively, this figure only accounts for 5.24 per cent of the entire Bills introduced within the timeframe.
“Many people may measure our performance based on the number of Bills that was fully passed into law. Different reasons account for the low number of fully enacted legislations…
“Aside the 25 fully enacted legislations, no fewer than 275 Bills (57.65 per cent) were read first time within the timeframe, about 135 (28.32 per cent) awaiting first reading; 45 (9.43 per cent) awaiting the second reading; 43 (9.02 per cent) currently at the committee stage and three bills (0.63 per cent) were refused on different grounds. While only 13 (2.73 per cent) of the total Bills originated from the executive arm, 464 (97.27 per cent) are private member bills.
“Apart from the Bills, the Senate arrived at 115 resolutions, which are far-reaching in consequence; profound in their significance to our economic development and strategic to the cohesion, growth and stability of our nation.
“Each of these resolutions arose from motions of national importance, which different distinguished senators sponsored after due diligence was conducted.
“Also, within the timeframe, the Senate received and treated petitions from members of the public on diverse matters of grave concern. Despite time constraints, 50 of the public petitions were successfully and satisfactorily resolved…”
The 10th Senate has so far passed 25 bills and 115 resolutions in the last year.
The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, to mark the first anniversary of the 10th Senate.
He said the Senate also screened and confirmed 215 nominees for appointment into different positions by President Bola Tinubu.
He added that during the period, the Red Chamber strategically collaborated with key public institutions, especially the Executive Arm, to defend its core interest as a federation.
The statement reads: “The 10th National Assembly precisely turns one today. Its first anniversary is almost coincident with National Democracy Day, which Nigerians, regardless of their faith, ideology, or nationality, celebrated on Wednesday, June 12, 2024.
“This, again, reminds us all of the significance of 25-year unbroken democratic rule, the supreme sacrifice we offered to secure it over three decades ago, our collective resolve to consciously nurture it, and the centrality of the Parliament to the growth of representative democracy.
“In the last 366 days, the 10th Senate has been strategically collaborating with key public institutions, especially the Executive Arm, to defend our core interest as a federation; ensure macroeconomic stability; promote internal cohesion as well as foster unity among ethnic nationalities that constitute our dear Nation.
“Like never before, we have been utterly committed to this national assignment to position our Nation not just for more notable regional and sub-regional roles, but also for global leadership.
“Driven by this ambitious national aspiration convincingly scribbled in our revised legislative agenda, the Senate has adopted a strategic partnership approach aimed at building resilient synergy with other arms of government and nurturing a competitive, functional and viable federation that works for all.
“Evident in all our parliamentary engagements, this has been our preoccupation since the inauguration of the 10th Senate as the foremost institution of representative democracy.
“For instance, as of June 11, 2024, our records revealed that at least 477 bills were initiated since the 10th Senate kicked off its activities precisely on June 13, 2023.
“Of this figure, only 25 bills were fully passed into law while others are currently at different stages before the Senate. Comparatively, this figure only accounts for 5.24% of the entire bills introduced within the timeframe.
“Many people may measure our performance based on the number of bills that were fully passed into law. Different reasons account for the low number of fully enacted legislations.
“This can be ascribed mainly to other issues of highly fundamental national priority that occupied the attention of the Senate.
“Put differently, it is purely due to the imperatives of attending to other obligations as required by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.
“Aside the 25 fully enacted legislations, no fewer than 275 bills (57.65%) were read first time within the timeframe, about 135 (28.32%) awaiting first reading; 45 (9.43%) awaiting the second reading; 43 (9.02%) currently at the committee stage and three bills (0.63%) were refused on different grounds. While only 13 (2.73%) of the total bills originated from the executive arm, 464 (97.27%) are private member bills.
“Apart from the bills, the Senate arrived at 115 resolutions, which are far-reaching in consequence; profound in their significance to our economic development and strategic to the cohesion, growth and stability of our Nation.
“Each of these resolutions arose from motions of national importance, which different Distinguished Senators sponsored after due diligence was conducted.
“Also, within the timeframe, the Senate received and treated petitions from members of the public on diverse matters of grave concern. Despite time constraints, 50 of the public petitions were successfully and satisfactorily resolved.
