Senate passes vote of confidence on principal officers

After over one month recess, the Senate resumed plenary Tuesday, passing a vote of confidence on principal officers of the upper chamber.

In veiled reference to Toyin Saraki, wife of the Senate president who has been invited to appear before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for interrogation on alleged fraud, it also called on the Nigeria Police and other security agencies not to allow themselves to be used to “harass, intimidate or blackmail the Senate, senators and or their spouses.”

The upper chamber disappointed political watchers who had predicted chaos and rowdy session on resumption, following accusations and counter-accusations between senators loyal to senate president, Bukola Saraki and APC preferred candidate for the position, Ahmad Lawan.

Following a petition by Suleiman Hunkuyi to the Nigeria Police on the alleged forgery of the Senate Standing Orders 2015 (as amended), there were speculations in some quarters that Hunkuyi alongside five other members of the Unity Forum would be suspended for reporting internal matters of the upper chamber to the security agency.

But at Tuesday’s session, lawmakers unanimously passed a vote of confidence on principal officers of the Red Chamber.

This followed a motion sponsored by Sam Anyanwu (Imo East) and supported by 80 others, with a breakdown of 48 PDP senators and 33 APC lawmakers.

The Senate noted with dismay the continued harassment of senators, National Assembly Management and spouses of senators by security agencies.

It frowned at the sustained interference in the internal affairs of the senate by those it described as “detractors and media propaganda against the Senate by selfish politicians”.

But raising a Point of Order, Kabir Marafa (Zamfara Central) had earlier told the Senate that all other activities of the Senate after the June 9 inauguration was a nullity since they violated the provisions of Order 13 (2) which stipulates that Senate shall meet between 2pm and 6pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

He, however, excluded the June 9 inauguration on the grounds that “It was covered by the Proclamation of Mr President which say the proceedings of this chamber should start by 10am. All other activities of this Senate from the time, including but not limited to our Oath of Office is a nullity because it was not done within the timeframe”.

Ruling on the Order, Saraki noted that it was an error and referred the matter to the Clerk. He thereafter ruled Marafa out of order, dismissing his interpretation of the document.

The Senate President also announced the composition of the Adhoc Committee on Bad Roads and Erosion, with one of the bigwigs of the Unity Forum, Barnabas Gemade, as Chairman.

 

OWEDE AGBAJILEKE