AS the Senate resumes plenary today, the lawmakers would be facing so many unresolved contentious issues that require decisive approach.
The legislators had on June 25, suddenly gone on break as a result of the crisis that trailed the emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki as the Senate President.
The legislators had on June 25, suddenly gone on break as a result of the crisis that trailed the emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki as the Senate President.
It was a recess that was seen as a move to save the upper chamber of the National Assembly, NASS, from being consumed by the imbroglio.
Saraki in his defence, explained that the break was to enable the two ad- hoc committees on Finances and Legislative Agenda to effectively carry out their assignments.
“The adjournment of Senate’s plenary to July 21, 2015, was meant to give the Senate Ad-Hoc Committees on Legislative Agenda and Review of the Senate’s Finances time to conclude their work and submit their reports,’’ Saraki had said.
With the commencement of the business of lawmaking, the lawmakers would have an uphill task resolving the impasse generated by the emergence of Sen Ike Ekweremadu as the Deputy Senate President.
Indeed, the developments that had taken place during the recess hardly suggested that the All Progressives Congress, APC, is ready to recognise Ekweremadu’s position especially following the reported release of the investigative report on the alleged altering of the Senate Standing Order.
The fight between The Like Minds, a group loyal to Saraki and Unity Forum, Senator Ahmad Lawan’s support base may continue given the fact that none of the groups appear ready make concessions.
The fight between The Like Minds, a group loyal to Saraki and Unity Forum, Senator Ahmad Lawan’s support base may continue given the fact that none of the groups appear ready make concessions.
Before the break, Saraki had announced Senator Ali Ndume as the Senate Majority Leader; Senator Ibn Na’Allah as Senate Deputy Majority Leader and Senator Francis Alimikhena, Edo North as the Deputy Majority Whip.
Saraki, who merely announced the three principal officers following their nominations by senators of their various zonal caucuses, did not announce the occupant for the position of Senate Majority Whip which must be filled.
Also, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is expected to submit the list of its nominees for the principal offices. The positions to be occupied by the PDP lawmakers are: The Senate Minority leader, Deputy Minority Leader, Senate Minority Whip and Deputy Minority Whip.
In its familiar zoning pattern, the party had zoned the respective offices between the south and north, with the South South poised to produce the Senate Minority Leader, while the North Central is to produce the Senate Minority Whip.
The offices of the Minority Leader and Deputy Minority Whip were given to the North East and South West accordingly.
How the South-South would resolve resolve the rumblings arising from who occupies the position of the Minority leader, is likely to be contentious following alleged moves to jettison the Senate Standing Orders.
How the South-South would resolve resolve the rumblings arising from who occupies the position of the Minority leader, is likely to be contentious following alleged moves to jettison the Senate Standing Orders.
Already, the party caucus in the Senate is enmeshed in crises on the matter as a result of the ambition of Senator Godswill Akpabio, who is seen as not qualified to occupy the position as a non ranking senator.
It was gathered that the zone had settled for the immediate past Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta, Senator James Manager for the position of Minority leader, but Akpabio’s entrance in the race has altered the calculation.
Non ranking senator
Northern lawmakers also resolved to present Senator Philip Aduda as Minority Whip while Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, Taraba South is being considered for the position of Deputy Minority Leader.
There is the likelihood of seeing senators loyal to Lawan reject the new rule which shares the 57 standing committees equally among the six geo-political zones irrespective of party affiliations.
It is felt that having the committees shared equally among the PDP and the APC is in compliance with Order 3 (4) of the Senate Standing Orders 2015 as amended.
The law states that “The appointment of Senators as chairmen and members of committees shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the six geo-political zones of the country and there shall be no predominance of senators from a few geo-political zones.”
The committees to be constituted in line with Standing Orders 2015 as amended.
include; Committee on Selection, Committee on Rules and Business; Senate Services; Public Accounts Committee and Committee on National Security and Intelligence.
include; Committee on Selection, Committee on Rules and Business; Senate Services; Public Accounts Committee and Committee on National Security and Intelligence.
No comments:
Post a Comment