“The Senate equally screened and confirmed 215 nominees for different political offices at the request of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and in accordance with Section 147 (2-6) of the 1999 Constitution and other Acts of the National Assembly.
“Among others, the confirmations include key appointments into the Federal Executive Council, Board of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the leadership of the Nigeria Armed Forces, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
“The confirmation is key to our national development. It no doubt sped up the process of forming or constituting the national government at a very critical time when our domestic economy was struggling to stay afloat; national security under threats and internal cohesion was seriously gasping for fresh breath.
“Already, the first year has passed by and we have decisively addressed issues of strategic national interest with utmost priority.
“From our observation so far, we are confident Nigeria is now more stable and the future of our Nation looks more promising than any time in our recent history.
“As people of collective purpose, however, we are under obligations to support our governments, whether at the national or sub-national level, to build a resilient economy and an equitable federation that supports the aspiration of all its constituents.
“As we embark upon the journey into a brighter, greater, and more glorious future, we will devote much of our time to developing legal frameworks that will further stabilise our fiscal and monetary spaces; that will prioritise the security of lives and strategic assets; that will deescalate consumer price index, especially food inflation and that will engender a more functional governance structure.
“Aside from the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution, the Senate has initiated diverse processes with a clear and well-defined mandate. And the processes are designed to create, develop and evolve a more efficient, responsive and viable governance structure, whether concerning the economy or security, politics or security, science or technology, agriculture or education.”
The Senate has called on Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited to prudently allocate the $43 million from the $ 4.3 billion Train-7 project for human capital development.
The chairman of the Senate committee on local content, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan made the call during an interactive session with representatives from NLNG, NCDMB, Saipem Contracting Limited, and Daewoo Engineering & Construction, on Tuesday at the National Assembly.
Akpoti-Uduaghan urged the NLNG to ensure compliance with the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act.
The Kogi Central senator, according to a statement by her chief press secretary, Arogbonlo Israel, in Abuja said the amount which represents one percent of the total project value, “is designated for human capacity development and institutional strengthening.”
She stressed the importance of transparency and effective utilisation of the fund to benefit Nigerians and enhance the country’s human capacity development and institutional strengthening.
“Learning institutions from public primary to tertiary institutions nationwide should benefit from the $25.8million which is 60 per cent of the $43million worth of HCD projects owed Nigerians,” she said.
She also emphasised the infrastructure deficit in Nigeria’s primary and secondary schools by UBEC report which has it that about 40,000 classrooms are in deplorable conditions.
“It would do well if NLNG’s HCD schemes can support UBEC in their quest to provide befitting educational facilities,” she said.
She noted the discrepancies in reported figures for the NLNG Train-7 project, saying that if the project is valued at $6.5 billion, the human capacity framework would allocate $39 million for institutional strengthening, $13million for advanced-level training, and $13million for auxiliary training, totaling $65 million.
“If the project is worth $10 billion, the allocation would be $60 million for institutional strengthening and $20 million each for training, totalling $80 million worth of projects across the country.
The Kogi lawmaker explained that for projects in the oil and gas sector worth over $500 million, 1% of the project value is allocated to human capacity development and institutional strengthening.
“The committee is expected to collaborate with NLNG and NCDMB to establish a framework and select public institutions across the country that will benefit from the strategic programme, aimed at enhancing learning institutions’ capacity.
“The effective utilisation of these funds will positively impact the country’s human capacity development and institutional strengthening and will help address the issue of out-of-school children and improve learning structures in public institutions,” the statement added.
The Senate yesterday passed N98.5 billion as the FCT Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2024.
The passage of the Bill followed the consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on FCT during plenary.
The Vice Chairman of Committee on the FCT, Osita Ngwu, presented the report on behalf of Committee Chairman Bomai Mohammed (APC, Yobe South), who was not at plenary.
The Senate Committee on the FCT also listed the projects the FCT Administration will execute with the N98.5 billion supplementary budget the Upper Chamber approved for it.
