News Post

The plenary session of the Senate on Thursday, June 25, 2015 commenced with the reading of two letters addressed to the Senate President by the All Progressives Congress (APC) North-East and North-West Senators Caucuses of the National Assembly. The letters read on the floor of the Red Chamber by the Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki contained nominations for positions of Principal Offices of the Chamber.

Accordingly,Sen. Muhammed Ali Ndume was nominated for the position of Senate Majority Leader by the North-East Senators’ Caucus, while Sen. Bala Ibn Na’Allah was nominated for the position of Deputy Senate Majority Leader by the North-West Senators’ Caucus. Similarly, the names of Sen. Olushola Adeyeye and Sen. Francis Alimikhana were nominated for the positions of Senate Chief Whip and Senate Deputy Chief Whip respectively. Both of them were nominated by the South-West and South-South Senators’ Caucuses respectively.

Consequently, the four law-makers nominated have assumed duty immediately after the announcement. Speaking on behalf of the other three Principal Officers, the Senate Majority Leader, Ali Ndume expressed gratitude to the distinguished Senators for the honour done on them and promised not to betray the confidence reposed in them. 

He assured his colleagues of leading the Senate expeditiously, with respect, humility and would coordinate the activities of the Chamber and various stakeholders with a high sense of responsibility.   

Other major business of the day considered by the Hallowed Chamber were two Motions entitled:

1)The deplorable state of Obajana – Kabba Road, Kabba – Isanlu – Egbe – Ilorin Road and Kabba – Igara Iyamoye – Omuo – Ekiti Road, sponsored by Sen. Dino Melaye (Kogi West).

2) Landslide in parts of Isuikwuato (Isu 3) and Arochukwu Local Government Areas in Abia North Senatorial Zone of Abia State, sponsored by Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa (Abia North).

The Senate observed that the two motions were seeking to address infrastructural and environmental problems and considering the fact there are so many similar problems across the country; decided that both Motions be amended and consolidated to capture other cases in all parts of the country with a view to address them holistically. The Motion when amended would be presented at another legislative date.

Similarly, a new legislation has been introduced on the floor of the Senate. The Bill is titled “Oil and Gas Export Free Trade Zone Act CAP 05 LFN 2011 (Amendment) Bill 2015 (S.B. 06)”, sponsored by Sen. Ibrahim Gobir (Sokoto East).

Also, the Senate President has announced that the 18 Man Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Drafting of Legislative Agenda for the 8th Senate would be inaugurated today in the National Assembly Complex. The Senate has adjourned plenary session to reconvene on Tuesday, July 21, 2015.