In the report presented by its Vice Chairman Osita Ngwu, the committee said N24 billion would be expended on emergency works in the FCT; N18 billion would be spent by the Education Secretariat to renovate 20 schools and N10 billion to construct access road to Renewed Hope Cities & Estates project site within Cadastral Zone D06, Karsana West District of the Federal Capital City (FCC).
The committee explained that N10 billion would be expended on the rehabilitation of the International Conference Centre (ICC) while the construction of one service carriageway of the Inner Northern Expressway (INEX) from Ring Road III (RR III) to Ring Road IV (RR IV) would gulp N5 billion.
The reconstruction of the existing link road and rehabilitation of other facilities at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja would gulp N5 billion, while the construction of an access road behind the DSS Headquarters on Aso Drive in Abuja would cost N1.5 billion.Also, the Senate yesterday passed N1.911 trillion as this year’s budget of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The passage of the budget followed the consideration and adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on NDDC.
Committee Chairman Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC, Cross River South) presented the report.
The budget was passed with a proposed plan by the NDDC to borrow N1 trillion to fund “legacy” projects in the Niger Delta region.
The breakdown of the Bill showed that N835.2 billion would be expended on project development and N38.5 billion for personnel cost, while N29.2 billion is for overhead cost and N8.7 billion is for internal capital.
Presenting the report during plenary, Ekpenyong said his committee scrutinised the estimates of the budget as proposed by the NDDC.
He recommended that the proposal be passed.
In his contribution, Senator Solomon Adeola (APC, Ogun West) hailed the committee for the prompt scrutiny of the budget.
But he queried the committee for not providing last year’s budget performance of the NDDC to the Senate for consideration.
He urged the committee to ensure that the NDDC management settled its indebtedness with contractors.
According to the report, the NDDC proposes to borrow N1 trillion to fund its 2024 budget.
However, senators faulted the proposed borrowing saying it did not follow due process.
They urged that the commission to work with relevant government agencies like the Debt Management Office and also compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act on the process of loan approval.
According to the report, commission plans to spend N38.545 billion as personnel cost; N29.246 billion as Overhead Cost and N8.785 billion as Internal Capital.
The NDDC also projected N324 billion as Federal Government’s contribution and N25 billion from the Ecological Fund
The Senate had last week stepped down the Bill, saying the details of the budget needed to accompany it.
The vice chairman of the committee, Senator Osita Ngwu (PDP-Enugu West) presented the report on behalf of the chairman of the Committee Senator Bomai Mohammed (APC-Yobe South) who was absent during the plenary.
The 10th Senate, led by President Godswill Akpabio, will mark its first year in office on June 13, 2024. Since its inception, the Senate has been embroiled in various controversies and has faced numerous challenges. Despite these hurdles, the Senate has managed to achieve significant milestones in its legislative agenda.
Achievements
Rejection of Electricity Tariff Increase: The Senate in February this year rejected a proposed increase in electricity tariffs, a move that was widely commended by Nigerians. This decision demonstrated the Senate’s commitment to protecting the interests of the people and its ability to stand up to the executive branch. However, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in April this year announced a hike in the electricity tariff for Band A customers revealing that those affected would pay N225 per kilowatt/hour, up from the previous rate of N68/kWh. The hike represented a 240 per cent increase. The development, according to the Federal Government, marked the removal of subsidy from the electricity tariff of customers in the Band A category, who it said constituted about 15 per cent of the total 12.82 million power consumers across the country. Based on the tariff hike, the Federal Government said it would save N1.5trillion. The Senate had condemned the move and called for its suspension. Many Nigerians also condemned the increment on the basis that it was not fair to electricity consumers. However, the Senate had suspend the consideration of a report of an investigative hearing conducted by its Committee on Power chaired by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, over a pending suit on the tariff increase. It said it would seek a legal advice from the legal unit of the National Assembly on the next steps to take on the issue.
Suspension of Recess to Screen Ministers: The Senate during the course of the year under review suspended its recess to screen and confirm ministerial nominees. The move was seen as a demonstration of its commitment to institutional integrity and transparency. The Senate President’s commitment to ensuring that all nominees undergo thorough scrutiny was seen as a positive step towards good governance. Besides, out of the 48 nominees, 45 were successfully screened and confirmed while three were rejected based on security reports on them from relevant security agencies.
Relative peace and harmony:
The 10th Senate has maintained relative peace and harmony, a significant improvement from previous legislative sessions. This has been attributed to the effective management abilities of the Senate President and the committees set up to handle various issues.
Intervention in Resident Doctors’ Strike: The 10th Senate in August last year intervened in the Resident Doctors’ strike, leading to its suspension. This intervention, according to analysts demonstrated the Senate’s ability to effectively engage with various stakeholders and resolve conflicts. It also went a long way to help improve the nation’s health sector.
Budget Passage: The 10th Senate successfully passed the 2024 Appropriation Bill, a critical step in the country’s fiscal planning. This achievement was seen as a significant improvement from previous years.
Protection of National Interest: The 10th Senate demonstrated its commitment to protecting national interests by declining to approve military action in the Niger Republic following a military putsch in the neighbouring country and the resolution of the leadership of the Economic Community of West States to restore democratic governance with use of force if necessary. This decision of the Senate to turn down the option of use of force was seen as a significant step towards promoting national sovereignty and independence.
Controversies, challenges and shortcomings
The 10th Senate, led by Akpabio, faced several significant controversies during its first year in office. The most notable ones include:
Corruption Allegations: The Senate faced numerous corruption allegations, including the claim that lawmakers pocketed N100 million each as palliatives. The Assistant Secretary-General of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Christopher Onyeka, had in September last year reportedly claimed that members of the National Assembly received over N100 million each as palliatives to cushion the effect of the petrol subsidy removal, while poor Nigerians were being given rice. The Senate through its Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, denied allocating N100 million each to its members as a form of palliative to cushion the effect of removal of petrol subsidy. The denial notwithstanding, the allegation damaged the Senate’s reputation and undermined public trust in the institution.
Ningi and his ‘civilian coup’
Another controversy that dogged the Senate during the year was its suspension of the Senator representing Bauchi Central, Abdul Ningi, for three months Ningi who was suspended on March 12, 2024 returned to the chambers after spending 75 out of 90 day duration of the suspension slammed on him. The Senate had suspended Ningi for claiming that the it passed two Appropriation Bills for 2024 and that the budget was padded to the tune of N3.7trillion. However, the Senate denied the allegation that it passed two Appropriation Bills for 2024 and explained that the N3.7trillion referred to by Ningi was meant for statuary transfers to institutions and agencies of government on direct line charge. It thereafter suspended the Bauchi Central Senator for refusing to apologise for the alleged misinformation. Summing up the actions of Ningi before he was suspended, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, said they arose from misgivings which trailed Akpabio’s emergence as Senate President and that there was a brewing plot to impeach him. “Number one, I stand with due respect to say that what my big brother, Distinguished Senator Abdul Ningi, who I respect so well, planned to do was tantamount to civilian coup, which has failed,” Bamidele said, adding: “In doing this he wanted to use the platform of the Northern Senators’ Forum. God bless those who dissociated themselves from the NSF.
The attempt to take the election of the leadership of the Senate beyond June 13, 2023 must stop. Sixty six senators voted for Godswill Akpabio and 46 voted against Godswill Akpabio, the will of the majority.”
He insisted that that, every day, there have been “a few, just a few” who have not put the election behind them ans that that was why he paid tribute to Tambuwal because he didn’t hide where he stood, but said election was over and called for unity for the progress of Nigeria.
“A few have refused to do this and that is why it is all about Akpabio, never about the National Assembly, never about the House of Representatives, never about the Office of DG budget. All of passed this budget. Never about the president who signed this budget, but Akpabio. He described the occasion ad a defining moment, saying, “if we must have a stable Senate, let us have one.” He added that people who said they will not give Akpabio up to one year as Senate President were doing everything possible to remove him before the 13th of June, 2024.
Senate sends prayers to senators’ mailboxes
Akpabio had also stirred controversy after gaffe revealing payment of senators’ ‘holiday allowance” in August last year. He made the unintended remark with attendant embarrassment of lawmakers during plenary when he mistakenly revealed that money has been sent to senators to ‘enjoy’ their recess. Akpabio, had apparently forgot that the proceedings were being streamed live and began to address his colleagues before adjournment motion was moved at the end of the Senate’s ministerial screening.
“In order to enable all of us to enjoy our holidays, a token has been sent to our various accounts by the Clerk of the National Assembly,” he said.
The Senate President was immediately informed by his colleagues that he was speaking on live television. Upon realising the seriousness of his remarks, he quickly announced its withdrawal. “I withdraw that statement,” he said. Continuing, he rephrased the comment, apparently to correct what was considered an embarrassment, saying: “In order to allow you to enjoy your holiday, the Senate President has sent prayers to your mailboxes to assist you to go on a safe journey and return.”
FAILED BID BY TAMBUWAL TO EMERGE MINORITY LEADER
Controversy had also trailed the failed bid by former Governor of Sokoto State to become emerge as the Minority leader of the Senate on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. Tambuwal who was a former speaker of the lost to Senator Simon Mwadkwon from Plateau state who was appointed by majority of PDP senators against the usual practice where the leadership of political parties appoint who should hold such an office.
Defending his emergence, the then Senate Minority Leader, Mwadkwon, who is no longer a member of the 10th Senate through court pronouncement, said the neglect of the North Central geo-political zones from the current political calculation assisted him to emerge. Mwadkwon stated this during a chat with ARISE TV a night after his appointment.
He noted that he respects the former House of Representatives Speaker, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who was initially tipped for the position. He said he regarded Tambuwal as his political godfather, noting that he emerged as the minority leader mainly because he is from the North Central.
Mwadkwon said: “Mr Tambuwal is my political godfather. We’ve related very well. He was my speaker in the 7th Assembly and we speak very often. It would interest you to know that I have a soft spot for Tambuwal that I wish he became the minority leader. But I’m from the North Central. And when we saw the arrangements and the political office sharing in the whole country, the North Central was completely exempted.”
He continued: “So the North Central people met and took a decision and said no, we must also vie for a position in the Senate. We’ve been shortchanged in the House of Representatives. And when it was time for the Senate, we found out that no position had been given to the North Central, and we decided that we must try our best. So, the North Central took a decision. It would interest you to know that all members of the minority parties in the North Central nominated me and decided that I should go and run for this position. And therefore, I accepted the challenge. Therefore, I’ve nothing personal against Tambuwal.
“I think Tambuwal did the magic even on the floor of the Senate that day, because there were a few persons who were not satisfied with my choice and they approached the Senate President saying that we have to go to the executive session. And the president explained to them and they understood the whole thing. And Tambuwal was the one that stood up and said if Senator Simon has this number of signatures, he wishes to state categorically clear that I should be allowed to hold this position.
“So the rumours that I defeated Tambuwal are false. They’re not true. I don’t have an issue with Tambuwal. I respect him; he’s a man of honour and he was my leader when I was in the House of Representatives.”
One major shortcoming of the 10th Senate is that majority of its members came to the National Assembly for the first time and lacking legislative experience. Of the 109 Senators in the 9th Senate only 30 of the 55 serving Senators who sought for re-election emerged victorious. Apart from those who lost at the polls, others had earlier failed primary elections in their political parties, some contested for office of Governors in their states while some left the senate after being appointed to key positions in their political parties prior to the 2023 general elections. The presence of many new lawmakers has no doubt impeded the achievement and progress by the 10th Senate as most have spent a substantial part of their first year learning the ropes of legislative business in the red chamber.
These controversies highlight the challenges faced by the 10th Senate in its first year and they have to some
extent undermined its ability to effectively function due to seeming lack of cohesion among its members.
Way forward
To overcome its challenges and shortcomings, the 10th Senate must prioritize transparency and accountability in its legislative processes. This can be achieved through the effective implementation of its oversight functions, the promotion of public participation in the legislative process, and the commitment to protecting national interests. Additionally, the Senate must work towards addressing the issue of corruption and ensuring that its members are held accountable for their actions. This can be achieved through the establishment of effective mechanisms for reporting and investigating corruption, as well as the implementation of policies that promote transparency and accountability.
